New Jersey Devils: 5 Backup Goalie Options In Free Agency

3. Mikko Koskinen

(Editor’s note: Koskinen ended up signing with a team overseas after publishing this piece.)

Mikko Koskinen was once the starter for the Edmonton Oilers, but it was short-lived. The Oilers splurged for Mike Smith of all players in order to make Koskinen the backup. Smith has been there for three seasons, and Koskinen was the backup for all three. Somehow, Koskinen was good the first season when they were splitting time, but he got a lot worse when he was given the full-time backup job.

Koskinen actually had more starts than Smith did this season, but he never started a game in the playoffs. He did get into three games, but it was in clean-up duty after a bad Smith start. Koskinen is a decent backup option who is getting a little up there in age.

At 33 years old, it’s possible that Koskinen’s recent drop in production has come due to his age. He was never one of the best in the league, which seems to be required to keep playing well deep into your 30s. Again, like Korpisalo, Koskinen has a place in the league, but putting him on the Devils is a major risk.

This is something the Devils have to consider when looking at a backup goalie. Free agency is coming with its flaws, but these are players they can get without additional cost. The Devils need to find someone who works. This is why they have to go bigger when it comes to a backup goalie. Don’t go cheap, go hard.