New Jersey Devils: Does Mackenzie Blackwood Really Have No Value?

The New Jersey Devils are facing a strange offseason, especially at the goaltending position. They want to trade Mackenzie Blackwood according to reports, but that could be harder than they think.

Larry Brooks of the New York Post added some reports to his latest article on the Stanley Cup Final. He talks about the New Jersey Devils‘ interest in Toronto Maple Leafs’ Jack Campbell. They are so interested in the pending free agent, that they might trade for his rights. This happens a lot. Sometimes it works out, and sometimes it doesn’t. In fact, Jonathan Bernier‘s rights were traded to the Carolina Hurricanes before he was signed by the Devils last offseason.

Of course, that’s a bullet the Hurricanes avoided after Bernier suffered a devastating hip injury, and the Hurricanes ended up signing Freddie Andersen, who had a phenomenal season for about the same price. Now, the Devils are left with an injured Bernier and a questionable Mackenzie Blackwood.

New Jersey Devils might trade Mackenzie Blackwood for signing rights.

In Brooks’ article, he says the Devils might be willing to trade Blackwood to make a Campbell deal work. Is that really how far he’s fallen? Rights can usually be had for a fifth-round pick. It’s not clear if the Devils would make Blackwood available in a Campbell deal, but could he really be worth just a throw in for a free agent? To be fair to Brooks, that might not be what he’s alluding to, but don’t be surprised if that’s what happens.

There has been speculation the Maple Leafs might want to take a chance on Blackwood. He really needs a reset after a dreadful year both on and off the ice. He once looked like another great goalie coming up in the Metropolitan Division, but he’s fallen faster than Carter Hart last season.

The Devils are trying to figure out who is right for this team moving forward, and they might feel like Campbell gives them the best chance to win, but would it make sense to do that at the expense of Blackwood? We talked about our changing feelings about Campbell before. He’s someone who seems to excel when the situation is easiest. The Devils need someone who can make the hard saves (or any save, we suppose). Especially if Campbell gets north of $5 million like it’s rumored.

Blackwood’s numbers were terrible, but we’re one season removed from him being considered one of the core pieces. Some might argue he or Jack Hughes was the most important core piece. The Devils had to play a majority of this season without either of them. Now, it looks like Blackwood went from “core piece” to “throw away”. It’s honestly more sad that it’s fallen this far.