New Jersey Devils: Goaltending Will Change Everything In 2022-23
The New Jersey Devils won multiple championships back in the day on the back of goaltending and defense. The league has changed a lot since then but it is still nice to see teams that are able to keep the puck out of their own net.
The Devils didn’t get that a lot in 2021-22. They used a lot of different goaltenders and that was one of the things that sunk their season. There were a few players, like Nico Daws, who deserves credit for taking on a role above them at the time and playing well.
However, it was obvious that upgrades were needed. Mackenzie Blackwood was viewed to be the future before last year when he was hurt a lot. It didn’t help that he didn’t play very well when he was on the ice but the injury could have had a lot to do with that.
He will be coming into this season looking to play like an elite goalie once again. He was someone that was considered to be an option for Team Canada at one point but he has a long way to go before that becomes a conversation again.
The New Jersey Devils should have a much better goaltending tandem this year.
The Devils also added another really good goaltender in case things go south for Blackwood this year. Vitek Vanecek was acquired by the New Jersey Devils over the offseason from the Washington Capitals. This is a really smart move as he has had a solid start to his career.
Vanecek is someone that the Devils hope can form a great duo with Mackenzie Blackwood. One of them might emerge as the clear number one guy on the team but having both is certainly going to be a strength for the team. Both of them need to play well all season long.
New Jersey has a strong group of skaters emerging. Led by Nico Hischier, Jack Hughes, and Jesper Bratt, the forward group is looking better and better each year. With defensemen like Dougie Hamilton, Jonas Siegenthaler, and Ryan Graves leading the way, things are looking good on the blue line as well.
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If the goaltending can back up these guys the way that we think they can, New Jersey might be a really good team. It is a long process and they still might be a year or two away from Stanley Cup contention, but they are going to get good goaltending this year and that will change everything.