New Jersey Devils Midseason Report Card
Vitek Vanecek
Starts: 24 Wins:16 GAA: 2.37 SV% .913
The Vitek chants have been heard all over New Jersey, and the number one guy has been great this season. All this team needed was average goaltending to get out of the basement, and Vanecek has given them what they needed. He makes at least one save a game that he probably shouldn’t make. Having a guy who can reliably stop the puck is fantastic, and it is a real breath of fresh air after so many couldn’t for so many years now.
Overall Rating: A
Mackenzie Blackwood
Starts:10 Wins: 5 GAA: 3.05 SV% .888
The future goaltender should be labeled as the past goaltender now. He was passed over very quickly in the first quarter, but he still hasn’t even shown that he can be a backup. His save percentage is not good enough yet again, and he will be on his way out the door next season without question.
Overall Rating: F
Next. Assessing All-Star Bids For Remaining Devils Players. dark
Akira Schmid
Starts: 7 Wins: 5 Losses: 4 GAA: 2.24 SV% .919
While Akira Schmid hasn’t played as many games as Vanecek or Blackwood, he has put up the best numbers and has been far better than Blackwood. This is the Devils’ backup next season, if not later this one. This could lead to a strong 1-2 combo moving forward, which is needed in the NHL. Most guys don’t play like Martin Brodeur used to. He looks confident in the net now unlike last season, and he is transitioning into the guy in the AHL who put up insane numbers just a year ago.