New Jersey Devils: 3 Lessons To Learn From Edmonton Oilers

Lesson #2: Make the Right Goalie Decision

It seemed everyone was tying Jack Campbell to the New Jersey Devils during the 2022 offseason. The Devils needed a goalie, and Campbell was coming off a stupendous regular season. The Devils just needed someone to play average hockey at the position and they’d reach their goal of being a playoff team. We had once clamored for Campbell, but we quickly changed our mind when looking at the situation more closely.

After what the Oilers were forced to do with Campbell, the Devils are thanking their lucky stars they didn’t put themselves in the same position. Instead, they traded for Vitek Vanecek. He’s been mostly fine. However, most agree to win the Stanley Cup, the Devils need someone better.

Is Akira Schmid that better? We’re sure the Oilers assumed Stuart Skinner was going to live up to the billing, but that hasn’t really worked out. Schmid is having a similar start to the year as Skinner. His 5v5 save percentage is .001 point higher than Skinner’s. His goals saved above average is 52nd in the league while Skinner stands at 56th. They are both mostly disappointing based on the expectations.

The Devils need to make the right goalie decision. The Oilers have tried Mike Smith, Mikko Koskinen, Cam Talbot, and now Skinner and Campbell. With how much is spent on the star forwards and a $9 million defenseman, the goalie usually gets shorted. That’s how Campbell becomes the savior and the situation gets worse every year.