Pucks and Pitchforks
Fansided

New Jersey Devils: 3 Players Who Are Most To Blame For Bad Start

By Nick Villano

New York Rangers right wing Patrick Kane (88) scores a goal past New Jersey Devils goaltender Vitek Vanecek (41) behind defenseman John Marino (6) during the third period in game two of the first round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
New York Rangers right wing Patrick Kane (88) scores a goal past New Jersey Devils goaltender Vitek Vanecek (41) behind defenseman John Marino (6) during the third period in game two of the first round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 3
Next

The New Jersey Devils have been very disappointing this season, hitting a fever point on Friday night, losing to the worst team in hockey, the San Jose Sharks. They needed this game. After a mediocre start with quite a few bad teams on the schedule, the Devils are in seventh place in the Metropolitan Division. While there’s a lot of season left, the Devils are in a really bad spot.

There are many reasons for the Devils terrible start. Injuries are probably at the top of the list. Jack Hughes and Nico Hischier missed a few weeks each. Timo Meier just returned after missing some time. Erik Haula, Curtis Lazar, and Colin Miller all missed time, too. Nolan Foote has never been healthy, and Dougie Hamilton might be out for the season with a torn pectoral muscle.

Coaching also has to take its fair share of the blame. There are some decisions that… how do we say this diplomatically… numb the mind.

Yet, it still feels like the execution of the players who are most to blame. Many players are having worse seasons. Timo Meier hasn’t played up to his new contract. Hamilton, before his injury, was making mistakes that cost the Devils games. Ondrej Palat has been up and down. The depth of the team seems incomplete due to the injuries. However, three players are playing so far below the standards that one could argue that their turnaround alone would turn around this season. The first one is pretty obvious.

New Jersey Devils, Vitek Vanecek
New Jersey Devils goaltender Vitek Vanecek (41): Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Vitek Vanecek

Goaltending is the Devils biggest problem. Vitek Vanecek looks like a shell of himself this season. His movements are frantic. The rebound control is… not controlled. Vanecek has been one of the worst goalies in the NHL. Actually, some statistics declare him the worst goalie in the NHL. Only Stuart Skinner and Antti Raanta have a worse goals-saved above average than Vanecek’s -9.03 according to Natural Stat Trick. That means, over his 15 games, Vanecek allowed about nine goals more than an average goalie would in the same situation.

If Vanecek was what he was last season, the Devils might have three or four more wins. Legitimately, Vanecek might be why the Devils are near the bottom of the standings instead of the top. The Eastern Conference is incredibly close, and the Devils keep losing on standings points. The goalies are the reason. Akira Schmid has been good and bad, but Vanecek has basically been all bad.

Home/Editorials