While the question mark surrounding the New Jersey Devils was the goalie in previous seasons, they answered that question last season. With the season right around the corner, it's time to discuss if the Devils will still have some unanswered questions regarding who is in net.
Vitek Vanecek #41
Vanecek came in last season and happily surprised Devils fans. Vanecek joined the Devils after being with the Washington Capitals for his first two seasons. While in the nation's capital, he had two very successful seasons having a goals-against average of 2.69 and 2.67 and a save percentage of .908% in both seasons.
Considering the season before the Devils rotated through seven different goalies, Devils fans wondered if Vanecek would finally be the missing piece we needed. He proved himself to be precisely what we needed.
In his first season with the Devils, he had his best year yet, securing a GAA of 2.45 and a save percentage of a .911% while playing nearly 600 more minutes than his previous high of 2,317. Since he was the starting goalie for this season, he played 2,915 minutes. He was even awarded the second star of the month in November after going 11-2-0 in his first 15 games with the Devils.
Although his performance in the postseason was not what we were used to seeing, it is clear we would not have even made the postseason without him starting in net most games. I believe part of his poor performance in the playoffs was from being burnt out from being heavily relied on during the regular season.
For next season, I believe Vanecek can become more consistent in net. Sometimes, he would be a brick wall in the net, or we would get blown out 5-0. Seeing how well Vanecek did at the beginning of the season, we know he can be consistent. I also believe that now that he has more playoff experience, he should do better next time.
Akira Schmid #40
Like Vanecek, Schmid came in when the Devils needed someone to regain control of the net. Since Vanecek was our starter, Schmid only played in 18 regular season games and had a winning record (9-5-2). When we saw him in net, we saw a huge frame take over the net and his calm composure came out despite his young age of 23. Schmid ended his regular season with a 2.13 GAA and a save percentage of .922%.
Fans already loved Schmid and saw his bright future before his performance in the playoffs. He came in as starting goaltender after Vanecek struggled in his first few playoff starts for the Devils and stood on his head, giving his team a chance to compete. During this playoff stretch, he posted two shutouts, one being a series-winning Game 7 against the New York Rangers. Schmid ended the playoffs with a 2.35 GAA and a save percentage of .921%.
Following his success, I would love to see Schmid back with the Devils for the entire season, but general manager Tom Fitzgerald mentioned that might not be the case earlier in the summer. I would like him to be with the Devils because of his calmness in net, giving the vibe that nothing gets to him. He also comes in at 6'5", taking up most of the net. Like Vanecek, there were times when he would get blown out during the season, but he is more consistent than Vanecek, which is why he should be with the Devils full-time. If we split the games more evenly, both goaltenders would be energized by the time playoffs come around. Schmid is a huge part of our future and can be our starting goaltender for years to come.
Nico Daws #50
Daws is a goaltending prospect with a bright future if given the right opportunity. I believe the place for Daws to be is the AHL so that he can develop more. He is only 22 and has yet to enter his prime. If he can develop more in the AHL and get some games here and there in the NHL, he should be a decent goaltender for the NHL by the time he enters his prime.
In the 2021-22 season, he played 25 games for the Devils with a record of 10-11-1. He posted a 3.11 GAA and had a save percentage of .893%. During this time, the Devils were struggling to find any solid goaltending, but he came in and always gave the team a chance of winning.
Will the Devils look to sign a goaltender for this upcoming season to let Schmid develop more in the AHL? Right now, the Devils have no other option but to keep Schmid with the Devils. Another question is, do the Devils feel comfortable with Vanecek as their starting goalie after the playoffs? As the season is right around the corner, these are questions that many are wondering about and will need to be answered soon. Either way, with Schmid and Daws coming through the pipeline, the Devils' net for the upcoming years will be in good hands.
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