Blackwood/Vanecek/We Really Need to Move On/Goalie Thread

[Bleedred]

People say this but Schmid played well in the pre-season (albeit it was only one period but he probably did well in training camp as well). If what you said was true they would have called up Daws right after that western trip ended, no ones going to keep their de-facto #4 goalie up for an extended time if #3 is available. So I don't think there was much separation between the two in the first place.

The Devils are winning now, they're not going to keep Blackwood going within the season if he can't produce results considering how Schmid has played. Blackwood will get a chance but they have options now so it doesn't have to be a long leash. They don't have any long-term commitment to him and will save on the cap next season if they go with a Vanecek and Schmid tandem.

My theory as to why they brought up Schmid instead of Daws was that Daws missed out on A LOT of development time last year in the AHL by being up here in the NHL for about half the year. Whereas Schmid was up here a couple of times, but not anything extended.

And I think ideally they wanted Daws to focus on the AHL this year, which I absolutely agree with.

 

[HBK27]

My theory as to why they brought up Schmid instead of Daws was that Daws missed out on A LOT of development time last year in the AHL by being up here in the NHL for about half the year. Whereas Schmid was up here a couple of times, but not anything extended.

And I think ideally they wanted Daws to focus on the AHL this year, which I absolutely agree with.

I figured that as well at first, but thinking about it...the priority is still the Devils, not Daws' development. Once Blackwood went down, it was known that he was going to be out for several weeks and that whoever got the call was going to get some games. The current AHL stats clearly favor Schmid (0.01 better save %, .60 better GAA) though I think they were quite a bit closer at the time of the call-up. If it were a dead tie, yeah you give Schmid the nod to give Daws the development time and games in Utica...but I think the staff there probably saw Schmid as the better option currently for the big club, which is 100% how the decision should be made. All we were going on as fans was basically how they played last year, which clearly favored Daws.

 

[Bad Goalie]

Then why was he drafted at all if that's the belief?

The Hierarchy should be doing cartwheels that one of the Many Devils Darts thrown at the Devils Goaltender Draft Dartboard (trying say that 3 times fast) may have hit the bullseye here.

I will find it very hard to believe that once Blackwood comes back, it will be "business as usual" as if Schmid never took the ice at all.

Blackwood is, as mentioned, going to be an a verrry short leash.

I won't root for him to fail but the possibility remains high (as there is PLENTY OF so-called "Sample Size") that he continues to struggle. We'll see...

As to Daws and Schmid, they were both brought on board at the same time, 2021-22. Many posters have stated that Brodeur was high on Daws. He was a 3rd rounder and Schmid was a 5th. Last season Daws got 25 games with NJ and Schmid got 6. Nico's numbers were not great but he basically played .500. Schmid proved to be unprepared for the NHL. He lost all 4 games he started and his numbers were way worse than Daws.

It was assumed by most that Daws would get the 1st shot at the NHL as their time progressed. njuries in NJ precluded the next year plans. Daws was left down in Utica to get as much game time as possible and Schmid was brought up to ride the bench as the backup. Schmid came on in relief of Vitek in a game not going well VV and the Devils came back and won the game and Schmid played very well. He eventually got a start and was again lights out. He has since become the darling of the fan base arteady penciling him in as NJ's #2 next year.

It was not intended for Daws to be a Devil and Schmid would be tossed to the side. It was thought by the powers that be that Daws with a year of European pro play and 25 games last year in the NHL would make it first. Akira would become #1 in Utica upon Nico's promotion to NJ in 2023-24. Schmid would become #2 in NJ a bit later and the draft picks for Goalie magically would play out as hoped for. So go the best made plans of mice and men.

Schmid has had a storybook start. It has happened to many a goalie. Schmid has been NHL outstanding in 5 games. If his progress follows that of Daws and many other kids in the NHL, it wil come to and end and human numbers will ensue. He could just as easily cave as Daws did. The difference may come from the excellent D being played by the team in front of him, especially the Devils' D-corps.

Schmid has only played a total of 9 games this season, 4 in Utica and 5 in NJ, and his numbers in both places are similar. He started the same way last season in Utica. By season's end he had played 38 games for the Comets and posted a 2.60/.911. Daws played 21 games and posted 2.54/.916. Amazing how close their final numbers were.

To sum up:
2021-22 Daws got the first look and people thought he was good to start and later on caved under the pressure. Schmid got a short look and it didn't go well at all. NJ's thoughts on the 2 at the beginning of the season held fast.
2022-23 Schmid got the first look and, just like Daws last season, has turned a lot of heads.

Lots of season to go. I believe the Devils are hoping they both pan out. So far they are progressing very well. They are also close in age with Akira 22 and not turning 23 until May and Daws 21, but turning 22 this month. About 6 months difference in age with Schmid the slightly older one.

 

[Bad Goalie]

People say this but Schmid played well in the pre-season (albeit it was only one period but he probably did well in training camp as well). If what you said was true they would have called up Daws right after that western trip ended, no ones going to keep their de-facto #4 goalie up for an extended time if #3 is available. So I don't think there was much separation between the two in the first place.

The Devils are winning now, they're not going to keep Blackwood going within the season if he can't produce results considering how Schmid has played. Blackwood will get a chance but they have options now so it doesn't have to be a long leash. They don't have any long-term commitment to him and will save on the cap next season if they go with a Vanecek and Schmid tandem.

Again I am saying what jersey's long range plans were.

In Utica Schmid started out almost as hot as he is now. 1.97/.918/4GP (2-1-2)
Daws not as hot. Currently still good numbers. 2.57/.908/11GP (4-5-1)

Schmid got the 1st nod.

We'll see how this all pans out, but when Blackwood returns to the NJ roster (which seems to be soon), Schmid will be sent back to Utica and he and Daws will go back to the game by game rotation and Poulter will go back to Adirondack.

I really think Blackwood should get a couple rehab games with Utica but would be just as happy if he didn't. I get the feeling he wouldn't react favorably to that move.

 

[Guttersniped]

While I assume how both were playing has to be a major factor obviously, if both were equal I prefer Schmid because he’s played fewer NHL games so far.

These games are increasing his value but you don’t want a young goalie to get yo-yo-ed up and down so much that they use up a lot of their waiver exempt 60 games. Daws is waiver exempt until 35 more GP or the 2025-26 season.

If Daws loses his waiver exemption status, hasn’t secured a spot and is very good there’s a real chance he’s simply a goner on waivers.

I didn’t think we would replace Blackwood internally next season but now it sort seems likes the best path, the goalie market doesn’t get better next season.

 

[Guadana]

I’m glad we have this topic. Much easier to read season theard.
And goalie talk is more focused and structured now.

 

[Billdo]

While I assume how both were playing has to be a major factor obviously, if both were equal I prefer Schmid because he’s played fewer NHL games so far.

These games are increasing his value but you don’t want a young goalie to get yo-yo-ed up and down so much that they use up a lot of their waiver exempt 60 games. Daws is waiver exempt until 35 more GP or the 2025-26 season.

If Daws loses his waiver exemption status, hasn’t secured a spot and is very good there’s a real chance he’s simply a goner on waivers.

I didn’t think we would replace Blackwood internally next season but now it sort seems likes the best path, the goalie market doesn’t get better next season.

I think we finally have some organizational depth where it COULD be done but who knows with goalies. Brennan is impressive, Malek looks decent, etc. It's a crapshoot but we aren't barren.

 

[HBK27]

While I assume how both were playing has to be a major factor obviously, if both were equal I prefer Schmid because he’s played fewer NHL games so far.

These games are increasing his value but you don’t want a young goalie to get yo-yo-ed up and down so much that they use up a lot of their waiver exempt 60 games. Daws is waiver exempt until 35 more GP or the 2025-26 season.

If Daws loses his waiver exemption status, hasn’t secured a spot and is very good there’s a real chance he’s simply a goner on waivers.

I didn’t think we would replace Blackwood internally next season but now it sort seems likes the best path, the goalie market doesn’t get better next season.

The waiver exempt status after 60 games is a damn good point and something I don't think anyone really thought of. Not sure if it definitely played a factor in Schmid getting the promotion over Daws at this point, but definitely something Fitz needs to keep an eye on.

 

[HBK27]

Even a happy birthday tweet has a sponsor.

 

[Triumph]

It's a great point and the other thing I would add is that Schmid is older, with just as much AHL experience. It's possible that they wanted to switch them at some point but that Schmid has played so well that there's no reason to do so.

 

[Classic Devil]

I think the Schmid call-up might have been made before they knew for sure Blackwood was going to be out for an extended period, and they didn't want to interrupt Utica's scheduled starts for Daws. Then Schmid ended up playing a game when Vanecek had to come out injured and did well, and they decided to ride him.

 

[HBK27]

Great news everyone!

 

[severian]

Great news everyone!

Had to pee in the board's collective cheerios, didn't you?

 

[HBK27]

I really do hope that they send Blackwood to Utica for a couple rehab starts though before activating him in NJ.

It's just tough because aside from Philly on Thursday, there are no semi-easy games this month.

 

[Tundra]

There is a good chance Blackwood career arc ends like Devan Dubnyk, assuming he stays healthy. He played ridiculous in 19-20, which is why Jersey is probably hesistant to deal him.

 

[glenwo2]

Great news everyone!

 

[Bleedred]

There is a good chance Blackwood career arc ends like Devan Dubnyk, assuming he stays healthy. He played ridiculous in 19-20, which is why Jersey is probably hesistant to deal him.

It really wasn’t ridiculous though, but it was very good. It was not really better than Vanecek this year, outside of the fact that it did go on longer, so it’s fair to say that it holds more weight.

And yes, it’s obvious his play from 19-20 is the only reason there’s any hope and faith at all left in this guy from management and the very few supporters he had left.

Kind of confused by the Devan Dubnyk mention. Dubnyk played in the NHL until he was 35 years old. If Blackwood lasts another 9 years in the NHL then it means he’s had some good years in the future. He’ll stay around a while, but if he hasn’t really improved on these last two years by the time he’s say 30 then he’ll at best be a third string/AHL call up guy, like where his old buddies Kinkaid and Schneider have found themselves in for the past several years.

 

[Bleedred]

Schmid down to a measly .940% now and 5-1-0 on the season.

Send him back to the AHL tonight. Have his car towed if he's not out of the building by 10:30 and on his way back to Utica.

 

[Guttersniped]

Even a happy birthday tweet has a sponsor.

He looks like a meth dealer on his wedding day.

 

[Bleedred]

Can you really send Akira back after this?

He needs to at least prove he needs to go down before just handing a spot back to the other guy

He hasn't done that yet

 

[My3Sons]

Can you really send Akira back after this?

He needs to at least prove he needs to go down before just handing a spot back to the other guy

He hasn't done that yet

I’ll play Devils advocate (look how clever I am). You can’t lose your spot because of injury. Blackwood just needs a chance to play when healthy and he will bounce back. You will be eating crow. Not just any crow but whatever crow is the most crowy.

 

[Bad Goalie]

I'll be watching the #1 whipping boy tonight. Guessing he will also play on Saturday with Daws getting the start on Friday.

H-m-m-m-m-m, that's unless NJ wants to give him all 3 starts and see (hope?) if he breaks again. (That's maybe a joke, but Bleedred would probably like the idea.)

 

[Bleedred]

I'll be watching the #1 whipping boy tonight. Guessing he will also play on Saturday with Daws getting the start on Friday.

H-m-m-m-m-m, that's unless NJ wants to give him all 3 starts and see (hope?) if he breaks again. (That's maybe a joke, but Bleedred would probably like the idea.)

He deserves to be the #1 whipping boy

Guy is the worst player on the team

Out of the last 3 years, he's been the worst player on the team in that time.

There's been other guys who I would agree have been worse, but they've since been weeded out of the organization or are in the AHL.

Like your user name would suggest, a bad goalie deserves very little sympathy, as it's the most important position in the game and a bad one will cost you more games than a bad Geertsen or a bad McLeod or a bad Haula or a bad Johnsson.

If you can't play better than Blackwood has in the last 62 games then you're probably one of the worst goalies in the NHL.

 

[njdevil26]

I am kind of surprised with the Blackwood hate. If we are excusing the first two games of the season where Blackwood AND VV both got lit up, Blackwood is 4-1 (after the Devils started GOD MODE). The vaccination thing definitely left a bad taste in people's mouths (and possible no taste or smell in Blackwood's mouth due to COVID) but that's essentially a non factor and I believe at this point he's vaccinated anyway. It's well known he had injury issues that he tried to play through and the entire team was a shit show last year.

I am just surprised at how angrily people want him off this team ASAP. Schmid looks awesome which I'm sure helps brush Blackwood aside but let's remember this dude was on the short list to be Canada's goalie before injuries and last season.

 

[AceKing21]

My theory as to why they brought up Schmid instead of Daws was that Daws missed out on A LOT of development time last year in the AHL by being up here in the NHL for about half the year. Whereas Schmid was up here a couple of times, but not anything extended.

And I think ideally they wanted Daws to focus on the AHL this year, which I absolutely agree with.

I have season tickets the Comets and I can tell you one thing. Daws is not the same player he was last season. I don't know if it's confidence, something personal, or he's just not developing any further. Some of the goals he lets in are simply jaw dropping and confusing. I was at the game vs the Crunch on Saturday night and a he just looked lost, couldn't track the puck and also while trying to play the puck behind the net, handed it right to Syracuse basically an empty net goal. I feel bad for the kid.