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

[njdevil26]

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.

Good to get an insight on that because I am wondering why Utica doesn't seem to be having anywhere near the success they were having last year.

 

[AceKing21]

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.

Exactly everything you've said is 100% on point. I've watched both since they got to Utica and thought for sure the hierarchy would be what you've stated. Daws moving up to be #2 and Akira being #1 in Utica. Then down the road, Daws #1 and Akira #2 in NJ. At this rate, I don't know if Daws is NHL material because he has regressed significantly. It could be all mental and he just needs to get his confidence back.

 

[Bleedred]

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.

That sucks to hear, but I'm afraid this all goes back to him playing 25 games in the NHL last year, which was probably 15 too many.

There's goalies that have been ruined or better case very slowly developed by being forced to play in the NHL younger than they should have or at least too many games when they were younger.

Look at Fleury. He was even younger than Daws when he came in, but he was also a 1st overall pick in by far the deepest draft of at least that decade. And he probably didn't look like a 1st overall pick for much of his career, though eventually he started looking like a first round pick after quite a while. Some of his best years were even in his 30's.

Like I said a lot last year, Daws played more NHL games at 20-21 years old than Brodeur had played NHL games at the same age. If that puts things into perspective.

 

[AceKing21]

Good to get an insight on that because I am wondering why Utica doesn't seem to be having anywhere near the success they were having last year.

Also, they are lacking in scoring. As far as defense goes, they have decent depth, but they just dont seem to be clicking this year. With Zetterlund, Holtz, Bahl gone, thats a pretty hefty core to replace. Other then Daws being my favorite player, I really like Okhotyuk, but after his injury, he is just not the same aggressive defender out there. I'll be at the game tonight vs Laval. Hoping its the start of a decent streak as they have 3 home games this week.

 

[AceKing21]

That sucks to hear, but I'm afraid this all goes back to him playing 25 games in the NHL last year, which was probably 15 too many.

There's goalies that have been ruined or better case very slowly developed by being forced to play in the NHL younger than they should have or at least too many games when they were younger.

Look at Fleury. He was even younger than Daws when he came in, but he was also a 1st overall pick in by far the deepest draft of at least that decade. And he probably didn't look like a 1st overall pick for much of his career, though eventually he started looking like a first round pick after quite a while. Some of his best years were even in his 30's.

Like I said a lot last year, Daws played more NHL games at 20-21 years old than Brodeur had played NHL games at the same age. If that puts things into perspective.

I'm 100% with you on the bringing him up too fast and not allowing his development in the AHL, it can really effect certain players. I wonder if Akira being brought up as NJ's #2 while Blackwood is out messed with his confidence and self belief. Also, I believe Blackwood is starting tonight in Utica.

 

[Bleedred]

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.

Here we go again

First of all, I don't give a single f*** about the vaccination, as I'm not vaccinated against pretty much anything, other than those shots they make you take before you start school, which was f***in 40+ years ago now.

I'm kind of surprised that there's more defenders of him.

Stop with this ''We are excusing the first 2 games blah blah blah'' it was the same shit with Cory back in 2018 and 2019. ''Well, he was bad the first 9 games, but he's a .920% since then and the world championships. Those first 9 games don't count because he was injured''.

He's the worst player on this team or at the very least plays the most important position and it's a position that costs you A LOT of points if the player is bad.

He was on Canada's goalie list? Big f***in deal. That was based off of play THREE f***IN YEARS AGO JUST ABOUT! LIterally, he hasn't played more than a handful of good games in a row since February of 2020. 34 months ago.

I think his best stretch since was the first 5 games of the 2020-2021 season.

.892% in the 62 games since.

And last but not least, the racetrack is about to run out on him. He will be too expensive next year at his qualifying offer for what he's brought the last two years. And there's not enough time left to audition him to give him $3-$4 million next year. Not sure if people realize his qualifying offer for next year. It's too much for a goalie that hasn't been good for years, can't stay healthy and we're a cap team with Vanecek already signed at $3.4 million for the next two years. Blackwood's goaltending the last 2 years can be provided by a goalie making $1 million per.

I wouldn't be surprised if we hear ''SCCCHMIIIIDDDDDDD!!!!'' or ''Vitek! Vitek! Vitek! Vitek!'' chants at a home game this year while he's in net. Clearly the crowd turning on him in his last home game he played by Bronx cheering him making a save.

 

[njdevil26]

Here we go again

First of all, I don't give a single f*** about the vaccination, as I'm not vaccinated against pretty much anything, other than those shots they make you take before you start school, which was f***in 40+ years ago now.

I'm kind of surprised that there's more defenders of him.

Stop with this ''We are excusing the first 2 games blah blah blah'' it was the same shit with Cory back in 2018 and 2019. ''Well, he was bad the first 9 games, but he's a .920% since then and the world championships. Those first 9 games don't count because he was injured''.

He's the worst player on this team or at the very least plays the most important position and it's a position that costs you A LOT of points if the player is bad.

He was on Canada's goalie list? Big f***in deal. That was based off of play THREE f***IN YEARS AGO JUST ABOUT! LIterally, he hasn't played more than a handful of good games in a row since February of 2020. 34 months ago.

I think his best stretch since was the first 5 games of the 2020-2021 season.

.892% in the 62 games since.

And last but not least, the racetrack is about to run out on him. He will be too expensive next year at his qualifying offer for what he's brought the last two years. And there's not enough time left to audition him to give him $3-$4 million next year. Not sure if people realize his qualifying offer for next year. It's too much for a goalie that hasn't been good for years, can't stay healthy and we're a cap team with Vanecek already signed at $3.4 million for the next two years. Blackwood's goaltending the last 2 years can be provided by a goalie making $1 million per.

I wouldn't be surprised if we hear ''SCCCHMIIIIDDDDDDD!!!!'' or ''Vitek! Vitek! Vitek! Vitek!'' chants at a home game this year while he's in net. Clearly the crowd turning on him in his last home game he played by Bronx cheering him making a save.

I didn't even quote you or talk to you or address you. Watch your tone, internet tough guy. Sorry I don't agree with your opinion.

 

[Bleedred]

I didn't even quote tweet you or talk to you or address you. Watch your tone, internet tough guy. Sorry I don't agree with your opinion.

Calm down dude. Damn, I'm about the least confrontational person on here, except for that time I joked about assaulting Bratt Pack, which made him a member here.

Well you said Blackwood ''Hate'' and I would say the one poster that's admitted to HATING this player is me.

I don't hate him as a person, because I don't know him, but you're damn right I hate him as a player. That's for sure.

And if there's a player worth hating, it's a goalie as bad as Blackwood. God knows this board loves to hate Geertsen, Smith, McLeod.

I hate some of these players too, but none of them are as lethal to the success of your hockey club as a bad goalie.

It's getting to be insanity at this point that this is the year he's bouncing back and give him a chance. It was the same thing with Cory, only Cory was still signed here for however many more years after that. Blackwood is not signed here beyond this year and he absolutely should not be under any circumstances, unless he wants to sign for way below his qualifying offer and compete for either the NHL backup or third string spot next year.

 

[njdevil26]

Calm down dude. Damn, I'm about the least confrontational person on here, except for that time I joked about assaulting Bratt Pack, which made him a member here.

Well you said Blackwood ''Hate'' and I would say the one poster that's admitted to HATING this player is me.

I don't hate him as a person, because I don't know him, but you're damn right I hate him as a player. That's for sure.

And if there's a player worth hating, it's a goalie as bad as Blackwood. God knows this board loves to hate Geertsen, Smith, McLeod.

I hate some of these players too, but none of them are as lethal to the success of your hockey club as a bad goalie.

It's getting to be insanity at this point that this is the year he's bouncing back and give him a chance. It was the same thing with Cory, only Cory was still signed here for however many more years after that. Blackwood is not signed here beyond this year and he absolutely should not be under any circumstances, unless he wants to sign for way below his qualifying offer and compete for either the NHL backup or third string spot next year.

My mind is definitely clouded considering all the crap I see on Twitter and everyone's opinions and I just assume it's the opinion of the fanbase as a whole.

I am definitely not championing Blackwood as this team's goalie. VV has that job now and Schmid has earned the backup role. I just think it might be worth it to give Blackwood some games and if he plays well then we have possibly one of the most valuable trade assets in the league. Teams can always use goalies.

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

Is it a coincidence that the team starts losing a few as soon as that loser Blackwood shows up?????

Kidding. Or am I?

 

[Bleedred]

My mind is definitely clouded considering all the crap I see on Twitter and everyone's opinions and I just assume it's the opinion of the fanbase as a whole.

I am definitely not championing Blackwood as this team's goalie. VV has that job now and Schmid has earned the backup role. I just think it might be worth it to give Blackwood some games and if he plays well then we have possibly one of the most valuable trade assets in the league. Teams can always use goalies.

I think the majority of the fanbase has turned on him, yes I believe that. Not to the extent of myself, but I don't think there's many defenders left.

Blackwood won't be a valuable trade asset, as he won't be worth his qualifying offer next year.

Any team that would trade for him would almost definitely be doing it just to fill out the remainder of this year. His qualifying offer is too expensive next year for what he's brought on this contract.

Too injury prone and underperforms when he's actually on the ice.

And he's living off a hot streak from just about 3 years ago now. His AHL career was no good and was definitely the only clue given before he made his NHL debut that the last 2 years might not be as fluky as you would think.

 

[Bleedred]

Is it a coincidence that the team starts losing a few as soon as that loser Blackwood shows up?????

Kidding. Or am I?

I don't think his presence has made the team lose more, as he's been practicing even before the skid.

I do think that his presence on the ice will lead to some losses though. Which means for the people freaking out about the recent skid, you ain't seen nothing yet, but it all depends on how many games he plays.

I forgot how many conditioning games he's allowed, but I can't see them throwing Schmid back down unless he has at least one ass beating in one of the NHL games.

Maybe we'll get some wins with him too, it might not be all bad, but he's just not a good goalie.

If he has any chance of resurrecting his career it needs to happen elsewhere, like Steve Mason did for a few years after he went from Columbus to Philly.

 

[My3Sons]

Here we go again

First of all, I don't give a single f*** about the vaccination, as I'm not vaccinated against pretty much anything, other than those shots they make you take before you start school, which was f***in 40+ years ago now.

I'm kind of surprised that there's more defenders of him.

Stop with this ''We are excusing the first 2 games blah blah blah'' it was the same shit with Cory back in 2018 and 2019. ''Well, he was bad the first 9 games, but he's a .920% since then and the world championships. Those first 9 games don't count because he was injured''.

He's the worst player on this team or at the very least plays the most important position and it's a position that costs you A LOT of points if the player is bad.

He was on Canada's goalie list? Big f***in deal. That was based off of play THREE f***IN YEARS AGO JUST ABOUT! LIterally, he hasn't played more than a handful of good games in a row since February of 2020. 34 months ago.

I think his best stretch since was the first 5 games of the 2020-2021 season.

.892% in the 62 games since.

And last but not least, the racetrack is about to run out on him. He will be too expensive next year at his qualifying offer for what he's brought the last two years. And there's not enough time left to audition him to give him $3-$4 million next year. Not sure if people realize his qualifying offer for next year. It's too much for a goalie that hasn't been good for years, can't stay healthy and we're a cap team with Vanecek already signed at $3.4 million for the next two years. Blackwood's goaltending the last 2 years can be provided by a goalie making $1 million per.

I wouldn't be surprised if we hear ''SCCCHMIIIIDDDDDDD!!!!'' or ''Vitek! Vitek! Vitek! Vitek!'' chants at a home game this year while he's in net. Clearly the crowd turning on him in his last home game he played by Bronx cheering him making a save.

So if we ignore all the bad games from the past couple of seasons and the two losses this season you think Blackwood is poised for a rebound? That’s some pretty convoluted reasoning just to tell us that you think Blackwood can still be the goalie this team needs.

 

[Bleedred]

So if we ignore all the bad games from the past couple of seasons and the two losses this season you think Blackwood is poised for a rebound? That’s some pretty convoluted reasoning just to tell us that you think Blackwood can still be the goalie this team needs.

It's not just the goalies. People love to do this with every player.

I'm noticing it with Bratt right now. Because he's not on pace for 100 points anymore like he was early on, he's been getting called out A LOT lately during this skid.

No player is completely consistent every month or stretch of the season. That's why a guy that's on pace for 100 points only finishes with 70 points at year's end. They're not the 100 point player they were for the first stretch and they're not the 40 point player they were for the other long stretch.

A goalie has a stretch of .920%-.930% and we're supposed to forget about the first 10 games of the season when he was way below .900%. And it's the same in reverse. Goalie was a .930% the first 10 games and is like an .880% or something over the last 8 games. Is he a .930%? Or is he an .880%?

Spoiler alert: He's a .910%.

 

[My3Sons]

It's not just the goalies. People love to do this with every player.

I'm noticing it with Bratt right now. Because he's not on pace for 100 points anymore like he was early on, he's been getting called out A LOT lately during this skid.

No player is completely consistent every month or stretch of the season. That's why a guy that's on pace for 100 points only finishes with 70 points at year's end. They're not the 100 point player they were for the first stretch and they're not the 40 point player they were for the other long stretch.

A goalie has a stretch of .920%-.930% and we're supposed to forget about the first 10 games of the season when he was way below .900%. And it's the same in reverse. Goalie was a .930% the first 10 games and is like an .880% or something over the last 8 games. Is he a .930%? Or is he an .880%?

Spoiler alert: He's a .910%.

Streakiness is endemic to hockey except for the very best players. I know Blackwood has been largely subpar - for whatever reasons - the past couple of years and even this season he’s been uneven despite the win-loss record. I do think that given his salary and the team’s need to fish or cut bait with him they will give him every opportunity and then some to finish the season with NJ over Schmid. Will that be a disaster? Maybe. My suspicion is that Fitz expects Blackwood to play his way off the team but knows that if Blackwood is healthy and flops it’s a much easier call to dump him given that he might bounce back next season elsewhere.

 

[Bad Goalie]

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.

I was partial to Schmid last season.

When Daws came back he was never again what he was before he left and his play in the playoffs didn't help the Comets a lot either.

His numbers right now are similar to how he finished last season. He was always a bad puck handler and that hasn't changed. I cringe whenever he leaves the net. He has gotten better at squaring up with the shooter, he is not the rebound machine he was last season, but he still gets beat on the kind of shots you would think are goals other keepers don't surrender.

I thought then and still do that Schmid will end up the better of the 2.

 

[Bleedred]

Streakiness is endemic to hockey except for the very best players. I know Blackwood has been largely subpar - for whatever reasons - the past couple of years and even this season he’s been uneven despite the win-loss record. I do think that given his salary and the team’s need to fish or cut bait with him they will give him every opportunity and then some to finish the season with NJ over Schmid. Will that be a disaster? Maybe. My suspicion is that Fitz expects Blackwood to play his way off the team but knows that if Blackwood is healthy and flops it’s a much easier call to dump him given that he might bounce back next season elsewhere.

I think if he struggles after a few games they’ll toss him.

The worst thing would be if he played well for 5 games and it bought him the rest of the year to suck. He’ll get a lot of mileage out of a short hot streak, no matter how bad he is in the stretch after that. He’s still living off a stretch from almost 3 years ago.

I don’t think they wanna waive him, but we have absolutely no use for him after this season and I’m not sure we have much use for him this season unless we get injuries again.

I’m pretty sure Daws isn’t worse than him, never mind Schmid and Vanecek. Daws and Blackwood are more than likely a wash.

 

[My3Sons]

I think if he struggles after a few games they’ll toss him.

The worst thing would be if he played well for 5 games and it bought him the rest of the year to suck. He’ll get a lot of mileage out of a short hot streak, no matter how bad he is in the stretch after that. He’s still living off a stretch from almost 3 years ago.

I don’t think they wanna waive him, but we have absolutely no use for him after this season and I’m not sure we have much use for him this season unless we get injuries again.

I’m pretty sure Daws isn’t worse than him, never mind Schmid and Vanecek. Daws and Blackwood are more than likely a wash.

After last season I have a hard time seeing them waive him. They will give him some decent leash at a minimum. Maybe if he completely craps the bed - which at this point maybe he does accidentally on purpose if he thinks he can catch on with another team?

 

[Rhodes 81]

I think there's a chance, regardless of how well Blackwood plays when he returns, that he's cut loose after the end of the year. If they believe Vanecek can start 50+ games and be an effective starter, they might roll the dice on Schmid or Daws being a much cheaper 1b/backup option.

Obviously it all depends on how Vanecek, Schmid, and Daws perform for the rest of this season, but getting goaltending for a combined ~4.25 next year in the final year before the cap should jump up would be a huge advantage.

 

[NJDevs26]

I was partial to Schmid last season.

When Daws came back he was never again what he was before he left and his play in the playoffs didn't help the Comets a lot either.

His numbers right now are similar to how he finished last season. He was always a bad puck handler and that hasn't changed. I cringe whenever he leaves the net. He has gotten better at squaring up with the shooter, he is not the rebound machine he was last season, but he still gets beat on the kind of shots you would think are goals other keepers don't surrender.

I thought then and still do that Schmid will end up the better of the 2.

I just hope we didn't ruin Daws with too much, too soon in a nightmare situation

 

[Bleedred]

I think there's a chance, regardless of how well Blackwood plays when he returns, that he's cut loose after the end of the year. If they believe Vanecek can start 50+ games and be an effective starter, they might roll the dice on Schmid or Daws being a much cheaper 1b/backup option.

Obviously it all depends on how Vanecek, Schmid, and Daws perform for the rest of this season, but getting goaltending for a combined ~4.25 next year in the final year before the cap should jump up would be a huge advantage.

Yup

And there's conflicting numbers, but I've seen Blackwood's qualifying offer as high as $4.2 million and as low as $3 million. Either way, both are too much for what he provided on this contract.

Even if Schmid/Daws suck as much as Blackwood, they'll be MUCH cheaper than he will be. Do you want an expensive shit goalie? Handicapping us from allocating that money elsewhere. Or do you want a cheaper shit goalie that's cost controlled, while saving $2-$3 million in cap space for that year? I vote the last option.

 

[AceKing21]

And the Blackwood return begins here in Utica vs Laval.

….and 54 seconds into the game, he lets up 1 goal on 1 shot.

….and at 10:02, goal 2 on the 6th shot.

….and at 12:58, goal 3 on the 8th shot

4th goal on 18 shots. Here in the 3rd period

 

[Bleedred]

If he does poorly in the AHL, can they really just dump Schmid back down there and call him back up? Especially if Schmid doesn't have one good ass beating against in the NHL?

It's not like swapping Holtz with Johnsson. There's too much consequence to bringing an inferior goalie back onto the roster in favor of a guy that has been better (yes, in short sample size) than anything Blackwood has done since probably February of 2020.

 

[Killing Joke]

Already given up 2 goals lol. And some of you want to keep giving this guy a chance still.

Sorry Blackwood has given up 3 goals now. Yea, let’s not bother with him

 

[NJDevs26]

LOL he’ll go back on IL before they cut him though