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

[Unknown Caller]

Not sure if this board would have a bigger meltdown if Blackwood plays extremely well or extremely poor.

There are people on this board who are actively rooting against Blackwood and any puck that goes into the back of the net is automatically going to have the implied assumption that it was a stoppable goal. Let Vanecek take the Carolina game so we at least avoid the vitriol we would have when Blackwood gives up goals to Svechnikov and Necas.

All I'll say is the goaltending has been sub-.900 during this losing streak, yet the general consensus is that the goaltending shouldn't be touched or questioned when it's Vanecek/Schmid.

 

[Devs3cups]

 

[HBK27]

Kochetkov has phenomenal for Carolina this season.

Not saying we would've drafted him, but he went two picks after the 2nd round 2019 pick we traded away for Subban.

 

[Bleedred]

He's had good stretches the last two years, they just never last more than 5 or so games. I think he had a 3-4 good game stretch earlier this year.

Bad goalies have good stretches, bad goalies even have good months.

It doesn't mean they're not bad.

Shit, Blackwood even had two consecutive solid NHL seasons sandwiched right in between two different 50-60 game stretches of .890% goaltending. But it's starting to look more like that was the outlier and exception to the mean and that the mean is he's just a bad goalie. Blackwood even has 3 shutouts since that horrific run of play started.

What do people think? A goalie that's really bad is never gonna have a good game? Is never gonna have a good month? They're gonna allow 4 or 5 goals every game? This is a league where we saw a 36 year old accountant with no pro experience come into a game and stop all 7 shots he faced. Where we saw a 42 year old zamboni driver that's never played professionally come into a game and only allows 2 goals on 10 shots, with one being on the power play. That's not at all bad for a 40-something year old that's never played in the league before. And both of those goalies were only 6 foot even. You think a pretty good high school goalie is gonna come into the game and get scored on by almost every shot just because he's not a pro/NHL level goalie?

 

[Bleedred]

Imagine the Canes sending Kochetkov back after Fossil Freddie heals up whatever was wrong with him. Knowing him he probably slipped on the wet bathroom floor.

I honestly think they'd waive old looking Raanta first.

I doubt they'd send him back to the AHL, just so they could keep these two old injury cases up.

 

[My3Sons]

I've already said I wouldn't be surprised if he ends the losing streak, as well as the fact that he'll more than likely have good games. I just expect him to do good when some of you people eat crow because of it.

I've been right about the goalies to this point.

I can't argue with anything you've said. I can't wait for those doubters to eat that crow.

 

[Bleedred]

There are people on this board who are actively rooting against Blackwood and any puck that goes into the back of the net is automatically going to have the implied assumption that it was a stoppable goal. Let Vanecek take the Carolina game so we at least avoid the vitriol we would have when Blackwood gives up goals to Svechnikov and Necas.

All I'll say is the goaltending has been sub-.900 during this losing streak, yet the general consensus is that the goaltending shouldn't be touched or questioned when it's Vanecek/Schmid.

I know this is probably BAIT, it just HAS to be at this point, with the sub-.900 comment.

But first of all, Schmid shouldn't even be in this conversation of sub-.900% as he was only a sub-,900 in 2 of his 6 starts and 1 relief game. And his first sub-.900 start was way back in his first start of the season (.889%) against Arizona, which was smack dab in the middle of the 13 game winning streak.

His other sub-.900 start was his last start, which was an .893%. Blackwood has been even worse than an .893% over his last SIXTY TWO games and barely better than Schmid's .889% in one game, over his last 62 games.

Vanecek has been a sub-.900 goalie for like 4 or 5 games now? So the solution to that is to bring back the goalie that's been sub-.900 not only over the last 62 games in the league, but during this season too? His .880% over his 7 games this season is hardly better than Vanecek's .875% since the Nashville game (5 games) a couple of weeks ago. I don't understand this.

I'm highly surprised that you of all people (who has cited teams poor goaltending and our poor goaltending before and we usually see eye to eye on that) are saying this.

 

[Bleedred]

I can't argue with anything you've said. I can't wait for those doubters to eat that crow.

Clever!

I had to actually go back and re-read the original post, as I thought maybe I made some kind of typos or left words out.

That's something that's been happening A LOT over the last 5 years or so. I normally have to say my posts out loud when typing, so as to not leave words out, which has led to awkward moments in public haha. Where I likely come off as ''That weird dude talking to himself''.

I'm glad to see that was not an error on my part, as I'm really paranoid that I'm seeing the very early signs of dementia.

 

[My3Sons]

Clever!

I had to actually go back and re-read the original post, as I thought maybe I made some kind of typos or left words out.

That's something that's been happening A LOT over the last 5 years or so. I normally have to say my posts out loud when typing, so as to not leave words out, which has led to awkward moments in public haha. Where I likely come off as ''That weird dude talking to himself''.

I'm glad to see that was not an error on my part, as I'm really paranoid that I'm seeing the very early signs of dementia.

Nah. You posted every word I quoted. Your intent is always so hidden though since you tend to give us cryptic statements that hide your true beliefs. I just wish you'd be more up front when you discuss goaltending.

 

[Bleedred]

This is the angle I'm just not getting though. You're certainly not the only one to mention it either, but there's this odd fear that management somehow won't be able to see what apparently a majority of fans see.

Schmid will be 23 at the start of next season. If the team thinks he can at least be a good backup and potentially a starter, I'm not sure why they'd plan on him spending another season in the AHL next year which would be the case if they brought Blackwood back. You also have Daws in the pipeline that (although struggling this season) has shown potential and could be a decent enough 3rd option. You could also pair him with a veteran goalie in Utica for added depth (not sure what the plan is for Brennan or if he has another year of WHL eligibility, but given his struggles this season, he could always go to the ECHL).

Quite a ways to go between now and the summer when decisions need to be made, but it just seems like the odds of Blackwood being on this team next season are small. He'd have to put up really good numbers and even then I think they'd still trade him anyway. If he does happen to do well people should try to enjoy it instead of worrying what that might mean for his future with the team.

I'm highly skeptical that they let Schmid take over next year (that doesn't mean we're re-signing Blackwood) full time, unless we get another look at him this year. Say he played no more NHL games this year? I doubt they'd let him be the full time backup next year after only 8 games this year. I wouldn't really blame them either, but that means spending some money on another goalie, whether it's Blackwood at his way overpayment of a qualifying offer or bringing in somebody else yet again.

If he came back again and got another 10-12 starts and did reasonably well, I think they'd let him be the other goalie with Vitek next year. Just like with Blackwood in 2018-2019.

That's why we need to see more of him and less of Blackwood because Blackwood is basically Keith Kinkaid in 2019 right now, or at least he should be. What's the difference? He's not 30 years old, was a former 2nd round pick and had a ceiling?

 

[SteveCangialosi123]

There are people on this board who are actively rooting against Blackwood and any puck that goes into the back of the net is automatically going to have the implied assumption that it was a stoppable goal. Let Vanecek take the Carolina game so we at least avoid the vitriol we would have when Blackwood gives up goals to Svechnikov and Necas.

All I'll say is the goaltending has been sub-.900 during this losing streak, yet the general consensus is that the goaltending shouldn't be touched or questioned when it's Vanecek/Schmid.

Probably because people understand that an average goalie will have a bad week and it’s no big deal. Sucking ass for years is different.

 

[Bleedred]

Carolina, 23rd in the league in goals scored and shooting close to 2% below the league average

It's not the worst odds that they blow the lamp up against arguably the worst goalie they've faced this year. That's without looking at their schedule.

 

[HBK27]

Carolina, 23rd in the league in goals scored and shooting close to 2% below the league average

It's not the worst odds that they blow the lamp up against arguably the worst goalie they've faced this year. That's without looking at their schedule.

You talking about Vitek?

 

[Bleedred]

You talking about Vitek?

Blackwood

Who has been WAYYYYYYY worse than Vitek for the last two years and all of this year.....

But somehow, I'm not sure management/coaching staff is yet aware that Blackwood is definitely not the best goalie in the organization. I don't know if flunking out of a playoff spot after one of the hottest starts a team has ever had will be the wake up call.

Do we know Vitek is playing tonight?

 

[HBK27]

Blackwood

Who has been WAYYYYYYY worse than Vitek for the last two years and all of this year.....

But somehow, I'm not sure management/coaching staff is yet aware that Blackwood is definitely not the best goalie in the organization. I don't know if flunking out of a playoff spot after one of the hottest starts a team has ever had will be the wake up call.

Do we know Vitek is playing tonight?

Not 100%, but it's sure looking like it.

We're also fighting for 1st place in the division and Vitek hasn't played in 5 days and will presumably get the start versus the best team in the league on Friday, so it wouldn't make any sense to start Blackwood tonight.

 

[Richer's Ghost]

Nah. You posted every word I quoted. Your intent is always so hidden though since you tend to give us cryptic statements that hide your true beliefs. I just wish you'd be more up front when you discuss goaltending.

Crack the code!

 

[Guttersniped]

We went thru 7 goalies last season. I don't think they want to risk losing Blackwood on waivers just yet, especially with Daws struggling this season and Schmid starting to come back down to earth.

I also don't think the team necessarily views Blackwood's season being as bad as many on this board do. Again, small sample size and I know his prior 2 seasons haven't been good, but I don't think it's a clear cut decision to just waive him now.

I imagine they'll have a short leash, but I think he still deserves a game or two before any rash decisions like waiving him are made.

This basically. (I’m catching up with this thread and I’m now concerned that you might be the only poster I find saying this lol.)

Daws was 6-4-0 with .916 SV and 26 GA in his first 12 GP played. (He got pulled vs Calgary and relieved Gillies at the very end vs Tampa.)

He was 4-7-1 in his last 13 GP with a .871 SV% and 40 GA.

Schmid won his first 5 games with a .949 SV% and 6 GA but after that he’s 0-3-0 with a .904 and 7 GA.

The good and the bad in those games isn’t all due to him but this is only his second professional season. He’s not Vasilevsky or something, not sure why everyone is seeing a guy ready to play in the NHL.

Assuming that he can take a NHL back-up role for the rest of the is actually pretty risky because there’s a very good chance his game would continue to deteriorate if they left him here to develop.

Schmid has had a much better cup of coffee and now he can go down and work on his issues in a lesser pressurized environment. He’s still developing.

And if Blackwood is healthy and can stay that way for a while, and that’s a big if with him, there’s a very good chance he can play very well for a good stretch. He’s done that more recently than 2019-20.

He started 2020-21 5-2-1 with a SV% .932 and 19 GA before COVID and whatever else derailed him.

Blackwood started 2021-22 injured, he didn’t play until our 9th game after getting off the IR, but he went 5-3-3 in his first 13 games with 33 GA and 2 SO.

Hell, Blackwood got injured in the two games he did poorly in this year. He was briefly out with a UBI after getting pulled in 10/24 vs the Caps and he got the sprained MCL vs EDM.

Now Blackwood has only played weak teams this season other than that and it feels like another injury for him is simply enviable. I get not being enthused or optimistic about his long term chances or chances in general.

Thinking he can be decent short term isn’t crazy though. Also saying we should dump him and voluntarily have less goalie depth for the last 51 regular season games is pretty ridiculous too.

The team isn’t going to play him a bunch if he sucks and costs us games but they’re going to give him a go.

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

There are people on this board who are actively rooting against Blackwood and any puck that goes into the back of the net is automatically going to have the implied assumption that it was a stoppable goal. Let Vanecek take the Carolina game so we at least avoid the vitriol we would have when Blackwood gives up goals to Svechnikov and Necas.

All I'll say is the goaltending has been sub-.900 during this losing streak, yet the general consensus is that the goaltending shouldn't be touched or questioned when it's Vanecek/Schmid.

and there are people who blindly support the guy even though he has been an inconsistent, injury prone goalie for 3+ years now.

I would never actively root against a Devils player. But I will also not "support" this guy if that makes sense, unless he blows the doors off.

(I mean I know one of the reasons why, but yeah)

 

[Tundra]

Blackwood made some Blackwood like saves in the 2nd Utica game. Lunging kickouts and sprawling spreads. That's what you want to see, since that's been the area of the anatomy where he's been hurt.

 

[Call Me Al]

Blackwood made some Blackwood like saves in the 2nd Utica game. Lunging kickouts and sprawling spreads. That's what you want to see, since that's been the area of the anatomy where he's been hurt.

yeah when he healthy he makes those saves. the problem is the brain fart goals that anyone else can stop or his inability to anticipate plays or track the puck

 

[Bleedred]

yeah when he healthy he makes those saves. the problem is the brain fart goals that anyone else can stop or his inability to anticipate plays or track the puck

He definitely gets beaten on a lot of screens that aren't really screens on the majority of NHL goalies.

And he goes down early a lot too and just has a brutal glove hand.

I mean, don't get me wrong, I'm not saying it's infinitely worse than the average NHL butterfly goalie's glove hand, but it was supposed to be a strength of his and it's really not.

 

[Guttersniped]

This vaccine truther stuff with Blackwood is grating, so wish people would stop telling people what they “really think”. Blackwood got vaccinated after he was rumored to be a candidate for the Olympics team. It’s pretty easy to figure out his motive.

The first dose was reported about on Oct 25th (he was on the IR until Nov 2nd so he had some free time on his hands).

Putting aside any goofball theories about the vaccine people feel a burning desire to share with everyone, he needed it to get into Canada. That did allow him to back up, and relieve, Bernier in his last start (ever?) in Winnipeg.

Blackwood was back on the IR from Jan 25 to Apr 26 however so he missed our 7 next games in Canada. He came back just in time to be in the net for a 5-4 OT loss in Ottawa.

 

[NJDevs26]

Yeah COVID-vaccine debates are no longer allowed on HF, so don't even start with them (not directed at you Gutter, just in general) or automatically attributing that as a motive to why people like or don't like this player, which again gets into the arguing the poster instead of arguing the post nonsense which so many of you can't wait to do. There's plenty of other reasons to debate whether Blackwood should be here long-term or not, most of which do have to do with hockey.

Although tbh if his main motivation for getting vaccinated was actually the Olympics and not the fact the deadline for doing so to participate in Devils games in Canada (a la certain Yankee players who took it right to the deadline before their first series in Toronto) was coming up, then that would reflect far worse on him as a person. Doesn't care enough to do something for the team, but will do the same thing for his own personal glory.

 

[Killing Joke]

wrong thread

 

[NJDevs26]

Welp the Devils are getting what they want...now they can give Blackwood right back his 1A job without actually having to earn it first