Confirmed with Link: Devils acquire Vitek Vanecek and 46th Overall pick from WSH for 37th Overall pick and 70th Overall pick

[Homedresser]

the Devils thought their rebuild was done in 2018 or so...obviously they were wrong. Rebuild version 2 electric bugaloo didnt really start until guys like Hall and Palms were moved.



Vanacek was one of the best 5 on 5 goalies in the NHL last year

I am not sure there was a guy available that would 100% "fix" the goaltending in 2022-23, but this move certainly helps. You're being dense is you say otherwise.

the move only helps because the problem was so bad. Any move would have been an improvement over last year. At least we agree, another offseason and the problem is NOT fixed.

 

[msrulo]

Good for both sides I guess

 

[Hisch13r]

THIS.

Had we had Average Goaltending last season, we would've been a bubble team in the playoff hunt.

Vitek immediately becomes one of our best Goaltenders (considering who is available since Bernier probably won't play again this century) so yeah....Give me Average Goaltending...FINALLY.

Ehhh we still wouldn't have been close to the playoffs with average. Average would've gotten us in the mid 80s but also tbf the Jack and Dougie injuries hurt and Recchi's a moron.

 

[Zippy316]

I'm a bit surprised they didn't go after Kuemper/Campbell but that may have required long-term commitment so maybe this end up not that bad and maybe we will see an ascension from Blackwood or Vanecek to legitimate NHL starter next year.

I’m guessing Toronto and Edmonton clearing cap scared the Devils a bit.

By all indications, Vanecek’s underlying numbers are pretty similar to some of those guys. He’s also been consistent in a tandem the last few years, so the trade makes some sense there.

Definitely a bit of a gamble though. Was definitely hoping for something more proven.

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

the move only helps because the problem was so bad. Any move would have been an improvement over last year. At least we agree, another offseason and the problem is NOT fixed.

Who could the Devils acquired, that is rumored to be available, that would have "fixed" the problem?

 

[Homedresser]

I mean. What else was going to happen in 2015 when they had the oldest roster in the league, up against the cap, worst prospect pool, and a low amount of draft picks.

Shit takes time. The fact they made the playoffs in 2018 is a f***ing miracle.

Other organizations seem to be able to do it. Should be able to win more than 1 playoff game in 10 years.

 

[Bleedred]

Ruff needs to be blasted into retirement if he doesn't START with Vanecek and give him a whole lot of rope.

 

[NjDevsRR]

the move only helps because the problem was so bad. Any move would have been an improvement over last year. At least we agree, another offseason and the problem is NOT fixed.

- Devils need league average goaltending

*Devils sign league average goaltending*

*Goalie retires*

- Devils need league average goaltending.

*Devils sign league average goaltending*

*Goalie’s hip randomly explodes*

- Devils need league average goaltending.

*Devils trade for league average goaltending*



What else do you want them to do? My god.

 

[Homedresser]

Who could the Devils acquired, that is rumored to be available, that would have "fixed" the problem?

Doesn't have to be rumored to be available. GM has a job to do just do it. He went out and put a band aid on it. Didn't cost much other than another season of lousy goaltending.

 

[Hisch13r]

Other organizations seem to be able to do it. Should be able to win more than 1 playoff game in 10 years.

Other organizations were not in our position in 2015. Also f*** just being a mediocre team that can make the playoffs and win a couple of games every year. The goal should never be "just make the playoffs". The goal should be "let's win the Cup". Don't throw together a team to scrap by as aa middling playoff team.

 

[AfroThunder396]

There are maybe 5-10 goalies in the league that we could have plugged in to "solve" the goaltending problem and none of them are available.

The only arguable one is Oettinger but DAL would have matched virtually any offer sheet for him.

Vanacek is absolutely an improvement.

 

[Devil X]

I get the negativity around the lack of success around the team but if you don't think this team is going to pop soon you're out to lunch.

I like the trade basically we got an NHL goalie in the 3rd round and the kid they were probably targeting anyway.

 

[jkrdevil]

They came into the offseason needing two goalies. They got at least one now. Don’t bitch about that.

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

Doesn't have to be rumored to be available. GM has a job to do just do it. He went out and put a band aid on it. Didn't cost much other than another season of lousy goaltending.

tremendous analysis

"I dont know the answer, but I know whatever they do is wrong!!!!"

 

[Eggtimer]

The more I think about it , the more I’m good with Vanacek.
There was zero goalies available that are true #1 established staters.
Id way rather have the Leafs Oilers Caps over pay for Keumper and Campbell.
Vanacek is very close to as good as those two and for probably a fraction of the cost .
THE biggest thing is we at least have someome “good” secured. Imagine if we “lost out” on Keumper and Campbell and Vanacek was already gone or unavailable ? We would be massively screwed …

 

[Billdo]

The cost isn't minnimal. The actual cost is potentially another year of terrible goaltending that holds back the team's progress. This is exactly the problem with the fans and the organization. Sure a couple of draft spot means little but at the end of the day did you really solve the problem? At some point improvement on the ice needs to be seen. This move is just another example of trying to fix a major problem with a cheap band aid.

So what would you have liked them do? Kuemper or Campbell? He potentially solves the problem. He's been fine when given the chance and now if he takes the ball and runs from Blackwood then it works.

 

[Homedresser]

tremendous analysis

"I dont know the answer, but I know whatever they do is wrong!!!!"

of course I don't know what the GMs are discussing. To only go off rumors is moronic. Avs seem to have a plan with their goatending even after winning the cup. You said it yourself, the problem is not fixed.

 

[Forge]

Doesn't have to be rumored to be available. GM has a job to do just do it. He went out and put a band aid on it. Didn't cost much other than another season of lousy goaltending.

Do you think that he can force other teams to trade him the people he wants or something?

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

If I am being honest, I would STILL go for Kuemper/Campbell and dump Blackwood on some poor bastard team for whatever we can.

of course I don't know what the GMs are discussing. To only go off rumors is moronic. Avs seem to have a plan with their goatending even after winning the cup. You said it yourself, the problem is not fixed.

Vanacek is better than both current Avs goalies.

the Avs have an all-star team in front of their goalie...its a bit different.

 

[Hisch13r]

I get the negativity around the lack of success around the team but if you don't think this team is going to pop soon you're out to lunch.

I like the trade basically we got an NHL goalie in the 3rd round and the kid they were probably targeting anyway.

The skaters are ready to pop (add Johnny and we're popping). Obviously in net is still a massive question mark but that's not something that can be easily fixed. It's a tricky situation for almost every team. At least it's a position where you only really need to find one solution. Hopefully that solution is Blackwood managing to bounce back and live up to his great ceiling.

They came into the offseason needing two goalies. They got at least one now. Don’t bitch about that.

One goalie is fine depending on Bernier. If Bernier can't go at all then bring in another as a 2/3 in case Blackwood continues to blow up. I believe they said that's the plan too.

 

[Forge]

If I am being honest, I would STILL go for Kuemper/Campbell and dump Blackwood on some poor bastard team for whatever we can.

I'm hoping that we reach out to VGK about a Blackwood / Lehner swap. If no, I can still kick the tires on Campbell, but big money long term for him isn't comforting.

I still hate this goalie market and the fact that we find ourselves here so much lol

 

[Comparison Ford]

Fitzy actually making a good move to trade down and probably still get “their guy” and addding a goalie. love to see it.

stoked for Blackwood to have some competition and to get a goalie that’s young who can win games in Vitek.

 

[Hisch13r]

I'm hoping that we reach out to VGK about a Blackwood / Lehner swap. If no, I can still kick the tires on Campbell, but big money long term for him isn't comforting.

I still hate this goalie market and the fact that we find ourselves here so much lol

Lehner's also coming off a shoulder injury so maybe that's a concern

 

[Forge]

Lehner's also coming off a shoulder injury so maybe that's a concern

No doubt. When I look at this carousel though, I'm far more comfortable with a 3 year term than 5 or 6 (if that is really true for guys like Kuemper, Campbell)

 

[Unknown Caller]

If I am being honest, I would STILL go for Kuemper/Campbell and dump Blackwood on some poor bastard team for whatever we can.



Vanacek is better than both current Avs goalies.

the Avs have an all-star team in front of their goalie...its a bit different.

I agree on Kuemper. If they could dump Mac, I would be all over a Kuemper/Vanacek tandem. That's more than sufficient. I have a feeling they're done though and they'll be rolling with Mac/Vanacek. I still think Mac has the upside, but he's just too much of a head case and too unreliable for team that has been floundering in net.

Toronto could gamble on the potential. Mac has the physical ability to carry a good team.