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

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

FYI, at 5 on 5 Vanacek was 10th in the NHL in high-danger SV% and 11th in goals saved above average

 

[ChicksDigTheTrap]

The headcase stuff goes beyond the injury (vaccine fiasco, inconsistent play prior to the injury, etc). Also, its questionable to say the least whether there was anything actually physically wrong with him when he came back from the original injury last year and put himself back on the shelf shortly after.

Blackwood is not the long term solution but he will be very motivated this year. If he has another bad year he will end up with a minimal next contract.

 

[Bleedred]

It's also worth mentioning that Ruff leaned on Blackwood way too much early on in both of his seasons behind the bench. He started out well but flamed out after a little bit.

I mean, I think he only leaned on him too much when he really should have been shut down. I do actually think in both years he leaned on him too much, but only because he wasn’t getting results. He didn’t even seem to wanna play Bernier all that much while he was still healthy and Blackwood was available.

Yes, he does seem to lean on him too much for a goalie that doesn’t get results that are anything special. At least not since he’s been the head coach here.

But if Blackwood broke down because he was leaned on too much, then he’s an even bigger no count goalie that I even thought. That just means he’s no good if he can’t play well when being leaned upon.

Now, I do think he should have been shutdown about 3-ish weeks before he was. But if you’re implying that he was injured because Ruff leaned on him too much then that should tell you right there that he’s not good enough if he’s gonna get injured because of that kind of workload.

 

[britdevil]

I really like this.

 

[Bleedred]

I kind of just wish Blackwood would go away. I would totally acquire another guy and punt him, but we’re gonna have to keep him for at least this year if we don’t get anybody else.

If he doesn’t have a very good year (like even better than 19-20) then I can’t justify giving him his qualifying offer or the same deal that he got on this contract.

Because even if he has a solid season, how do we trust it’s not just a good season and he isn’t poor again the very next year?

Because he was just injured and now he’ll be healthy and that will truly be what he really is if he has a solid season? Sounds like more faith and hope that I don’t wanna buy.

 

[Unknown Caller]

Blackwood is not the long term solution but he will be very motivated this year. If he has another bad year he will end up with a minimal next contract.

Agreed, I still think there’s significant upside for him. Just hard for a team like the Devils to rely on that.

 

[PKs Broken Stick]

Was Vanecek the shittier of the 2 goalies? I forget....but I do remember Vanecek was promising at one point.

 

[Emperoreddy]

 

[Emperoreddy]

Was Vanecek the shittier of the 2 goalies? I forget....but I do remember Vanecek was promising at one point.

He was the better of the two Caps goalies

 

[PKs Broken Stick]

Seems the PK dragged his numbers down, he was solid 5 on 5.

Was it his fault though or a team-wide thing?

 

[DerekDevils30]

Wrong thread

 

[MasterofGrond]

Vanecek was definitely better.

He’s got “a lower ceiling” but I don’t think that matters much. I want guys that can stop pucks today and Vanecek was clearly better at that

 

[PKs Broken Stick]

He was the better of the two Caps goalies

That's good to hear. I really liked Vanecek as a prospect.

 

[Emperoreddy]

Was it his fault though or a team-wide thing?

Not sure. Could be just bad luck, especially the poor 3 on 3 numbers

 

[DerekDevils30]

Still happy about this

 

[pkbrux]

Love this move...the goalie market is thin and was not looking forward to paying a big contract to a 30+ average and/or injured goalie. We will probably get similar production from Vanecek at a significantly lower price.

 

[PKs Broken Stick]

Not sure. Could be just bad luck, especially the poor 3 on 3 numbers

wait, weren't the caps like one of the worst 3v3 teams? If it's who I'm thinking of, they were awful and the goalie was not the problem.

so i'm assuming we are going to enter the year where our biggest concern is with blackwood and this guy? people seem completely fine with this too? lol ok why not

There is literally no better goalie available. Tell me who would've been better.

 

[Bcap88]

Was Vanecek the shittier of the 2 goalies? I forget....but I do remember Vanecek was promising at one point.

It was his net last year he out played samsonov

 

[MasterofGrond]

Caps made the playoffs with this dude making more than half their starts

Why you heff to be mad?

 

[Emperoreddy]

Caps made the playoffs with this dude making more than half their starts

Why you heff to be mad?

TG, who covers the Caps now, flat out said the Caps don't make the playoffs the last two years without Vaneck

 

[RSeen]

This is a good move IMO by Fitz. There are no real better options that would have reasonable term. At least in this case we are getting a goalie who is 26 and can potentially still improve.

 

[PKs Broken Stick]

- 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*

- Some random thing happens to said goalie

It's a goalie curse after having the best goalie in the world.

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.

Nice suggestion!

 

[Bcap88]

Vanecek is a good goalie he kind of fell off around March/April but the caps ran him into the ground that point. It will cost us less in term and salary as opposed to a free agent goalie

 

[mtnet]

Probably did what we could here. Several options out there are potentially cost prohibitive from an asset or price perspective and could come with some questions marks of their own.

In terms of what we gave up here, it's hard to criticize anything about this move. This just doesn't seem to be a good year for acquiring the 'answer' in net unfortunately.

 

[Mr Bojanglez]

Probably did what we could here. Several options out there are potentially cost prohibitive from an asset or price perspective and could come with some questions marks of their own.

In terms of what we gave up here, it's hard to criticize anything about this move. This just doesn't seem to be a good year for acquiring the 'answer' in net unfortunately.

Sums it up. Nothing great out there without some risks. Could Husso continue after one season? Is that a risk we wanted to take? Sure - maybe it pans out for Detroit and we lost out.

But in an odd goalie market, we managed to get an upgrade at goalie for minimal assets. And maybe we luck out and he can be a long-term solution if he improves.