Offseason Outlook: Goaltending

The only aspect of the Devils, other than the coaching staff, which will undergo little to no change this summer is goaltending. 

With future Hall of Famer Martin Brodeur set to return for his 20th season and backup Johan Hedberg more than likely also returning to finish out the final year of his 2 year contact, odds are here will not be any changes at he NHL level this year. 

With Broduer turning 41 and Hedberg turning 40 literally a day apart, the pressure is now on for the rest of the goaltending prospects in the Devils' organization. 

Brodeur will probably be back for at least another season beyond his current contract, especially if he does not hit he 700 win plateau next season. Knowing his work ethic and team first mentality, he will probably also stick around to either help the heir to his crease transition into the NHL or to ease the burden in the first season or two for whatever goaltender might be while also mentoring him. 

Hedberg on the other hand had a very down year when compared to his previous two seasons. Marred by inconsistency and the complete lack of anything resembling goal support only further magnified Hedberg's average play. The Devils skidded while not helping out their goaltenders, leading to missing the playoffs this season. 

The Devils enter the summer with only one real goaltending question to answer: Is Jeff Frazee worth a contact extension or not? Drafted in the 2nd round of the 2005 draft, Frazee was projected by many as next starter when Brodeur decided to hang up the pads. 

In the 8 years since, however, he has done little to garner such accolades as he has performed less than admirably. Frazee has not done anything to separate himself from the other goaltending prospects in the organization. If anything, he has only set himself back as Keith Kinkaid and Scott Wedgewood have already seemed to have thrusted themselves into the future #1 debate while Frazee remains either a marginal consideration or an afterthought. 

At 26, it is unlikely Frazee will develop any further and could have possibly peaked in his professional career with the Devils. An educated guess would have Frazee departing the organization after July 1st for somewhere with a thinner road to the NHL, especially as he saw his playing time diminish significantly in favor of Kinkaid. Where that may be is a massive question, maybe Philadelphia as neither Ilya Bryzgalov nor Steve Mason have shown any semblance of consistency in recent years. 

Keith Kinkaid is the most NHL ready goaltending prospect in the Devils' organization. Making his first appearance this year in relief of Hedberg at home against the Tampa Bay Lightning, Kinkaid looked as solid as a regular starter. Surrendering only one fluke goal against which was deflected off his own defenders into his net, Kinkaid was sharp on the numerous Lightning chances, including a breakaway save on perennial scoring threat, Steven Stamkos. Kikaid did not fall for his deke and made the save from his stomach with his leg pinned against the post. 

It is most likely going to be Kinkaid starting for the Albany Devils next year with Scott Wedgewood being his "back up." Back up being in quotations as the Devils could realistically use both goaltenders in a similar fashion as eye St. Louis Blues do with Jaroslav Halak and Brian Elliott. 

Wedgewood has the most upside out of any goaltending prospect, earning several accolades during his time in juniors including earning the starting role for Team Canada at the World Junior Championships. While he may not be ready for NHL duty, Wedgewood could benefit from spending more time in Albany against stronger competition. During his 5 appearances this season with the A-Devils, Wedgewood posed a 2-2 record with a 3.47 goals against average. His save percentage was also low (.886), the lowest by far out of any goalie who was in net for Albany. 

In a perfect world, as previously stated, Wedgewood would start the season in Albany and split time with Kinkaid. However, it may be better for his development if he finds his rhythm in the ECHL before promoting back up to Albany.

Walking the Line

Less than two weeks from the trade deadline, and just over 20 games to go in the regular season, the Devils are doing just that, "walking the line."

They're walking the fine line between being buyers or sellers over the next 12 days. This week could, and probably be, the defining factor for the Devils as a team for the remainder of the season.

With two games against the 8th place Hurricanes, and a match-up with the rival, and current 7th place, Rangers in between, 6 critical points are there for the taking.

If the Devils want to maintain any glimmers of hope of sneaking into the post-season, they realistically need all 4 points versus Carolina while allowing none in return. In short, they need to win their showdowns with the Hurricanes tonight and Saturday in regulation to stay alive. Should they be able to do that, they'll find themselves within 8 points of a coveted playoff spot and almost certainly be buyers at the trade deadline.

Winning has not come easily for the Devils as of late as their last two games have been decided by just one goal, and the offense has not been able to crack the three goal mark in either game. What has been consistent, however, has been the play of Johan Hedberg in net.

When Martin Brodeur went down with an MCL sprain agains the Canadiens 10 days ago, some Devils fans feared the worst. Hedberg, on the other hand, quieted the skeptics with his play over the past four games, earning wins in three and allowing an average of just over one goal per game including his relief appearance for the injured Brodeur.

Helping Hedberg has been the exceptional play of winger Ilya Kovalchuk who has netted back to back game winning goals and is riding a multiple game point streak.

The biggest downside to tonight's encounter will be the absence of defenseman Anton Volchenkov who is sitting the third and final game of his suspension.

The Devils will look to get back to their form from a few games ago and get the lead early. Obviously, playing with an early lead is much easier than playing catch-up, but when the Devils score within the first 10 minutes of a game, they usually score no fewer than 3 goals.

I see this game being a 4-2 decision, Devils on top. Kovalchuk will add two points, his goal will not be the winner, however, that will be Patrick Elias' honor as he gets back into a scoring groove.

Kovalclutch

For their first win, the Devils knocked off Buffalo in overtime. The game winning goal came off a one timer from the stick of Ilya Kovalchuk.

A month later, the Devils again emerged victorious from another overtime victory, and again, the winner came off the stick of Kovalchuk.

Two nights ago, Dainius Zubrus netted the equalizing goal against the Toronto Maple Leafs early in the 3rd period. The Devils seemed to break free from the funk which had surrounded them for most of the game but couldn’t net the go ahead goal to give them a regulation win.

To overtime they would go, and cue Mr. Kovalchuk. Starting from behind his own net, he carried the puck across center ice, eluding two Maple Leaf defenders, finding himself open on the right wing. Kovalchuk did not hesitate to fire a shot on net that beat goaltender James Reimer stick side for yet another winner.

Finally, last night, after a Travis Zajac faceoff win in the San Jose zone, Kovalchuk picked up the loose puck and ripped a shot to the stick side of Anti Niemi for his 19th goal of the season and second winner in as many nights. Granted this winner was not in overtime, it was yet another winner for the Devils and another game winning goal for the $100 million man.

The team is completely on fire right now, having won 12 out of their previous 15 games. In the games which they have not won, they have earned points in two of three. 26 points out of a possible 30 have brought the Devils from lottery pick favorites, to dark horses with an outside chance of making the playoffs.

It is no secret the team’s mentality has changed to focus on one game at a time. They have to, it’s to save their sanity, and remove doubt. They’re openly saying they’re leaving the scoreboard watching to the reporters and the fans. It’s a perfect mentality for a team that at one point this year looked dead to rights.

Entering the action tonight, the Devils sit a mere 12 points back of the 8th place Atlanta Thrashers, 14 back of the 7th place [and rival] New York Rangers. 6 critical points sit for the taking next week as the Devils will face 9th place Carolina twice and the Rangers once.

It will undoubtedly be a tall order for the team, especially without Martin Brodeur and defencemen Anton Volchenkov for at least the Wednesday game at home versus Carolina.

However, on the shoulders of Johan Hedberg and of course, the scoring machine Ilya Kovalchuk, victories against even the best teams in the NHL can be earned.