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Cory Schneider was as good as anyone could have hoped in his first year as an undisputed starter in the NHL.

The Devils didn't manage to get into the playoffs but that certainly wasn't on Schneider. Despite New Jersey finishing 6th last in the NHL, Schneider managed to post a .925 save percentage in 69 games.

While he ranked 5th in save percentage, War-On-Ice's Goals Above Replacement metric actually had Schneider as the 2nd best goaltender in the NHL last season. Carey Price was first, of course, as he posted a 36.5 GAR.

Schneider was worth almost 30 more goals than a replacement level player at his position, according to War-On-Ice. To put his season in perspective Devan Dubnyk ranked 3rd among goaltenders with a GAR of just over 20.

That wasn't the first time Schneider flirted with a GAR of 30+, as he came close four years ago when he posted an absurd .937 save percentage in 33 games for the Canucks.



Last season may have been Schneider's first as a starting goaltender but he's been well above average-to-elite for a few years now.

Unfortunately for Schneider he was stuck behind another elite goaltender in Roberto Luongo and, despite being ready for a starting role, wasted at least a couple good years of his career backing up as a result.

Again, Schneider only has one year as a starter under his belt but he's been performing like one for a while.

That's why the Devils had no problem giving up the 9th overall pick for his services or paying $6 million per season to keep him in New Jersey. And, really, they were smart to do so.

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