Good evening Devils fans. As we get farther into free agency, the Devils’ primary focus has been about strengthening the core they had and avoiding huge offseason big splash moves with costly out-of-organization contracts. Additionally, they also haven’t rushed into a trade for a major name goalie like Connor Hellebuyck. Whether that indicates GM Tom Fitzgerald is placing his faith in Akira Schmid and Vitek Vanacek or a move is currently underway, only time will tell.
While we’re on the subject of goalies, if Fitzgerald is going to trade away a goalie for an upgrade (most likely Vanacek), who would he go for? The obvious answer at the beginning of the offseason was Winnipeg’s Connor Hellebuyck. Per QuantHockey, Hellebuyck has had the most games played in the last 5 years of any goalie as well as the 2nd most wins, after Tampa Bay’s Andrei Vasilevsky. However, there is another interesting target that may work in our favor. Boston’s current RFA Jeremy Swayman.
First, the argument in favor of Jeremy Swayman. Though he has had limited time over 3 seasons, Swayman has done well statistically. In the same QuantHockey 5 year review, he was 5th in save percentage (.920) and 2nd in goals allowed (2.24.) I understand that Boston’s strong roster and shutdown defense helped him grow. But his record of 54-23-7 over 3 seasons isn’t anything to scoff. Furthermore, Boston doesn’t have a ton of cap space left as they try to re-sign him in addition to F Trent Frederic and D Ian Mitchell. That isn’t even touching on the cap issues next year as Boston will have 9 UFAs to decide on either bringing back or letting them walk, notably D Matt Grzelcyk and F Jake Debrusk.
Now, the argument against Swayman. While Swayman has done well for himself, he’s currently the #2 choice of Boston’s goalie tandem with Linus Ullmark leading the duo. Ullmark has more wins and stronger stats from last season (.938 save percentage, 1.89 goals allowed.) Furthermore, Swayman struggled in the playoffs this season, albeit in a very limited capacity and with nearly the same numbers as Ullmark. As of now, Swayman has requested arbitration regarding a contract next season. Depending on the decision, Boston may make the decision to refuse the new contract amount, leaving Swayman as an UFA. As unlikely as it is, there is a slim possibility that the Devils could pick up Swayman in that scenario. If he does hit the open market, his price will skyrocket.
As the goalie situation and impending resigning of the remaining RFA Kevin Bahl is still in the air, we do have one thing for sure to look forward to over the next week. The Devils announced that the annual Prospects Camp will take place July 10th-14th. While a roster has yet to be officially released, the Devils’ highly ranked prospect system will put on quite a show as periphery players attempt to scratch their way into the main roster. While D Luke Hughes may take part in it, at this point, he has shown his abilities at a high pressure level, solidifying his spot in the roster next season. If I had to take a guess, this is what a possible prospect camp roster would look like:
Forwards (18): Josh Filmon (LW), Samu Salminen (C), Alexander Holtz (RW), Arseni Gritsyuk (LW), Artem Shlaine (C), Graeme Clarke (RW), Nolan Foote (LW), Zakhar Bardakov (C), Lenni Hameenaho (RW), Cole Brown (LW), Shane Bowers (C), Chase Stillman (RW), Cam Squires (RW), Petr Hauser (RW), Patrick Moynihan (RW), 3 Open Slots for Tryouts
Defensemen (12): Topias Vilen, Simon Nemec, Ethan Edwards, Seamus Casey, Daniil Misyul, Santeri Hatakka, Daniil Orlov, Chase Cheslock, Daniil Karpovich, Michael Vukojevic, 2 Open Slots for Tryouts
Goalies (6): Akira Schmid, Tyler Brennan, Erik Kà¤llgren, Jakub Malek, 2 Open Slots for Tryouts
Again, this is not the official roster, but what my projection would be based on resources from CapFriendly, Elite Prospects, and Hockey Reference. Personally, I would love to see great performances from Foote and Holtz on offense, Nemec on defense, and what goalie will take over Daws’ AHL spot while he recovers from his surgery. There could always be a dark horse candidate to keep an eye out:
Offense: Filmon, Clarke, Stillman, Hauser Defense: Vilen, Casey Goalie: Brennan and Kà¤llgren
What are your thoughts? Would you make a move for Swayman if he was available, keep Vanacek, or target someone else entirely? Any prospects you are looking for to see next week in the development camp? Did I accidentally snub any prospects?
Raise Hell,
-Josh Biringer