Something that's been made abundantly clear by Devils coach Pete DeBoer is that a) the two goalie system didn't work last year; b) it's Schneider's team now and; c) the team likely won't retain Martin Brodeur unless he's 100% acceptable of playing in a backup role.
I touched a bit on why I think it's time for the Devils to part ways with Brodeur, and while he was probably the best thing that ever happened to this franchise, everything good comes to an end.
Should the Devils opt not to re-sign Brodeur, here are some options for the backup role:
Justin Peters Carolina has Cam Ward locked up long-term, and they seem pretty adamant that Anton Khudobin is their No. 1 guy going forward. Ward's contract will be very tough to move, and if he's a Hurricane when free agency opens up I think it's safe to say Peters will be gone. He posted a .921 save percentage in 21 NHL games last season, and had a .932SV% in his six AHL starts. I think he's an NHL goaltender, and should he test the market he'd be a good fit for the team as a backup who starts 15-20 games.
Scott Clemmensen His numbers haven't been great the last two seasons, albeit they were in small sample sizes. His best days are behind him at 36, but he might be an acceptable spot starter, and Lou Lamoriello tends to go with what he knows. If Brodeur is let go, I could see Clemmensen coming to New Jersey on a one-year deal.
Thomas Greiss
Greiss has proved to be a capable backup in the NHL, as he's posted a save percentage of .915 or higher three consecutive years, though he only has 50 starts in that span. He's coming off his best year where he recorded a .920SV% in 25 starts with the Coyotes. In a defensive system like Pete DeBoer has in New Jersey, he should be able to fit right in.
Keith Kinkaid Should Lamoriello elect not to spend money on a backup goaltender this summer, he could bring up Kinkaid for a look. He posted a respectable .912 save percentage in the regular season, and was exceptional in Albany's first round series loss posting a .932SV%. He may not be ready just yet, but it wouldn't hurt to give him a look. If he can't handle it, there would likely be some cheap backup options elsewhere.
**
Devils posts
Jackets posts
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Email: NHLToddCordell@Gmail.com