Todd Cordell: New Jersey Devils player profile: Cory Schneider

The Devils are in a pickle with Schneider. Do they buy him out now for some cap relief which they really don't need, or do they keep him to take up a roster spot?

Buying out Corey would be a $2 million hit for 6 years. The team might need that $2 mil in 4 years when the team is more competitive. Keeping him on the roster takes up a spot and the Devils really need a more reliable backup (1B) goaltender.

Blackwood is fine and he has a bright future with the Devils. He's the #1 for sure. The Devils just need a more serviceable backup goalie which they can get in UFA.

No way should the Devis use a 1st-round pick for Yaroslav Askarov. I really feel a goalie should never be selected in the 1st round. I think there have been more successful goalies drafted in the later rounds than the 1st. I know Brodeur is a 1st-rounder, and he's one of a handful of exceptions.

On a fun note, if the Devils win the 1st pick and Ottawa's two picks fall between 2-5, would you trade the Devils 1st pick for Ottawa's two picks? If Ottawa asked for more, what else would you give up? Who would you draft if the Devils get those two picks?

The Devils are in a pickle with Schneider. Do they buy him out now for some cap relief which they really don't need, or do they keep him to take up a roster spot?

Buying out Corey would be a $2 million hit for 6 years. The team might need that $2 mil in 4 years when the team is more competitive. Keeping him on the roster takes up a spot and the Devils really need a more reliable backup (1B) goaltender.

Blackwood is fine and he has a bright future with the Devils. He's the #1 for sure. The Devils just need a more serviceable backup goalie which they can get in UFA.

No way should the Devis use a 1st-round pick for Yaroslav Askarov. I really feel a goalie should never be selected in the 1st round. I think there have been more successful goalies drafted in the later rounds than the 1st. I know Brodeur is a 1st-rounder, and he's one of a handful of exceptions.

On a fun note, if the Devils win the 1st pick and Ottawa's two picks fall between 2-5, would you trade the Devils 1st pick for Ottawa's two picks? If Ottawa asked for more, what else would you give up? Who would you draft if the Devils get those two picks?
- CardiffGiant

Absolutely no way the Devs buy Schneids out. His numbers couldn't be worse, and there its only up from here for Schneids. Not saying he will a top 5 goalie in this league again, but a great mentor and backup to Blackwood is just fine. Hopefully he can find his .910% form again, and the end of this season has shown it is still possible.

Wiith Blackwood being RFA, we can easily lock up the tandem and afford them. Buying out Schneids will hurt this team when some of their star talent are exiting their entry level deals. Just doesn't make sense. Schneids and P.K will combine for 15M AAV, and there's no shedding those deals. Good thing is we still have a mountain of cap $$$ during that span. In theory, we could probably afford Hoffman/Pietterangelo/Hall next season...... Obviously this won't happen, but we have money to burn before Hughes/Smith/Blackwood/Boq/Bahl/Foote all get their big raises.

The Devils are in a pickle with Schneider. Do they buy him out now for some cap relief which they really don't need, or do they keep him to take up a roster spot?

Buying out Corey would be a $2 million hit for 6 years. The team might need that $2 mil in 4 years when the team is more competitive. Keeping him on the roster takes up a spot and the Devils really need a more reliable backup (1B) goaltender.

Blackwood is fine and he has a bright future with the Devils. He's the #1 for sure. The Devils just need a more serviceable backup goalie which they can get in UFA.

No way should the Devis use a 1st-round pick for Yaroslav Askarov. I really feel a goalie should never be selected in the 1st round. I think there have been more successful goalies drafted in the later rounds than the 1st. I know Brodeur is a 1st-rounder, and he's one of a handful of exceptions.

On a fun note, if the Devils win the 1st pick and Ottawa's two picks fall between 2-5, would you trade the Devils 1st pick for Ottawa's two picks? If Ottawa asked for more, what else would you give up? Who would you draft if the Devils get those two picks?
- CardiffGiant

By the years over the past decade, first Goalies selected in the draft. Most were 2nd rd's but some 1sts. Considering most goalies take 2-3 years before being NHL ready, you could easily make the argument for or against spending one of our 3 1st's to acquire Askarov:

2019 - Spence Knight 13th overall
2018 - Olaf Lindbom 39th overall
2017 - Jake Oettinger 26th overall
2016 - Carter Hart 48th overall
2015 - Ilya Samsonov 22nd overall
2014 - Mason McDonald 48th overall
2013 - Zach Fucale 36th overall
2012 - Andrei Vasilevskiy 19th overall
2011 - John Gibson - 39th overall
2010 - Jack Campbell 11th overall

Cory is basically a two year problem unless you buy him out. It seems unlikely that the cap hit will be a problem since ownerships seems intent on keeping the payroll minimal. So I think the correct way to decide on Cory is based on if he can be a decent backup or not. And who the hell knows that.

Minimally we need a legit goalie down in the AHL if Cory blows out again and maybe Zane Mcintyre if we can resign him.

Blackwood is 23 years old and I think he can handle a heavy workload. Marty Brodeur had his first heavy season at this age and played 77 games! Not saying MB29 is MB30 but he is a big strong kid and now has NHL experience.

In my opinion I think the bigger issues is building a decent defense in front of Blackwood then worrying about who's sharing the net with him.

By the years over the past decade, first Goalies selected in the draft. Most were 2nd rd's but some 1sts. Considering most goalies take 2-3 years before being NHL ready, you could easily make the argument for or against spending one of our 3 1st's to acquire Askarov:

2019 - Spence Knight 13th overall
2018 - Olaf Lindbom 39th overall
2017 - Jake Oettinger 26th overall
2016 - Carter Hart 48th overall
2015 - Ilya Samsonov 22nd overall
2014 - Mason McDonald 48th overall
2013 - Zach Fucale 36th overall
2012 - Andrei Vasilevskiy 19th overall
2011 - John Gibson - 39th overall
2010 - Jack Campbell 11th overall
- bikeguy99

If it's the 3rd 1st I don't feel strongly either way but no way would I move spend either of the first two 1st round picks on a goalie.

That said, we definitely need to continue to add some quality goalie prospects to the system. I Just think there will be good goalies available later.

In regards to building the defense in front of Blackwood, did anyone read the Athletic article today about the Bing? They had modeled the defensive system after the big club to better prepare the youngsters for promotion and had a horrible year last year and were in the basement through December). In December they abandon that system and went onto an unbelievable winning streak taking them out of the basement and into a playoff spot. So yeah, better players and perhaps a better system (read coach) in NJ are needed.

In regards to building the defense in front of Blackwood, did anyone read the Athletic article today about the Bing? They had modeled the defensive system after the big club to better prepare the youngsters for promotion and had a horrible year last year and were in the basement through December). In December they abandon that system and went onto an unbelievable winning streak taking them out of the basement and into a playoff spot. So yeah, better players and perhaps a better system (read coach) in NJ are needed.
- redmonsters

I didn't read the article but the Nasredding/Hynes defensive system has been a disaster for years... and frankly every defenseman brought in has not looked good in it. So while I have to give Nas props for doing a better job then expected in replacing Hynes I totally want to move away from him and get a new head coach.

That said, there is no denying that with Andy Greene and Sami Vatanen no longer here we have few legit NHL defenders.

The Devils are in a pickle with Schneider. Do they buy him out now for some cap relief which they really don't need, or do they keep him to take up a roster spot?

Buying out Corey would be a $2 million hit for 6 years. The team might need that $2 mil in 4 years when the team is more competitive. Keeping him on the roster takes up a spot and the Devils really need a more reliable backup (1B) goaltender.

Blackwood is fine and he has a bright future with the Devils. He's the #1 for sure. The Devils just need a more serviceable backup goalie which they can get in UFA.

No way should the Devis use a 1st-round pick for Yaroslav Askarov. I really feel a goalie should never be selected in the 1st round. I think there have been more successful goalies drafted in the later rounds than the 1st. I know Brodeur is a 1st-rounder, and he's one of a handful of exceptions.

On a fun note, if the Devils win the 1st pick and Ottawa's two picks fall between 2-5, would you trade the Devils 1st pick for Ottawa's two picks? If Ottawa asked for more, what else would you give up? Who would you draft if the Devils get those two picks?
- CardiffGiant

Assuming the Devils have 3 1st round picks, possibly use the third on Askarov. That would depend on what the first two pick yielded and what is still available with the third pick. Sometimes someone slides a little too far in the draft and there could be a good value pick with the third. If however Askarov slides to our third pick and he is BPA then you should take him. He is 2-3 years away from NHL and you see how he develops and if Blackwood is as good as we all believe.

I didn't read the article but the Nasredding/Hynes defensive system has been a disaster for years... and frankly every defenseman brought in has not looked good in it. So while I have to give Nas props for doing a better job then expected in replacing Hynes I totally want to move away from him and get a new head coach.

That said, there is no denying that with Andy Greene and Sami Vatanen no longer here we have few legit NHL defenders.
- Queenie_5_hole

Thats great that Bing turned things around, but I wouldn't attribute that solely to coaching. As sellers, the Devs did a great job this season, and Bing some many quality additions to their roster.

Smith needs to be inserted into a top 4 role next season. He has dominated the NHL, and now has completed his super-senior season. So he can take over Vats role. Otherwise, As I have mentioned previously, Gustafsson/Edmunson/Sbisa are great options for quality depth at D. They may be better than anyone on our current NHL roster, and they will be affordable with little term.

I say trade Butch 50% retained for Jacob Chychrun + Demers. They need to shake things up in the desert, and Butch has great numbers. Saves the Yotes nearly 5M AAV over the next two seasons which they desperately need, and gives us the best player in the deal. Chychrun has struggled with health but his ceiling is much higher than Butchs

Thats great that Bing turned things around, but I wouldn't attribute that solely to coaching. As sellers, the Devs did a great job this season, and Bing some many quality additions to their roster.

Smith needs to be inserted into a top 4 role next season. He has dominated the NHL, and now has completed his super-senior season. So he can take over Vats role. Otherwise, As I have mentioned previously, Gustafsson/Edmunson/Sbisa are great options for quality depth at D. They may be better than anyone on our current NHL roster, and they will be affordable with little term.

I say trade Butch 50% retained for Jacob Chychrun + Demers. They need to shake things up in the desert, and Butch has great numbers. Saves the Yotes nearly 5M AAV over the next two seasons which they desperately need, and gives us the best player in the deal. Chychrun has struggled with health but his ceiling is much higher than Butchs
- bikeguy99

I think you mean Ty Smith has dominated the WHL. I'm hopefully he will be good but I sure as poop wouldn't carve out a top 4 spot in this lineup for him till he show he can make the team out of camp.

I think you mean Ty Smith has dominated the WHL. I'm hopefully he will be good but I sure as poop wouldn't carve out a top 4 spot in this lineup for him till he show he can make the team out of camp.
- Queenie_5_hole

He will carve out a spot. Honestly, If our top 4 are Sev/Butch/Mueller/P.K....... how could he not???? Ty has done nothing but set records, and dominate both ends of the ice in the WHL. He has the skill and needs to be given a serious chance to be effective with a quality partner. Given that he can play both RD and LD, I don't see how he isn't a top 4 D next year (unless we get vats/gustaffson/edmunson to join). He's already 20 years old, speed and passing are his greatest attributes, and he has achieved all he can in the WHL.

He will carve out a spot. Honestly, If our top 4 are Sev/Butch/Mueller/P.K....... how could he not???? Ty has done nothing but set records, and dominate both ends of the ice in the WHL. He has the skill and needs to be given a serious chance to be effective with a quality partner. Given that he can play both RD and LD, I don't see how he isn't a top 4 D next year (unless we get vats/gustaffson/edmunson to join). He's already 20 years old, speed and passing are his greatest attributes, and he has achieved all he can in the WHL.
- bikeguy99

I'm completely with you on all of that. I'm just saying the kid needs to successfully make the transition from WHL to NHL. I thought he was about a sure thing going into this season's camp but he was not good at all during preseason.

In regards to Smith, in the preseason he was dealing with an ankle injury suffered in the playoffs, that might have affected his play and also explain how he got better throughout this season and was at his top performance at the end. That is what I am hoping explains his preseason performance.

On the Athletic article, there were a number of reasons the team started to play better, the change in defensive schemes just one aspect. It makes me wonder if PK and others would be a different unit in a new defensive system. Hope, always hope.

I wouldn't mind us taking a look at John Lethemon as a back up or for the bing

I wouldn't mind us taking a look at John Lethemon as a back up or for the bing
- cu45161

Who

Who
- shvingter88

I think he either means John Lennon or Kari Lethonen.

Probably not John Lennon.

He's an NCAA free agent, I am not saying we would get him, but it would be nice for us to inquire, we could send him down to the Bing, and if he does well maybe he gets a few games in the NHL, either way it would give us options.

2019-20 Michigan State Univ. NCAA 33 2.13 .935

He's an NCAA free agent, I am not saying we would get him, but it would be nice for us to inquire, we could send him down to the Bing, and if he does well maybe he gets a few games in the NHL, either way it would give us options.

2019-20 Michigan State Univ. NCAA 33 2.13 .935
- cu45161

Definitely a better choice then John Lennon.

Looked him up. Seems worth a shot for sure.

He's an NCAA free agent, I am not saying we would get him, but it would be nice for us to inquire, we could send him down to the Bing, and if he does well maybe he gets a few games in the NHL, either way it would give us options.

2019-20 Michigan State Univ. NCAA 33 2.13 .935
- cu45161

Never heard of him

Probs will sign with the rangers