Todd Cordell: New Jersey Devils player profile: Mackenzie Blackwood

He has really turned into a great goalie. Now we just need to see if he can keep it going on this crap hole team.

When Shero drafted Blackwood he was suppose to be a very strong and athletic guy. He's now 23 and I don't see any reason he can't start big majority of the games. Brodeur at this age started in 77 games!

The only thing that bothers me about Blackwood is I don't understand why he was terrible for much of his time in the AHL.

That said, the real question is how to deal with Cory. Either you replace him or you get a really legit guy in the AHL just in case. Zane McIntyre was great but it was only for a few games and he's never had any NHL success. Granted he's only had a few chances.

2019-20 NHLPA Player Poll
Nearly 600 NHL players were surveyed on more than 20 hockey-related questions. Players weighed in on a variety of topics – covering skills, arenas, teams

Who is the best forward?
68.35% Connor Mcdavid
14.93% Sidney Crosby
6.65% Nathan Mackinnon
2.88% Nikita Kucherov

Who is the best defenceman?
37.88% Victor Hedman
21.35% John Carlson
9.04% Roman Josi
6.54% Drew Doughty
6.54% Brent Burns

Who is the best goalie?
41.55% Carey Price
17.09% Andrei Vasilevskiy
8.93% Marc-André Fleury
5.63% Sergei Bobrovsky

If you need to win one game, who is the one player (any position) you would want on your team?
44.03% Sidney Crosby
30.53% Connor Mcdavid
4.11% Nathan Mackinnon
3.33% Patrice Bergeron

Who is the most complete player?
45.56% Sidney Crosby
25.44% Patrice Bergeron
7.50% Aleksander Barkov
5.33% Ryan O'reilly

Of all players past or present, who would you pay to see play?
31.83% Wayne Gretzky
14.99% Bobby Orr
9.24%Mario Lemieux
7.80%Connor Mcdavid

Would you like to see players' personalities expressed on their equipment, and if so, how?
40.57% Skates
4.72% Sticks
3.21% Helmet

I don't take this seriously' it's just a bit of harmless fun, but it is intresting to see what the players think, was Price the best goaltender this year ?

Todd Cordell: New Jersey Devils player profile: Mackenzie Blackwood
- Todd.Cordell

Blackwood is far and away our best goalie. I still think Cory can serve as a solid backup, and has great mentorship qualities. We need to either ink Blackwood on a minimum 2 year RFA bridge, or just go all the way on a long term deal if the AAV is low (5M or less). Either way, we need to ink him for the entire duration of Schneids contract. They are still a very affordable duo.

For this coming draft, I would like the Devils to target best available RW with their pick, best defenseman with the Phoenix pick, and best available in general with the Vancouver pick.

For this coming draft, I would like the Devils to target best available RW with their pick, best defenseman with the Phoenix pick, and best available in general with the Vancouver pick.
- CardiffGiant

It’s a good plan but so much depends on how the draft actually unfolds. It’s hard not to take the BPA and if that’s a C vs a RW its a judgement call.

It’s a good plan but so much depends on how the draft actually unfolds. It’s hard not to take the BPA and if that’s a C vs a RW its a judgement call.
- Queenie_5_hole

As said above, BPA is the best plan, drafting for need can get you into trouble. Also drafting a center and putting them on the wing is not a horrible plan, helps defensively and in face-offs. Devils need to focus on snipers, they have play-maker centers in my opinion.

Does anyone think with our second pick in first round if Askarov is still available, do we pick him or is Blackwood our future at least for time being?

Does anyone think with our second pick in first round if Askarov is still available, do we pick him or is Blackwood our future at least for time being?

I would pass on Askarov and ride with Blackwood and a 1B vet for now. Blackwood is projecting as a true number one right now. we just need a competent backup and a better defensive scheme. I'm not fond of Russian goalies. I personally feel they'll bolt for the money (either for another NHL team or the KHL), become disgruntle when their not the number 1 right away, and/or underperform in the playoffs or when they get their money.

I wouldn't be opposed with the Devils picking up a goalie with their 4th-7th round picks. Goalies take time to develop. Look at all the starting goalies for the projected playoff teams for this year (and previous years). How many are 1st round picks? Not many.

Does anyone think with our second pick in first round if Askarov is still available, do we pick him or is Blackwood our future at least for time being?
- RussH1964

I know nothing about him so he’s likely a bust

Does anyone think with our second pick in first round if Askarov is still available, do we pick him or is Blackwood our future at least for time being?
- RussH1964

Devils have greater needs for the first two picks they have in round #1 (assuming we get Yotes pick). If he is there at 17 and is BPA then they might bite. I think it unlikely he gets drafted by Devils with this fact pattern though.

I would pass on Askarov and ride with Blackwood and a 1B vet for now. Blackwood is projecting as a true number one right now. we just need a competent backup and a better defensive scheme. I'm not fond of Russian goalies. I personally feel they'll bolt for the money (either for another NHL team or the KHL), become disgruntle when their not the number 1 right away, and/or underperform in the playoffs or when they get their money.

I wouldn't be opposed with the Devils picking up a goalie with their 4th-7th round picks. Goalies take time to develop. Look at all the starting goalies for the projected playoff teams for this year (and previous years). How many are 1st round picks? Not many.
- CardiffGiant

So you’re not fond of them being human?
Those sound like actions plenty of North American hockey players and athletes have taken and will continue to take.

Just because there is nothing else to talk about, but when is NJ going to settle their management issues? The sooner they get that resolved the more time before the draft and free agency can be utilized. I read where NJ met Mike Gillis twice before the NHL went on hiatus, but also read it might not be for GM but for President of Hockey Operations. That would seem like a good move, and keep Fitz as GM. Then line up a coach. It just seems that the tire fire in management/decisions over the past six months is being compounded by this decision paralysis. Just a thought for the day.