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NHL rumors: 5 goaltenders the New Jersey Devils could trade for

By Brad Berreman

GLENDALE, AZ - MARCH 31: Devan Dubnyk #40 of the Minnesota Wild gets ready to make a save against the Arizona Coyotes at Gila River Arena on March 31, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/NHLI via Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - MARCH 31: Devan Dubnyk #40 of the Minnesota Wild gets ready to make a save against the Arizona Coyotes at Gila River Arena on March 31, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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The New Jersey Devils have one question mark left as a busy offseason winds down, and these five goaltenders should be on their radar.

After draft lottery luck smiled on them, the New Jersey Devils took Jack Hughes first overall in June’s draft. They followed by trading for P.K. Subban, and on Monday they got KHL star Nikita Gusev from the Vegas Golden Knights on Monday.

The Devils look pretty good up front and on the blue line, but one big question mark remains.

Cory Schneider is clearly in decline entering his age-34 season, as his .908 save percentage ranks 35th out of 38 goalies who have played at least 100 games over the last three seasons. He has three years left on his contract, with a $6 million cap hit for each.

Mackenzie Blackwood showed some promise during his debut with New Jersey last season, with a .918 save percentage and two shutouts. But he’s only got those 23 NHL games on his resume, and he hasn’t been especially good over 88 games in the AHL (2.95 goals against, .902 save percentage last season).

Sub-par play between the pipes can and will derail any hopes for a deep playoff run. New Jersey came into the offseason with a lot of cap space, and they still have close to $12.5 million available right now (via Spotrac).

Devils’ general manager Ray Shero should have one final offseason move on his radar, even with the free agent pool for goaltenders dried up as July ends. So a trade is the most likely path for an upgrade, and these five veterans could find a way to New Jersey.

5. Juuse Saros, Nashville Predators

Saros has looked pretty good as Pekka Rinne’s backup over the last few years, with a .920 career regular season save percentage and a 2.49 career goals against over those 79 games (70 starts). He has also posted six shutouts over the last two seasons.

Saros is still just 25 years old, with bargain-basement $1.5 million salaries due to him in each of the next two seasons. The Devils could swing a deal for him, then make a move toward getting him locked into a lucrative contract extension at some point during next season if he performs well.

Nashville could very well envision Saros as their successor for Rinne, who will turn 37 in November. It’s also worth wondering how Saros would do in extended action as an anointed No. 1 goalie, but the above factors should not greatly diminish New Jersey’s interest here.

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