NHL Rumors: Latest developments with 4 New Jersey Devils

By Marci Rubin | Jun 18, 2023

May 1, 2023; Newark, New Jersey, USA; New Jersey Devils right wing Timo Meier (96) skates with the puck against the New York Rangers during the first period in game seven of the first round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports /

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Dec 21, 2022; Sunrise, Florida, USA; New Jersey Devils goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood (29) warms up prior to the game against the Florida Panthers at FLA Live Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /

New Jersey Devils Rumors: What to do with Mackenzie Blackwood

With how savvy Tom Fitzgerald is, there’s a good chance he chooses a route with pending RFA Mackenzie Blackwood that would give the Devils something in return. There’s been speculation that the goaltender won’t receive a qualifying offer. His QO is worth $3.36 million, and he’s eligible for unrestricted free agency in 2024.

Fitzgerald told NHL.com, “We have decisions to make on whether we qualify him, try to negotiate something lower, or whether we move him.”

However, Fitzgerald also said on The Jeff Marek Show that he’d be comfortable with Blackwood as part of the goalie plan. It’s possible this admission is meant to keep Blackwood’s trade value up. It would benefit the Devils to figure out a trade.

Just listened to #NJDevils GM Tom Fitzgerald on the Jeff Marek show. Interestingly he said that they're trying to figure out goaltending right now but he said he would be very comfortable with a goaltending tandem of Mackenzie Blackwood and Vitek going into the season.
— Tyler Bleszinski (@papiblez) June 17, 2023

Blackwood’s days as a Devil are likely over. Following a disappointing season in 2021-22, he had another injury-riddled season with poor performances in 2022-23. He posted a .893 SV% during the regular season. Blackwood didn’t appear in the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at all. The Devils rolled with a 1-2 of Vitek Vanecek and Akira Schmid. When Vanecek struggled in the playoffs, head coach Lindy Ruff turned to young Schmid, who then proved he could handle the NHL playoff pressure.

Fitzgerald believes that Schmid could be the Devils’ number 1 goalie of the future. With Schmid NHL-ready and Vanecek still reliable after a fantastic regular season, Blackwood is more than likely the odd man out. It remains to be seen if the Devils will look elsewhere for another goalie or if they will roll with Schmid and Vanecek, but it seems pretty clear that Blackwood will not be in New Jersey next season.

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