NHL Rumors: 3 New Jersey Devils who won’t be on the roster after this offseason
By Marci Rubin
In order to keep moving towards Stanley Cup contention, the New Jersey Devils are sharpening their roster this offseason.
The New Jersey Devils’ 2022-23 season saw marked improvement over the previous NHL season. They’ll look to continue their upward trajectory next season by tweaking their roster.
The Devils have already made some noise during the NHL offseason. Damon Severson was signed and traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets, Jesper Bratt signed for eight years, and Erik Haula signed for three years. Devils fans are hoping Timo Meier signs an extension next.
Some current players will not be back next season. While GM Tom Fitzgerald is working on more offseason moves, let’s take a look at three players who have probably played their last game as a New Jersey Devil.
Devils who won’t be on the roster after this offseason: 1. Mackenzie Blackwood
It’s time to move on from Mackenzie Blackwood. There’s no need for him on the Devils anymore. He’s becoming an RFA, so the Devils have to choose how to handle his restricted free agency. Regarding Blackwood’s future, Tom Fitzgerald told NHL.com, “We have decisions to make on whether we qualify him, try to negotiate something lower, or whether we move him.” Fitzgerald has a tough decision to make on how to maneuver this, but it should be an easy decision not to have Blackwood back next year.
It’s too early to tell if the Devils will use a 1-2 of Vitek Vanecek and Akira Schmid next season or if they’ll nab a goalie via free agency or a trade. There have already been reports of them checking out the trade market. What’s clear, though, is that Blackwood is the odd man out. He had another rough season between the pipes. Blackwood had an .893 SV% for the regular season. He looked lost in the goal and spent a lot of time on the Injured Reserve. The Devils didn’t use him in the playoffs at all. It’s been the same story for Blackwood for quite some time now.
Akira Schmid has emerged with the origin story of entering the pressure-packed Stanley Cup Playoffs with the Devils down 2-0 in the first round series against the New York Rangers. Schmid proved he could handle the spotlight, helping the Devils fight back and win the series. Vitek Vanecek struggled in the playoffs, but his regular season success is enough for now. Vanecek won 33 games and posted an SV% of .911 during the regular season.
Fitzgerald might pull off a move with another team to get a return on Blackwood rather than simply not extending a qualifying offer. If he can’t find a team interested, he should let Blackwood go without a QO. The Devils shouldn’t be willing to pay him anymore. If the Devils don’t extend an offer, Blackwood becomes a UFA, and another team would pick him up for less money.
The Devils need to cut ties. He’s only 26 years old, so Blackwood has plenty of time left in his career to turn things around on another team. One way or another, Blackwood should be on his way out of New Jersey.