I mean, it's true tho

Because Cory hasn’t won a game in over a year? Picture him with a functional offense plus a decent defense

It can be true that the Devils made great improvements this offseason, while also being true that goaltending is what will end up sinking this team. They may end up in the playoffs this year, but when the playoffs roll around, you need that stud in net. Schneider isn't that anymore, and Blackwood certainly isn't there yet.

Nice, do it, then we'll see.

(I don't even mind; I like NJ a bit anyways so)

Cory Schneider's career has been the tale of two goaltenders starting about 2.5 years ago. You can certainly hope it will improve with a better team in front of him, but it is a gamble. Schneider was quietly one of the best goaltenders in the league over about a 5 year period from his last two in can through his first three on your team. But unfortunately he has been pretty crappy the last couple of years and logic would say it's a mix of injuries adding up and age. Not trying to be a hater here I've always been a big Schneider fan but I think considering how much this team has improved that trusting in him is a big gamble

ok, we'll keep hating their **** goaltending

I get that Cory has been hurt which has affected his performance but on a team that’s been improving I think he will show up to play + looking at Mack Blacks stats in 20 games he’s really not bad. The fact that they were able to perform at both a good and bad performance on a sub par team should tel you something when the team ends up panning out from the acquisitions this offseason

Can’t choke in the playoffs when you already suck

Again betting on a bounce back based on health and a better team isn't the worst bet in the world. But the most likely side is age and injuries adding up. Father time never loses and all that

Check out Schneider's career

Age/SV %
24/0.929
25/0.937
26/0.927
27/0.921
28/0.925
29/0.924
30/0.908
31/0.907
32/0.904

So 24-29 he's frankly elite and 30-32 he is a below average back up

Dude hit a wall. For your sake hopefully it's injuries that he's gotten over, but I know my betting money is on age.

Some great goalies are Brodeur or Luongo who can play into their late 30s. Then others are Turco or Giggy or Ward (teams should stop signing him)

I mean CAR made it to the conference finals with McBackup splitting starts even though the playoffs, I wouldn't say anything is impossible (now CAR has a much better defense, but still, this team can at least make the playoffs)

I would say he is going to be dangled at the expansion draft for Seattle, but I believe he will have a bounce back year. As for Mack Black? I have such high hopes for this kid

I always consider it a red flag when a goalies production is significantly better in the NHL than the AHL. It can happen (especially in young'ins if they're developing), but generally I consider it a red flag. I wouldn't hang my hat on him either.

why? lol

Because if they have a larger sample size in the AHL of being a lower quality goalie and then suddenly do better in the NHL, it's a big flag that they just got hot at the right time (ie when they entered the NHL).

Any goalie who is at or near NHL caliber had the ability to get hot for 15-20 games and be pretty dominant. They have to prove themselves over more games than that.

I am suspicious of goalies like this that it's just a hot run and they'll come down to below average.

Look at Andrew Hammond for a good example

not saying Mack Black is the next Carey Price but check this out: https://imgur.com/8v5Kg6x

Haha. Good luck

Fwiw I am predicting Schneider's career as a starter is done, but HOPING he bounces back as I've always liked him and thought him underrated when he was a stud

(Also his relationship and social media with Luongo was always hilarious)