Devils Have Three Capable Goaltenders on Roster | FEATURE

The Devils will open the 2021-22 season
Friday night against Chicago
at the
Prudential Center.
While the 23-man roster is set, the only remaining lineup question entering the game is which goaltender will begin the night in the crease for New Jersey.
Mackenzie Blackwood, 24, has missed the past two practices as he's worked to rehab a heel injury that required surgery over the summer. Having missed two consecutive practices, Devils head coach Lindy Ruff said it is "unlikely he'll be ready."
So, the Devils would be expected to turn to the veteran Jonathan Bernier. The 33-year-old netminder, though, is dealing with his own injury issues. After missing some time with the team, Bernier practiced Wednesday and Thursday, and feels ready to play.
"I had a little setback, but the staff did a great job of getting me back in time. I felt good today and ready to go," Bernier said.
The Devils haven't yet decided on whether or not they'll tap Bernier, but it may depend on where they feel he is health-wise.
"Bernier feels good, looks like he'll be ready to go," Ruff said. "It was good to see him out there today in a full practice. We'll confirm his status (Friday) and make a decision."

If healthy, Bernier, who signed a two-year contract with New Jersey over the summer, wants to play.
"Every game. I don't think there is any guy in this locker room that doesn't want to play," he said. "Every game I can play, I want to play."
The team could also opt to let Bernier act as an observer for the night in the backup role to give him an extra four days to recover for Game 2, which isn't until the following
Tuesday against expansion Seattle
.
In that case, the club would turn its attention to 29-year-old Scott Wedgewood, who stopped all 27 shots he faced during parts of two games this preseason. The 2010 third-round pick (84th overall) by the Devils was a member of the team throughout the entire 2020-21 campaign following the startling retirement of Corey Crawford, who was signed the previous summer as a free agent but never played for New Jersey.
Wedgewood, who remained as one of three goalies on the opening day roster, performed admirably during last year under tough circumstances, highlight by a 40-save shutout against the Boston Bruins.

"Last year was a good test for me," Wedgewood said. "I thought I did well with the situation I was in. Not playing for certain stretches and then playing a lot. I feel like I walked away happy with what I did.
"I know I can play in this league. They know it. It's just a matter of situations and contracts, and health is an issue at certain points throughout the year. Having a strong three guys I think might pay dividends for us."

The Devils have the luxury of having three capable goaltenders on their roster. And just like last season, Wedgwood may go from being ticketed for the American Hockey League to a prominent role in an NHL crease.
"It was important that we had a guy that could be a game changer. And he did. He won us games that we really didn't anticipate when the year started," Ruff said. "He's probably going to have to do that again at some point. We know what we got. We have a guy that believes in how hard he works and how hard he plays. I think that we've seen the results of what he tries to do day in and day out."
If Wedgewood were to be re-assigned to the AHL, he would need to clear waivers, which means he could get plucked away by another NHL team. And after appearing in parts of eight seasons in the A, he feels he's ready to be in the N.
"I feel like I belong in this league. I've done my time in the American League," he said. "I think it's a situation where I want to prove that I can stay here and stay here for a long time."
With Blackwood's and Bernier's health uncertainties, Wedgewood may be getting his next opportunity. It's another up in a career of ups and downs.
"I like to use an analogy, I feel like I'm in the middle of the ocean sometimes and a wave will just hit me," Wedgewood explained. "You get buried underneath and you're fighting for your life. All of a sudden, you're up and you're treading water and you feel great, then another wave will come."
Wedgewood added with a smile: "I haven't found a yacht yet to sail away."
Whenever Wedgewood gets his next game in net, whether it's the opener or down the road, he is prepared to make the most of it.
"That's something that I'm proud of. I haven't given up or folded or gone overseas for a payday. I know that I can do it," he said. "I've battled to keep getting those chances. I'm happy to be back. I obviously have the trust of the GM and coaches to be a part of this squad, and I'm looking forward to getting behind this team again."