"You look at last year and then you look at this year and every year is a new year and I was so happy to see him come in and make the saves he did," Devils head coach Lindy Ruff said last week about Schmid's performance. "He was a big part of the success in Utica last year so for him to step in and get his first win in that fashion, I don't know if there's a better way you could end up with your first NHL win."
For Schmid, the groundwork for winning NHL games started last season. Schmid was finding success at the AHL level with the Utica Comets, going 22-8-5 with a .911 save percentage and a 2.60 goals against average.
Schmid wasn't ready to come up to the NHL but the Devils were in a tough position. Due to injuries, New Jersey had seven different goaltenders play during the 2021-22 season, a new franchise record. The team brought up Schmid at one point and he started four games and played parts of two additional contests. Through that time he went 0-4-0, .833 save percentage and a 4.83 goals against average. Not the same result he was getting in Utica, but the quick stint with the big club gave Schmid a look into all of the things it takes to play in the NHL.
"It's all around … (in) the locker room getting ready, having a pace getting set early, being in the game for 60, 65 (minutes) or shootout, however long the game is, and just being mentally engaged the whole game," "Just humbles you a little bit which is great too, you know that you still have a lot to work on, improve on, and still you are never good enough, you always have to work hard because the league is getting better every year."
The Swiss goaltender spent the summer focused on getting stronger, quicker, and better with his movements and hands. The hard work and improvements are evident. Through four games with the Comets this season, Schmid is averaging under two goals against a game with a .918 save percentage. Up at the NHL, the crowd chanting is testimony enough. Schmid feels a difference with his play as well.
"My tempo on the ice, being able to keep up, there's still some work to do but I feel a lot more comfortable now than I did last year," said Schmid.
As Schmid is up with the Devils, it's an opportunity the rookie goaltender is focused on taking advantage of as he continues his development.
"We try to keep a positive mindset around every day, try to work hard, I can learn a lot from these guys, they've been around the league for awhile now and it's great to be able to work with the staff and learn a lot," Schmid said Monday. "It's been a game and a quarter so for me it's consistency, being able to bring that level at a consistent basis. And keep pushing the pace, that's what I have to do."
