The New Jersey Devils are currently grappling with their goalie situation heading into the 2026 offseason. Meanwhile, their former goaltender, Scott Wedgewood, has emerged as a standout player for the Colorado Avalanche.
NHL Playoffs: Wedgewood’s Impact and the Devils’ Costly Mistake
Scott Wedgewood played a pivotal role in the Avalanche’s recent success during the NHL playoffs. The team completed a series sweep against the Los Angeles Kings, winning decisively with a score of 5-1. This victory enabled the Kings’ captain, Anze Kopitar, to retire on a high note.
Wedgewood’s performance has been exceptional. He achieved a perfect record in the first round, going 4-0-0 with an impressive 1.21 goals-against average (GAA) and a .950 save percentage. He has effectively taken over the starting position from former Devils player MacKenzie Blackwood.
Wedgewood’s Career Highlights
- Age: 33
- Regular Season Record: 31-6-6
- Career Highs: Games Played, Starts, and Wins
- Full Season GAA: 2.02
- Save Percentage: .921
- Shutouts: 4
Wedgewood’s journey in the NHL includes a significant trade by the Devils. On October 28, 2017, he was sent to the Arizona Coyotes in exchange for a fifth-round pick in 2018. After a brief return as a free agent in 2020, Wedgewood struggled in a challenging season with the Devils, going 3-8-3. His time with the Devils ended when Arizona claimed him off waivers on November 4, 2021.
This decision has proved to be costly for the Devils. During the 2021-22 season, the team faced considerable goalie depth issues. They relied on Andrew Hammond and Jon Gillies, while rookie Nico Daws stepped up as a starter for 23 games under pressure.
As Wedgewood continues to shine with the Avalanche, the Devils find themselves with two aging goalies, Jacob Markstrom and Jake Allen, both of whom are underperforming. However, the recent appointment of Sunny Mehta as the team’s new decision-maker brings hope for a brighter future and a more astute management of player assets.
