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Find out why Cory Schneider’s recent form has allowed the New Jersey Devils to complete what could be some inspired deals ahead of the NHL trade deadline., New Jersey Devils completed what may turn out to be some hugely important deals ahead of the 2019 NHL trade deadline., The Devils’ goaltending situation has been a major area of concern over the past year, with Cory Schneider and Keith Kinkaid both struggling for fitness and form. The team currently remain rooted to the bottom of the Metropolitan Division standings, but much like NJ’s Legal Online Casinos they now have reasons to look forward to a brighter future., Schneider has certainly bounced back to his best in recent games, carrying the Devils to four wins in his last five appearances. However, Kinkaid’s lack of form has seen him traded to Columbus in exchange for the Blue Jackets’ fifth-round pick in the 2022 NHL Draft., The 29-year-old posted an overall record of 64-55-17 in 151 games for the Devils with a 2.90 GAA and .906 save percentage. A 15-18-6 record in 41 games with a 3.36 goals-against average and .891 save percentage this season has been sufficient for the Devils to head in another direction., Schneider’s return to form is undoubtedly a major boost to the Devils moving forward. The 33-year-old is contracted for another three seasons with a cap hit of $6 million, so trading him elsewhere would be difficult., Mackenzie Blackwood has looked capable during his limited NHL appearances, posting a save percentage of .926, but it’s far too early to determine whether he is capable of repeating those statistics on a regular basis., The 22-year-old has been heavily touted as Schneider’s long-term replacement, but the news that the Devils have signed goalie Evan Cormier to a three-year entry level contract is a possible blow to his hopes., Cormier has a .934 save percentage with Binghamton Devils in the AHL this season, significantly better than the numbers produced by Blackwood with the same team., The 21-year-old, a 2016 fourth-round draft pick of the Devils, has previously iced extensively with the Ontario Hockey League’s Saginaw Spirit, before enjoying a brief spell with the University of Guelph., Both Blackwood and Cormier have the size and potential to become solid NHL goaltenders, although it remains to be seen which one is the better long-term prospect., Blackwood struggled a little behind Binghamton’s shaky defense this season, while Cormier shone behind the same unit, suggesting that the latter could eventually emerge as Schneider’s replacement., The pair will be eager to avoid following the path taken by another young Devils’ goalie prospect just a few years ago., Scott Wedgewood won his NHL debut against Columbus at the end of the 2015/16 season and then shutout Pittsburgh Penguins five days later. He failed to kick on from that impressive start and is now back in the AHL., Having gambled on shipping Kinkaid out of the club in return for a future draft pick, the Devils will be eager to see one of their talented young goalies fulfil their potential and prove the wisdom of that decision.
