The number one needed for the New Jersey Devils entering this offseason was goaltending. After seeing options such as Casey DeSmith, Ville Husso, and Marc-Andre Fleury exit the market, the Devils made a move of their own acquiring the young Washington Capitals’ goaltender Friday morning. New Jersey gave up picks number 37 (second round) and 90 (third round) for Vitek Vanecek and pick number 46 (second round).
Who is Vitek Vanecek?
Vanecek is a 26-year-old Czech Republic-born goaltender. He is a former second-round selection and has 79 NHL games under his belt. He is currently a restricted free agent, so the Devils will need to give him a new contract. Given his experience and age, do not expect his new deal to be anything bank breaking.
Vanecek has 142 career AHL games under his belt where he has a respectable career .906 save percentage. As mentioned, he has played 79 NHL games, all of which have come with Washington. He posted identical .908 save percentages his first two season in the NHL. He started 36 games in 2020-21 and 42 in 2021-22. Note, the league average save percentage in 2020-21 was .908 and 2021-22 was .907.
Deeper Dive Into The Numbers
Most of Vanecek’s numbers will paint the picture of a very average NHL goaltender. Which, given this is something New Jersey has not had in a while, is perfectly fine.
Save Percentage
Across his 79 NHL starts, he ranks 16th among 41 NHL goaltenders with at least 50 games played with a five-on-five save percentage of .922. Interestingly enough, when looking at just the 2021-22 season, his save percentage of .926 ranks ninth of 49 qualified NHL who played at least 27 games last season. So, he showed improvement in year two.
Another interesting area to look at is a goaltender’s high-danger save percentage. Basically, his save percentage on chances that are the most difficult. In 2021-22, Vanecek’s high-danger save percentage at five-on-five ranked 11th of 49 qualified NHL who played at least 27 games.
Overall, at the above shows, his career .908 save percentage in all situations is right at league average since coming into the league. And there is nothing wrong with that at all.
Goals Saved Above Expected
Goals saved above expected (GSAx) is a statistic that weighs every shot attempt a goaltender faces based off the shot’s characteristics. It helps gives context to save percentage and other more traditional statistics by factoring in the actual quality of the chances goaltenders are facing.
This specific area is an area that is not too kind to Vanecek. In his first NHL season he posted a goals saved above expected (GSAx) of -7.58. Last year, he posted a GSAx of -2.85. So, noteworthy improvement, but still negative figure.
What this tells people is that Vanecek has allowed 10.43 more goals than expected since entering the league. Of goaltenders that have played at least 26 games since Vanecek entered the league, that -10.43 number ranks 36th of 50 qualified goaltenders. When looking at just last season, his -2.85 figure ranks 22nd of 41 qualified. Better than the likes of Linus Ullmark, John Gibson, Carter Hart, Jack Campbell, and Marc Andre-Fleury. Also shows a very nice improvement. Something that will hopefully continue going forward.
Is He An Upgrade?
Vanecek is a comfortable upgrade over both Mackenzie Blackwood and Nico Daws. A healthy Jonathan Bernier? Maybe not. However, there is no indication if Bernier will play again for the Devils given his recent hip injury. And if he does, no telling what form he will return as and when he will be back. Furthermore, Vanecek has shown comfortable improvement over his first couple seasons.
The below chart depicts this in a few key categories:
| GP | SV% (overall) | SV% (five-on-five) | SV% (high danger) | GSAx | |
| Vitek Vanecek | 79 | 0.908 | 0.922 | 0.793 | -10.43 |
| Mackenzie Blackwood | 60 | 0.898 | 0.907 | 0.773 | -27.24 |
| Jonathan Bernier | 34 | 0.911 | 0.923 | 0.801 | 0 |
| Nico Daws | 25 | 0.893 | 0.910 | 0.762 | -10.14 |
Final Thoughts
He may have not been the flashiest choice, but the Devils, for the time being, addressed some of their goaltending woes. Expect Vanecek to come in and give New Jersey around league average goaltending, which would be huge for the team. With league average goaltending last year, the Devils are a fringe playoff team. Overall, He is a comfortable upgrade over both Blackwood and Daws.
As for the other options on the market, Vanecek grades out in the higher part of the group. He brings more value and less risk than names such as Jack Campbell, Braden Holtby, among others. He probably provides similar risk to Ville Husso. However, much more value given the projected contract Vanecek will sign. Especially since he will probably give New Jersey very similar play as Husso will with Detroit.
Of course, Darcy Kuemper would have been the best option in terms of pure talent to upgrade the Devils’ goaltending position. However, with the rumors of Kuemper commanding six years at 32 years old, New Jersey did well avoiding that potential risk.
Regardless, nice move for general manager Tom Fitzgerald and the New Jersey Devils to really kick off the offseason. Also, the Devils have pretty good luck with their recent draft pick related trades with Washington. It’s just beginning folks!
Note, goals saved above expected numbers via Evolving Hockey.