Karel Vejmelka
Position: Goaltender
Age: 26
Height/Weight: 6’3”, 203 pounds
Statistics: 15-17-5, .904 save percentage, 3.31 goals against average, 12.9 goals saved above expected
Player Overview
Karel Vejmelka was originally selected by the Nashville Predators in the fifth round of the 2015 draft. However, he never went on to play for them and found his way to the Arizona Coyotes. As a result, he has only been in the league for two seasons. He has proven himself to be a solid and reliable at the NHL level this season. His sample size is small, but his play is noticeable. Especially, on a poor Coyotes team.
It was not all sunshine and roses, as last season was subpar when Vejmelka got his first full workload at the NHL level. Vejmelka went on to finish the season with a 3.68 goals-against average (GAA) and a .898 save percentage (Sv%). What was even worse, he had the third-worst goals saved above expected (GSAx) in the league at -23.2. Though, a year makes a difference.
As it stands, Arizona is not a very good hockey team as everyone is well aware. However, Vejmelka has improved his play and has been a good goalie on a bad team this season. Vejmelka has seen his numbers improve (3.31 GAA and .904 Sv%). What stands out the most is how he ranks 10th in the league in GSAx at 12.9. That’s light year’s better than last season.
Contract
Karel Vejmelka is under team control, something general manager Tom Fitzgerald is looking for. He is in the first year of a three-year contract that was signed with the Coyotes in March of 2022.
Vejmelka has a team-friendly cap hit of $2.725-million per season. Any squad looking to trade for him would be thrilled with his contract situation.
Potential Fit With The Devils
There could be a fit for the Devils when it comes to Vejmelka. General manager Tom Fitzgerald aimed to bring in a younger goalie this off-season and ultimately did with Vitek Vanecek. Vanecek is locked up for the next three years and is the clear-cut starter. However, his partner in the crease, Mackenzie Blackwood, is a pending restricted free agent at the end of this season. And we all know his inconsistency and injury woes.
It remains to be seen if they qualify that offer, but the Devils also have Akira Schmid in the pipeline. Schmid proved himself this season as someone who can potentially slot behind Vanecek in the future. Though, if the Devils want a more proven starter, they can resort to Vejmelka.