New Jersey Devils: Mackenzie Blackwood Should Push To Play Now

The New Jersey Devils have been extremely unfortunate with accidents this yr, and gamers coming again have backfired a number of instances. Nevertheless, there are a lot of explanation why the scenario is completely different with Mackenzie Blackwood. 

Proper now, the New Jersey Devils have a number of gamers who’re on injured reserve and can miss the remainder of the season. That features Miles Wooden, who got here again from hip surgical procedure solely to play three video games and now he’s been shut down for the remainder of the season. He’s in a contract yr, so it ought to be attention-grabbing how the Devils deal with that within the offseason. Jonathan Bernier has been shut down for some time now. Not too long ago, Jonas Siegenthaler ended his finest season early with a damaged hand. Jack Hughes was taken down with a knee harm, and whereas the prognosis was delicate, the Devils shut him down, too.

One participant who has been shut down for some time however has been getting some ice time lately is meant beginning goalie Mackenzie Blackwood. He has been coping with a heel harm actually all season. He obtained harm in coaching camp, tried to follow by way of it earlier than preseason video games, ended up lacking all of October and at last got here again on November fifth. He was clearly nonetheless not assured in his potential, and he performed beneath his expertise stage.

New Jersey Devils ought to get Mackenzie Blackwood into video games to finish the season.

He performed by way of the harm till the start of January, and when it was clear this season wasn’t significant in any method, the Devils shut him down once more. He hasn’t performed since January seventeenth when he obtained destroyed by the Arizona Coyotes, the worst workforce within the league.

There may be speak about whether or not it’s price it to even let Mackenzie Blackwood play one other sport this season. The Devils at present have 4 goalies practising in Blackwood, Andrew Hammond, Nico Daws, and Jon Gillies. They most likely must ship one right down to the Utica Comets with a purpose to get Blackwood on the roster formally. That’s most likely Daws, who’s been the most effective goalie on the roster this season. There have been seven goalies on this roster up to now this yr.

Nevertheless, there’s an enormous cause the Devils ought to play Blackwood in direction of the top of the season. They should see what he’s. Is he cooked? Was all of it due to the harm? He additionally must see the place his heel is at. Can he play with out ache? Is there a chance he wants surgical procedure? The Devils must see the place issues stand. So does Blackwood.

The Devils are reportedly searching for a spot to ship Blackwood within the offseason. If he is available in and is horrible, then his worth is mainly the identical as it’s now. If he is available in and performs nicely, then his worth skyrockets. There actually isn’t any draw back to taking part in him now until there’s a chance it may irritate his harm.

This might additionally propel Blackwood into subsequent season. There isn’t a secret issues are rocky between the Devils and Blackwood, however slightly goodwill on the finish of the season may go a great distance.