Devils Goaltender Placed on Waivers

The New Jersey Devils placed goaltender Erik Kallgren on waivers Tuesday afternoon. The Devils goaltender will need to go unclaimed to head to the AHL Utica Comets.

The preseason roster now has 39 players remaining as the seven goaltenders are trimmed down to six.

The Devils deployed Kallgren in two games of this fall’s 2023 preseason action. The 26-year-old goaltender’s first in-game action came in relief of Vitek Vanecek in last week’s split-squad games that opened up New Jersey’s preseason. Kallgren was part of the roster that played at home against the Philadelphia Flyers. Vanecek played the opening 40 minutes while Kallgren closed out the contest in the third period. Kallgren helped the Devils secure a 6-0 victory over the Flyers making a perfect 10/10 saves.

Kallgren got back in the crease two days later when the Devils visited the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden. Coming in relief, once again, for Akira Schmid, Kallgren helped the Devils secure their third preseason victory over the Rangers 3-2. The first shot Kallgren faced against Erik Gustafsson found the back of the net. However, the Swedish goaltender recovered nicely and staved off a pressuring Rangers squad. Kallgren ended the contest making 19 saves on 21 shots in 30:37 in the crease.

“Unfortunately Kallgren went in and the first shot, we gave them a pretty good look,” Ruff explained last Thursday. “But I thought he played really well after that.”

Kallgren ended the preseason with a 2.37 GAA in 50:37 of play.

Now 31 NHL teams have the opportunity to scoop Kallgren if they’re in need. It’ll be an interesting situation to watch as teams such as the Tampa Bay Lightning and Colorado Avalanche are currently searching for goaltending options. If Kallgren does pass through waivers, it’s anticipated he’ll head to the Comets for AHL training camp.

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