The New Jersey Devils Top 10 Goaltenders of All Time: Ranking the Franchise’s Elite Netminders

The New Jersey Devils have experienced remarkable stretches of dominant goaltending throughout their history. From the golden era of Martin Brodeur to the modern tandem approach, the crease has often been the foundation of the team’s success. While the franchise endured difficult periods between the pipes—setting an unwanted record by using seven different goaltenders in the 2021-22 season—the legacy remains rich with elite talent. Today’s NHL emphasizes goaltending duos over workhorse starters, but the core qualities that define great Devils netminders remain unchanged: resilience, reliability, and leadership when it matters most.

This comprehensive ranking examines the new jersey devils top 10 goaltenders of all time, evaluating their impact, statistics, and contributions to franchise history. From pioneers who established the culture to modern keepers fighting to restore glory, each name represents a crucial chapter in Devils hockey lore.

Ranking the new jersey devils top 10 goaltenders of all time

10. Vitek Vanecek: stabilizing a fractured position

Vitek Vanecek’s tenure in New Jersey may have been brief, but his impact proved transformational. Acquired during the 2022 NHL Draft, he delivered immediate stability to a position that had plagued the organization for years. His 33-win campaign in the 2022-23 season helped propel the Devils to their best regular-season finish in franchise history at 52-22-8, totaling 112 points and ending a painful four-year playoff drought. Vanecek’s arrival demonstrated how a single reliable netminder could shift a team’s entire trajectory, even in an era emphasizing goalie tandems over solo workhorses.

The Czech goaltender’s technical proficiency and calm demeanor provided exactly what the young Devils roster needed. While his save percentage and goals-against average weren’t historically elite, his ability to consistently give the team a chance to win night after night proved invaluable. Vanecek’s contribution extended beyond statistics—he helped establish a winning culture that had been missing for half a decade, making him worthy of inclusion among the new jersey devils top 10 goaltenders of all time despite his relatively short stint.

9. Johan Hedberg: the beloved backup

Fans affectionately dubbed Johan Hedberg “Moose” during his three-season run from 2010 to 2013, where he served as Martin Brodeur’s dependable understudy. The Swedish netminder’s 2011-12 campaign remains one of the finest backup seasons in franchise history, posting a .918 save percentage and 2.22 goals-against average. Hedberg accumulated eight shutouts during his Devils tenure, ranking him among the top five in franchise history—a remarkable achievement for a second-string goaltender.

What made Hedberg special went beyond his performance. His veteran presence and work ethic set a professional standard in the locker room, particularly valuable during the twilight of Brodeur’s career. Hedberg understood his role perfectly, staying sharp despite limited starts and delivering quality performances when called upon. In today’s NHL, where backup goalies play 25-30 games regularly, Hedberg’s ability to maintain elite readiness despite sporadic playing time represents a lost art that modern tandems should study.

8. Scott Clemmensen: the ultimate team player

Drafted in the eighth round of the 1997 NHL Draft, Scott Clemmensen spent years honing his craft before becoming one of the league’s most reliable backups. His defining moment arrived in the 2008-09 season when Martin Brodeur suffered a significant elbow injury, forcing Clemmensen into extended duty. The former Boston College standout responded brilliantly, posting a 25-13-1 record that single-handedly preserved the Devils’ playoff hopes. Without his heroics, New Jersey’s postseason streak would have snapped years earlier than it eventually did.

Clemmensen’s value extended far beyond his emergency starting role. He remained a consummate professional throughout his Devils tenure, never complaining about limited opportunities while constantly preparing as if he would start every game. His NCAA background—holding the Frozen Four record for most career wins—demonstrated his winning pedigree. For Devils fans, Clemmensen represents the ideal organizational depth goaltender: ready when needed, unselfish when not, and always contributing to team success.

7. Keith Kinkaid: the playoff catalyst

Keith Kinkaid etched his name in Devils folklore during the 2017-18 season, delivering the most clutch goaltending performance in recent franchise history. Taking over the starter’s role late in the campaign, Kinkaid posted a stellar 26-10-3 record with a .913 save percentage and 2.77 goals-against average. His seven consecutive victories down the stretch, including a 32-save masterpiece against Toronto on April 5, 2018, clinched a playoff berth for the first time since 2012. The image of Kinkaid celebrating that berth remains one of the decade’s most memorable Devils moments.

Beyond his on-ice heroics, Kinkaid’s personality made him a genuine fan favorite. His legendary post-game tweets, written entirely in emojis and nicknames, perfectly captured the joy and camaraderie of that surprising playoff run. While his overall Devils statistics don’t match the franchise legends, Kinkaid’s impact on restoring playoff hockey to Newark cannot be overstated. He reminded Devils fans that sometimes, a hot goaltender can carry an entire organization across the finish line.

6. Sean Burke: the pioneering foundation

Selected in the second round of the 1985 NHL Draft, Sean Burke arrived in New Jersey with unusual pedigree, having represented Canada at the 1988 Calgary Olympics before playing his first professional game. This international experience gave the young Devils organization instant credibility. Burke’s rookie season in 1987-88 included a crucial 4-3 overtime victory against the Chicago Blackhawks that sent New Jersey to its first-ever Stanley Cup playoff appearance—a watershed moment for a franchise still establishing its identity.

Burke’s imposing size and competitive fire gave the Devils a legitimate foundation piece during their formative years. He played 11 games that inaugural season, demonstrating the poise of a veteran despite his rookie status. While his overall Devils statistics appear modest by modern standards, Burke’s role in proving that New Jersey could compete with established NHL powers cannot be measured in wins alone. He helped draw new fans to the sport and showed that the Devils belonged on hockey’s biggest stage.

5. Mackenzie Blackwood: rebuilding hope amid chaos

Mackenzie Blackwood arrived as a beacon of hope during the Devils’ darkest period, selected in the second round of the 2015 NHL Draft. At 6-foot-4 with exceptional athleticism and lightning-quick reflexes, Blackwood immediately showcased legitimate starter potential. His rookie season in 2018-19 featured a .918 save percentage and back-to-back shutouts in his third and fourth NHL starts—a franchise first for a rookie. He finished sixth in Calder Trophy voting, signaling that New Jersey had finally found its goaltender of the future.

The following season, Blackwood emerged as one of the NHL’s best young netminders, single-handedly keeping the rebuilding Devils competitive despite a porous defense. His ability to steal games became essential as the team navigated its most challenging era. Unfortunately, injuries ultimately derailed his Devils tenure, leading to a trade before he could fully realize his potential. Nevertheless, Blackwood provided hope when the franchise desperately needed it, making his mark among the new jersey devils top 10 goaltenders of all time through sheer determination and spectacular saves.

4. Glenn “Chico” Resch: the inaugural ambassador

Glenn “Chico” Resch holds a unique place in Devils history, having played for the Colorado Rockies before the franchise relocated to New Jersey in 1982. The veteran netminder finished sixth in Vezina Trophy voting during the Devils’ inaugural season, immediately establishing credibility for the reborn organization. His experience and leadership proved invaluable for a young team still finding its footing in the NHL’s competitive landscape. Resch made the All-Star team in his second season, further legitimizing Devils hockey.

Beyond his on-ice contributions, Resch became a beloved ambassador for Devils hockey. His charismatic personality and work ethic set the cultural standard for what it meant to represent New Jersey. In those early chaotic years, Resch provided stability and professionalism that influenced every subsequent goaltender who wore the uniform. Today, his legacy continues as a respected color commentator, but his impact as the franchise’s first true goaltending star remains secure. Resch wasn’t just a goalie—he was a culture-setter and fan favorite who made Devils hockey matter.

3. Cory Schneider: excellence amid adversity

From 2014 to 2017, Cory Schneider stood as the Devils’ lone bright spot during their most challenging competitive stretch. Despite playing behind rosters ill-equipped for playoff contention, Schneider consistently ranked among the NHL’s elite goaltenders. He became the franchise’s third-winningest goalie behind only Martin Brodeur and Chris Terreri, while his 17 shutouts rank second in team history. His selection to the 2016 All-Star Game represented New Jersey proudly, even as the team struggled near the bottom of the standings.

The Devils acquired Schneider from Vancouver in exchange for the first-round pick that became Islanders captain Bo Horvat, a trade that seemed questionable but ultimately gave New Jersey legitimate star power. Night after night, Schneider delivered spectacular performances that kept games competitive despite overwhelming odds. His .921 save percentage during his peak Devils years demonstrated elite goaltending that deserved far more support than he received. Schneider’s tenure reminds fans that greatness isn’t always measured in wins—sometimes it’s measured in the ability to provide hope when surrounded by rebuilding chaos.

2. Chris Terreri: the unsung foundation

Chris Terreri never sought the spotlight, yet few goaltenders proved more crucial to building the Devils’ championship culture. Drafted in the fifth round of the 1983 NHL Draft, Terreri spent twelve seasons with the organization across two stints (1986-96, 1998-2001). He manned the crease during the franchise’s first deep playoff run in 1994 and started multiple postseason series throughout the early 1990s. His “battler” mentality—characterized by quick reflexes and unshakeable calm—perfectly embodied the Devils’ emerging identity.

Terreri won two Stanley Cup championships with New Jersey, serving as both a starter and valued backup throughout his tenure. His steady reliability and team-first approach earned universal respect in the locker room. While Martin Brodeur eventually claimed the starting role, Terreri’s mentorship and professional attitude helped shape the young phenom’s development. He represented the bridge between the franchise’s expansion roots and its championship destiny, establishing the tough, smart, disciplined culture that would define Devils hockey for a generation. His impact extends far beyond his statistics.

1. Martin Brodeur: the undisputed greatest

Martin Brodeur transcends mere franchise greatness—he stands as arguably the finest goaltender in NHL history. Over 21 seasons in New Jersey, Brodeur revolutionized the position through an unprecedented combination of athleticism, puck-handling skill, and mental toughness. The Hall of Famer led the Devils to three Stanley Cup championships while establishing numerous records that may never be broken. His 691 career wins, 125 shutouts, and 1,266 games played remain NHL records, while his 113 playoff victories and 24 postseason shutouts define clutch excellence.

Brodeur captured the Calder Trophy as rookie of the year, earned four Vezina Trophies as the league’s best goaltender, and received five William M. Jennings Trophies for allowing the fewest goals. His nine All-Star selections barely scratch the surface of his dominance. Devils fans would chant “Mar-ty’s bet-er!” at the Prudential Center, and he consistently proved them right. His puck-handling ability essentially created a third defenseman, recording 45 career assists and even scoring two goals. From his 1990 debut through his emotional 2014 farewell, Brodeur defined the franchise, elevated expectations, and delivered banners to the rafters. The Devils’ crease will forever belong to Marty.

The evolution of Devils goaltending philosophy

The new jersey devils top 10 goaltenders of all time reflect a fascinating evolution in hockey philosophy. During the 1990s and early 2000s, Brodeur regularly started 75-80 games annually, embodying the workhorse starter model. Today’s NHL emphasizes goalie tandems, with most netminders playing closer to 50 games while sharing responsibilities with a dependable partner. This shift has transformed roster construction and changed what teams value in their goaltending corps.

Despite this evolution, the core qualities that define great Devils goaltenders persist. Resilience under pressure, consistency in execution, and leadership both on and off the ice remain essential. The franchise’s championship identity was built on defensive structure and stellar goaltending, creating expectations that each subsequent generation must meet. Recent struggles between the pipes have only heightened appreciation for those who maintained excellence in New Jersey’s net.

The future promises intriguing possibilities for the next generation of Devils netminders. With prospects developing in the pipeline and recent investments in goaltending infrastructure, the franchise appears committed to restoring its crease to championship standards. The legends of the past set an impossibly high bar, but they also provided a roadmap for success that contemporary players can follow.

From Martin Brodeur’s unprecedented dominance to the unsung heroics of Chris Terreri and the modern reliability of Vitek Vanecek, Devils goaltending represents one of hockey’s richest traditions. Each era brought unique challenges and different styles, but the elite performers shared common traits: mental toughness, technical excellence, and an unwavering commitment to team success. As the Devils continue building toward their next championship, the ghosts of great goaltenders past serve as both inspiration and standard-bearers for what greatness requires in New Jersey’s net.