Wedgewood's Road Back I THREE THINGS

Scott Wedgewood is back with the Devils, avoiding the free agent market after signing a one-year, two-way contract with New Jersey today.
Wedgewood played a key role in the Devils goaltending tandem this past season, stepping into a starting role when Mackenzie Blackwood was sidelined with an injury and a COVID-19 infection. Wedgewood saw an opportunity and ran with it in his return to the NHL after nearly three years.
Here are Three Things from Scott Wedgewood's 2020-21 NHL season...

1. Patience Pays Off

There were no guarantees that Wedgewood would have seen NHL time this past season, even with the addition of a Taxi Squad and the requirement to always carry three goaltenders on the roster. But Wedgewood took advantage of an unprecedented opportunity when goaltender Corey Crawford, expected to join the Devils for a tandem with Mackenzie Blackwood, retired from the game.
Crawford's absence and embracing the opportunity during training camp opened the door for Wedgewood to make his mark.
"I'm excited for a second opportunity to kind of come back and show what I can do and what I've learned and if it comes to (playing more NHL games than expected), I would obviously be ready and willing to show this team what I can do," said Wedgewood.
And the coach staff took notice.
"He's trying to make a statement that I can be your guy," head coach Lindy Ruff said. "That's what any player wants to do when they're in camp is they want to make the hockey club. He continues to do that throughout these practices and the games we were playing."
Ruff has often said that Wedgewood was the best goalie through Devils 2020-21 training camp.

2. A Long Time Coming

It was the definition of patience for Wedgewood, working through his craft while waiting for another opportunity. When he hit the ice for his first start of the season on Jan. 21, 2021, it was his first NHL game in nearly three years. His last NHL start was while he was playing with the Arizona on Feb. 13, 2018, against San Jose.
"I was waiting for another door to open up and I got the opportunity. I gave it everything I had all year, practice or game. I put my best foot forward every day," Wedgewood shared in his year-end media availability.
His first win of the season came in his second game of the season when he posted a shutout win against the NY Islanders. It was his first shutout since Dec. 2, 2017 (coincidentally against the Devils) and was one of two he would register this past season.
Wedgewood was the
Devils nominee for the 2021 Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy
which is given to the player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to the game of hockey.

3. Show Stopper

One of the most memorable Wedgewood performances this season was perhaps his shutout win against the Bruins in Boston. The Devils and Bruins entered the third period with a clean slate, both teams yet to beat their opposing goaltender. Wedgewood had faced 22 shots through the opening 40 minutes and staved off another 18 by the Bruins in the third.
Not only was it an impressive performance by the goaltender, but it also ended a five-game skid by New Jersey, making the win all that more impressive and important.
"It feels awesome," then-Devil Kyle Palmieri said at the time; he was the lone player in the game, providing the offensive support for Wedgewood at the 15:23 mark of the third period in the 1-0 victory.
It was the most saves in a shutout by a Devils goalie since Mackenzie Blackwood's 5-0 win over Philadelphia, making 46 saves in a 5-0 win Feb. 6, 2020.