The New Jersey Devils are in the market for a new goaltending coach, following the firing of Dave Rogalski and the reassignment of Sergei Brylin. With Sheldon Keefe remaining as the head coach, the search is on to find a suitable replacement for Rogalski, who was widely known as a Martin Brodeur hire. The Devils need to find someone who can help develop their goaltending program and potentially end the revolving door of underperforming goalies. Here are three potential candidates who could be considered for the position:
Leo Luongo
Luongo, the younger brother of Hall-of-Fame goaltender Roberto Luongo, has held two NHL roles with the Florida Panthers. He has been instrumental in the Panthers' success, particularly in their Goaltending Excellence Department. Luongo's responsibility includes streamlining the structure between the NHL and AHL teams, ensuring consistent development and mentoring for goaltenders. This has contributed to the Panthers winning two Stanley Cups. If brought to New Jersey, Luongo could help develop Mikhail Yegorov and Jakub Malek, and potentially establish a strong Goaltending Excellence Department. However, it's worth noting that the Panthers' success with Luongo might make them hesitant to part with him.Hannu Toivonen
Toivonen, a former pro goaltender turned goalie coach, has been a key figure in the Toronto Marlies' success. He has successfully developed Ilya Samsonov and Dennis Hildeby, and his work with Samsonov was particularly notable. Samsonov, who had struggled with confidence and performance, was assigned to the AHL Marlies to work on his game. Toivonen's one-on-one mentoring and focused on-ice sessions helped Samsonov regain his form, resulting in a significant improvement in his save percentage and goals-against average. Toivonen is currently working with Artur Akhtyamov, who had a strong regular season and postseason performance. His success with Samsonov and Akhtyamov has led to speculation that he could be a strong candidate for the Devils' goaltending coach position. However, the Maple Leafs' upcoming changes might make it challenging to retain Toivonen.Curtis Sanford
Sanford, a former NHL goaltender turned coach, has worked in the Maple Leafs, Utica Comets, and Abbotsford Canucks organizations. He was hired as the goaltending coach in Toronto by Keefe in 2022-23. While his recent results might not be outstanding, they can be attributed to the overall underperformance of the team. Sanford has had success with goaltenders like Martin Jones, Joseph Woll, and Anthony Stolarz. The familiarity with Keefe and the potential for a new head coach in Toronto could make Sanford an attractive option for the Devils. However, his future in Toronto is uncertain, and the Maple Leafs' changes might impact his decision.
In conclusion, the Devils have a challenging task in finding a suitable goaltending coach. Leo Luongo, Hannu Toivonen, and Curtis Sanford are three potential candidates who could bring valuable experience and expertise to the team. The organization's success with Luongo and Toivonen's recent achievements make them strong contenders. However, the Maple Leafs' changes and the Panthers' reluctance to part with Luongo might introduce some challenges. The Devils need to make a wise decision to ensure the long-term success of their goaltending program and the overall team performance.
