New Jersey Devils Traded Louis Domingue to Vancouver Canucks for Zane McIntyre

The 2020 NHL Trade Deadline ended at 3 PM ET. As I and many others constantly note, that is the time for when the trade has to be registered with the league offices. This means that some trades get revealed after 3 PM. One of those for today was a minor league deal involving the New Jersey Devils and the Vancouver Canucks. Per Bob McKenzie, the Devils swapped goaltenders: Louis Domingue for Zane McIntyre.

The Devils called up Cory Schneider from Binghamton and placed Domingue on waivers last Friday. Domingue cleared waivers and was assigned to the B-Devils. This was likely necessary for Domingue to be dealt at all. The goalie was bad for the Devils this season. In 16 appearances, Domingue has an even strength save percentage of 88.3% per NHL.com. Despite a few sparkling performances, opponents have beaten Domingue many, many times. His tendency to give up a lot of rebounds was also helpful. As he was a pending unrestricted free agent, I do not think he had much of a future in New Jersey beyond this season. Now he does not.

At least Domingue can say he has been in the NHL. Zane McIntyre last saw the NHL in 2016-17 with Boston. He has not been good with Utica this season. Out of 49 qualified goalies at the AHL’s website, McIntyre’s save percentage of 89.4% ranks 42nd in the league so far this season. Further, this is McIntyre’s second straight season of a sub-90% save percentage. McIntyre is 27 so there is little reason to think he will improve dramatically or become an option for New Jersey in the future. According to CapFriendly, McIntyre is also a pending unrestricted free agent so I have little faith he will be a Devil beyond this season short of an amazing time in Binghamton.

Effectively, this is a swap of minor-league goalies. As Domingue was assigned to Binghamton earlier, Vancouver does not need to risk him to waivers. Ditto for McIntyre - he can join Binghamton right away. The Devils save a little money on the deal. Domingue’s $1.15 million salary for this season was on a one-way contract. McIntyre is on a two-way deal where he makes $400,000 in the AHL. Given where we are in the season, the savings is not $700k - but there is some savings. Jeff can correct me on this, but I do not think the B-Devils are any better for it. It ensures that New Jersey’s tandem will likely be Mackenzie Blackwood and Schneider for the remainder of this season.

That’s my take on the Domingue-McIntyre swap. The Devils are done with Vancouver this season so there is no possibility of the Devils playing against him in 2019-20. What is your take on this deal? Feel free to share your thoughts about this deal in the comments. As well as vote in our flash poll (ends at 7 PM ET today). Thank you for reading.