Hall of Famer Scotty Bowman has the most wins in NHL history by far. But his victory on this day in 1967 stands out. Vitek Vanecek [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjAyNTgwNzI3ODE5MTUwMzQ4/usatsi_21736454_168400847_lowres.jpg] Vitek Vanecek During the off-season, there were reports that New Jersey Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald was interested in Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck and Anaheim Ducks netminder John Gibson. As this season began, there was speculation [https://thehockeynews.com/news/new-jersey-devils-could-find-slim-pickings-in-the-goalie-trade-market] suggesting Fitzgerald was monitoring the goalie market. With the Devils stumbling through a 10-9-1 performance in their first 20 games, it's believed their GM continues to look around for an upgrade between the pipes. On Tuesday, New Jersey Hockey Now's James Nichols [https://newjerseyhockeynow.com/2023/11/28/report-devils-looking-around-for-goaltending/] cited Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman pondering that possibility during a recent episode of The Jeff Marek Show. Friedman doesn't think that a deal is imminent but felt that Fitzgerald was checking into the asking prices of “certain goalies.” Friedman didn't indicate who those goalies were, but Nichols mentioned Gibson as an option. Others included the Montreal Canadiens' Jake Allen and Sam Montembeault, the Philadelphia Flyers' Carter Hart and the Detroit Red Wings' trio of Ville Husso, James Reimer and Alex Lyon. Meanwhile, TSN's Pierre LeBrun [https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/insider-trading-chicago-blackhawks-initiate-termination-of-corey-perry-s-contract-1.2041963] reported the Devils had spoken with the Calgary Flames regarding defenseman Nikita Zadorov. However, they want to see if their club can overcome its sputtering start before going the trade route. That would likely hold true for their rumored interest in a goaltending upgrade. If Fitzgerald pursues a goaltender, he's got just $1.373 million in cap space to make an affordable addition for someone such as Reimer ($1.5 million), Montembeault ($1 million) or Lyon ($900,000). Gibson ($6.4 million) and Allen ($3.85 million) are more expensive, plus they also have limited no-trade protection. Hart lacks a no-trade clause but still comes in $3.979 million.
