(Associated Press/Adam Hunger)
A reliable backup goaltender is important to have and Scott Wedgewood looks to carry his momentum from 2022-23 into 2023-24 for the Dallas Stars.
The Stars acquired Scott Wedgewood from the Arizona Coyotes for a 2023 conditional fourth round pick on March 20, 2022. Wedgewood was a member of the New Jersey Devils and Arizona Coyotes before being traded to the Dallas Stars. It marked his third NHL team during the 2021-22 season.
During the 2021-22 season, Dallas faced uncertainty with its goaltenders with injuries to Ben Bishop, Anton Khudobin and Braden Holtby. Jake Oettinger emerged as the number one goalie for Dallas during the season.
Wedgewood started seven games and won three after being traded to Dallas. One win was a 1-0 shutout against the back-to-back Stanley Cup Champion Tampa Bay Lightning on April 12, 2022.
Wedgewood finished the 2021-22 season in Dallas with a 3-1-3 record in eight games played, a 3.04 GAA and .913 SV% since being traded to Dallas on March 20.
Wedgewood re-signed with the Stars in the 2022 off-season with a two-year, $2 million contract and served as Oettinger’s backup. For a backup goaltender, the price was fair, and Wedgewood played well for Dallas in the 2022-23 season.
Nicknamed “Wedgewall,” Wedgewood finished the 2022-23 season with a 9-8-3 record as the Stars backup. Wedgewood recorded a 2.72 GAA, a .915 SV% and one shutout.
In November, he finished the month with a 2.60 GAA and recorded a .918 SV% and won five of his seven starts. Wedgewood won three straight starts against the Kings, Coyotes and Oilers.
In April, he finished 2023 well winning his only two starts against the Predators and Blues. He made a relief appearance in the third period for Oettinger resting vs Detroit and stopped all seven Red Wing shots on goal.
Wedgewood defeated three Playoff teams from 2023. Defeating the Kings twice, the Oilers and Devils. Against the Devils on Dec. 13, 2022, Wedgewood stopped 35-of-36 Devil shots as New Jersey finished with the third best record in the NHL.
In 11 of Wedgewood’s 18 starts, he allowed two goals or fewer.
Wedgewood will be entering 2023-24 the last year of his contract with a salary at $1 million. Stars head coach Peter DeBoer has been able to go to Wedgewood in relief.
Three times Wedgewood came in relief for Oettinger in the regular season but take the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs for DeBoer putting Wedgewood in relief and getting Wedgewood more confidence in himself.
(The Dallas Morning News/ Tom Fox)
In the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs, Oettinger played phenomenal posting a 1.81 GAA and .954 SV%. Oettinger made 64 saves in game 7 at Calgary before Dallas lost the series to the Flames in overtime. Oettinger wasn’t pulled one time in the 2022 Playoffs.
In the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs, Oettinger was pulled three times and Wedgewood came in relief. Twice against the Kraken in round two in game 3 and game 6. The other was 7 minutes and 10 seconds into the first period of game 3 of the Western Conference Finals vs the Golden Knights.
Oettinger finished the 2023 Playoffs with a 3.06 GAA and .895 SV%
In two games Wedgewood relieved Oettinger in the 2023 Playoffs, he allowed one goal. 2023 was the first time Wedgewood played in the Playoffs and he posted a 2.28 GAA and stopped 25-of-29 shots with a .862 SV % with four goals allowed.
With gaining Playoff experience, time will tell if Wedgewood sees more action in goal for the 2023-24 season. Scott Wedgewood turns 31 today.
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