A Tip Of The Cap To Scott Wedgewood For Backstopping The Coyotes To Their First Win Of The Season Over A Familiar Foe

Source: Bruce Bennett/Getty Images North America

Wedgewood is going from NJ to ARIZ for a 5th in 2018.

— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) October 28, 2017

The #Yotes celebrate their first W of the season; 4-3 vs the Flyers in OT pic.twitter.com/lbXvDHtik7

— Mike Morreale (@mikemorrealeNHL) October 31, 2017

Scott Wedgewood, the 4th starting goalie for ARZ this season, made his 1st NHL start in 2 seasons; made 28 svs and is 1-0-0 at #Yotes keeper

— Mike Morreale (@mikemorrealeNHL) October 31, 2017

"It had to be something like that to break the streak." -- goalie Scott Wedgewood after the @ArizonaCoyotes get their 1st win of the season. pic.twitter.com/C6J7AUtlMc

— FOX Sports Arizona (@FOXSPORTSAZ) October 31, 2017

Honestly, you probably shouldn't have needed convincing that getting a 5th round round pick for a 25 year old goalie with four starts in his NHL career who was firmly entrenched as a third stringer and previously passed through waivers was a mutually beneficial move for both parties.

That said, some insanely biased people have a very difficult time understanding trade value. Those people need to realize that by beating the Flyers (again) and giving the Coyotes their first win of the season, Scott Wedgewood has already done more for the Devils this year than he would have been given the opportunity to do as an actual member of the Devils. As promising a player as I think he is, getting a mid-round pick for someone with a history of injuries that's longer than his history of professional success is a more than solid move. Especially when that move gives said player his first legitimate (and well-deserved) opportunity to continue adding to that resume. 

As far as I am concerned, this was the best case scenario for a guy that now has two of his three career wins over his former rivals. Like, there's only a small part of me wants to undue the trade after seeing him put forth a victorious performance against Philadelphia, and that small part is wondering if there is another team looking to give up an asset for a goaltender that also happens to have the Flyers coming up on their schedule.

So, I think I speak for all Devils fans when I say I am happy for Scott Wedgewood and wish him the best going forward. Here's to hoping that best continues to come against other members of the Metropolitan Division!