There were two highlights of GM Tom Fitzgerald's presser that stuck out when he was discussing the Andrew Hammond acquisition.
Competition and character.
The Devils have been reeling at the goalie position all season long with injuries and struggles burying the team in the standings. Fitzgerald wanted to stabilize the net a bit more so that the hockey operations team can properly evaluate the skaters in front of the goalies.
In order to do that there needed to be more competition in net, and veteran competition at that. This allows the younger goalies who have filled in admirably, like Nico Daws, an opportunity to take a breather and develop at a more ideal pace.
And Hammond is a great fit character wise, per Fitzgerald. The right vet to bring into the room right now.
"I hear that he's a great human being and a great teammate," said Fitzgerald. "You know, he's an older guy, probably a calming influence. I think he should be able to help mentor a young Nico Daws, and maybe even help Blackwood by being around because he's been around for some time. He's been a number three goalie for a long time, and he's been that guy who can go in the net and help a team member stop the bleeding until their number two is back. Right now, it's an opportunity for him to come in and he's got a little bit of an injury that he says is healing up. But he's gonna have an opportunity to come in and play when he's ready and really hold on to the net and push everybody else to be at their best."
