Wedgewood Embraces Backup Role with Predators: 'I'll Get the Guys to Trust Me as an Option Every Night'

There's a new No. 2 behind Juuse Saros in Nashville this season.

As part of a flurry of signings when free agency opened on July 1, Nashville Predators general manager Barry Trotz inked 31-year-old backup goaltender Scott Wedgewood to a two-year, $3 million contract.

Aside from his NHL debut season in 2015-16, in which he only appeared in four games, Wedgewood posted the best numbers of his career over the past three seasons with Dallas. He set new career highs last season in games played (32) and starts (28), posting a 16-7 record, a 2.85 goals-against average and an .899 save percentage. Over his NHL career, which has spanned parts of eight seasons, he has a 2.96 goals-against average and a .906 save percentage.

Related: Nashville Predators Sign Backup Goaltender Scott Wedgewood to 2-Year Deal

"I always want to improve," Wedgewood said. "I don't think my numbers really show how good of a goalie I am, and that's a circumstance of where I started and where I built myself up to. But the last two years, if you look at where my game's come with steady numbers, it's obviously been an uphill battle... To keep my head above water like I did for a long time to earn that contract was something that was a long time coming. I thought about me and my family; it’s very rewarding for what the journey has been.”

Indeed, Wedgewood's NHL journey hasn't been an easy one. Originally drafted by the New Jersey Devils in the fourth round (No. 84 overall) of the 2010 NHL Draft, he signed an entry-level contract with the Devils and turned pro in 2012.

However, with Hall of Famer Martin Brodeur still holding down the No. 1 spot and Cory Schneider acquired in 2013 to succeed him in New Jersey, Wedgewood found himself stuck in the minors for the better part of the next four seasons. He finally made his NHL debut on March 20, 2016.

Wedgewood missed most of the 2016-17 season, however, due to a torn labrum in his shoulder that required season-ending surgery. He was healthy again entering training camp in 2017 and finally got a chance to play regularly in the NHL at age 25 after being acquired via trade by the Arizona Coyotes.

His first stint in the NHL was short-lived, though. After one season in Arizona, Wedgewood signed with the Buffalo Sabres in 2018 but spent the season with Rochester of the American Hockey League. He signed with the Tampa Bay Lightning a year later but again spent the season in the AHL, this time with Syracuse.

Wedgewood returned to New Jersey in 2020, signing as a free agent with the team that drafted him 10 years earlier. The Devils placed him on waivers the following season, however, and he was picked up by Arizona for a second stint with the Coyotes. He appeared in 26 games for Arizona during the 2021-22 season before being traded to Dallas for a conditional pick in the 2023 NHL Draft on March 20, 2022.

Wedgewood's career has taught him the value of patience and perseverance. He understands his presumed role as a backup in Nashville, but he welcomes the opportunity for more playing time.

"You play your 25 or 30 games [as a backup goalie]," Wedgewood said. "You know your role. But I've been able to prove that I can take starter minutes if needed. Last year, I think I started 12 or 13 in a row and produced."

As the Predators' No. 1 goalie, Saros has seen the largest workload of any NHL goaltender since the 2021-22 season with 11,366 minutes of total ice time over that span. Wedgewood hopes to be the kind of trustworthy backup who can lighten the load and extend Saros' longevity further into his freshly-inked, eight-year contract.

"[The team has] the luxury of playing me on a back-to-back when the team is traveling and tired, or play me when we are home and healthy," Wedgewood said. "Play me 10 times in a row or once every three weeks. It's something I've had to work towards, to be ready at any moment."

Wedgewood, for his part, is eager to get to work with his new goalie partner and form a formidable one-two punch on the Predators' back end.

"The partnership with with Juuse is going to be fun," Wedgewood said. "I think we play the same game; we're aggressive and good skaters. So it'll be a pretty fun training session, and obviously to be able to watch what he does day in and day out is going to benefit me greatly."

In his early conversations with the Predators' coaching staff, Wedgewood said there have been no promises regarding his workload and playing time.

"Nothing has been guaranteed by any means," he said. "You would prefer 25 to 30 games, give or take what management load looks like, what the schedule looks like, how the season is going. If you get a couple extra or a couple less, then you put the team first."

As a career backup, Wedgewood understands that every opportunity has to be earned and looks forward to earning the trust of his new coaches and teammates in Nashville.

"If you do well, you'll get in the net more," Wedgewood said. "I'll get the guys to trust me as an option every night."