Former New Jersey Devils goaltender Keith Kinkaid is aiming for an NHL comeback this season.
The 36-year-old netminder, listed at six-foot-two, first broke into the league in 2012-13 after going undrafted. He spent his first six seasons with the Devils before moving on to the Montreal Canadiens, New York Rangers, Boston Bruins, and most recently the Colorado Avalanche in 2022-23.
Though he appeared in just one NHL game over his last three seasons, Kinkaid is making noise again thanks to an impressive showing at this summer’s 3ICE 3-on-3 tournament, held at the Florida Panthers’ practice facility. Playing with 3ICE Buffalo, he turned aside 30 shots across two wins, including a highlight-reel save on a two-on-one breakaway, to help his team secure the tournament’s No. 1 seed.
Buffalo now heads into the final four championship this week, where they’ll face Minnesota. A win would set up a matchup against either NY/NJ or Tennessee.
“I knew we needed to win, and I knew I needed to be dialed in early,” Kinkaid told NHL.com following his performance.
Last season, Kinkaid suited up in the ECHL with the Savannah Ghost Pirates, posting a .893 save percentage in 32 games after several years bouncing between AHL teams. In his NHL career, he has appeared in 169 games with a career .905 save percentage.
Now, his focus is squarely on returning to the league.
“Right now, I just want to keep playing. We’ll see what happens,” Kinkaid said. “This is a great opportunity to show I still have it. My body is holding up very well. I am 36, but I am just trying to prolong my career because once it’s done, it’s done. [3ICE] has given me the chance to keep playing, to showcase that I still have gas left in the tank. It has been a tough couple of years just bouncing around, but hopefully someone calls and I get the chance to play again this season.”
Kinkaid remains unsigned heading into 2025-26 but is open to any opportunity.
“Any opportunity is fine with me,” he added.
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