New Jersey Devils

[Dennis]

You're right about missing on Boq. Tbh despite his massive upside, I really do think he'd be best served playing a ton of minutes in the A (or SHL as per his contract out).

This part. Boqvist cannot playing in the AHL until Brynäs is eliminated from the SHL. He can play for the Devils if he makes the team out of camp though.

[j0hn_d0e]

You're right about missing on Boq. Tbh despite his massive upside, I really do think he'd be best served playing a ton of minutes in the A (or SHL as per his contract out).

That said - if you construct the lines as you have JD, with Boq-Zacha-Simm, I think you really are maximizing the talent across all 4 lines. +1.

As for G - I'm secretly not very worried at all about it. I think Schneids has a strong rebound year after more time to heal (think I remember luongo stating how it took a year-plus for him to get back to his old self after that kind of surgery). I don't expect the dominance Cory used to show, but above-average tending, with strong (albeit maybe inconsistent) back up starts from Blackwood (who has big talent too in my eyes). It may not be league-besting, but I think it'll be just fine.

As for D - agree it's a bigger question mark and am intrigued to see what Hynes does here.

To me it looks like they're still short a legit top 4 D until T.Smith is more developed.

I'm okay with running Greene-Severson and Butcher-Vatanen as your 2-3 pairs... but that leaves PK being with... Mueller? on the top pair? Carrick? Yes you could move Vats to his off-hand and play him with PK, but I think Butch needs a steady partner to maximize his abilities too.

I'm good with Mueller-PK as a pair in general, although with MM's minutes limited, with a steady stay-at-home guy and puck carrying PK... similar to Greene-Sevs. It also allows a Butch-Vats pairing... which means no weak D pairing for opponents to thrive on.

My guess is until Smith is ready, we're looking at a somewhat fluid top 6 of pairings, with Carrick sprinkled in, where the primary pairings get swapped in-game so everyone nets out with appropriate minutes. Here's my guess:

Greene-Severson
Mueller-PK
Butcher-Vatanen
Carrick


What are you guys' thoughts/speculations?

G - I'm kind of thinking the same way about the goalies. Cory had a calendar year withou a Win... but he actually finnished the year strong after coming back from injury around mid-February. Blackwood has the potential to be above average goalie in this league. I could see a 1a-1b goaltending in New Jersey with both Schneider and Blackwood being above average.

D - again Im with you on the pairs...
Greene-Severson
Mueller-PK
Butcher-Vatanen
Carrick

..except Mueller who I think should be replaced with Smith. I get why you are not including Ty in your projections but he should be there. Muller could be the one playing with Subban until the next trade happens I can see even Vatanen(ufa) be traded with another prospect/pick for an upgrade.

[lucafen4]

or the addition of Gardiner

[j0hn_d0e]

or the addition of Gardiner

What?!? Is it done? Link?

[lucafen4]

What?!? Is it done? Link?

no... not done... still rumoured. They seem to be in the lead to land him

[stevegamer]

I'm getting the same sort of feeling about the Devils that I had when the Atlanta Braves got their new GM - an impending string of division titles. That's not good when you root for a rival team in the division.

[j0hn_d0e]

That 4th line though.. that could be one tough line to play against.

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[lucafen4]

That 4th line though.. that could be one tough line to play against.

Devs.jpg

it'll be real interesting to see how these lines actually line up. Both Gusev & Hughes are elite pass first players.
I think Palmeiri will swap with Simmonds or Simmonds will drop to the 3rd line and coleman will move to RW or Bratt...
either way, I think we'll see Gusev & Hughes (both adjusting to the NHL) on separate 5x5 lines

[mounD]

I still like these combinations:

Hall-Hischier-Palmieri
Hughes-Zajac-Gusev
Bratt-Zacha-Simmonds
Coleman-Hayden-Wood

Bottom-six with some talent and grit mixed in, guys that can skate and play on every line. Zacha and Simmonds could be Ann interesting tandem. I don’t know if I like Coleman/Wood on the fourth line, but they’re suddenly kinda deep.

[lucafen4]

I still like these combinations:

Hall-Hischier-Palmieri
Hughes-Zajac-Gusev
Bratt-Zacha-Simmonds
Coleman-Hayden-Wood

Bottom-six with some talent and grit mixed in, guys that can skate and play on every line. Zacha and Simmonds could be Ann interesting tandem. I don’t know if I like Coleman/Wood on the fourth line, but they’re suddenly kinda deep.

can you drop Coleman's 22g and 200+ sog to the 4th line? I might watch how this line up shakes out more than my own Leafs.

[mounD]

can you drop Coleman's 22g and 200+ sog to the 4th line? I might watch how this line up shakes out more than my own Leafs.

I’d rather Simmonds drop down to the fourth, but he’s also making $5m and I’d imagine the team is invested in his success.

[lucafen4]

I’d rather Simmonds drop down to the fourth, but he’s also making $5m and I’d imagine the team is invested in his success.

I wouldn't be surprised if by mid-Nov. Simmonds has given them 5 000 000 reasons to put him on the 4th line.

[mounD]

I wouldn't be surprised if by mid-Nov. Simmonds has given them 5 000 000 reasons to put him on the 4th line.

Agreed. But he’s going to get a ton of looks with quality linemates and on the PP.

[Daydream Nation]

One thing for sure- both New Jersey and the Rangers have gone way up in terms of my interest in watching. I'll definitely be watching a lot of their games this season.

[newper114]

Where did you get that lines image?? I think so many different combos being thrown out there we al cannot wait!! We will see a ton of different combos. But I really feel we will see nico, Hughes, Zacha, Zajac as the 4 centers. Thought Zacha would move to LW possibly but adding Gusev I believe secures him at center

That 4th line though.. that could be one tough line to play against.

Devs.jpg