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In today's post, I decided to get New Jersey Devils fans involved by touching on some of the biggest questions surrounding the team asked by the fans themselves.
Below are some questions from my followers on Twitter as well my answers to each question.
From @sunsofblindness: The Devils mismanaged Adam Larsson this past season having him in the pressbox. Do you see him as a full time player this season?
I don't see a scenario where Adam Larsson isn't a regular this season. He's entering his third season in the NHL and is in a contract year so it'd be best for himself, and the team, to see what they have in Larsson going forward. They've really eased him into the lineup in his first two years, but it's time to take off the training wheels and see what he can bring to the team. He has a ton of talent and should be able to handle himself just fine.
Given that almost the entire current defense core, save maybe Mark Fayne, doesn't have a long-term future with the Devils, it's best to see what the young guys, who actually have a future with the team, can do and to see what they're capable of going forward.
So to answer your question in a simple way, yes, I think Larsson will be a full time player this season.
From @MBoyer88: Will Adam Henrique have a turn around season and be a top 2 center man?
I have no doubt in my mind that Henrique will turn it around this season and play the way he did in his rookie season and during the Devils' deep playoff run. Henrique is a talented two-way player who is going to be given a ton of opportunities to produce in all situations, and I think he'll do just that. I think this past season was water under a bridge in that it was a shortened season, and was the dreaded sophomore season and I think he'll bounce back in a big way.
I could see Henrique posting 50+ points this season assuming the Devils add some scoring depth on the wing and Henrique stays healthy.
From @RwEightyFive: Who would you target with the 2nd rounder?
This year's draft is loaded with high caliber players and is hard to read because there isn't much difference between a player projected to go 25th overall and 40th overall. For that reason, it's hard to project who will or won't be available at the 39th pick but I'll take a stab at it anyways.
Some names to watch, in my opinion, would be Emile Poirier, Jordan Subban, Jimmy Lodge, Chris Bigras and maybe Zach Nastasiuk.
Poirier is a power forward from the QMJHL who can score goals and stir it up physically. Subban is like his brother PK, in that he's a puck moving defenseman who can fly and plays with a lot of energy and passion in his game. Lodge is a speedy winger who has good playmaking skills but can also fill the net from time-to-time. Bigras is a steady two-way defenseman who can move the puck and play big minutes every night. Lastly, Nastasiuk is a two-way forward who'll do whatever it takes to win. He never takes a shift off, will block shots, finish checks, etc. and his offensive game is still developing.
From @BComeford6: You think if Brodeur is available in the late rounds of the draft the Devils take a stab at him?
I'd love to see it, but I don't think they will unless they can get their hands on more draft picks, whether it be trading down or moving a player. The Devils only have four picks and I think Brodeur is a late round flyer more than anything else. I think he has potential and it'd be a good story, but given the Devils don't have many picks I'm not sure they want to take a flyer on him.
With that said, I could see the Devils moving their 6th or 7th next year in order to get their hands on another late pick this year and selecting Brodeur.
From @Jetfand: They have tons of Cap $$ to work with; what moves are realistic for Lou to make?
I think Lamoriello's biggest concern with the team is lack of scoring and depth on the wing, so I'd look for him to try and address that. Not sure what names to watch or who he has in mind, but I think he'd definitely like to add help on the wing. I could also see him making a play for a top-4 offensive defenseman of some sorts, but given that the prices would likely be extremely high, I could see Lamoriello just clearing out a roster spot and giving a guy like Eric Gelinas a chance to play that role with the big club.
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In case you missed it,
Andrei Loktionov is reportedly very close to a one-year extension with the Devils.
I posted a scouting report on draft eligible forward, Justin Bailey, at TheHockeyGuys. You can
view the report here.
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