Follow me on Twitter @ToddCordell

1) A few people have asked me about bringing in Antoine Vermette on a short-term contract to give the Devils insurance down the middle if Pavel Zacha doesn't prove to be ready.

I don't think that is a good idea.

While Vermette has posted respectable point totals in consecutive years (38 a piece) his rate scoring stats have not been good. In other words he has produced because he's been spoon fed ice time in all situations as opposed to being an efficient scorer.

Over the last two seasons Vermette has averaged 1.13 points per 60 minutes of 5 v 5 ice. Derek Dorsett, Trevor Lewis, R.J. Umberger and Paul Byron are some players who have averaged more points/60 in that span, although they are all in the same ball park.

Vern Fiddler, who was signed a month ago, has been considerably better at putting up points at 5 v 5 as he has averaged 1.43 points/60 over the last couple years.

As it stands the Devils could roll out Adam Henrique, Travis Zajac, Jacob Josefson and Fiddler down the middle even if Zacha isn't ready and they elect to keep Joseph Blandisi on the wing, with the latter seeming likely.

Their center situation may not be perfect but Vermette is not a guy who will fix it.

2) TheScore recently pumped out articles ranking the NHL's general managers and head coaches from 1st to worst.

Despite a solid season where the New Jersey Devils overachieved, and were in the thick of the playoff race until the final 10 games or so, the Devils' representatives didn't fare too well.

Ray Shero was the 20th ranked GM while John Hynes was the 23rd ranked head coach.

I think both were a little underrated (realistically they couldn't be ranked much higher having missed the playoffs) and will be higher on the list a year from now if the team improves like I expect them to.

Recent Posts

Adam Henrique rode the percentages to 30-goal season

Devils sign Brandon Gormley

On Severson, Lovejoy & Henrique

Severson the best option to take Larsson's spot on top pairing

On Reid Boucher's contract situation

Devils want Mackenzie Blackwood to turn pro

Devils on Jimmy Vesey's short list

Lovejoy can fill the PK void left by Larsson

On the Taylor Hall trade

Join the Discussion: » 9 Comments » Post New Comment

» Thank you

» On the Chayka rumors and finalists for the Devils' GM job

» Notes on quotes from Lindy Ruff's appearance on 31 Thoughts

» The New Jersey Devils may not have hired the coach they wanted

» Notes on quotes from Ruff, Fitzgerald, and Devils ownership