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I haven't done a Q&A post since the summer, and today is another off-day for the New Jersey Devils, so I figured this is as good of a time as any to do one.
Let's get right to it.
I wouldn't say they're playing lights out hockey and will continue winning three out of four, but they are playing better. Defensively things have tightened up a bit and they are allowing fewer scoring chances on a nightly basis than they did in November and December. They've actually out-chanced their opponents at 5v5 in four of the last seven, and one of the three they didn't (last time out vs Minnesota) the difference was only two. If not anything else, they're playing well enough that the games should be close most nights.
At the NHL level, I'll say Damon Severson. Among regulars on defense he leads the team in 5v5 shot attempt for%, 5v5 scoring chance for%, 5v5 high-danger scoring chance for% and he's on pace for ~40 points. He's really progressing this season.
Outside of the NHL, I'll go with John Quenneville. Among 69 regulars age 21 or under, Quenneville is 6th in points per game. He is also generating shots at a high clip and has been named an AHL All-Star. To me, he has been a pleasant surprise.
I like Parenteau but he is 33 years old. By the time the Devils are truly ready to compete (a couple years from now, I'd imagine) he will likely be nothing more than a spare part. I think the Devils should play him a lot, inflate his offensive totals and move him at the deadline for futures as they did with Lee Stempniak a year ago.
There is still a lot of games remaining to scout and for lists, like my own, to change but I'll do my best.
Gabriel Vilardi is a guy I really like around the 5-spot. He doesn't possess blazing speed but he is smart, highly skilled, has a good shot and is producing at a high rate for a younger 17-year-old. I also like Timothy Liljegren but he is starting to slip a little bit.
Mid-round they could look at a big, two-way defenseman who can skate like Nicolas Hague or a Phil Kessel-type sniper in Owen Tippett.
Late...well, the Devils won't be picking late unless they acquire someone's 1st round pick.
I don't know that Greene's absence is the reason why but, yes, I will agree that Jon Merrill has been solid of late. The Devils need him to keep it up.
There isn't a lot that jumps out at me in this year's crop, especially given the Devils aren't in a position where they can overpay for a veteran or two to try and put them over the top.
I could see the Devils looking at Michael Del Zotto. He would add some much-needed skating ability and offense to the Devils' back end and, at 26, he still fits into the age group the team is looking for.
As for trade targets, it's too early to say. I'm sure the Devils will be blowing up the phone of every GM forced to move a quality player due to cap issues.
I would say so. The Scott Wedgewood injury opened the door for Appleby to get more playing time and he has made the most of it. Among goaltenders still in the AHL at the time of writing this, Appleby leads the league in goals against average and save percentage.
Josh Jacobs is still playing in Albany.
I think Cammalleri would be more likely to be exposed because the Devils love Zajac's two-way game, leadership, etc. and Cammalleri has had a bit of a down year/problems staying healthy in the past.
That said, I'd be pretty surprised if they exposed either. They just don't have many forwards that need to be protected worth keeping.
In free agency, as mentioned above, a guy who makes sense is Del Zotto. In free agency, most players are past their prime so handing out big money/term is a bad idea, especially for rebuilding/retooling team.
I think signing an affordable guy like Del Zotto and using the extra picks/cap space the Devils have laying around to trade for someone makes the most sense.
I would think the Devils will sell Parenteau, turning a waiver claim into a draft pick or prospect. If they can get anything for a guy like Kyle Quincey, I wouldn't be surprised to see him move either.
Some may say the Devils would be throwing in the towel by trading these guys, but if trading two guys you picked up a week before the season makes that much of a difference you probably don't deserve to sniff the playoffs.
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Thanks to everyone for submitting questions. I really enjoyed answering them and will try to do these Q&As a little more frequently moving forward.
If I didn't get to your question, I will try to get to it as soon as possible.
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