Follow me on Twitter @ToddCordell
Note: I was away on a camping trip for my 21st birthday so I didn't have any new posts up over the last few days. I'm back now and will be writing on my normal schedule.
Ray Shero has made it well known that he wants the Devils to get younger and that plenty of the team's prospects - particularly up front - will be given opportunities to make the team.
He is certainly standing by what he said as,
after buying out Dainius Zubrus, the Devils have just 10 forwards on one-way deals: Travis Zajac, Patrik Elias, Mike Cammalleri, Adam Henrique, Tuomo Ruutu, Kyle Palmieri, Stephen Gionta, Jordin Tootoo, Jacob Josefson and Stefan Matteau.
Some thoughts on how the Devils will fill out their forward core and more:
- The Devils will carry 13 or 14 forwards which means - Matteau included - the Devils currently have four or five spots for their prospects to take. Reid Boucher, Pavel Zacha, and Sergei Kalinin seem like the most likely waiver exempt players to claim a spot while Paul Thompson, John Quenneville and Joseph Blandisi are longer shots.
- The forward depth chart is currently laid out for a wave of prospects to make the team. My guess is Matteau, one of Boucher/Kalinin and potentially Zacha (though I think another year in the OHL would be beneficial) make the team out of camp and the Devils go with a free agent option or two (Think Jiri Tlusty, Sean Bergenheim, etc.) to fill the remaining holes.
I think Shero simply wants to leave room for the kids and that he'll fill the leftover spots once he sees what he has.
- Mike Cammalleri is switching from No. 23 to No. 13.
- If the Devils want a veteran defenseman who can help the young guys along and provide some solid minutes when needed
I think David Schlemko is a guy they should keep in mind. He's a good possession driver, can contribute in shootouts and can surely be had at a very low price.
- Team Canada picked up a 4-1 victory over Team Russia at the World Junior Hockey Showcase on Monday. Devils prospect John Quenneville picked up a nice primary assisted on Canada's first goal.
Canada is next in action tonight against the Czech Republic. Canadian viewers can watch on TSN.
Recent Posts
The Devils are in for another rough year
Devils place Zubrus on unconditional waivers
On Larsson, Zajac & more
On Adam Larsson's extension with the Devils
Lamoriello's departure signifies end of an era in New Jersey
On Stefan Matteau's two-year extension
Ex-Devils struggling to land contracts elsewhere
New Jersey Devils Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
»