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On Parenteau, Severson, Speers & more

October 17, 2016, 10:38 AM ET [19 Comments]
Todd Cordell
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A few thoughts on what we've seen from the New Jersey Devils thus far:

1) Claiming P.A. Parenteau off waivers has already paid dividends to the Devils. He has points in both games he has played and looks like he can be staple in the top-6 this year (shocking!). Personally I think he is a much better fit on the top unit than, say, Devante Smith-Pelly. While Parenteau isn't a burner that can keep up with someone like Taylor Hall he thinks the game quickly and always seems to be in the right spot at the right time. He is also capable of making plays like this.



2) After a somewhat shaky season debut, although I don't think it was as bad as many suggested, Damon Severson bounced back with a pretty good game against the Bolts. There will always be hiccups, especially against a team with so much talent, but Severson finished with a team-high +4 shot attempt differential at 5 v 5. He also finished with a positive scoring chance differential despite spending most of his full-strength time against either Steven Stamkos' line or Nikita Kucherov's. He is definitely the most talented blue liner on the Devils and is their best option on the top unit. There is a learning curve and the Devils are going to have to live with some mistakes along the way.

3) Blake Speers was a good preseason storie but he has struggled immensely through two games. The Devils are controlling less than 30% of the shot attempts at 5 v 5 with him on the ice and their expected goals for percentage hovers around 28. I'd put Reid Boucher in the lineup on the 3rd line and drop Jacob Josefson to the 4th line in favor of Speers. I don't see how Speers is an upgrade over Boucher, Josefson, Joseph Blandisi, etc. at this point in his career and think he could probably benefit from another year in the OHL.

4) Adam Henrique is the only Devil who has an expected goals for percentage of 50 or better. That's certainly not good, although playing against what will likely be the two best teams in the Atlantic Division doesn't help. I'd expect a better performance at home against an Anaheim Ducks team that seems poised for a big standings drop off this season.

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