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1) Heading into the off-season, addressing the defense was arguably the most important item on Ray Shero's to-do list.
He took a (small) step toward doing so when he acquired Mirco Mueller from the San Jose Sharks, but progress made by adding Mueller was seemingly undone when the Devils lost Jon Merrill to Vegas for nothing.
Merrill hasn't panned out the way many envisioned years ago but he was still the best shot suppression defenseman on the roster last season and is certainly a serviceable player.
Regardless of how highly you think of Mueller, or what you think of Merrill, I think we can all agree the defense still needs more work.
The Devils want to take a step forward next season and in order to do that the defense needs to be much better than it was a year ago. I don't think replacing Merrill with Mueller and calling it a day is close to good enough -- and Shero knows that -- so I expect at least one more defenseman to be added in the coming weeks.
Whether that comes via trade or free agency remains to be seen, but I can't see sitting on his hands.
2) I have some thoughts on Jacob Josefson and Beau Bennett, who is also set to become a UFA on July 1 since he was not qualified.
In Josefson's case, I think his days as a Devil are done. He has spent at least parts of the last seven seasons with the big club and appeared in 42 or more games just twice. His career high in goals is six, his career high in points is 14, and he's never really lived up to the billing that came with being selected 20th overall.
He's always been in and out of the lineup, be it due to injury problems or inconsistent play, and I think the Devils have seen enough to move on.
I believe he can be a useful depth player but the Devils have a handful of promising forward prospects NHL ready, or close to it. They need to open up a couple spots and I think the Devils view him as expendable.
As for Bennett, I wouldn't worry too much about him not receiving a QO. He didn't receive one last year after being acquired by the Pittsburgh Penguins and Shero ended up getting him signed.
I just can't see a scenario where Shero acquires Bennett, he has his healthiest NHL season, posts fantastic underlying numbers, and then lets him walk away for nothing.
When all is said and done, I think Bennett will be back. He definitely should be, anyway. Not only would it be horrible asset management, but I think you can count on one hand how many New Jersey forwards were better last season.
Recent Posts
Reviewing the Devils' 2017 draft class
Devils select Nico Hischier with the 1st overall pick
Devils lose Jon Merrill to the Golden Knights
Devils acquire Mirco Mueller
Kovalchuk still planning NHL return, drawing plenty of interest
On Hischier's defensive game and Severson's next contract
Why I have Nico Hischier ranked above Nolan Patrick
Beau Bennett quietly effective in debut season with the Devils 
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