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While many teams are preparing for the playoffs the New Jersey Devils are dusting off their golf clubs and hitting the links early for the fifth time in six years.
To their credit they were a lot better than most expected this season, and hung around a playoff spot for much of the year, but there is still plenty of work to be done.
At the top of the list is finding a way to help the team score more goals. They acquired Kyle Palmieri, who needs a new contract, last summer to help out in that regard but filling the net is still a huge issue. Despite Palmieri and Adam Henrique being two of 28 players to score 30+ the Devils still finished last in goals for.
The continued development of Reid Boucher, Joseph Blandisi will undoubtedly help - as should Pavel Zacha if he proves to be ready - but the Devils need to add another weapon up front if they want to see significant improvement.
Surrounding their top guys with better depth forwards will help, too, as there is a need for more production than Stephen Gionta, Jordin Tootoo, Tuomo Ruutu and several regulars in the bottom-6 brought to the table. I doubt Shero will gut the entire bottom of the lineup but I definitely expect some changes there.
For the most part the defense is fine but Shero does have a couple decisions to make.
Jon Merrill is a restricted free agent, and will play in the NHL next season but, to me, he is an expendable piece and I think he should be moved. Shero will also have to make a decision on pending unrestricted free agent David Schlemko. I think he should be brought back but I wouldn't be shocked if they let him go.
In goal the Devils are sitting pretty with Cory Schneider as their starter and either Scott Wedgewood or Keith Kinkaid backing up.
As a whole the Devils are set up fairly well but, as has been the case for years, their offense remains an area of weakness.
If the Devils don't address that this summer they'll almost certainly be in the same situation a year from now.
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