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The New Jersey Devils Are Done Shopping Up Front |
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Follow me on Twitter @ToddCordell
Ray Shero's biggest priority heading into the off-season was upgrading the team's offense.
To this point he has done just that as he acquired wingers Taylor Hall and Beau Bennett via trade.
The Devils also benefited from addition by subtraction in walking away from depth players that can't produce like Jordin Tootoo and Stephen Gionta, among others.
Taking their spots will be Vern Fiddler, who has tallied at least 20 points in three consecutive seasons, and some kids ready for full time action.
With the 2016-17 forward core nearly set - and the possibility of Patrik Elias returning for one more year - Shero has concluded his shopping for help up front; at least for now.
Here's how the depth chart is shaping up:
Hall - Henrique - Palmieri
Cammalleri - Zajac - Bennett
Boucher/Blandisi - Zacha(?) - Smith-Pelly
Josefson - Fiddler - Kalinin
That group looks significantly better than what the Devils went with last year. Not only is there more top end talent (hello, Taylor Hall) but there is much more depth.
I don't know about you but I feel like a 4th line of Josefson - Fiddler - Kalinin, for example, is a big time upgrade over Farnham - Gionta - Tootoo.
For years the Devils have struggled to score goals. One easy way to improve in that regard is to go with a skilled bottom-6 rather than wasting a line or two on guys who can only hit.
That's what Shero has done this summer and the Devils are far better for it.
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