Todd Cordell: New Jersey Devils: On Reid Boucher's Contract Situation

I understand both sides point of view but if Boucher needs to clear waivers to be demoted to Albany, I do to see it happening. Another team will pick him up for nothing. Although, he will be fighting for playing time on NJ with all of our wingers, they are fragile at wing and he will be a valuable part of this team.

I can also see Shero packaging a winger and a draft pick for a defenseman before the season starts

In a lineup feature Mike Cammalleri, Beau Bennett and (possibly) Patrick Elias you think there is going to a shortage of ice time for Boucher? We should be so lucky...

Plus Blandisi is on a two way deal...

I really think it would be fine to give him a one way deal at this time. He can play on either wing making it so, even if we sign another LW (ala, Elias or by some miracle Vesey) there will be room for him on his off wing (which correct me if I am wrong, but I think he played RW for a lot of the season he broke Stamkos' record). Besides, there are bound to be injuries in the season. Plus, I think it would be a stupid risk to place him on waviers; cause he will clearly be claimed. So just give him a one way contract for it is most likely he'll stay in NJ the whole year... unless he is traded =P

Plus, I am really hoping Blandisi starts in Albany. Let him get decent ice time and work on his defensive game; similar to what Boucher did last year.

Boucher and a pick for Shattenkirk

Boucher and a pick for Shattenkirk
- Ocean24

They'd probably want Santini and a 1st. Pass on that, look at what Edmonton gave us for Larsson.

Need to wait until the offseason lots of good pending UFA defensemen.

Burns, Shattenkirk, Del Zotto, etc.

I'd rather him in the lineup than Blandisi

Is shattenkirk a right hand shot ? I'm not sure lol and I know that he is only signed for one more year so that also has affected why St. Louis hasn't gotten what they want for him yet lol

Is shattenkirk a right hand shot ? I'm not sure lol and I know that he is only signed for one more year so that also has affected why St. Louis hasn't gotten what they want for him yet lol
- blizzzard

Keep hearing he is going to the rangers as a UFA, no idea how true that is but if that is the case it's not worth giving up assets that we cant afford to lose for 1 season where we wont be comtending for the cup (most likely)

Keep hearing he is going to the rangers as a UFA, no idea how true that is but if that is the case it's not worth giving up assets that we cant afford to lose for 1 season where we wont be comtending for the cup (most likely)
- dmarsden2988

Shattenkirk has prob 2-3 yrs worth of productivity before the decline starts, not worth it. Only if he was like 3 yrs younger.

Id stick to the D that we have and see who sinks and who swims. Devils never needed "name" players to be successful on the backend.

Shattenkirk has prob 2-3 yrs worth of productivity before the decline starts, not worth it. Only if he was like 3 yrs younger.

Id stick to the D that we have and see who sinks and who swims. Devils never needed "name" players to be successful on the backend.
- Leniwm1

I agree don't sign somebody just to sign him but if Shero can pull off another trade (like Hall or Palmieri) I'm for it. I'd also give a player or 2 a PTO and see what happens in camp.

Getting crowded. Blandisis played RW in JRs ???

If he did we are as set as we are going to be.

Hall-Henry-Dsp
Cammi-Zajac -Boucher
Elias-Zacha -Palmieri
Blandisi -Fiddler -Kalinin
JoJo-Gadzik

Getting crowded. Blandisis played RW in JRs ???

If he did we are as set as we are going to be.

Hall-Henry-Dsp
Cammi-Zajac -Boucher
Elias-Zacha -Palmieri
Blandisi -Fiddler -Kalinin
JoJo-Gadzik
- thechezman

Palmieri is not gonna be on the 3rd line under both DSP and Boucher. Another guy mentioned about Cam being on the 3rd line with Zacha and Boucher on of the LW with Zajac, I like that it spreads the offense out more. DSP should be in the bottom 6. And I don't think Hynes will stracth JJ. And Blandisi should be in Albany if they are gonna waste him on the 4th line. Palmieri top RW, Bennett 2nd RW.

My preferred lineup:

Hall-Henrique-Palmieri
Boucher-Zajac-Bennett(didn't give up a third to scratch him)
Cam-Zacha-DSP(Blandisi)
Fiddler-JJ-Kalinen

Elias should be a healthy scratch until an injury, don't put him in because of the past. If he is better then Boucher or Cam, then put him in, if not then let him wait.

Keep hearing he is going to the rangers as a UFA, no idea how true that is but if that is the case it's not worth giving up assets that we cant afford to lose for 1 season where we wont be comtending for the cup (most likely)
- dmarsden2988

Don't know why he would want to do that. They lost their window and now trade or free agent is going to change that they have a lot of work to do with little coming up and hank getting older each year who replaces him ? They will start the same cycle we just did in the next 3 years. I don't see why shattenkirk would want to go to a team that likely won't be that great.

Palmieri is not gonna be on the 3rd line under both DSP and Boucher. Another guy mentioned about Cam being on the 3rd line with Zacha and Boucher on of the LW with Zajac, I like that it spreads the offense out more. DSP should be in the bottom 6. And I don't think Hynes will stracth JJ. And Blandisi should be in Albany if they are gonna waste him on the 4th line. Palmieri top RW, Bennett 2nd RW.

My preferred lineup:

Hall-Henrique-Palmieri
Boucher-Zajac-Bennett(didn't give up a third to scratch him)
Cam-Zacha-DSP(Blandisi)
Fiddler-JJ-Kalinen

Elias should be a healthy scratch until an injury, don't put him in because of the past. If he is better then Boucher or Cam, then put him in, if not then let him wait.
- Devils9503

Those are just lines man. The third line could see way more special teams time then the second and the minutes could work out and players never play every shift with their linemates anyways so the minutes will even out for players who deserve it no matter what line they are penciled in on :p

Todd Cordell: New Jersey Devils: On Reid Boucher's Contract Situation
- Todd.Cordell

Elias or cammi will be injured quickly, plenty of room for him

Aside from getting picked high in the draft, and the Devils trading for him from Pittsburgh (where else) not sure what Bennett has done to be guaranteed a top six spot.

Boucher is def in our top 6. Plus you put his shot from the right side on the power play and he's doing damage. If you put him on the first line with rico and hall, he's potting 25 goals easily. Blandisi is the one who should be starting in the AHL. Boucher in Albany shouldn't even be considered a possibility. As far as Bennet, he should be our 3rd line RW. put him with Elias and Zacha and we have some bottom 6 scoring punch this year.... I'm really excited for this season just thinking of all the possibilities.