Todd Cordell: New Jersey Devils' Lack Of Puck-Moving Defensemen May Haunt Them

Might I interest you in a Fowler?

That makes letting Schlemko walk even more confusing, especially since he didn't sign a big deal

Still a work in progress but after the Larson trade shero knew the defense had to be addressed and he only signed love joy I know there wasnt a ton of free agent D but he could have brought in another veteran

Contrary to Todd, another reason that Greene and Severson should not be paired together. Split them up so the only two D that drive offence aren't on the same pairing. I'm curious to see what Mozik and Auvitu bring during pre season. Everyone else is from the shut down, physicality first ilk.

Blackhawks offer Erik Gustafsson for Reid Boucher

Gustafsson likely blocked by Kempny and Campbell now as a PMD

In his first 41 NHL games, had 14 points (so pro-rate to 28 pts in his first full NHL season) which is pretty darn good for a bottom pair PMD rookie

Also had 11 pts in 27 games in rockford when Chicago didnt have him up

If I am reading the chart correctly...I think it was a mistake to not pick Provorov

I'm confident Severson will take a big step in these next two years. His has been a trajectory of consistent improvement with the only exception being this past year's slight bump in the road. I've said it before and was hoping the Oilers would acquire him before the Larsson trade, but this kid has top pairing Dman written all over him.

Whether you look at his raw skillset or his numbers (both possession and standard metrics), all signs point towards a continued development now that his sophomore year is out of the way.

Blackhawks offer Erik Gustafsson for Reid Boucher

Gustafsson likely blocked by Kempny and Campbell now as a PMD

In his first 41 NHL games, had 14 points (so pro-rate to 28 pts in his first full NHL season) which is pretty darn good for a bottom pair PMD rookie

Also had 11 pts in 27 games in rockford when Chicago didnt have him up
- hawkeytalkman

I don't know about Devils fans, but that looks like a pretty solid deal to me. They have a few LHD trying to crack the roster, but none that seem to have the same skillset that Gus exhibits. He's certainly not a high-potential guy, but I could see him being a decent partner for a prospect like Santini.

I'm confident Severson will take a big step in these next two years. His has been a trajectory of consistent improvement with the only exception being this past year's slight bump in the road. I've said it before and was hoping the Oilers would acquire him before the Larsson trade, but this kid has top pairing Dman written all over him.

Whether you look at his raw skillset or his numbers (both possession and standard metrics), all signs point towards a continued development now that his sophomore year is out of the way.
- MaximumBone

So who gets partnered with Greene, Severson or Lovejoy?

So who gets partnered with Greene, Severson or Lovejoy?
- Wildschwein

Lovejoy. That'd be the closest they could get to maintaining a shutdown pairing while opening the door for Severson to not be stifled in a similar way to Larsson. As another poster mentioned, it also spreads out the puck moving abilities- though I don't know that Greene should be counted on more much offense.

Greene- Lovejoy
Merrill- Severson
Moore- Santini

It would struggle to create offense and could really use a LHD addition at some point during the season. Gormley could rediscover his game in a structured system like the Devils have and Mozik could take a step, but if we're operating off what we know now, that would make the most sense to me. Devils fans may disagree.

Lovejoy. That'd be the closest they could get to maintaining a shutdown pairing while opening the door for Severson to not be stifled in a similar way to Larsson. As another poster mentioned, it also spreads out the puck moving abilities- though I don't know that Greene should be counted on more much offense.

Greene- Lovejoy
Moore- Severson
Merrill- Santini

It would struggle to create offense and could really use a LHD addition at some point during the season. Gormley could rediscover his game in a structured system like the Devils have and Mozik could take a step, but if we're operating off what we know now, that would make the most sense to me. Devils fans may disagree.
- MaximumBone

It will struggle no doubt, but it looks workable. Really looking forward to seeing what this squad can do.

It will struggle no doubt, but it looks workable. Really looking forward to seeing what this squad can do.
- Wildschwein

Speaking strictly on optics, I kinda see it like I did Edmonton's D corps in 2012-13. You've got the effective, underrated puck-mover in Greene (Petry), the veteran shutdown guy in Lovejoy (N. Schultz), a couple ideally bottom pairing defenders in Merrill and Moore (Smid and Fistric), and a high potential, young RHD in Severson (J. Schultz).

However, they have three things that I think will separate them from those Oilers: 1.) they're back-stopped by Cory Schneider, 2.) they're much better insulated by their forwards, and 3.) Severson is a superior player to what Schultz was in almost every facet.

Lovejoy. That'd be the closest they could get to maintaining a shutdown pairing while opening the door for Severson to not be stifled in a similar way to Larsson. As another poster mentioned, it also spreads out the puck moving abilities- though I don't know that Greene should be counted on more much offense.

Greene- Lovejoy
Merrill- Severson
Moore- Santini

It would struggle to create offense and could really use a LHD addition at some point during the season. Gormley could rediscover his game in a structured system like the Devils have and Mozik could take a step, but if we're operating off what we know now, that would make the most sense to me. Devils fans may disagree.
- MaximumBone

Read a little deeper on Auvitu, a 27 Yr old LHD who was the Finish League's top D-man. Sounds like he has some decent puck moving skills. Could be a surprise and press Merrill for playing time and add some offence from the back end. Big question mark though as he's never played in NA but has played in the World Championships against NHL talent.

Read a little deeper on Auvitu, a 27 Yr old LHD who was the Finish League's top D-man. Sounds like he has some decent puck moving skills. Could be a surprise and press Merrill for playing time and add some offence from the back end. Big question mark though as he's never played in NA but has played in the World Championships against NHL talent.
- mcjags

So he plays both D and LW? Huh. Regardless, I naturally deviate from relying on Euro signings. It's a fair possibility to consider but not a situation I'd invest too much into personally. Hopefully he can surprise!

Speaking strictly on optics, I kinda see it like I did Edmonton's D corps in 2012-13. You've got the effective, underrated puck-mover in Greene (Petry), the veteran shutdown guy in Lovejoy (N. Schultz), a couple ideally bottom pairing defenders in Merrill and Moore (Smid and Fistric), and a high potential, young RHD in Severson (J. Schultz).

However, they have three things that I think will separate them from those Oilers: 1.) they're back-stopped by Cory Schneider, 2.) they're much better insulated by their forwards, and 3.) Severson is a superior player to what Schultz was in almost every facet.
- MaximumBone

I can see Jersey snagging a wild card spot for the reasons you mentioned above. #1 in particular.

I can see Jersey snagging a wild card spot for the reasons you mentioned above. #1 in particular.
- Wildschwein

I can, too. The team will go as far as Hall, Severson, and Schneider can carry them. Henrique, Palmieri, Cammalleri, Smith-Pelley Greene, and Lovejoy make for a solid- if unspectacular- supporting cast and young guys like Boucher, Blandisi, Santini, and Zacha make for some solid potential.

For Devils fans, does this look about right?

Hall- Henrique- Blandisi (zone start push)
Cammalleri- Zacha- Palmieri (softer mins)
Boucher- Zajac- Smith-Pelley (middling competition)
Fiddler- Josefson- ______ (shutdown mins)

Greene- Lovejoy (shutdown mins)
Merrill- Severson (zone start push)
Moore- Santini (softer mins)

Schneider
Kinkaid

Lovejoy. That'd be the closest they could get to maintaining a shutdown pairing while opening the door for Severson to not be stifled in a similar way to Larsson. As another poster mentioned, it also spreads out the puck moving abilities- though I don't know that Greene should be counted on more much offense.

Greene- Lovejoy
Merrill- Severson
Moore- Santini

It would struggle to create offense and could really use a LHD addition at some point during the season. Gormley could rediscover his game in a structured system like the Devils have and Mozik could take a step, but if we're operating off what we know now, that would make the most sense to me. Devils fans may disagree.
- MaximumBone

Personally, I would love to see Santini start off in the AHL. I really don't see a need to rush him out. Instead I would play Mozik. Form what I heard, he was Albany's best defender and had some puck moving skills. Beyond that I can see Auvitu cracking the line up. As others pointed out, he is already 27 and was Finland's be defenseman. With that in mind, I see him battling out with Merrill and Moore. So, I see our opening lineup like this:

Greene-Severson
Auvitu-Lovejoy
Moore-Mozik

Spliting up Auvitu and Mozik seemed logical just cause niether of them have NHL experience. So I wouldn't want to make a newbie line. Then, beyond that, Merrill will be out in the opening game, so it was easy to write him off haha.

I can, too. The team will go as far as Hall, Severson, and Schneider can carry them. Henrique, Palmieri, Cammalleri, Smith-Pelley Greene, and Lovejoy make for a solid- if unspectacular- supporting cast and young guys like Boucher, Blandisi, Santini, and Zacha make for some solid potential.

For Devils fans, does this look about right?

Hall- Henrique- Blandisi (zone start push)
Cammalleri- Zacha- Palmieri (softer mins)
Boucher- Zajac- Smith-Pelley (middling competition)
Fiddler- Josefson- ______ (shutdown mins)

Greene- Lovejoy (shutdown mins)
Merrill- Severson (zone start push)
Moore- Santini (softer mins)

Schneider
Kinkaid
- MaximumBone

Hall-Henrique-DSP
Cam-Zajac-Palmieri
Boucher-Zacha-Bennett/Blandisi
Josefson-Fiddler-Kalinin

Hall-Henrique-DSP
Cam-Zajac-Palmieri
Boucher-Zacha-Bennett/Blandisi
Josefson-Fiddler-Kalinin
- Senor_Elias

I like the idea of DSP up there (it was my initial thought when making that mock roster), but I felt it left either one of Zajac or Zacha lacking in support.

I didn't want to leave Zajac with Boucher AND Blandisi as I felt Zajac's line would be best utilized tackling somewhat tougher minutes, and I didn't want to leave Zacha and Blandisi on the same line as that's akin to having two rookies on the same line (could work, but I lean away from that sort of set up).

I'm a fan of the sheltering and support Palmieri could offer to Zacha both short and long term. Sets up the future top-6 nicely with Hall-Henrique and Zacha-Palmieri. Slide McLeod up on the top line and allow one of Boucher or Blandisi to take over for Cammy in a few years.

I like the idea of DSP up there (it was my initial thought when making that mock roster), but I felt it left either one of Zajac or Zacha lacking in support.

I didn't want to leave Zajac with Boucher AND Blandisi as I felt Zajac's line would be best utilized tackling somewhat tougher minutes, and I didn't want to leave Zacha and Blandisi on the same line as that's akin to having two rookies on the same line (could work, but I lean away from that sort of set up).

I'm a fan of the sheltering and support Palmieri could offer to Zacha both short and long term. Sets up the future top-6 nicely with Hall-Henrique and Zacha-Palmieri. Slide McLeod up on the top line and allow one of Boucher or Blandisi to take over for Cammy in a few years.
- MaximumBone

I think they will work with the pairings of Hall-Henrique & Zajac-Palmieri and go from there

I think they will work with the pairings of Hall-Henrique & Zajac-Palmieri and go from there
- Senor_Elias

Fair enough

I think they will work with the pairings of Hall-Henrique & Zajac-Palmieri and go from there
- Senor_Elias

Agree 100%. And if Elias comes back, there's another pair with Zacha (when Elias is in the lineup).

Blackhawks offer Erik Gustafsson for Reid Boucher

Gustafsson likely blocked by Kempny and Campbell now as a PMD

In his first 41 NHL games, had 14 points (so pro-rate to 28 pts in his first full NHL season) which is pretty darn good for a bottom pair PMD rookie

Also had 11 pts in 27 games in rockford when Chicago didnt have him up
- hawkeytalkman

Sure why not

Does anyone think it's a possibility that Hudler hasn't signed yet due to the fact he's waiting to see what Elias does? If Elias doesn't think he can play maybe Hudler signs 1 Yr and plays wingman for Zacha. Keeps a Czech connection...