Todd Cordell: New Jersey Devils: Hall, Wedgewood Among Standouts In Preseason Debuts

Really impressed with Auvitu, thought he played a good game especially considering he was paired with Merrill. One thing that also stood out was the first powerplay goal and the point shot from Mozik, I believe, that led to it. If Auvitu and Mozik continue playing like they did and trend upwards as they get closer to opening day, maybe the defence isn't as big of a problem as some thought.

I feel like Blandisi should be the first line RW based on his skill set and trying to put a complementary player on the line based on his speed and grit.

I dont hate the idea of DSP on the top line as it works in theory.

However, I would think it will be a revolving door. I think bouch zajac palm should be line 2, camm zacha line three. with the rws being mixed and matched to see if DSP, bennett, lappin and even blandisi if he can play rw given shots. I expect it to be an all year long issue.

Wow was Lappin really that good yesterday? What a pickup. I would be 100% confident with Mozik and Auvitu in the starting lineup

Todd so they will be picking up the flyers feed for tomorrow's game?

Todd Cordell: New Jersey Devils: Hall, Wedgewood Among Standouts In Preseason Debuts
- Todd.Cordell

Wedgewood is the obvious backup choice

Wedgewood is a beast. We're so deep in net it's not even funny. The defense will be fine. Our system will hide their weaknesses. Cory will bail them out on a regular basis. Our problem was goal scoring, and that certainly appears to be close to a non issue anymore. I'm so excited for this season to start!

Really impressed with Auvitu, thought he played a good game especially considering he was paired with Merrill. One thing that also stood out was the first powerplay goal and the point shot from Mozik, I believe, that led to it. If Auvitu and Mozik continue playing like they did and trend upwards as they get closer to opening day, maybe the defence isn't as big of a problem as some thought.
- mcjags

The problem with the D is Andy Greene is clearly our best defender and He's 34 next month. Great defender but not exactly a big impact/star player. And who's he paying with? Severson is likely but hardly a sure top pairing guy. The bottom pairing guys are no problem. Frenchie and Voj are fine as are probably several others. I'll even gladly take Lovejoy on the second pairing not sure who he plays with.

Is don't feel like the D can't be sorted out and I'm glad to see these guys get a chance to play, but it's still a problem. I share some of your hopefulness and like Santini a lot too. But this is a work in progress and preseason success isn't a great indicator for the regular season.

The problem with the D is Andy Greene is clearly our best defender and He's 34 next month. Great defender but not exactly a big impact/star player. And who's he paying with? Severson is likely but hardly a sure top pairing guy. The bottom pairing guys are no problem. Frenchie and Voj are fine as are probably several others. I'll even gladly take Lovejoy on the second pairing not sure who he plays with.

Is don't feel like the D can't be sorted out and I'm glad to see these guys get a chance to play, but it's still a problem. I share some of your hopefulness and like Santini a lot too. But this is a work in progress and preseason success isn't a great indicator for the regular season.
- Queenie_5_hole

You're getting at such a good point. We've got our star forward in Hall with a quality supporting cast moving forward in Rico/Palms all being 26 and under. We've got young offensive talent with size, speed, skill, and smarts coming up through our system in Zacha, McLeod, Bastian, Speers, and Q. Our goaltending seems to look very promising for the next decade, of course time will tell if thats truly the case. Now we've really got to rebuild the D and hope moving forward that we can draft a gem that becomes a main stay on our blue line for years to come.

You're getting at such a good point. We've got our star forward in Hall with a quality supporting cast moving forward in Rico/Palms all being 26 and under. We've got young offensive talent with size, speed, skill, and smarts coming up through our system in Zacha, McLeod, Bastian, Speers, and Q. Our goaltending seems to look very promising for the next decade, of course time will tell if thats truly the case. Now we've really got to rebuild the D and hope moving forward that we can draft a gem that becomes a main stay on our blue line for years to come.
- SteveJ123

This upcoming draft is a very good draft for first round D talent.

You're getting at such a good point. We've got our star forward in Hall with a quality supporting cast moving forward in Rico/Palms all being 26 and under. We've got young offensive talent with size, speed, skill, and smarts coming up through our system in Zacha, McLeod, Bastian, Speers, and Q. Our goaltending seems to look very promising for the next decade, of course time will tell if thats truly the case. Now we've really got to rebuild the D and hope moving forward that we can draft a gem that becomes a main stay on our blue line for years to come.
- SteveJ123

Totally agree, but with Shero it could be via trade. I'd be happy with a guy like Shattenkirk who could really elevate our D and wouldn't mind a long term deal as he's 27.

This sounds so familiar... I swear I said something about this for my team 5 years ago. Haha

You're getting at such a good point. We've got our star forward in Hall with a quality supporting cast moving forward in Rico/Palms all being 26 and under. We've got young offensive talent with size, speed, skill, and smarts coming up through our system in Zacha, McLeod, Bastian, Speers, and Q. Our goaltending seems to look very promising for the next decade, of course time will tell if thats truly the case. Now we've really got to rebuild the D and hope moving forward that we can draft a gem that becomes a main stay on our blue line for years to come.
- SteveJ123

∆

This sounds so familiar... I swear I said something about this for my team 5 years ago. Haha
- FiretheGM

I can see what you're getting at. The situations couldn't be more different though. Especially considering we have Schneider as opposed to your Khabibulin, Dubnyk, Scrivens, Bryzgalov, Fasth, and Talbot thing you've had going during that time frame.

I can see what you're getting at. The situations couldn't be more different though. Especially considering we have Schneider as opposed to your Khabibulin, Dubnyk, Scrivens, Bryzgalov, Fasth, and Talbot thing you've had going during that time frame.
- SteveJ123

Because dubnyk is different from Schneider? Ask wild fans how they feel about dubs. The one thing you can say is you have the prices to make a move for a dmen with Zacha and other projects, but will your gm make that move or wait. Oilers waited, and made alot of bad moves, so atleast NJ can look at what not to do in a 6 year period.

This upcoming draft is a very good draft for first round D talent.
- smellmyfinger

Foote would be a dream come true

I've got season tickets for the Rockets and you're right Foote is going to be the next big Rocket d to get drafted! He's a gem!

Kyle Quincey apparently signed. To be announced later.

Kyle Quincey allegedly signed. To be announced later.
- TheJerseyDevil1

That's a good deal, I'm surprised they didn't go after some of the guys who played in world cup. Sords and nakaldel would of been good adds.

Kyle Quincey apparently signed. To be announced later.
- TheJerseyDevil1

That's kind of unfortunate. I really wanted to see what we had in Santini, Mozik and Auvitu

That's kind of unfortunate. I really wanted to see what we had in Santini, Mozik and Auvitu
- willschulme

Where can you see this ? It wasn't on the Devils ap or tsn or NHL.com lol isn't Quincey garbage anyways ? Or was he just not worth his contract ? My brother is a huge wings fan and I always thought Quincy was terrible ? Am I wrong lol ?

Where can you see this ? It wasn't on the Devils ap or tsn or NHL.com lol isn't Quincey garbage anyways ? Or was he just not worth his contract ? My brother is a huge wings fan and I always thought Quincy was terrible ? Am I wrong lol ?
- blizzzard

Well if you look him up it says he's currently playing for the New Jersey Devils. I think the consensus on him is that he's a fine #4,#5 Dman who can put up a few points. The issue was he was being paid 4 million and being played top minutes.

Well if you look him up it says he's currently playing for the New Jersey Devils. I think the consensus on him is that he's a fine #4,#5 Dman who can put up a few points. The issue was he was being paid 4 million and being played top minutes.
- willschulme

So we are replacing Larsson with two lovejoys? Man our defense isn't going to look good one paper if it has lovejoy, Quincey and Merrill on it. Hope to god santini and severson have monster years or merril is moved and Moore has a good year. We know Greene will be good.

Well if you look him up it says he's currently playing for the New Jersey Devils. I think the consensus on him is that he's a fine #4,#5 Dman who can put up a few points. The issue was he was being paid 4 million and being played top minutes.
- willschulme

Was he playing top pairing or just a lot of minutes?

Quincy-Lovejoy sounds like a decent second pair and you can still work in Frenchie/Mozik/Santini on the third pair. I thought Merrill was recovering from surgery and not expected to be playing yet. Regardless, I don't think He or Moore are a sure thing. There are certainly a lot of D men available. Unfortunately only Greene is a sure top pair guy.