Todd Cordell: New Jersey Devils: On Camp Cuts, Wood, Speers & More

Cam Janssen?

Between Wedgewood and Kinkaid, I'd keep Wedgewood as he's younger and maybe has more upside and I'd rather risk losing Kinkaid.

Santini has been good but time in Albany might help. It seemed to help Larsson when we eventually sent him down and didn't rush him.

Wood has been a standout and is the one guy I'd keep up. Lappin's played well too but I'd keep him for call up duty.

LOVE Auvitu so much I don't even want to call him Frenchie any more. Considering how little we've gotten points wise from the blueline he's the best shot at remedy if Shero isn't going to gamble on bringing in Wiz.

Helgeson is my preference for a 7th defenseman, although I think Mozik has more upside. I was expecting Mozik to step up more with this camp but didn't see it in the games. Moore has some offensive upside that keeps his defensive lapses tolerable.... but not excited about Merrill sticking around... but he always does. Not wishing anything bad on him but I was hoping with the shoulder surgery he wouldn't rush back and we could see more of the other guys in regular season games.

Whatever... I like this club and think it'll be a fun year. GO DEVILS!!!

Cam Janssen?
- SnipeDevil6

Retired

Hey Todd,

I'd hate to see Yohann Auvitu sent down after the fantastic showing he has had thus far in preseason. Any thoughts on his play and if you think he's deserving of a roster spot to start off the season?

I agree with most of your assumptions except for Blandisi/Gazdic. I think that Gazdic will stay up at the start of the season. The reason is that he doesn't really need to grow much we know his limit, so sitting in the box won't really hurt his development; Blandisi on the other hand would gain a lot more playing major minutes in Albany instead of watching in the pressbox.

Shero and Co. seem to be valuing long term over short term; I don't think they would want to stunt Blandisi's growth which is why I think Gazdic gets the nod.

Question is do we want Wood playing top 6 in AHL or most likely 4th line minutes in NHL

Question is do we want Wood playing top 6 in AHL or most likely 4th line minutes in NHL
- Senor_Elias

I'd think if Wood made it they'd slot him on the Third Line which is fine if they think he's ready. He's a LW and we don't have too many vs. the right side.

Something like this:

Hall - Henrique - Bennett
Camm-Zajac- Palmeri
Wood - Zacha/JJ - Boucher
Kalinin - Fiddler - DSP


Not really comfortable with Beau on the top line but we have RW choices like Blandisi and Lappin to fill in as needed. We can also move JJ to wing and move DSP up.

Forward Lines:
Beau Bennett, Adam Henrique, Taylor Hall
Kyle Palmieri, Travis Zajac, Mike Cammalleri
Joseph Blandisi, Reid Boucher, Devante Smith-Pelly, Pavel Zacha
Vern Fiddler, Jacob Josefson, Sergei Kalinin, Miles Wood

Defense Pairings:
Andy Greene, Damon Severson
Yohann Auvitu, Ben Lovejoy
John Moore, Kyle Quincey, Jon Merrill

Goaltenders
Cory Schneider
Scott Wedgewood

I'd think if Wood made it they'd slot him on the Third Line which is fine if they think he's ready. He's a LW and we don't have too many vs. the right side.

Something like this:

Hall - Henrique - Bennett
Camm-Zajac- Palmeri
Wood - Zacha/JJ - Boucher
Kalinin - Fiddler - DSP


Not really comfortable with Beau on the top line but we have RW choices like Blandisi and Lappin to fill in as needed. We can also move JJ to wing and move DSP up.
- Queenie_5_hole

Hall henrique bennett
Boucher zajac palmieri
Cam zacha dsp/josefson/blandisi
Kalinen fiddler dsp/wood/josefson

I dont really see how wood fits, I highly doubt they will use zacha and wood on the same line, and I believe the devils want zacha to play center

Pelley

Pelley
- shvingter88

It was fun while it lasted. Now we are doomed again,

Gazdik will be on this team . Edmonton found out what it is like without that protector for HALL...

Blandisi draws penalties.

JOJO and MERRILL should be the ones who sit.

Hall -Henry-Bennett
Boucher -Zajac -Palmieri
Cammi - Zacha - DSP
Blandisi/Gazdik - Fiddler/Jojo -Kalinin

He will be the 13th fwd, his Halls cook/roommate. You might think I'm kidding, but I say it's a lock he makes the team.

Well your defence certainly doesn't get the heart a racing, not saying that in a bad way, it's just kind of bland. On another note, you did fleece the Oilers, so smashing good job gentlemen!!!

Well your defence certainly doesn't get the heart a racing, not saying that in a bad way, it's just kind of bland. On another note, you did fleece the Oilers, so smashing good job gentlemen!!!
- Flamin_Irishmin

We get that but at the same time we all feel we lost an anchor in Larsson wether the rest of the league sees it that way or not we all felt he was going to have an even bigger year this season. All these stats guys don't take into account that teams take certain paths with certain players and it's not on the player for his point totals not being sexy especially when you take into context how we got Lars and how Lou and co decided to bring him along. So we did get a heck of a player in Hall but we gave up a player who plays a much more important position then Hall does as a winger so if Lars pans out to be a number one guy ( which he was absolutely drafted to be ) then it doesn't matter how effective Hall is at scoring because he will never impact the team in the way a number one dman would. Now if he was a legit number one centre it would be a little different and we will take the short term win here but I think a lot of us think this trade evens itself out in a hurry!

Unrelated but Bennett has "Damaged goods" as his Instagram bio. Self depreciating humor is valuable

Unrelated but Bennett has "Damaged goods" as his Instagram bio. Self depreciating humor is valuable
- willschulme

I remember when he signed with the Devils he made a comment about breaking his wrist while signing the contract.

I remember when he signed with the Devils he made a comment about breaking his wrist while signing the contract.
- Mr.Bobby

At least he showed he can play hockey and has some skill late in preseason because he was looking like a wasted move. I'm not penciling him in for 20 goals, or even 20 games but he does look to bring some offensive skill we desperately need.

At least he showed he can play hockey and has some skill late in preseason because he was looking like a wasted move. I'm not penciling him in for 20 goals, or even 20 games but he does look to bring some offensive skill we desperately need.
- Queenie_5_hole

I agree, he's worth the risk of a 3rd. He certainly has talent, but the track record says he dresses for 40 games max.