56 game season, here we go!
The Devils will be playing in the new East division. And what a division it will be! Along with the Devils, the division will also include Boston, Buffalo, NY Islanders, NY Rangers, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Washington. Not too shabby!
So the Devils will need to step I up a notch - or two.
We should know rather quickly what kind of team will be on the ice. And I think the Devils' main objective for the shortened season will be developing the youth from Hughes down to the recent draft picks.
With a few weeks to prepare and a revamped coaching staff, the Devils will certainly look and feel different than last year. Ruff and the Devils will begin camp on Dec. 31st and one question that comes to mind is if the Devils are done adding via free agency or trade.
Figuring they should have roughly 10M in cap space after re-signing RFAs Bratt and Blackwood, would we be in a position to add. A trading partner, as we have heard, could be one of the teams above the cap and we have heard names like Pacioretty and Marchessault tossed around. Even though things are quiet, I imagine Fitzgerald has to be working the phones.
A new feature is the concept of the taxi squad (4-6 players who will be practicing with no contact with the current team and could step in at any time) would also allow the Devils to have a better look at some players that may be on the bubble or too early to commit. Names such as Merkley, McLeod, Kuokkanen, Sharingovich could benefit from this structure. And so could the Devils.
We have some time till the teams take on the ice in camp. Till then a trade or signing can happen and add another layer to the team. I will keep you all updated.
For now, Happy Holidays and for us Devils fans getting to see our Devils again is a great gift!
Truly yours, The Devils Advocate