A couple days ago Ray Shero and John Hynes shared some interesting thoughts on the season, where the team goes from here, how to improve, etc. I want to comment on some of the notables.
We'll start with Hynes.
Hynes on staff changes: "At this time, we’re assessing everything. We need to sit back and evaluate ourselves. It’s difficult to say.…
— New Jersey Devils (@NJDevils) April 11, 2017
If the Devils were to make changes to the coaching staff, I think Geoff Ward may be the one in trouble. He's supposed to help improve the offense/power play and the Devils have been bottom-3 in goals two years in a row. The power play this year, in particular, was bad as the Devils 27th in scoring chances per 60. They don't generate much at 5v5 so they really need to take advantage of extra-man opportunities to have success. They didn't do that.
Hynes on caliber of offensive players Devils will evaluate: "We're not looking for fourth line grinders. We want to produce more offense."
— New Jersey Devils (@NJDevils) April 11, 2017
From what I saw, being 'tougher to play against' was a common theme on break-up day. It's nice to see the Devils plan on doing that by adding good players who are, well, tough to play against rather than players who will throw a couple hits and do little else.
Shero on excitement moving forward: "The way to get better is through assets and cap space. We have both."
— New Jersey Devils (@NJDevils) April 11, 2017
The Devils have 20 draft picks over the next two drafts and -- if you include the savings that come from Ryane Clowe being placed on LTIR -- about $26 million in cap space to work with. Damon Severson is the only notable who needs to be re-signed so most of that money doesn't need to be accounted for.
Obviously, Shero shouldn't go on a spending spree and throw money at anyone and everyone but it's time to put some of the cap space, and draft picks, to use and improve the team.
Ray Shero on if he plans to use all 11 picks in Draft: "I wouldn't be surprised if we did, but I'll be trying not 2, if U know what I mean"
— Mike Morreale (@mikemorrealeNHL) April 11, 2017
I expect Shero will take a run at one of the puck-movers in free agency (Kevin Shattenkirk or Justin Schultz, assuming they hit the market) but I think he'll be picky with how he spends his money. I expect he'd be more likely to acquire players cap strapped teams can't/won't be able to afford (like he did with Kyle Palmieri) and spend his money that way. Paying full pop for a bunch of 28-30 year-olds in free agency doesn't make sense.
Shero cites prospects Blake Speers, Mike McLeod, Joey Anderson and Nathan Bastian as bright spots in #NJDevils pipeline.
— New Jersey Devils (@NJDevils) April 11, 2017
Michael McLeod, in particular, is having a promising year. He really caught fire towards the end of the regular season and has carried that into the playoffs (he leads the OHL with 17 points in nine games). I don't know that he'll make the team out of camp -- he definitely won't be rushed into it -- but he'll be given a chance to compete. If he continues to dominate the OHL and has a good summer of training he may just put himself in position to earn a spot. There will be a lot of competition, though.
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