We've finally reached the unofficial halfway point of the season, and New Jersey's 2014-15 campaign can be described as a colossal failure.
As a team many expected to contend for a wild card spot, they sit 15 points out of the playoffs, and there's a better chance they'll be picking 1st overall in June than coming remotely close to a playoff position.
With a few days off to evaluate what the team has done to this point, I thought it'd be as good of a time as any to grade the team's players by position.
Forwards: F
The Devils' forward group has been a huge disappointment from top-to-bottom. Adam Henrique leading the team with 26 points in 40 games tells you all you need to know. Ryane Clowe has barely played due to what looks to be another concussion that could end his career. Michael Ryder has six goals in 42 games in what was supposed to be a bounce back season. Travis Zajac has 16 points in 39 games. Mike Cammalleri, who needed to have a big year to get New Jersey into the playoffs, has missed 12 games thus far, and Dainius Zubrus + Tuomo Ruutu have combined for 14 points in 82 games. New Jersey's forward core has just two regulars under 28 (Henrique and Jacob Josefson) so there's not much reason to be optimistic about this group going forward; hence why it's necessary for the Devils to tear it down and start from scratch.
Defense: B-
Bryce Salvador played very poorly when he was in the lineup and Mark Fraser, Pete Harrold, and Jon Merrill have all had some bad games. That said, Damon Severson was playing excellent hockey prior to his injury, Adam Larsson seems to have turned a corner, and Andy Greene is Andy Greene. Marek Zidlicky has - for the most part - played pretty well, and should have some trade value, whereas Eric Gelinas has shown some flashes here and there. They haven't been great as a whole, but they haven't been a problem.
Goaltending: B+
For all the issues the Devils have, goaltending certainly isn't one of them; at least not since Keith Kinkaid took over as the backup. Cory Schneider has consistently given the Devils quality starts - his .920SV% puts him top-10 in the NHL - while Keith Kinkaid has played very well against some tough opponents, and has proven he's capable of taking some of the load off Schneider. They have given the Devils a chance most nights, but that hasn't been enough all too often due to the team's inability to fill the net.
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