There is still some work to be done - Reid Boucher needs a new contract, for example - but for the most part things will be very quiet with the New Jersey Devils until training camp opens up.
With that in mind I decided now is as good of a time as any for a question and answer post.
Let's get right to it.
@ToddCordell is John Hynes a good coach in your opinion?
— Shawn Reis (@ShawnReis) August 4, 2016
I know the Devils' underlying numbers were very poor last season but, yes, I think John Hynes is a good coach.
He had a tremendous track record in the AHL with the Baby Penguins and in his first season as an NHL head coach he kept a team with a bottom-5 roster in terms of overall talent in the playoff race until ~70 games into the year.
With a more talented group to work with in 2016-17 season I think he'll be able to open things up a bit rather than playing a low-event game and hoping for a bounce or two to go the team's way.
@ToddCordell how do you see them addressing the loss of Larsson? Do you think this is the group they go into the season with?
— Ken Newarski (@Kenny973) August 4, 2016
I expect they'll invite a veteran blue liner to training camp on a tryout basis but other than that I think what we see now is what we'll see come October.
I've written a lot about how the Devils can fill Larsson's minutes and I think the ideal scenario is Damon Severson playing on the top pairing at evens and Ben Lovejoy chewing up Larsson's PK minutes.
@ToddCordell Who benefits most from Larsson's departure?
— Markus Alan J (@MJalldayy12) August 4, 2016
Definitely Damon Severson. He is far and away the best right-handed defenseman on the roster and deserved more minutes to begin with. Now that Larsson is gone he's going to be relied on a lot more.
@ToddCordell Wedgewood looked good, does he push Kinkaid for the back up spot this year?
— Mark Scocco (@markscocco) August 4, 2016
I think so, yes. Scott Wedgewood was excellent in Albany last season and showed very well when he was given an opportunity with the big club.
Keith Kinkaid had a real bumpy season and wasn't all that great for USA at the Worlds, either. I think it'll be an open competition and wouldn't be surprised if Wedgewood steals the job.
@ToddCordell who from within has an early lead for the sixth defenseman slot?
— Chris Wassel (@ChrisWasselDFS) August 4, 2016
It sure seems like the Devils will give Steven Santini every opportunity to take that spot. I am not particularly high on Seth Helgeson so if Santini isn't ready I could see the Devils signing a veteran to a cheap one-year deal and sending Santini to Albany for more seasoning.
@ToddCordell why not sign wisneiesky if you are trying for a playoff spot.
— Thomas Gallo (@ThomasGallo912) August 4, 2016
I do like Wisniewski but the Devils are still a young team trying to break in a lot of different players. They really like Santini so I think they want to give him a chance before looking elsewhere.
@ToddCordell is vesey a legitimate option for the Devils?
— Jeremy Stout (@st0ut22) August 4, 2016
I know it was reported about a month ago that the Devils were one of the teams on Vesey's short list but I'd be pretty surprised if he signed in New Jersey.
@ToddCordell if you were a betting man, out of Blandisi, Boucher and Zacha who do you think will not make the roster out of camp?
— J-bone (Champion) (@jnobre17) August 4, 2016
I would say Joseph Blandisi simply because he wouldn't require waivers to be sent down. Pavel Zacha fills a more important position so if he's ready he'll be on the team, and I doubt the Devils would waive Boucher instead of sending Blandisi to Albany; even if it was only temporarily.
@ToddCordell How's that top-6 shaping up?
— Aron Vad (@aronvad) August 4, 2016
Right now I think Beau Bennett, Devante Smith-Pelly, Reid Boucher and Joseph Blandisi will fight it out for a spot on the top line alongside Taylor Hall and Adam Henrique.
I think Mike Cammalleri, Travis Zajac and Kyle Palmieri will make up the 2nd unit.
@ToddCordell can Cory Schneider stay healthy for a full season? Hasn't happened yet and he isn't getting any younger
— Luke Tigue (@LukeTigue662002) August 4, 2016
Only four goaltenders have started more games than Cory Schneider over the last two seasons. I know he has been banged up a couple times but I don't think it is an issue at all.
@ToddCordell and what's going to happen with Elias and what should happen with Elias?
— Jake Aferiat (@Jake_Aferiat51) August 4, 2016
He wants to play if he feels good and his recently surgically repaired knee holds up. If that's the case I could see the Devils bringing him back for one more year but not as an every day player. Maybe something like two games in, one game out in order to keep him healthy and refreshed. The Devils have added some scoring help and some kids are ready so they won't have to rely on him nearly as much as they have in recent years.
I hope he comes back because I don't think he gave the fans enough time last season to give him the send off he deserves. I think he can still be a useful player in the right role, too.
@ToddCordell What young @NJDevils player do you think will have a breakout season?
— Tim Greaux (@tgreaux) August 4, 2016
If Pavel Zacha is healthy I think he can push his way onto the team and have a solid rookie season. He has all the tools to become a very good player for a long time.
@ToddCordell gut feeling. Devils make playoffs next year? Yes or no
— speeDy (@dsf_9d) August 4, 2016
I worry a little bit about the defense holding up but I'll say yes. I think they can squeeze into a wild card spot. I reserve the right to change my mind prior to my yearly predictions posts in September.
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