It took a while, but the Devils are finally ready to give Reid Boucher and Stefan Matteau a legitimate shot to make their mark. Or so it seemed.
Over the last couple games Reid Boucher has a goal, and seven shots, while Stefan Matteau has a goal, four shots, and a handful of hits.
How were they rewarded for their efforts? By being dropped in the lineup.
Matteau, who had been skating on a line with Mike Cammalleri and Travis Zajac, is now on a line with Patrik Elias and Dainius Zubrus, while Jordin Tootoo will take Matteau's spot on the top line.
Boucher, who has 7 shots in 22 minutes over the last couple games, is now skating on the 4th line with Tuomo Ruutu and Jacob Josefson.
You'd think he'd be rewarded with more ice - top-6 minutes and perhaps some power play time - but that doesn't appear to be the case.
You don't want to spoon feed prospects minutes they can't handle, and I can understand why New Jersey may be cautious in that regard. That said, the Devils need to find out what they have in these players, and there is no better time than now with the games meaningless in terms of the standings.
The leash on these guys appears to be getting tighter when it should be taken off, and that doesn't benefit anyone.
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