In hopes of improving the offense and getting more scoring from the top line, the New Jersey Devils have recalled 5'6" forward Joe Whitney from the Albany Devils.
The 25-year-old winger has 16 goals and 36 points in 40 games with Albany this season.
Based off lines in practice, it appears Pete DeBoer and the coaching staff will be trying him out in Reid Boucher's old spot on the top line with Travis Zajac and Jaromir Jagr. Boucher did a nice job handling himself at the NHL level, but he didn't produce as much as the Devils expected. Lou Lamoriello's hope is that Whitney will be able to produce and fill the void at left wing.
Lamoriello: “With everybody becoming healthy we’ve got to try to find a left wing for Travis and Jagr, so we’re going to give Joe a chance."
— Tom Gulitti (@TGfireandice) January 23, 2014I thought that quote from Lamoriello was very interesting. In the salary cap era it's tough to make trades, especially with so many teams still in the playoff hunt, so rather than making a move right now the Devils will try and fill from within.
With everyone healthy up front, the lines are all but set with the hole on the top line being the obvious exception. Boucher was given a chance and Whitney will get one now, but if Whitney struggles to produce, could Lamoriello look elsewhere for help?
I'd say that's a pretty good bet. There aren't many names floating around the rumor mill at the moment, but if Whitney struggles and the Devils look elsewhere for help, I think Matt Moulson could be a guy they look at.
I look forward to seeing what Whitney can do and for all we know he could do the job, but if he doesn't, don't be surprise to see the Devils dip into the trade market before this year's deadline.
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