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I haven’t done a New Jersey Devils Q&A post since before the season. A lot has changed since then, of course, and we’re in the midst of a bye week so I figured now would be the perfect time to take your questions.
Let’s dive in.
I really wouldn't have many.
Nico Hischier has developed into a fantastic two-way player and he's locked up long-term at a very friendly salary for what he brings. He's certainly one.
I know Jack Hughes hasn't put up as many points as most hoped but he's just a kid and has shown flashes of brilliance at a premium position. He's another.
Mackenzie Blackwood sure looks like he can a quality platoon option, if not an outright starter, for years to come. I'd have a hard time trading him, especially given the state of the position in the organization.
I still think highly of Jesper Boqvist and it's difficult to imagine a scenario where I'd be in favor of the Devils parting with the talented 21-year-old.
Beyond that group, I'd at least listen on everyone else on the pro roster. I'd be hesitant to trade a few others – Blake Coleman, Nikita Gusev and Kyle Palmieri come to mind – but if the Devils receive a top class offer for guys in their late 20's it'd make sense to consider it.
This is a tricky one. The Devils need a high quality defender (or two) and Alex Pietrangelo could be available following a Norris-caliber season. In a vacuum he's the obvious answer. He's going to cost a ton and be on the wrong side of 30 for the entirety of his contract, though. I'm not sure he makes sense given where the team is at, or would even be willing to sign.
A more realistic target for me would be Tyler Toffoli. His counting totals don't pop off the page but he's a very efficient 5v5 producer (think Nikita Gusev) and he also helps his team control the run of play while on the ice. The Devils have long had consistency issues offensively so another capable scorer would be nice to have. I think the asking price, relatively speaking, would be reasonable.
I know Jack Hughes doesn’t have sexy point totals. I think he’s played better than most realize, though. The Devils’ shot attempt and scoring chance share is 3% higher with Hughes on the ice than without. He’s nearly break even in both categories, which isn’t the easiest feat on this year’s Devils team. I mean he’s played 40 games and has a minus-16 chance differential at 5v5. That’s a difference of .40 chances per game – the kid is not exactly getting caved in.
Do 1st overall picks generally produce more as rookies? Sure, but 1st overall picks don’t generally have a declining 31-year-old – fresh off a 30-point campaign – flanking them as their primary winger. I have a lot of respect for Wayne Simmonds and what he’s accomplished in his career but he’s clearly past his prime. Hughes has played more with him at 5v5 than anybody else on the roster. Not exactly ideal for his chances of putting up points.
Steven Stamkos put up 46 as a rookie. Victor Hedman didn’t surpass 26 until Year 5 of his career. Sometimes it takes high picks a little bit of time.
I know Zajac is not directly involved in a lot of the offense for his line but the Coleman - Zajac - Gusev trio is scoring 3.26 goals per 60 minutes at 5v5. For perspective of how impressive that is, as a team Colorado leads the league with 3.22 goals per 60 at 5v5. Zajac is still solid defensively and, clearly, Coleman+Gusev are capable of carrying the load at the other end and getting quality results. I will say I don’t love when Zajac gets power play reps.
The one reason I could see the Devils being hesitant to recall any B-Devs: things are going really well in Binghamton right now. They're on an 8-2-0 run and perhaps want to see how far the kids can take this while driving the bus.
I don't expect any coaching news soon and, quite frankly, I don't think there should be. Unless the Devils decide to hand the keys to Tom Fitzgerald on a full-time basis, they shouldn't hire a coach. They already let somebody no longer with the organization fire the previous coach and trade the team's best player. They don't need somebody else who *might* not be running the ship for the long haul making massive decisions.
Get a GM in place – if it's Fitzgerald, that's fine! – and let that person hire a coach based on the way he wants the team to play.
If the Devils don’t go with Fitzgerald, I think Laurence Gilman would be an awesome candidate.
He worked closely with Mike Gillis on some progressive, and consistently good, Vancouver teams. Now he’s Kyle Dubas’ right-handed man in perhaps the most forward-thinking front office in the NHL. He’d be at or near the top of my list.
Heck, hire Gilman as GM and reunite him with Gillis as the President of Hockey Ops.
The Devils want to be collaboratively run and they have some sharp analytical minds within the organization. Bring in some people open to using them.
I would trade Vatanen. There aren’t many notable defenders available on the trade market and I think the Devils could fetch a pretty strong return selling high on him.
I understand the Devils are shallow on defense but Vatanen is not much of a point producer at 5v5. The team’s defensive numbers are also no better with him on the ice than without, which is concerning given some of the names that have factored into the ‘without.’
I’m not sure if it’ll happen at the deadline or not but I think Miles Wood is likely a goner by October. I think one of Will Butcher and/or Damon Severson could be moved, too. I’d prefer to keep the latter but I think he probably has more value.
Yes and I would bet on it if I could. He is so mature for his age, teammates love him, and he does everything right.
Oh, I like this question. Let’s go with Graeme Clarke.
The Devils don’t have many natural goal scorers in the organization – it has been a problem for some time – and that’s Clarke’s calling card.
He has one of the best shots in junior hockey and can really fill the net. His rate stats were strong a year ago and he’s netted seven goals in just nine games this season. I like his upside.
Numbers via NaturalStatTrick.com
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