Follow me on Twitter @ToddCordell
It's been well documented that Devils GM Ray Shero would like to upgrade the team's 28th ranked offense.
He took a step towards doing so
when he acquired Kyle Palmieri but there is still plenty of work to be done.
With the Devils in the midst of a rebuild and defense being the organization's strength many assume Shero will look to use that blue line depth to bring in some help up front.
Quite a few people have pointed the finger at Eric Gelinas as the guy who should go but that doesn't make much sense for a variety of reasons.
Some thoughts on that and the possibility of trading a defenseman:
-
First and foremost Gelinas recently filed for arbitration, which means he can't currently be traded. Beyond that the Devils could end up doing more harm than good to the team's offense even if he's dealt for a forward.
Over the last couple years (minimum 260 5 v 4 minutes) John Carlson and Kevin Shattenkirk are the only defensemen in the NHL who have been more efficient in terms of producing on the power play.
Despite having less offensive talent around him Gelinas has produced more points per 60 minutes of 5 vs 4 play than Shea Weber, Mike Green, Erik Karlsson, P.K. Subban and Duncan Keith, among many others.
Power play opportunities have declined over the last couple years so teams really have to make the most of them. Gelinas helps the Devils do that.
- Trading a blue liner for a forward makes sense in theory but the Devils shouldn't be pushing any of their young defensemen out the door. They have built up a lot of depth but they don't have to trade a defenseman right now. Nobody asked for a trade and there's room for all their young blue liners to play.
The Devils could ice the following:
Andy Greene - Adam Larsson
Jon Merrill - Damon Severson
John Moore - Eric Gelinas
There's a lot of potential there and there is more help on the way. At some point the Devils will have to move a body to make room for a guy like Steven Santini or Josh Jacobs but they don't have to sell low on a guy this second. Lou Lamoriello's infamous saying of "when you have time, use it" applies here.
- Shero has talked a lot about his vision for the team: 'fast, attacking, supportive'. John Hynes seems to share the same vision and has openly said he'd like to activate his defense and get them more involved to try and help out the offense.
The personnel the Devils have on the back end right now is perfect for the style Hynes wants to implement. If not anything else New Jersey's young blue liners could increase their value by playing - and succeeding - in a system built for their strengths. I don't think the Devils would get a ton of Gelinas or Merrill, for example, right now but if they put together a solid year they could fetch a nice return down the road.
If the right deal comes along you take it but Shero does not have to take whatever he can get and ship someone out this second. He has time on his side and he should probably use it.
Recent posts
Bottoming Out
Eric Gelinas, Adam Larsson File For Arbitration
Sticking to the plan
On the signing of John Moore
What kind of impact can Kyle Palmieri make?
Draft review:Devils begin to restock the cupboards up front
On the signing of Vojtech Mozik
New Jersey Devils Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
»