New Jersey Devils Daily: Johansson, Kovalchuk, Shattenkirk, More
By Nick Villano
A very happy Independence Day on today’s New Jersey Devils Daily. Today, comparing the Marcus Johansson trade to the Taylor Hall trade, dwindling options for an Ilya Kovalchuk trade and why Kevin Shattenkirk signing elsewhere may be a blessing in disguise.
The hockey world is still talking about the major trade the New Jersey Devils made on day two of free agency. Elite Sports NY makes the comparison between this year’s trade and the move last year for Taylor Hall. Obviously, there are major differences. Johansson is very good, but Taylor Hall was brought in to be the new face of this franchise. The trade shows the direction this team wants to head.
New Jersey Devils Trade For Marcus Johansson is This Season’s Taylor Hall Trade
Fansided’s Blue Jacket’s blog Union and Blue talks about the never ending Ilya Kovalchuk rumors. Writer Michael Mallory believes the Jackets are the last team in the running for the Russian sniper. While that claim may not be true, there is some facts surrounding it. The blog talks about how current Russians on its roster would help sweeten the deal to bring Kovalchuk from the KHL. The Jackets may not be the only team in on the Kovalchuk sweepstakes, but they very well might be the final team standing.
Columbus Blue Jackets Look Like Only Contender For Ilya Kovalchuk
NJ.com’s Chris Ryan takes a look at what the Devils lines could look like with the team as currently constructed. The most interesting of which is how he constructed the second line. Adam Henrique, Nico Hischier and Marcus Johansson are paired on his lines. That’s the kind of pairing that makes Devils fans drool, and thank Ray Shero for his moves this offseason.
What will Devils’ lines, pairings look like in 2017-18?
Pucks and Pitchforks looks at the loss of Kevin Shattenkirk from the outside. While it stinks to see him on the team’s cross Hudson rival, it may be a blessing in disguise. Shattenkirk may not be the defenseman the Devils need right now.
New Jersey Devils May Have Dodged Bullet In Kevin Shattenkirk
Brett Cyrgalis with the New York Post talks about why the Johansson trade marks a turning point for the Devils franchise. After half a decade on the outside looking in, the team seems to be making strides towards a playoff push. He also talks about how the Devils aren’t done making a splash this offseason.