Mike Cammalleri Has Been Everything The Devils Signed Up For
By David Berger
The two players the New Jersey Devils brought in over the summer to address their struggling offense were Martin Havlat and Mike Cammalleri. While Havlat has been underwhelming – 14 points in just 37 games – it’s understandable because of his track record. Lou Lamoriello was trying to take a flyer on a former 30-goal scorer with a one year, $1.5 million contract. It simply hasn’t worked out. On the other hand, the five year, $25 million contract given out to Mike Cammalleri has been one of the best all around the league. Cammalleri has been everything the Devils could have hoped for, maybe aside from the injuries.
Twenty!!
Oct 14, 2014; Tampa, FL, USA; New Jersey Devils left wing Mike Cammalleri (23) scores a goal against the Tampa Bay Lightning during the third period at Amalie Arena. New Jersey Devils defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Last night, Mike Cammalleri scored a pair of goals which gave him 20 on the season. Out of all the players who changed teams this past offseason, Cammalleri is second to only Radim Vrbata‘s 21 in Vancouver. There are only 34 players in the NHL who have at least 20 goals and only Corey Perry has more goals in less games than Cammalleri. If Cammy was able to stay healthy, he could easily be in the top ten for goals. As it is, he’s still on pace to score over 30 goals even with missing 12 games.
Clutch Factor
What makes Mike Cammalleri special is that he seems to always score clutch goals. Out of his 20 this season, eight have been game-winning goals. That’s tied for the league lead with Alex Ovechkin and Matt Beleskey. Another way you could look at it is, the Devils have just 19 regulation/overtime wins this season and Cammy has scored the GWG in eight of those. That’s 42% of the team’s GWG this season which is off the charts. Not only does Mike Cammalleri have nine more goals than any other Devil, but he has five more game-winners than the next closest player.
Diversify
When Cammalleri was signed, I knew the Devils were getting a gifted goal scorer but I didn’t realize just how good his overall game was. Cammy has eight power play goals, one shorthanded goal and 11 at even-strength. That shows that he can play in all phases of the game and do his job well. Cammy has scored via deflections, wrist shots, tap-ins and slap shots. There isn’t a place on the ice he isn’t dangerous from. He only has seven assists on the season, but that can be attributed more to the lesser caliber goal scorers he’s been surrounded with.
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Not only is Cammalleri diverse in how he scores his goals, but he’s diverse about what line he scores them on. He seems to have played every position in the top 9 this season. He started on the top line LW with Travis Zajac and Jaromir Jagr. Then he was on the second line wing. Somehow he made his way down to the third line and was centering it for awhile. Currently he’s still on the third line at LW with Zajac and Jordin Tootoo. I don’t get how Mike Cammalleri isn’t a staple on the top line, but he doesn’t let that stop him.
Outside of Cory Schneider, there hasn’t been a player more important to the Devils this season. Without he and Schneider leading the way, the Devils would probably be the worst team in hockey. If Lamoriello can build around his stud goalie and beast goal scorer, then the Devils will be in good shape next season.