Which New Jersey Devils Would You Consider “Untouchable?”

Jan 9, 2015; Newark, NJ, USA; New Jersey Devils coach Scott Stevens (L) and Adam Oates (R) confer with general manager Lou Lamoriello (C) against the New York Islanders during the third period at the Prudential Center. The Islanders defeated the Devils 3-2 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports

As the 2014-2015 NHL regular season gets closer and closer to ending, the New Jersey Devils once again have found themselves on the outside of the playoff race. This is a team that never truly got things going in the right direction on a consistent basis which was due in large part to a flawed roster that was full of forwards that were too old and defensemen that were too young. While it has been evident for some time that change is needed, what isn’t quite clear is how GM Lou Lamoriello and the rest of the organization will accomplish that seemingly monumental task.

This off-season will be very important for the organization as they are set to have a large amount of unrestricted free-agents and are expected to have a high (potential 1st overall) draft pick in a draft that is considered to be one of the deepest in recent years. With the potential for a lot of free-agency activity and some good draft picks, trading could also be a way for the Devils to start turning things around. The other writers and I have already discussed who we would trade the Devils 1st round pick this year for, but now we want to focus on which Devils we feel can be considered “untouchable” via trade.

The rules for this were simple, each writer picks only one player they feel is “untouchable” and no player can be picked more than once. Each player picked has been chosen for a specific set of reasons (leadership, scoring, potential, value to the team, etc.) and each writer was asked to explain in his opinion why that player fits the term “untouchable” in their eyes.

Next: The Heir To A Legend

Mar 17, 2015; Newark, NJ, USA; New Jersey Devils goalie Cory Schneider (35) makes save during the first period against the Pittsburgh Penguins at the Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim O

Cory Schneider

by Phil DeHaven

To say that having a solid starting goaltender is important for an NHL team is would be an understatement, but this is especially true when looking at the New Jersey Devils. This is a team known for having strong goaltending in a system that stresses defense first. The retirement (or parting ways with the Devils) of legend and future hockey hall-of-fame goalie Martin Brodeur was an afterthought for most at the 2013 NHL Entry-Level Draft in Newark, that is except for GM Lou Lamoriello.

That was when Lamoriello acquired now 28-year old goaltender Cory Schneider to be the so called “heir” to the starting goalie spot that was occupied by Brodeur for the prior 19 years. Since being brought in to New Jersey he has been nothing short of spectacular as is just what Lamoriello was hoping he would be. As a New Jersey Devil, Schneider has started in just a hair over 100 games and has recorded a .926 SV% with a 2.08 GAA.

He has set career milestones in both games started (previously 43) and wins (previously 20) this season and could’ve had a legitimate shot at winning the Vezina trophy if he had a better team in front of him. Schneider is the first player I’d consider to be “untouchable” for a variety of reasons, but perhaps the biggest reason is due to the Devils “defense first” approach. Schneider’s importance to the Devils (if not evident before) was made public indirectly through a quote from GM Lou Lamoriello on the Devils search for their next head coach.

“We certainly will look at somebody within the framework of the system that we play – defense first,” Lamoriello said.

The organization’s defense first philosophy means Schneider cannot and will not be moved anytime soon. He has the most wins and shutouts in a season by a Devils goalie not named Martin Brodeur and is the right piece needed to support a young defense. He has shown time and time again since coming to New Jersey that he can “stand on his head” and steal wins at times when the offense isn’t there. He will be crucial to the Devils transition and is part of the reason the Devils might not be too far away from turning it around as many fans think.

Next: An Underrated Veteran

Feb 13, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; New Jersey Devils defenseman Andy Greene (6) skates with the puck against the Chicago Blackhawks during the first period at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports

Andy Greene

by Nick Varney

It’s a no brainer that a player such as Andy Greene is on the list of untouchable players. The leader and best of the experienced heads in the Devils defensive group. As Bryce Salvador‘s days in the organization are seemingly dwindling down as we approach the summer Greene is the player many tout as the next captain of the Devils.

Andy Greene is currently trailing Adam Larsson by one point as the points leader on the Devils defense. His total of 20 points include 3 goals, one of which a game winning goal. He is team leader in ice time and averages 28 shifts per game.

2015-16 is the first year of a new 5 year $25m contract for Greene and to even contemplate moving him is ridiculous. The Devils group of young defenders is at a crucial stage of their maturing years. The likes of Damon Severson, Eric Gelinas, Jon Merrill and Seth Helgeson will look up to Greene in one way or another as they seek to establish themselves as solid NHL defensemen. The play of Adam Larsson since the coaching change leaves him off of the initial list but he too still needs Andy Greene around to reach his potential as a top pairing defenseman.

Not only is his leadership and experience important to the teams future Andy Greene is a career Devil. He is currently the 3rd longest serving member of Jersey’s team. Alongside forwards Travis Zajac and Patrik Elias he has a strong presence of the identity of the club.

Next: A Good, Young Forward

Feb 23, 2015; Newark, NJ, USA; Arizona Coyotes left wing Jordan Martinook (48) falls to the ice as New Jersey Devils center Adam Henrique (14) skates past with the puck during the second period at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

Adam Henrique

by David Berger

New Jersey Devils and young forwards aren’t two phrases that usually go together unless the word “need” is between them. Well, as it pertains to guys in the top six, the Devils certainly have one in Adam Henrique. Rico – as his teammates like to call him – burst onto the scene in 2011-2012 when Travis Zajac went down with an Achilles injury. All he did was take a spot on the top line between Zach Parise and Ilya Kovalchuk, leading the Devils to a 102 point season and the playoffs. He was then a key contributor on the third line during that run to the Stanley Cup Finals.

That year he finished third in the Calder Trophy voting, but he certainly had a case for winning it. Since then, he’s still been a very good player. Last year he led the team with 25 goals and this season he’s currently leading the team in points with 38 – 16G, 22A. I truly feel like Henrique is capable of being a top line center for the Devils and he’s also a very realistic candidate, along with Andy Greene, to be the next captain.

Now, why is he untouchable? I know some people will say he can be replaced, and that’s not my argument. Adam Henrique is a very, very good player but he’s not the caliber of a Sidney Crosby or a Nicklas Backstrom. He’s a good two-way center, but he’s certainly replaceable. My argument for why Henrique is untouchable is simply because what’s the point of adding a young forward if you have to lose one?

Aside from the draft, the next best way to add a young, top six forward is via trade. Say the Devils can pick up James van Riemsdyk, but they need to include Adam Henrique in the package. What’s the point? You’re adding a better player, sure, but you have to give up a lot to get him. So now you have JVR and you don’t have Henrique to play with him. Basically, I feel Henrique is untouchable because he’s exactly what the Devils are in need of – young top six forwards. There’s no point giving one up to get one. That doesn’t push the team forward; it just leaves them exactly where they are.

Next: A Young But Talented Defenseman

Feb 3, 2015; Newark, NJ, USA; New Jersey Devils left wing Mike Cammalleri (23) settles the puck during the second period against the Ottawa Senators at the Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim O

Mike Cammalleri

by Frank Maduri

Mike Cammalleri is in his 13^th season in the NHL, but this is his first year with the New Jersey Devils. He was a free agent addition prior to the 2014-15 season signing a long term contract which was highly scrutinized by both the fans and the media alike.

Cammalleri has responded with 25 goals so far through his first 57 games in a Devils sweater, this will mark his sixth season of at least 25 goals scored in his NHL career. Mike also has 11 assists to his credit this season and has been asked to play both on the wing and manning the pivot as a center in one of the team’s most productive lines. He has responded to these challenges dutifully as the consummate professional that he is, and is one of the few bright spots in a difficult season in New Jersey.

Mike averages 18 minutes of Time On the Ice this season, and is a critical piece of the Devils offensive attack. He is often tasked with marking one of the top two or three scoring players on the opposition. Cammalleri is a very good skater with quick hands and an arsenal of different shots which create havoc for the opposing goaltender.

Cammalleri has put up very solid career numbers with 261 goals 277 assists for 538 points and +/- of -55 in his professional tenure in the NHL. He has been a welcome addition to the Devils and should be a consistent goal scoring threat in the years to come.

Next: The Late Bloomer

Jan 3, 2015; Newark, NJ, USA; New Jersey Devils defenseman Adam Larsson (5) celebrates a goal by center Scott Gomez (21) (not shown) during the second period against the Philadelphia Flyers at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

Adam Larsson

by Anthony Smith

Adam Larsson was the New Jersey Devils’ first round pick in the 2011 NHL Draft, the fourth overall selection. The 22-year-old Swede burst onto the scene and made an immediate impact for New Jersey during the 2011-12 season, tallying 18 points and averaging in excess of 20 minutes of ice time per game in 65 games during his rookie season.

But ever since, Larsson fell out of favor – for reasons unknown – with then-head coach Peter DeBoer, leaving the once highly-touted defenseman to threaten to bolt from New Jersey for his native Sweden during the last off-season.

Larsson ultimately stayed, but continued to feel DeBoer’s wrath, only appearing in 18 of the team’s first 36 games this season before DeBoer was fired.

DeBoer’s firing flipped a switch for Larsson, as the new coaching regime of Adam Oates and Stevens gave Larsson the opportunity he deserved as a former fourth-overall draft pick, and Larsson ran with it.

In 33 games since DeBoer was replaced, Larsson has tallied two goals and 14 assists, and has posted a +6 plus/minus rating, in addition to averaging more than 20 minutes of ice time per game. Larsson’s play has shown he can be a solid NHL defenseman, if not an elite defenseman. At the ripe age of 22, he is still developing and will continue to grow, giving the New Jersey Devils no reason to trade him.

Next: GM Meetings: Further Video Replay Can Help The Game