The New Jersey Devils lacked the scoring depth that the best teams in the league had last season. A mixture of new players and the development of young players can take them to that level.
The New Jersey Devils addressed their biggest need this offseason, acquiring a top tier offensive player in Taylor Hall. In order to improve their offense to a standard high enough to make the playoffs, they also needed to improve their forward depth.
The Devils were certainly lacking in that department last season, as they only had five forwards who racked up at least 20 points on the season. The Los Angeles Kings were the only team to make the playoffs with fewer than 8 forwards logging 20 points or more, and they had 7. Clearly forward depth is something that the good teams in the league have, and the Devils will need to improve in that area this season. Development of the young players is the key to that improvement, and the Devils are definitely capable of having a more balanced offense this season.
The Devils forwards are overall a very young group. They currently have three forwards on their roster over the age of 30. They appear to have five forwards on their team who, barring a devastating injury, should exceed 20 points comfortably in Hall, Adam Henrique, Kyle Palmieri, Travis Zajac, and Mike Cammalleri. They also have two defenders who can create offense at a decent level in Damon Severson and John Moore, who racked up 21 and 19 points respectively. After those guys, they will rely on the youth to improve and be ready to contribute this season.
One young player who may finally be ready to make the jump is 22 year old Reid Boucher. Boucher is most notable for breaking Steven Stamkos’ OHL single season goals record in 2012-2013. Last season, he had 19 points in only 39 games. He seems to be getting more comfortable in this league, and if healthy may be able to provide the output the Devils have been hoping would come from him. Another prospect the Devils may give a shot to this season is the sixth overall pick from the 2015 draft, Pavel Zacha. Zacha is thought to have the potential to be a potent scorer in this league, and this season will likely be his first opportunity to show what he can do.
The Devils also have players who are beginning their second seasons as New Jersey Devils in Sergey Kalinin, Joseph Blandisi, and Devante Smith-Pelly. Smith-Pelly was acquired by the Devils during last season, and he immediately saw his scoring production increase. He had 8 goals and 5 assists in 18 games with New Jersey, and at 24 years old may still be on the rise. If last season’s short sample was any indication of what is to come, he can be a solid player who will help the Devils rack up goals outside of the top lines. Blandisi and Kalinin are both going into their second NHL seasons and showed some flashes of offensive talent last season. Blandisi can be expected to be a solid contributor if healthy, as he had 5 goals and 12 assists in only 41 games last season. Kalinin showed a lot of talent in the KHL but had some issues adjusting to the NHL, racking up 15 points in 78 games with a -9 plus/minus rating. Both players may take a step up as they get more comfortable with NHL competition.
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The Devils also acquired some veterans this summer with the hope that they can contribute and add some much-needed depth. Beau Bennett is 24 years old and had 6 goals and 6 assists in 33 games for the Stanley Cup Champion Penguins last season. If healthy, the Devils are hoping he will continue to improve and provide the team another reliable player. Vernon Fiddler is 36 years old, but was solid defensively and in terms of puck possession last season. He could help the Devils address their biggest weakness in puck possession, and be a consistent contributor for the team next season. The Devils were in need for offensive depth this offseason, and a mixture of interior development and offseason acquisitions may have taken them to a level of offensive production they need to be at in order to make the postseason.