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New Jersey Devils Opening Night Roster Projection

By Tyler Kelley|
SUMMERSIDE, PE - SEPTEMBER 25: Members of the New Jersey Devils celebrate their second goal against the Ottawa Senators during Kraft Hockeyville Canada on September 25, 2017 at Credit Union Place in Summerside, Prince Edward Island, Canada. (Photo by Dave Sandford/NHLI via Getty Images)
SUMMERSIDE, PE - SEPTEMBER 25: Members of the New Jersey Devils celebrate their second goal against the Ottawa Senators during Kraft Hockeyville Canada on September 25, 2017 at Credit Union Place in Summerside, Prince Edward Island, Canada. (Photo by Dave Sandford/NHLI via Getty Images)

The New Jersey Devils have one preseason game left and have already made a significant amount of cuts. There haven’t been any surprises so far.

I made my original projections before training camp and really didn’t change much as I wrote about it.  The biggest change is probably the fact that I had Michael McLeod as a top-six right wing, but it’s looking like he’ll spend another year in juniors.  Jesper Bratt likely earned his way onto the opening night roster as well as Joseph Blandisi.

Forwards

Offensively, all of the top three centers have moved around during the preseason. Drew Stafford clearly exceeded my expectations. The top six is exactly what we saw in Ottawa. After that performance, I would imagine we’ll get to see that top six for a while.

The bottom six is where we’ll likely see the biggest changes. Brian Boyle and Travis Zajac will return to the lineup, which provides two more centers later in the season. For now though, Adam Henrique is a great option as a 3rd center.

I could see John Quenneville and Stefan Noesen switching roles and even Jesper Bratt could end up only spending nine games at the NHL level, then the rest of the year in the OHL or even the AHL. The good thing for the Devils and Bratt is that he was drafted out of Europe, so if they decide to keep him up past nine games they can still send him down to the AHL if needed.

Blandisi is someone I basically completely ignored leading up to camp. I didn’t see a spot for him, but he pretty much forced his way onto the team. He looked great throughout camp and in every game opportunity he got. He and Miles Wood will provide a high energy 4th line. With Quenneville by their side, they will certainly be capable of scoring.

When Brian Boyle and Travis Zajac return I would expect Henrique and Blandisi to push out as wingers. If Zacha and Hischier don’t have any hiccups as the top two centers, the Devils could field a 3rd line of Henrique, Zajac, and Bratt/Noesen/Quenneville.

I’m expecting Jimmy Hayes has earned a contract and will start the year as the Devils extra forward as well.

Defense

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Andy Greene, Damon Severson, and John Moore were all locks defensively coming into the year. To be honest, I thought Ben Lovejoy was likely a lock as well.

Fortunately for New Jersey, I think the younger defensemen have forced their way onto this team. Will Butcher has shown he can run the powerplay and Steven Santini has looked like he belongs since last year.

As for Mirco Mueller, he really exceeded my expectations throughout the preseason. He’s much better at moving the puck than I expected. Maybe all he really needed was a change of scenery.

Even Dalton Prout looked good throughout the preseason. With Butcher being the only waiver exempt defenseman on the roster, I would imagine the Devils keep Lovejoy and Prout in the NHL to start the year in case any of the younger players struggle.

Goalies

Obviously Cory Schneider and Keith Kinkaid will backstop the Devils this year. Schneider looked solid this preseason and I’d imagine we’ll see him return back to form.

Let me know what you think.  Think Jesper Bratt needs  a year in juniors? Should Blake Speers have started in the NHL?

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