On today’s New Jersey Devils Daily, why the team should stop the rebuild and make a playoff push, which player loses his spot when Brian Boyle returns and should Jesper Bratt stay past nine games.
We still see some fans talking about the T word; tanking. Some fans still want the New Jersey Devils to tank this season despite their hot start. This team can still build for the future, while also making a push for the playoffs this season. This upcoming draft is really deep, so even a middle of the first round pick will get them a really good player. Also, the Devils will eventually get Travis Zajac and Brian Boyle back. This team can make a legitimate push, and the fans deserve a fun season like that.
New Jersey Devils Should Forgo Rebuild, Make Run At Playoffs
Part of that push for the playoffs would mean keeping Nico Hischier and Jesper Bratt on the main roster, burning a year off their development contracts. Andrew Gross with NorthJersey.com says that those two are locked into their NHL roster spots. Hischier wasn’t much of a question, but Bratt was a tryout to start the year. Bratt played his way into a crucial role in this lineup, including time on the power play and penalty kill.
Devils decision on Hischier, Bratt seems clear-cut
Pucks and Pitchforks looks into another thing that needs to drive this Devils team. Taylor Hall needs to start scoring. He’s played very well to start the year, but he just hasn’t scored. He has one goals in the team’s first eight games. Everything else he’s been doing has been near perfect. He’s set up goals with eight assists already. Most of it is puck luck, as he’s taken 25 shots on net, but Hall needs to light the lamp for the Devils success to continue.
Taylor Hall Needs To Score For New Jersey Devils To Thrive
Chris Ryan with NJ.com did a good ole mailbag during the Devils week off. There were many interesting questions, but the one that got my attention was who loses his roster spot when Brian Boyle returns. Three names stood out to Ryan. Miles Wood was a healthy scratch earlier in the year, but he’s played with a chip on his shoulder since. Jimmy Hayes was one of the three players benched during a New York Rangers win, and probably the most expendable. Stefen Noesen is the other player, and the one I think loses his spot when Boyle returns.
Devils mailbag: Who’s out when Brian Boyle returns? How long do 8 defensemen stay?
The AP via the New York Daily News talks about the Devils hot start. Look at the balanced scoring the team is getting. Six players have three goals to start the year, while four others lit the lamp twice. Kyle Palmieri wants to put the Devils hot start to bed, and look forward to the rest of the season. This break gives them some perspective, especially since they’ve since been caught by the Pittsburgh Penguins.