New Jersey Devils: Drew Stafford Must Play Better To Stay In Lineup
By Nick Villano
The New Jersey Devils have been playing well on the backs of the young players. However, veterans like Drew Stafford need to play better to stay on the ice.
It’s hard to complain about anything happening with the New Jersey Devils, especially after a big win against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Tuesday night. After the trade for Sami Vatanen, this team looks to be close to complete. Unfortunately, there are some players who leave some to be desired, and the veterans are the ones providing the gripe.
Drew Stafford has been in a slump of sorts after a hot start. He scored five goals in the first 12 games. It looked like another surprise signing by GM Ray Shero. He only joined the team on August 25th, very late in free agency. However, early on it looked like he could be the steal of the offseason.
He’s been sitting at five goals ever since. In fact, he’s been held without a point since November 12th.
Stafford’s career is a hard one to figure out. He’s been in the league for 12 seasons. In those 12 seasons, he has just one 30 goal season. He continues to be moved from team to team after the Buffalo Sabres traded him in the middle of the 2014-15 season. He plays well for a while, then falls off, then gets better again. It’s hard to put a finger on what he is going to do from night to night.
So, what should we expect from Stafford? Can he keep up with the Nico Hischiers and Jesper Bratts that is the new-age Devils? Is he just trade fodder for later in the year? What is Drew Stafford on the New Jersey Devils?
Well, right now he should be in jeopardy of being a healthy scratch. I won’t say he hasn’t done anything, because he often finds himself as part of the play. However, his finishing ability has all but disappeared. He needs to finish the beautiful chances he’s been given lately.
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Stafford is currently playing over Pavel Zacha. That seems kind of pointless if he isn’t producing. Zacha is much more the Devils future than Stafford. The former first-round pick will sit again tonight against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Before the last game, he told NorthJersey.com’s Andrew Gross he was frustrated on his lack of play. It’s confusing to say his play keeps him out of games, but Stafford gets a pass.
Stafford has a big opportunity to make an impact this weekend. The Devils play a back-to-back against the Blue Jackets and New York Rangers. They really need wins here. Obviously, the rookies along with Taylor Hall will dictate play, but as Travis Zajac proved in the last games it will be up to the veterans to dictate play. As one of the few on the roster, Stafford has to step up. If he doesn’t, John Hynes needs to make a decision to sit him.