New Jersey Devils: John Quenneville Is Running Out Of Time

John Quenneville came into this season with some hope he could crack the opening night roster. Now, were more than halfway through the season and he hasn’t sniffed the big leagues. With more prospects coming, he’s running out of time to get his shot.

The New Jersey Devils are flush with talented young players on and off the NHL roster. Counting all the players who’ve recorded minutes in the big leagues, 10 are under the age of 25. The includes Nico Hischier, Miles Wood, Jesper Bratt and Will Butcher who look like cornerstones of the franchise.

That’s impressive in of itself, but when looking at who’s still available in the pipeline it looks even better.

John Quenneville, Mike McLeod, Joey Anderson, Nathan Bastian, Jesper Boqvist and Reilly Walsh are all good enough to make the roster within two or three years. Some even faster than that. One player in-particular is interesting in that group.

Quenneville was the 2014 first-round pick (a gift by the NHL to thank Lou Lamoriello, at least that’s what I’m guessing). Since he was drafted, he’s been all over the place.

His first season after the draft, he fell off in Juniors. He scored 11 less points on a better Brandon Wheat Kings team. The team went all the way to the league finals, but Quenneville was having issues providing the play his talent dictates.

However, the next year he was better than ever, scoring 73 points while helping bring the team to a championship.

Then, he jumped to the AHL, even spending 12 games with New Jersey. He was very good during the season, and amazing in the playoffs. While the Albany Devils lost the series, he did score three goals in four games.

Coming into training camp, the popular take was Quenneville would likely make the team. He showed immense promise, and the team was leaning towards youth. He had two power play goals in five preseason games. All signs pointed to him making the team.

Instead, head coach John Hynes and general manager Ray Shero chose Brian Gibbons.

Quenneville would be spending another season in the AHL, only this time in Binghamton.

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The B-Devils have been extremely disappointing as a whole. They are currently in last place, with a 12-22-5-2 record. Quenneville’s lack of offensive production is one reason the team is struggling. He only has 21 points in 29 games. It doesn’t sound bad, but the team expects more from a top prospect.

That brings us to today. Quenneville isn’t really on the radar for the Devils, who already had a surplus of good forwards in the NHL prior to Gibbons’ injury. Blake Coleman and Stefan Noesen have played well in their roles. Jimmy Hayes and Drew Stafford continue to play sparingly, allowing for a veteran boost when needed. There isn’t room for Quenneville on today’s roster.

So, when will Quenneville become a Devils regular? Will it be ever?

It’s starting to look bad for the future of JQ, at least on this franchise. He’s still probably behind McLeod for excitement going forward. Boqvist could jump to the NHL as soon as next year. Anderson is in college, but continues to show the maturity of a veteran. That, and the Devils will lose very few players next season.

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Quenneville is running out of time to prove he can be a part of the Devils future. He will only be 22 years old at the end of the season, so this is in no way saying his career may be in doubt. He still has plenty of time to become a very good player. However, the Devils have better prospects coming. The team showed that they don’t care about pedigree, they just want the players that will help them win. Whether they are 18 or 38, as long as they contribute they will play.

Quenneville can one day be a really good player for the Devils. But if he doesn’t show promise soon, he could be seen as expendable.

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