5 Players New Jersey Devils Could Offer Paid Tryout
By Nick Villano
5. Drew Stafford
Drew Stafford was a good signing for the Devils based on what was on the line. No, he did not hold the pace he started at the beginning of the season, but he was what you’d expect from a player on a PTO.
In his first 14 games with the Devils, Stafford scored eight points. He was doing so well, fans were talking about signing him to an extension. Then, from November 16th to January 12th he scored zero points. Sure, some of that time he spent as a healthy scratch, but he deserved to be pulled from the lineup. He just wasn’t scoring.
He picked things up at times, but still there was more to be desired.
Here’s the thing, the players you sign to PTOs need to understand that there’s the possibility they could sit for a full month, then be ready to play. Stafford proved that this season. He scored his first night back after sitting for close to 30 days in January.
Sometimes, it’s good to stay with the Devil you know, rather than the one you don’t. This isn’t to say the Devils should automatically give Stafford an NHL contract, but letting him fight for a spot in training camp has no risk.