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New Jersey Devils Should Roster Eight Defensemen This Season

By Nick Villano |
COLUMBUS, OH - DECEMBER 5: Nico Hischier #13, Andy Greene #6 and Sami Vatanen #45, all of the New Jersey Devils, help goaltender Cory Schneider #35 of the New Jersey Devils defend the net against the Columbus Blue Jackets on December 5, 2017 at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/NHLI via Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OH - DECEMBER 5: Nico Hischier #13, Andy Greene #6 and Sami Vatanen #45, all of the New Jersey Devils, help goaltender Cory Schneider #35 of the New Jersey Devils defend the net against the Columbus Blue Jackets on December 5, 2017 at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/NHLI via Getty Images)

The New Jersey Devils are in a much better position with their forwards than they are with their defensemen. Because of that, John Hynes should have more options at his disposal.

It’s a fact that the Achilles Heel of the New Jersey Devils is their defense. There’s no denying that. There are redeemable qualities. Sami Vatanen is a decent number one defenseman. Will Butcher is an amazing young blueliner who can score with the best of them. Damon Severson showed his potential two seasons ago. That’s, um, that’s about it.

Ben Lovejoy was not bad last season, but we know what he is. Andy Greene is nowhere near the seasons where he got a Norris Trophy vote. Mirco Mueller‘s ceiling keeps getting closer to the floor, and that’s if he can stay healthy.

Because of the immense questions surrounding the Devils defense, the team needs to hold eight defensemen at all times this season.

This may seem counterintuitive, but there’s good reason why it will work. There are much better offensive talents in the Devils system, but keeping them in the NHL just to put them in the owner’s box doesn’t help anyone.

Instead, the Devils need to keep six defensemen on the ice, and use two of their extra three spots on defenders as well.

The Devils signed Eric Gryba for this spot specifically. He didn’t play a game for the Edmonton Oilers last season after December 6th. For a 30-year-old to get sent to the minors on the dumpster fire that is the Oilers is not good news. However, he has plenty of experience. He’s used to being in and out of the lineup.

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The Devils also need to give Steve Santini another shot at this. When the Devils were at their best last season, Santini was in the lineup. It’s hard to remember at this point, because he was so bad in November and December. However, to start the season it seemed like Santini could be a legitimate shutdown defenseman.

The forgotten player in all this is Russian defenseman Yegor Yakovlev. He was signed early in the offseason after playing six seasons in the KHL. He played three seasons with the powerhouse SKA St. Petersburg. He may need a little time to get used to the North American style, but his talent will dominate.

Head coach John Hynes needs options this season. The defense is currently Vatanen and the rest. It would make sense to keep switching out defensemen to keep them healthy and fresh. They may not be the most talented defense, but at least they’ll be the least fatigued. The Devils have enough pro-ready players to make it happen.

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