New Jersey Devils Are One Injury Away From Really Bad Season
By Nick Villano
As of right now, the New Jersey Devils opening night lineup is very good even with the lack of moves this offseason. The big difference between this year and last is an injury can really tank the season.
The New Jersey Devils were extremely quiet this offseason. It seemed like a terrible idea, but with a weak free agency market and the trade market on break until the Erik Karlsson situation ends, it seems like going into the season with this starting lineup isn’t such a bad idea. There is a ton of talent up and down the lineup, and all the Devils need is one or two players to breakout.
Here’s the one problem with the Devils lineup, there’s no veteran depth. The Devils knew what they were getting on the ice going into last season with Brian Gibbons, Drew Stafford and Jimmy Hayes, even if we as fans didn’t know. Players like that fill crucial holes, especially when there are injuries early in the season. Travis Zajac went out before training camp with a torn pectoral muscle. It seemed like that could have been a death blow.
Luckily for the Devils, Nico Hischier was ready to step up immediately. Gibbons went on a tear from day one, and Jesper Bratt was the biggest surprise of the NHL’s first month. This came thanks to the depth of the Devils lineup.
To have that kind of depth this year, the Devils would need an impossible amount of things to go right. They’d basically need every tweener prospect to work out.
That’s why the Devils are in a bad way if a certain few players get injured.
For one, there’s Taylor Hall. This one is obvious, but must be said. The reigning MVP is the Hart and soul of this team (see what I did there?). He scored 93 point last season, 41 more than anyone else on the team. There just isn’t a player on the roster that can come close to that production. If Hall gets a major injury, things can turn bad fast. Think we were calling for goals for Cory last year? This would be even worse.
Speaking of Cory, Cory Schneider is another injury that could derail the season. Keith Kinkaid was out of his mind good last season when Schneider went down with injury last season. Asking him to do what he did again is near impossible. Schneider showed why he’s the bonafide number one when he took over in the postseason. If the Devils are moving, it’s Schneider pushing them. I understand that Schneider will miss the first month of the season, but that won’t hurt them too bad. Schneider would have to miss significant time for it to hurt.
More from Pucks and Pitchforks
- Should New Jersey Devils Try Load Management With Vitek Vanecek?
- New Jersey Devils Will Prove That Last Year Wasn’t A Fluke
- New Jersey Devils: Luke Hughes’ Playmaking Will Outshine His Mistakes
- New Jersey Devils: Chase Stillman’s Performance Causes Concern
- Can Devils Fans Separate Zach Parise Heartbreak From Achievements?
Another player the Devils can’t afford to lose is Hischier. The Devils first-line center did so much to help Hall on his way to his Hart Trophy. The two had amazing chemistry. It was so great, it didn’t even matter who their other linemate was. Losing Hischier means the Devils have to choose between Zajac and Pavel Zacha for first line minutes. Both options are not great.
Finally, an injury to Sami Vatanen could derail the Devils season. If Vatanen were to get injured, he would be replaced with either Steve Santini or Eric Gryba. Those options are much better as a bottom pair, or in the owner’s box. Losing Vatanen makes this defense one of the worst in the league.
This Devils team cannot afford major injuries. Certain players are much too important, and the way the team is constructed, losing them could tank the season entirely. Hopefully Shero can find some PTOs and other means to add some depth, just in case a catastrophe is on the horizon.