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New Jersey Devils: Steve Santini Needs To Find His Magic Again

By Nick Villano

ST. LOUIS, MO - JANUARY 2: New Jersey Devils' Steven Santini, left, is hit by St. Louis Blues' Kyle Brodziak during the third period of an NHL hockey game between the St. Louis Blues and the New Jersey Devils. The St. Louis Blues defeated the New Jersey Devils 3-2 in a shootout on January 2, 2017, at Scottrade Center in St. Louis, MO. (Photo by Tim Spyers/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
ST. LOUIS, MO - JANUARY 2: New Jersey Devils' Steven Santini, left, is hit by St. Louis Blues' Kyle Brodziak during the third period of an NHL hockey game between the St. Louis Blues and the New Jersey Devils. The St. Louis Blues defeated the New Jersey Devils 3-2 in a shootout on January 2, 2017, at Scottrade Center in St. Louis, MO. (Photo by Tim Spyers/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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New Jersey Devils defensive prospect Steve Santini looked to be on the way to being a lineup standout. However, something happened to where he forgot how to play hockey.

This happens all the time, especially with defensemen. A player looks great for a few months, falls off the map never to be heard from again. It happens in all sports, actually. New York Yankees fans should remember Aaron Small, who helped the team make the playoffs in 2005. By 2006, he was designated for assignment. The New Jersey Devils are in a similar position with Steve Santini.

The 23 year old was great last year, until he wasn’t. Then he went in the complete opposite direction. Santini was in consideration for top-line minutes prior to the Devils acquiring Sami Vatanen. Sure, that had a lot to do with the talent around him, but he was playing like a legitimate shut-down defender. He was the reason why Ben Lovejoy sat in the owner’s box for months.

In October, Santini was showing poise and helping out what was a porous Devils defense. He seemed like a lock to stay on the roster all season, as he played over 20 minutes per game. He was trying to make up for the lost step from Andy Greene, and the occasional lapses from Damon Severson and John Moore.

At 6’2, and 207 pounds, Santini brings some size to a team that’s smaller than some. He brings grit to a team that has superstars it needs to protect. His toughness rubs off on his teammates, and he isn’t afraid to get in someone’s face. Think Brian Boyle as a young defenseman.

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Then, December hit. Santini could not stop anyone in December. Ironically, that was his best month for +/-, showing just how useless that stat is. He was leaving his goalies out to dry, and it was costing the Devils some games.

Santini has the skill to be a very good shut-down defenseman. He’s got all the tools that make Adam Larsson very good, he just has momentary lapses that cost his team. If he can just get with Devils coaches, and learn what he was doing wrong, he could be someone who solidifies the Devils biggest weakness.

If Santini can play like he did in October all next season, then the Devils defense looks much better than it does right now. Pairing him with Will Butcher or Mirco Mueller on the third pairing gives the Devils a decent defense from top to bottom. Sure, Andy Greene still has to play top-line minutes, but that’s a problem for another day. If Santini can just prove that he’s an NHL worth defenseman, that solves a lot of problems the Devils did not deal with this offseason.

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