New Jersey Devils: Michael McLeod, Joey Anderson Don’t Make Team

The New Jersey Devils announced a few major moves on Tuesday night. Among them were two top prospects getting cut from the NHL team, and being sent to the AHL.

The New Jersey Devils are cutting their roster down early this year, with a trip to Europe on the horizon. In fact, they leave for Winnipeg tomorrow, meaning they need to make final tweaks sooner rather than later. That makes tonight’s decision less surprising, but definitely not unsurprising.

Just about everyone, including Abbey Mastracco who writes for NorthJersey.com, predicted that either Joey Anderson or Michael McLeod would be making the team. Both players are supremely skilled, but did not show nearly enough in the preseason to make the NHL.

McLeod was not very good during the preseason, and has a lot to show to live up to the promise he had just one year ago. After a less than stellar season last year, most fans hoped to see McLeod show more this preseason. Now, he will have to show he’s better in Binghamton.

Meanwhile, Anderson was a surprise when he decided to sign under a three-year entry-level deal at the end of last season. He didn’t end up playing any games with either Binghamton or New Jersey last year, but still burned a year of that contract. That’s why many had Anderson as the extra forward on the NHL level. For one, he’s proven to be a winner and a leader at every level of his career so far. Also, he’s got the skill set to succeed in the bottom six, where the final forward will likely end up.

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Anderson was the extra forward for last night’s game, so one could see that he wasn’t making this team. John Hynes and company had seen enough. He scored zero points in his two preseason contests. He had to do more to play onto this team.

McLeod, meanwhile, only had one assist in three games. For what the Devils would want him to do this season, he at least had to prove he could score. He wasn’t dominant in any game, and often found himself out of position. There was nothing he did that would make coaches want to keep him on the roster. It wasn’t for lack of trying. He played 46 minutes of ice time. No other Devils forward played more. The Devils were giving him a hard look, and every chance to make the roster.

Will this move affect Anderson and McLeod in the long run? Probably not. There was always a chance this would be the end game. John Quenneville has paid many more dues, and has improved a little every season. Brett Seney has had a great offseason, as Tyler Kelley profiled in this piece. That’s why we’re at the position we find ourselves. The less sexy picks of Seney and Quenneville fit what John Hynes is looking for. He gave Anderson and McLeod a chance, but they didn’t step up to the plate. Now, they will be playing in Binghamton.