New Jersey Devils: Great Expectations For Each Position

Defense has improved a lot, but it isn’t quite done yet. On the right side P.K. Subban brings that “Ric Flair” energy to the lineup. He can be a physical, clean hitter as well as a gigantic threat with that slap shot.

Damon Severson on the other end has been gaining more consistency as an offensive-defenseman, and he’s playing the puck better but its his nature to be more of a shoot-first guy. Sami Vatanen might be moved to the left side since he can play top-two pairing minutes even though he’s pretty well rounded on the right side. Connor Carrick could be the guy that fills in on the 3rd pairing if Sami indeed is moved to the left side. Carrick is a very mobile, super smart, and very versatile on offense and defense to add skill and depth.

Will Butcher signed an extension for three years and $3.73 million per season. Butcher is more of a power play specialist, and an offensive defender that could still anchor the second pairing left side.

Mirco Mueller re-signed as a left defenseman who is on a make or break type of deal. If he does improve his defensive game he can be a wild card to play more minutes. Andy Greene is near the end of his contract as The New Jersey Devils captain if this is his last hoorah I feel that after all the key situations he’s gone through from last season and his whole tenure he needs to play less minutes. If I am John Hynes this season it’s very important to take really good care of Andy Greene by not over taxing him minutes wise. You can’t let Greene over work where his mindset and production plummet due to the non-efficiencies.