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New Jersey Devils: 5 Players Fighting For Final Spot On Opening Night Roster

By Nick Villano

NEWARK, NJ - JULY 14: New Jersey Devils defenseman Jesper Boqvist (90) Skates during the New Jersey Devils Development Camp Red and White Scrimmage on July13, 2019 at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
NEWARK, NJ - JULY 14: New Jersey Devils defenseman Jesper Boqvist (90) Skates during the New Jersey Devils Development Camp Red and White Scrimmage on July13, 2019 at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Bill Smith/NHLI via Getty Images)
(Photo by Bill Smith/NHLI via Getty Images) /

John Hayden

The New Jersey Devils made two trades on day two of the NHL Draft. The big one came when they traded Steve Santini, Jeremy Davies and picks for P.K. Subban. That move prompted breaking news pieces from us here at Pucks and Pitchforks and an emergency podcast from the Let’s Go Devils guys.

Then, there was the first move of the day when the Devils and Blackhawks swapped players they expected more from. John Quenneville was a player we all rooted for, but it just never worked out for him in New Jersey. He gave it his all, but some bad puck luck, injuries and eventually a clear confidence issue made it unsustainable.

The Devils got back John Hayden in return. He’s a guy that can fit a clear role, if the Devils want to go with a hard-nose grit line at the bottom. He played 54 games for the Blackhawks, but took a clear step back. He was playing in his hometown, with expectations after playing well the season prior. Then, he provided very little to Chicago last year.

He seems to be the front runner for the final spot going into camp. At least, that’s what we’re all assuming. He’s signed to a one-way deal, meaning he needs to go through waivers in order to go to the AHL. The Devils traded a former 1st-round pick for him, even if he wasn’t exactly working out. Shero likely did this with the idea he would at least make the roster, since he does have that one-way deal.

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