5 New Jersey Devils Players Who Could Raise Their Stock In Preseason
For the first time in a long time, the New Jersey Devils come into the preseason with their lineup close to being set. However, there are a few players who could raise their stock and change our expectations.
We are just 20 days away from seeing actual New Jersey Devils hockey on the ice. On September 16th, we will see P.K. Subban playing with an NJ crest on his chest. We will see Taylor Hall make his long-awaited return to the ice. Jack Hughes will finally get to play against men. Nikita Gusev will step foot on North American ice. This is happening in less than three weeks.
Before that, we will have about 40 players coming to training camp, looking to fight for those few spots left on the roster. This isn’t to talk about those players fighting for those last spots. We already did that. This is talking about those players that could raise their stock to get a better spot in the lineup.
There are so many variables in the lineup today. At the current count, there are six to seven brand new players on the roster through drafts, free agency and trades. We peg them into a certain role in our heads, but head coach John Hynes might have a different plan. We all think the top six will be some combination of Hall, Hughes, Gusev, Nico Hischier, Jesper Bratt and Kyle Palmieri. However, Hynes has surprised us with his lines before.
He’s one to ride the hot hand, and we’ve seen some players turn a big preseason into a major role in the regular season. There are many players who could break into a bigger role if they show us something when the games don’t count.
Wayne Simmonds
It’s not breaking news to say that Wayne Simmonds had a down season last year. He split his time between the Philadelphia Flyers and Nashville Predators. Simmonds had just 30 points over the whole season, including just three points after a deadline deal to send him to his new team. Look closer at his numbers, though, and we can see why Ray Shero gave this guy a one-year chance.
Simmonds still scored 17 goals despite playing so terribly in Nashville. Only Palmieri, Travis Zajac and Blake Coleman scored more on the Devils last season. Obviously, we wouldn’t be too happy if he ended the season with 30 points, and he’d likely get stuck with a PTO next season on another team, but we expect more.
If he can come into the preseason and play like he did just two seasons ago. He’s two years removed from a 30 goal, 54-point season. Those are the types of numbers the Devils expect from him. He was atrocious at 5v5 last season, so if he can show he can play well there he could steal a second line job next to Gusev and Hughes.
Some actually have Simmonds in on that second line to protect the smaller linemates that will both be working to get used to the NHL speed and size. However, that’s not going to be the only reason Hynes puts Simmonds there. Remember, to put Simmonds on the second line, he has to drop Jesper Bratt or Kyle Palmieri. We’re not saying it won’t happen, but he has to play pretty well in the preseason to make it happen.
Will Butcher
Will Butcher is in an interesting space. He avoided arbitration this offseason when he signed a new three-year deal worth $11.2 million total. That clearly shows the Devils have big hopes for the 24-year-old defenseman. The issue is, the left side of the Devils defense is completely in flux.
The right side is absolutely stacked. They could honestly put out P.K. Subban, Damon Severson and Sami Vatanen on the top three lines. They could also play Vatanen on the left and put rookie Ty Smith on the right side.
So, where does Butcher fit? He’s played the last two seasons as the power play quarterback and the third-line defenseman at 5v5. This season, it would behoove the Devils to put Andy Greene on the third line with Smith, then they’d have to move Butcher up. He’s probably slotting in as the second-line defenseman next to Severson.
When really looking at it, could Butcher prove himself to be a top-line defender? The question of who is playing next to Subban won’t be answered until close to opening night. Butcher has a legit chance to show Hynes he’s grown on the defensive end to become someone who can play on the top line. Subban is good enough to let Butcher make a mistake here and there. If Butcher shows a certain amount of upside, Hynes could give him that shot.
Then, there’s the power play issue. Butcher was clearly the best power play defenseman coming into last season. His play on the ice fell off, and he eventually lost the spot to Severson. Now, not only is he competing with Severson, but he has Subban who has 178 career power-play points and Smith who had 24 PP assists last year for the Spokane Chiefs. This, on a team that likes to play their power plays with just one defenseman.
He has a lot to gain this preseason, but Butcher could lose a lot, too. He might be the one player who could end up on any line, including special teams.
Jesper Bratt
Jesper Bratt is the same player than came into a preseason from Sweden as a spry 19 year old who worked his way into an NHL roster spot. Literally, this kid surpassed players older and with better prospects coming into the season. Now, Bratt is easily a lock to make the Devils this season. It was heartbreaking that he wasn’t in the opening night lineup last season, since this was one of the only chances Bratt had to play an NHL game in his native Sweden.
This year, Bratt could honestly play anywhere in the lineup. There’s a good chance he could end up playing on the first line next to Hall and Hischier. That line played really well at times when the Devils last made the playoffs. He could play right wing on the second line next to Hughes and Gusev. He could flank Travis Zajac on either wing, as he’s getting better every year at his two-way game. Heck, if things don’t go well, Miles Wood could get passed him, pushing Bratt to the fourth line.
We don’t expect Bratt to fall out of the top six, but if Simmonds proves that injuries are to blame for his struggles, wouldn’t Bratt be the natural fit to move down?
But Bratt could do the opposite and play out of his mind, making him a fixture to play next to a former MVP. Bratt has routinely played great in September. He comes into training camp with a certain fire every single season. The first year, it was the small shot to make the NHL. His second year, he wanted to make up for falling off at the end of his rookie year. This year, he wants to prove himself with so much new talent on the roster and for his contract year.
Mirco Mueller
Mirco Mueller was given a decent one-year contract for the amount of production he’s given the Devils since he was traded from the San Jose Sharks. The Devils re-signed him for a $1.4 million deal. It’s a one-year deal, so the money doesn’t really matter. What does matter is that Mueller comes in as the likely eighth defender. Ty Smith is making this team. So, now Mueller has to find out what his role actually is.
Here’s the thing, Mueller has nowhere to go but up this preseason. If he isn’t up to snuff, he’ll continue to be an eighth defenseman barring injuries. Yet, he could play really well and make life hard for Ray Shero and Hynes. If Mueller plays as well as he has on his best nights all preseason, the Devils will try to find a way to fit him into the lineup. Whether that’s rolling out seven defensemen, or having a heavy rotation of healthy scratch defenders.
The other option is the Devils could really like what they see from Mueller, and they could trade a defenseman before the season. Every team deals with injuries before the year, and if a team loses a defenseman they could make a call to the Devils.
Either way, Mueller seems like he might not have much of a chance to crack this roster, but that’s never how John Hynes and the rest of his coaching staff works. If Mueller blows people away, he is going to get playing time. And he should.
Joey Anderson
This one may be cheating a little bit. Joey Anderson is one of those players who is fighting for a roster spot, but this is a player who was becoming an NHL mainstay last season before injuries derailed his rookie season.
Anderson has a lot to gain in the preseason. It really isn’t more obvious for any other player. Maybe Kevin Rooney could have more to lose since he’s playing on a one-way deal, but Anderson was player who left college early to become an NHL player. If Nathan Bastian or Michael McLeod have to start in the AHL, then it’s what we expected. If Anderson starts in the AHL, then we kind of feel like he had a disappointing preseason.
Sure, there’s the wild card that is John Hayden, but Anderson is the player that has been a Devil since he was taken in the 3rd round of the NHL Draft.
Anderson could even move himself up the lines with some great play. Would anyone be that surprised if he was able to crack the third line next to Zajac and Blake Coleman? Honestly, with how Hynes has handled his lines, would we be surprised if he made the top six? Yes, we’d be surprised if he did that, but it’s not completely out of the question.
Next. 5 Candidates To Be Next Devils Captain. dark
Anderson needs to come into the preseason ready to impress. If he does, he could make some real noise on a roster that has a lot of new faces.