New Jersey Devils Have A Binghamton Dilemma On Their Hands

The New Jersey Devils are currently playing in a season where there’s nothing much to play for. With the NHL Trade Deadline around the corner, the team has major decisions to make with how they want to grow their young players.

Before the New Jersey Devils took the ice against the Washington Capitals on Thursday night, they announced that Kyle Palmieri was heading to injured reserve, and Michael McLeod was getting the call up from Binghamton. This likely isn’t going to be the only call up happening over the next couple weeks. The Devils are currently 15 points out of a playoff spot (as of Thursday afternoon). There’s just no way they are getting back into it at this point, especially with Mackenzie Blackwood missing time.

That means the Devils are once again going to be sellers at the NHL Trade Deadline. There are some prime players on the roster that are going to be available. Sami Vatanen is going to get significant interest as a pending UFA. He’s having himself a career year. Wayne Simmonds signed a one-year deal, and a team might be willing to give up some picks in exchange for some grit. There’s rumors about the future of Blake Coleman and Kyle Palmieri.

Either way, the Devils are going to have to replace players next month when some are eventually traded away. However, they need to really think hard about which players they will use those call ups on.

The Binghamton Devils are currently on an eight-game winning streak. After a disastrous start to the season, Mark Dennehy has his team absolutely rolling. They are back to hockey .500, and are seven points out of a playoff spot. Yes, one would hope they were closer than that after eight-straight wins, but it’s much better than what it was.

A lot of these players are getting some crucial growth opportunities, learning the feeling that is winning on a nightly basis. Obviously, many of these players have won in Juniors/college/overseas, but it’s different to win in the pros. In professional hockey, it’s now a job. It can become part of the day-to-day process. When you’re younger, you have school or family or something else distracting you, and hockey is your outlet.

Now, these players are immersed in hockey unlike anything else can mimic. They eat, breathe, sleep and exist for hockey. When that’s the case, losing every night can just become part of life. However, the opposite can also be true. These young players can start to strive for that winning feeling.

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If the Devils start calling up Brett Seney, Joey Anderson, Nathan Bastian, Josh Jacobs and everyone else of any value in Binghamton, then that winning feeling will soon become fleeting. Taking talent away from AHL teams is part of the deal, but maybe the Devils need to be careful who they actually call up. Of course, certain players Tom Fitzgerald and Martin Brodeur will want to see if they have what it takes to make it in the NHL. Of course, they are going to lose a lot in the NHL.

Is it worth it for them to destroy the one thing going right for the Devils this year just to get a look at certain players in the NHL? Of course, they are going to have to call some players up. Or, maybe they can sign some veterans to fill some holes for the rest of the season. Give Drew Stafford a call and see if he wants to make some money for two months. Jason Pominville likely wants another shot in the NHL, and he might be willing to go to New Jersey to show himself off for 2020-21.

It’s not ideal for us who like to watch good hockey, but it’s an option. Players can come in and show themselves off while helping the young players get through the wall that is the last 20 games of the season. Then, that allows the Binghamton Devils to stay somewhat intact, and hopefully keep winning. Either way, it’s something for the Devils front office to think about. It could be the right move for now and the future.