Pucks and Pitchforks
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Looking At New Jersey Devils New Look After Trades

By Alan Goldenberg

OTTAWA, ON - JANUARY 27: New Jersey Devils Left Wing Jesper Bratt (63) and New Jersey Devils Right Wing Kyle Palmieri (21) celebrate a third period goal against the Ottawa Senators during the NHL game on January 27, 2020 at the Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Steven Kingsman/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
OTTAWA, ON - JANUARY 27: New Jersey Devils Left Wing Jesper Bratt (63) and New Jersey Devils Right Wing Kyle Palmieri (21) celebrate a third period goal against the Ottawa Senators during the NHL game on January 27, 2020 at the Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Steven Kingsman/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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Today was a huge day in the direction of the New Jersey Devils under the rule of Tom “Trade God” Fitzgerald (credit to @dockelley41). There were many articles written about the amazing returns the New Jersey Devils received for fan favorite Blake Coleman and our captain Andy Greene. Here, we are going to dive into the implications these trades have on our lineup for the remainder of this season, as well as the start of next.

Forwards

Top Line

Jesper Bratt – Nico Hischier – Kyle Palmieri

We have grown accustomed to these three players going out and balling on a nightly basis. Jesper Bratt and Nico Hischier have continued to grow into bona-fide top-six players and an elite two-way center respectively. We can expect more of the same next season as they continue to mature and gel together as a unit.

Middle Six

Evgeny Dadanov – Travis Zajac – Nikita Gusev

Nolan Foote – Jack Hughes – Jesper Boqvist

In our middle six, we can expect to see more of the same in regards to Gusev with Zajac as it balances the offensive abilities of the wingers with the defensive responsibility of Zajac. The biggest difference is the UFA winger Evgeny Dadanov. A known friend of Goose and a quality winger that makes our roster a lot deeper could certainly be coming to NJ this upcoming summer due to the Cap Crunch Florida will be facing.

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The next line is our version of the young guns line. A supremely talented Jack Hughes flanked by the shifty Boqvist and the newly acquired powerhouse and sniper, Nolan Foote. The mix of physicality, skill, shot and speed will make this line super entertaining to watch. With one more year of maturity, next year could be a year they all break out together for years and years to come.

Fourth Line

Nick Merkley – Pavel Zacha – Joey Anderson

This line comes with a ton of offensive ability along with the defensive awareness required in a fourth line. Zacha and Anderson are penalty killers who along with the grittyness of Merkley can really shut down other teams second lines and put some goals on the board. Zacha will finally be in the role perfect for him flanked by two talented wingers who can help him put a few more goals on the board.

13th Forward

Mike McLeod and Brett Seney

Defensemen

Top Four

Travis Hamonic/Brendan Dillon? – PK Subban

Will Butcher – Damon Severson

Bottom Pair

Ty Smith – Reilly Walsh/Kevin Bahl/Colton White

The questions surrounding our organization begin and end with the defense corps. There are a few quality shut-down type defenseman in this upcoming free agency such as the names I listed, but who knows what will happen in these next 8 months honestly. We expect Will Butcher, Damon Severson and P.K. Subban to stay with the organization, but also expect some of the young guns we have to come up and play some pretty meaningful minutes for what is shaping up to be one of the youngest rosters in the entire league. We should all be super excited to see Ty Smith’s long-awaited arrival in Newark. He is one of the top defensive prospects in the league and could be our Makar/Quinn Hughes next year, taking the league by storm.

Next. Blake Coleman Traded To Tampa Bay Lightning. dark

Goaltenders

Mackenzie Blackwood

Not much to say here except we have an absolute stud in Mackenzie Blackwood. Incredible numbers on a basement team and the only reason we have won a single game this season in my honest opinion. Throughout his two-year career he is now a real 0.500 at 29-22-7 on a team that has won just over 35 percent of their games. Why are more people not talking about this is all we can say.

Offseason Addition/Cory Schneider

Contrary to popular opinion, I would be willing to give Cory Schneider one more shot. His cap hit is on the books anyway and Blackwood has shown he can handle a heavy load. Despite that fact, the Devils should go all in on Robin Lehner. He would be a 1A option as much as Mackenzie Blackwood. He is still on the right side of 30 and has proven he is not a “system” goalie. He is a bona-fide starter in this league and will get what he deserves this summer, hopefully from our New Jersey Devils.

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