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New Jersey Devils: 5 Players Who Can Solidify Their Spot For Next Season

By Nick Villano

NEWARK, NEW JERSEY - SEPTEMBER 21: Jesper Boqvist #90 of the New Jersey Devils celebrates his second goal of the game which became the game winner at 15:57 of the third period on the powerplay against the New York Islanders at the Prudential Center on September 21, 2019 in Newark, New Jersey. The Devils defeated the Islanders 4-3. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEWARK, NEW JERSEY - SEPTEMBER 21: Jesper Boqvist #90 of the New Jersey Devils celebrates his second goal of the game which became the game winner at 15:57 of the third period on the powerplay against the New York Islanders at the Prudential Center on September 21, 2019 in Newark, New Jersey. The Devils defeated the Islanders 4-3. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
(Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

Michael McLeod

Two weeks ago on the Let’s Go Devils Podcast with Chris Ryan of NJ.com, he told us he thinks Michael McLeod is going to just slot in to Kevin Rooney’s slot on the team, becoming a fourth-line center who kills penalties. He has had a lot of trouble offensively since he started his NHL career. He’s now played 33 games and has zero goals. That is… not good.

Still, he can show he’s ready for NHL action over the final month of the season. Based on recent line projections, it looks like he’s going to stick on the NHL fourth line for the time being.

McLeod is about a half-point-per-game player in the AHL, while changing the focus to his game. He’s no longer trying to be an offensive dynamo, as there are still issues with his skating and hockey IQ. He does still have some insane straight-line speed that could work out in his favor. It’s a lot easier to teach mechanics than it is to teach speed, but we’ve said the same thing about Miles Wood for three years.

McLeod has the most to prove on this entire list. He’s the one that could either make himself an NHL regular, prove he’s in need of some more seasoning, or force the Devils to give up on him entirely. If that happens, expect him to either get buried in the AHL or get traded this offseason. For those upset we used a 12th-overall pick on him, just be happy the trade involving him also got us Joey Anderson.

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