Pucks and Pitchforks
Fansided

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) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
6 of 6
Next
(Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
(Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /

Connor Carrick

We have literally no idea where Connor Carrick should play next season. This season just fell off the rails for Carrick, who regularly sat in the owner’s box in favor of Mirco Mueller and then suffered a major pinky injury that forced him to sit for more than a month.

Now, Carrick seems to be on an island all by himself. The latest lines had him on the third line without even a partner thanks to the injury to Freddie Claessen. He’s now behind Dakota Mermis and Mueller, who get to be paired with P.K. Subban and Damon Severson, the only legitimate NHL defensemen on the roster. This shows they don’t see him moving up anywhere despite being one of four defenseman with an NHL deal going into next season.

Carrick is having a bad season overall. His CF% is second worst on the team to John Hayden (of anyone who played more than five games). All of Carrick’s advanced stats left much to be desired.

There’s a lot of defensive possibilities coming up next season. We expect Ty Smith, Kevin Bahl. Josh Jacobs, possibly Reilly Walsh, and one of their 1st-round picks to all spend time with the Devils in preseason. After what Smith did in Spokane this season, pencil him in for one of the open defenseman spots. We can’t see him going to the AHL, no matter what he does in the preseason.

Next. Mackenzie Blackwood and Igor Shesterkin Lead New Rivalry. dark

Where does Carrick fit? If the Devils sign nobody, he’ll easily be in the starting lineup, especially if he plays better with consistent playing time down the stretch. If the Devils start signing free agents, which they likely will, he’s more and more likely going to be fighting not to be a healthy scratch, especially if he plays like he did all season.

Home/Editorials