Nolan Foote
Nolan Foote almost got into a game already, making the Devils roster and eventually going to the taxi squad. He’s been moving between Binghamton and the team’s taxi squad. When he was with the B-Devils, he scored three points in three games. He scored a very nice goal against Wilkes Barre that tied the game.
He already has an NHL-level shot. There are other aspects of his game that need work, but since he has something that’s good enough for the big leagues, he’s an intriguing option for Lindy Ruff. The head coach didn’t have to leave him on the NHL roster to start the season. The team put Merkley through waivers just to keep Foote there.
Speaking of waivers, Foote can move up and down between New Jersey and Binghamton (which play in the same arena) without going through waivers. That kind of flexibility is what the Devils really covet. They don’t want to lose an asset just to look at them in the NHL. If it doesn’t work, they’d have to pass through waivers to go back to the AHL.
Foote is a very interesting prospect. He gets wonderful grades almost universally, and he’s shown that there’s at least something there. What it is is still up in the air, but it’s clear he is going to get a shot on the NHL roster at some point this season. That’s why he’s spent time on the taxi squad. The Devils want him close by. Eventually, he’ll be where he belongs.