Projecting New Jersey Devils Opening Night Roster

Simon Nemec is drafted by the New Jersey Devils. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Roster Battle Royale

Contenders (3): Reilly Walsh, Kevin Bahl, Simon Nemec.

First things first, the big battle for that seventh d-man spot – for me there are three options. It will come down to either Reilly Walsh, Kevin Bahl, or Simon Nemec – who was just drafted 2nd overall in July’s NHL Draft. Since taking over as GM, Fitzgerald has transformed the Devils’ blueline into a bigger, snarlier group. Bahl obviously fits that profile since he’s Gigantor out there on the ice at 6’ 6”, but if Nemec has an absolutely insane camp he will make the decision very hard.

Also, I don’t think Nemec starting the season in the AHL with Utica and working his way into a call-up is the worst thing in the world. We all saw last season how a lot of call-ups were able to contribute after finding their groove with the Comets. The wild card in all of this is Walsh. With the trade of Ty Smith to Pittsburgh, Walsh – a smaller, offensive-minded defender – could earn his way onto the roster by filling a void.

At forward, here’s who I think will contend for the final seven spots.

Contenders (10): Tomas Tatar, Miles Wood, Andreas Johnsson, Michael McLeod, Nathan Bastian, Jesper Boqvist, Alex Holtz, Nolan Foote, Fabian Zetterlund, Tyce Thompson.

Whoever doesn’t make the opening night roster could be traded, sent to Utica, or put on waivers. Those are pretty much the three options that cover all ten of those names. New Jersey’s front office and coaching staff will have some interesting decisions to make for sure.

The easy answer is that Holtz, Foote, and Thompson won’t have to pass through waivers to be sent to Utica, so send them down and there are your seven remaining spots filled up. But methinks those three lads will have something to say about all of that.

Lots will be decided once the practices and games start in a few weeks!

Survey Says

Without further ado, and babbling, here is my 23-man projected roster for the Devils when they open their 40th season in New Jersey.

Forwards (14): Jack Hughes, Nico Hischier, Jesper Bratt, Ondrej Palat, Yegor Sharangovich, Dawson Mercer, Erik Haula, Tomas Tatar, Fabian Zetterlund, Nathan Bastian, Miles Wood, Jesper Boqvist, Alex Holtz, Nolan Foote.

Defense (7): Dougie Hamilton, Damon Severson, Ryan Graves, Jonas Siegenthaler, John Marino, Brendan Smith, Reilly Walsh.

Goalies (2): Mackenzie Blackwood, Vitek Vanecek.

How’d I do?

What does your 23-man roster look like? Tell us on Twitter @pitchforkedpuck and @DRiceHockey.