New Jersey Devils: 5 Players Who Could Surprisingly Make Roster
The New Jersey Devils seem like they are done making moves for this offseason. Maybe they will sign a PTO here or there, but this is largely the roster we’re looking at for opening night. There are some roster spots up for grabs, and there can be a few surprises along the way.
Over the years, there have been some huge surprises who made the roster. Some were PTOs, like Jimmy Vesey in 2021. Others have been rookies like Jesper Bratt in 2017. There have been some members of the opening lineup that made people mad (Blake Coleman comes to mind in 2017, but then he fought Tom Wilson and drank pickle juice in the penalty box, and the rest is history).
Also remember, making the opening night roster isn’t exactly everything it appears. The Devils added Simon Nemec to the roster last season, but he never played an NHL game. This season, it could be different. He leads out list of surprise players who could make the opening night roster.
Simon Nemec
This one might not seem like a surprise on paper, but Nemec has an uphill climb to make the roster. The Devils added Colin Miller this offseason, which will end up being a really good move. That also gives the Devils seven NHL defenseman on the roster not including Nemec.
To make the roster, Nemec either has to be undeniable, and then he’d take Miller’s spot, or someone needs to get hurt. Nemec is going to be the first call up when a right-handed defenseman gets hurt. He could make the roster right out the gate. He has a good chance to destroy teams in the preseason. Especially if he grows a partnership with someone like Kevin Bahl, then it would be hard to keep him off the roster.
Tyce Thompson
Many believe it’s a foregone conclusion that Nolan Foote is making the roster. There’s a spot open on the fourth line with Miles Wood in Colorado, he’s no longer exempt from waivers, and the front office loves him. They’ve spoken very highly of him in multiple press conferences. However, one prospect the Devils once had high hopes for is Tyce Thompson.
Thompson was added to the NHL roster right out of college. He didn’t last long, and things have gone terrible in the pros. Thompson has 11 games under his belt in the NHL, including two games last season. He has one point. That’s very bad.
This is Thompson’s last chance. The Devils will put him on waivers if he doesn’t prove that he can make the roster. Another team will likely claim him because of his age (somehow, he’s already 24 years old), and the fact that he’s Tage Thompson’s brother. Heck, Buffalo might claim him.
Thompson’s main issues have been injuries. He missed most of 2021-22 and a few weeks last season. It’s really hampered his production. If he finally goes into this season fully healthy and shows he can impact the offense, he could fight Foote for that spot on the fourth line.
Chase Stillman
This one will come as a surprise, as the former first-round pick seems destined for bust status, but Chase Stillman had an interesting season. He’ll never be a point producer at the next level, but he might be a player who focuses on his defense and outworks the competition. The Devils LOVE those type of players, which is why Tom Fitzgerald drafted him a few rounds too early.
What better way to prove you made the right decision than to have him make the roster in his first real training camp? Stillman is likely going to start the year with the Utica Comets, but there’s a chance the Devils find a place on the roster for him.
Stillman doesn’t seem like Foote or Thompson where he’d make the roster as a starter. He might make the roster as a player who needs to learn on the NHL level. The Devils have shown with multiple prospects they think NHL practice and travel time is important. They did it with Alex Holtz last season.
Stillman has a long road to living up to his pick status, but it begins this season. Fitzgerald will talk him up to the moon. It worked with Shakir Mukhamadullin, who was a part of the Timo Meier trade. Maybe Stillman makes the roster and eventually is added to a trade for a star.
Shane Bowers
We get more surprising as we go along. The New Jersey Devils traded Reilly Walsh to the Boston Bruins for Shane Bowers. They gave up a right-handed defenseman with upside for a forward prospect that’s missing some upside.
The former first-round pick is now six years removed from his draft year, and he has one NHL game to show for it. He’s been in the AHL pretty much the whole time, with most of his time coming with the Colorado Avalanche/Eagles. The Avs tried to get the most out of their asset, who was really good in juniors.
Can Bowers change his game to fit the Devils system? We’re looking for surprises, and Bowers would be as big a surprise as any. The Devils will give him a chance in training camp and the preseason. They always do that. They will have early cuts, and Bowers has to prove he’s good enough to avoid them. If he does, it shows the Devils are legitimately thinking about adding him to the NHL team.
Bowers can skate, and that is number one in making an impression on the Devils. Brass look for players who can keep up. That goes for practice and for game time. Bowers has a chance to finally make an impact.
Erik Kallgren
Of all the players on the list, you might be surprised to learn this is the most likely. The Devils made it clear they want Akira Schmid to get starters reps. Maybe he can come in and take the net away from Vitek Vanecek, but that seems premature in the preseason. It would make more sense to have Vanecek start in the pros and Schmid start in the minors.
That leaves the Devils in a pickle. They traded Mackenzie Blackwood to the San Jose Sharks, and Nico Daws will miss the beginning of the season with a reported hip injury. That leaves the Devils without a lot of goalie options.
The Devils signed Erik Kallgren. After a chance to make a stab with the Toronto Maple Leafs two years ago, he was left in the AHL last season. With the Marlies, he just had an .883 save percentage. He as .898 as an injury replacement last season in the NHL, but his numbers aren’t exactly a confidence boost.
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Kallgren likely chose the Devils because he’s one injury away from real NHL minutes. This reality that Kallgren might be the main backup could show the Devils aren’t done adding at goalie. Only time will tell.