The New Jersey Devils have an interesting training camp coming up. In Sunny Mehta’s first offseason, he really ramped up the team’s depth at forward, and he’s pushing forward with a controversial three-goalie plan.
This is also the most important training camp of Sheldon Keefe’s career. He is fighting for his job for a team that has to perform in the regular season for him to continue with this opportunity. He has a revamped coaching staff after the losses of Jeremy Colliton, Sergei Brylin, and Dave Rogalski. Choosing the right lines is imperative for his future and the future of the New Jersey Devils.
On Monday, Devils fans learned that the team is trying everyone they can in training camp despite having a roster that appears to be full. They have 14 forwards who seem close to a lock to make the roster, and they have seven defensemen. Like we just mentioned, they also have three goalies, which would put them over the 23-person roster limit. There will be injuries and other things that lead to an extra space here and there, but as things stand, this roster is what it is.
Alexander Command is joining the New Jersey Devils for training camp
Yet, they are trying out Alexander Command. Their 12th-overall pick is spending camp with the Devils before he’s expected to make a move to Orebro in the SHL. That’s according to Michael Morrealle’s NHL.com article.
It’s great to get a little experience with the best players in the world. Command was not a slam dunk pick at 12. However, we’ve seen guys join training camp and showcase a skill set that works much better in the NHL than it does in the SHL.
The same thing happened with Jesper Bratt, a prospect that Mehta was pounding the table for when he originally worked in the Devils’ analytics department. Life might come full circle for him with Command.
He already plays the type of style you want, with a no-quit attitude. Most of the time, one wouldn't want their 12th-overall pick to be on the fourth line ever, but Command is the type of player who could easily grow from a fourth liner to a second and third liner.
Think about the Devils' roster, and adding Command might make sense. Yes, he’s only 18 years old and definitely needs some seasoning, but he’s already playing like a great fourth-line center. Would the Devils want the upside of Command or continue to trot out Nick Bjugstad? The upside is definitely with playing the teenager, but that also comes with risk.
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