New Jersey Devils might not have room for a PTO this season

The New Jersey Devils have been one of the teams that use PTOs in the preseason. Many teams, if not most teams, have some level of PTOs in camp. Some use them to fill out their lineup, while others try to use them as a tryout for their AHL squads. It’s an easy way to try out talent without a commitment. 

Just last season, the Devils used PTOs to have a competition for their fourth-line center. It wasn’t the best situation, as it left the Devils with Luke Glendening in the lineup for most of the season, but they also gave Kevin Rooney a shot before he signed with the Utah Mammoth. 

This year, the PTO crop is incredibly interesting. There are a dozen very decent players that are still available in free agency in the middle of August. Vladimir Tarasenko had more than 20 goals last year for the Minnesota Wild. Michael Bunting has been a very good player in the middle six for multiple franchises. Patrik Laine is a former top goal scorer who is finally healthy. John Klingberg is still a quality defenseman. Jonathan Drouin was expected to be a very important part of the New York Islanders when he joined them recently. Reilly Smith was very good just a few years ago. Adam Henrique was brought to the Edmonton Oilers to push them over the top and is still just 36 years old. 

Despite a strong crop of PTO candidates, the Devils don't have room

And that’s only the start. The Devils could use some depth. Reuniting with Henrique would be a feel-good story that most Devils fans would get behind. Laine is a smart risk at the right price, and Bunting can help a lot of teams. 

Yet, Sunny Mehta has built this roster, and it’s pretty full. The Devils have had more injuries than we can count, especially last season. It’s easier to count the players who didn’t get injured, so adding depth makes sense. But it also removes opportunity.

Right now, the Devils have 14 forwards on NHL contracts. Jack Hughes, Nico Hischier, Cody Glass, and Nick Bjugstad are pretty locked in down the middle. Timo Meier, Jesper Bratt, and Anthony Mantha are going to play on the wings in the top six, with Arseny Gritsyuk, Dawson Mercer, and Connor Brown rounding out the top nine. Evan Rodrigues will find a spot in the lineup, and the final starting spot will be a fight between Jesper Boqvist, Stefan Noesen, and Lenni Hameenaho.

This isn’t even considering players like Armadeus Lombardi, Shane Lachance, Colin White, and Xavier Parent getting a chance in training camp. 

Essentially, the Devils are full. Without a major trade, there’s no reason to add more bodies to the locker room in training camp. Even if, in theory, Vladimir Tarasenko has a better chance of being a good NHL player than some who are fighting for jobs in camp, but it also makes sense to just go into training camp without a PTO at all. 

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