Champs

Team is stacked...What happened to Gusev tho

I figured that realistically the Devils could only resign one of Gusev or Palmieri, and I chose Palmieri. I love Goose though so it's definitely a tough call

I could definitely see that. Palms is the hometown boy so I think he's more likely to stay. If the Devils trade Gusev at 2020-21 deadline, they could get a very good return.

This team looks good.

Goalies: Blackwood and FA backup or Daws

Defense - I'd think that Ty Smith would be on right side before Mukhamadullin. Smith played there a lot in WHL. I also think Misyul is a guy that would be in consideration. Agree though that they need another top-pairing d-man.

................LD...........RD...............
...........Butcher....Severson.......
...............Bahl.......Smith ...........
............Misyul......Walsh............
7th: McCarthy or Okhotyuk

Offense - Lines look good. I think McLeod or Zacha will be dealt in next year. And the future centers will be Hughes, Hischier, one of McLeod or Zacha, and one of Kuokannen, Schnarr, Mercer. I think NJD finally has the personal to make their 3rd line more of an offensive, scoring line (if Zacha is moved to wing, he would be a candidate there). The wild card for NJD, for skilled top-6, is the development of Arseni Gritsyuk. He was drafted 5th, then lit up the low-scoring MHL (along with his linemate Chinakhov, who CBJ just took in 1st round).

...........LW...............C...............RW..........
........Bratt.........Hughes........Holtz........
......Gritsyuk.....Hischier......Mercer......
.......Boqvist.......Zacha.......Palmieiri.....
.......Foote....Kuokkannen...Anderson..
Extras: Thompson, Schnarr, Bastian, Pytlik, Studenic

Biggest needs:
1. Top-pairing d-man
2. Back-up goalie

Agree - While they both may want to sign, I think NJD can get Palmieiri signed easier and sooner. Gusev more of risk of losing to UFA.

I do agree with that, though my thinking was I'd rather Smith on the top pair and Shakir on his off-side on the second pair than Shakir on the top pair and Smith on the second pair. I really wouldn't mind the latter though, given the reports that Shakir has a top-4 (maybe even solid top pairing) toolkit. Would be a good problem to have if Shakir and Smith both develop well

Indeed. They just need top-pair guy.