Équipe: 2021-22 Devils du New Jersey

Date de création initiale: 2 oct. 2021

Publié: 2 oct. 2021

Mode - plafond salarial: Basique

My thoughts on Devils after two meaningless pre-season games, so all may go out the window after two more meaningless pre-season games.


Notable players on roster

1. DAWSON MERCER: Mercer is a very good hockey player...its like we cloned Nico Hischier. Probably not yet as good along the boards, but a little better in open ice. And could probably use some improvement on the draw. They both put in similar defensive effort, both explosive when changing directions, both can be crafty with puck in tight spaces. Both high-energy and fearless in offensive zone. If roster is set today, I think he has to make this team.

2. ALEXANDER HOLTZ: The shot is as advertised. The play-making is also an asset. Looks more comfortable on left side. There were some mild goofs in neutral zone that could be cleaned up but has overall shown he can play at this level. I don't think its a guarantee he makes the roster out of camp, but if not, he shouldn't be too far off. I have him on Hughes line here since that is how they have lined up in pre-season, but could also swap him with Tatar.

3. YEGOR SHARANGOVICH: Sharangovich appears ready to have taken another level in his skating and is on-ice awareness. Last year, he showed huge strides. I think the best is yet to come and could see a major break-out. He is also playing more confident than we saw at beginning of last year. It doesn't look like they will move him back to center anytime soon. I am convinced he will be stapled to Jack Hughes to begin season on top-line.

4. NICO HISCHIER: Looks like usual self so far. Good to see him healthy. He will appear as 3C here, but in reality lines 2 and 3 will likely get similar playing time (2a and 2b).

5. TOMAS TATAR: So far so good. Looks to be patient and smart with the puck and could have easily had 2 more goals last night as he got a couple passes that missed his stick near net. What surprised me was his defense and forechecking/puck-gathering along the boards. I had always viewed him as more of an open-ice floater type and he looks to be one who will go to corners, dirty areas near net.

6. JIMMY VESEY: So far, appears to be in-line to make this team as 4th liner. Has filled up the stat sheet with takeaways, hits, shot attempts. Has played high energy, grinding role. Its not pretty at times, but still makes impact.



Won’t make team

7. GRAEME CLARKE: At this point, he is probably my final cut for this roster. It is between Clarke and Vesey for the last spot on 4th line. And Clarke could still win it, but Vesey fits more style-wise for 4th line. Quick release, shot-volume type. Nothing special on defensive side of puck. Probably starts year in top-6 in AHL (at C or RW), but sees NHL action soon.

8. TYCE THOMPSON: I am more bullish now for Tyce and his future. I think he needs to add a little size and get a little more control on his movement, but looks like he will be NHL middle-sixer. He was more aggressive than I expected, agitating a bit, blocking shots, playing physical. My guess is that he returns to AHL in top-6 center role to start.

9. MICHAEL VUKOJEVIC: He is sill a good year or two away. But you can see the tools are there. The positioning is a liability at this point. There were a few occasions where he gave away his line too easily and another where he was out of position for a back-end pass. Looks like he could be useful bottom-pair type in a couple of years.

10. JESPER BOQVIST: Played his usual fast game last night, but didn’t seem to get any results. Sometimes I got the feeling he is back to 2019 Boqvist, just skating around aimlessly. He has one more trip to AHL without going through waivers, and I think Devils use it. So much ability, just needs a role that suits him.

11. REILLY WALSH: Didn’t really see enough of him other than what we would expect. Unlikely to be more of 8th/9th d-man on depth chart right now. Did not look very confident. Clearly needs some time in AHL working on defensive side.

12. FABIAN ZETTERLUND: Showed some forechecking and attacking style play. Probably ends up fairly high on list of depth players and looks like will be be a potential call-up this season. He isn’t far from bottom-6 NHL level.

13. NOLAN FOOTE: Its the skating. He has played 13 minutes in one pre-season game, so maybe small sample sizes and all, but he did not look good - and actually worse than his limited NHL action last year. There is little chance he gets into the roster without a big improvement in skating. The rest of his game looks ready.

14. MARIAN STUDENIC: Did not appear to make much of an impact on either side of ice. Could make him as healthy scratch just based on his status as waivers eligible player. But my guess is they hope he passes through and send him down.

15. CHRISTAN JAROS: Did not look great. Had some good moments near his net, but is a traffic cone in open ice. He could make team as 7th d-man since he has to pass through waivers to go to AHL, but I do not think he has a chance if Bahl has another good showing.

16. NIKITA OKHOTIUK: I guess its “Okhotiuk” now and not “Okhotyuk”. Looks to be smart defensive player without a ton of puck skills. But need to see more. I think I’d like to see him paired with Walsh as AHL top-pair and see if he can develop into a stay-at-home LD.


AHL lineup

Foote - Boqvist - Clarke
Greer - Thompson - Zetterlund
Gambardella - Schnarr -Studenic
De Leo - Talvitie - Flynn

Okhotiuk - Walsh
Vukojevic - Jaros
White - Russo

Wedgement
Daws

Stillman returned to juniors
Schmid, Groleau to ECHL