New Jersey Devils: Filling the Lineup

With the 2016-2017 NHL season upon us, the New Jersey Devils have some questions to answer. Here is a prediction for the Devils’ opening night roster.

After receiving Taylor Hall from the Edmonton Oilers, the New Jersey Devils add another left winger to their list. With him there is Michael Cammalleri and Reid Boucher, two very good snipers. On the other side, there is first time 30 goal scorer Kyle Palmieri and Joe Blandisi. Centers are Adam Henrique and Travis Zajac. First round draft pick in 2015 Pavel Zacha is looking to contribute this season after playing with the Sarnia Sting last year. The big question coming into camp is where everyone fits in and who will be the odd men out. Below I will attempt to predict the opening night roster.

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A top six would seem something like this: Hall, Henrique, Palmari; Cammalleri, Zacha, Boucher. I like the idea of Boucher getting top-6 minutes consistently, which means he would have to move to right wing (or Cammalleri moving to right wing). He put up 19 points in 39 games last year without playing constant top-6 minutes. He should be able to put up 45 plus points and 20-25 goals if he is able to keep those minutes and prove himself defensively.

We would see Zajac as the third line center, with Blandisi and Bennet (if he is able to stay healthy through camp). I like Blandisi with Zajac since we saw Blandisi struggle last year defensively. Now there is three spots open with five plus players competing for them, all depending upon what coach Hynes sees after training camp. My guess would be: Smith-Pelly, Josefson, Kalinin. This would leave newly signed veteran Vernon Fiddler and Myles Wood out. My guess is that Wood would be sent to Albany and the Devils give a PTO to a veteran forward to be an extra with Fiddler.

Another big question mark is whether longtime Devil Patrik Elias will return for a final season. After undergoing surgery last year and missing a lot of time due to injury, he said his decision will come by training camp. Only Ray Shero can make this decision as Elias is a free agent. Thanks for reading and comment below your thoughts on this lineup.