On Tuesday afternoon, the Devils took to the waiver wire and claimed P.A. Parenteau from the New York Islanders. He spent last season with the Toronto Maple Leafs and totaled 41 points (20 goals, 21 assists). His 5v5 numbers were impressive last season considering he was on the worst team in the league. Parenteau averaged 1.72 points per 60, which was the same rate as Claude Giroux and better than players such as Nathan Mackinnon and Zach Parise. He was also a 53.7% possession player and averaged 2.40 goals for per 60.
For his career, Parenteau has averaged 51 points per 82 games. He’s a capable goal scorer and gives the Devils another option up front on the right side. Kyle Palmieri seems to be locked in on a line with Cammalleri and Zajac. That leaves Devante Smith-Pelly and Beau Bennett as other first line options. Devante Smith-Pelly has averaged 26 points per 82 games, while Beau Bennett has 28 points per 82 games. Parenteau definitely seems to be the best fit for Hall and Henrique. He has the most skill of the aforementioned players and is a more consistent scorer than Smith-Pelly or Bennett. Considering Parenteau’s production and that he’s only signed for 1-year at $1.250 million, the Devils get great value and had to give up nothing to get him.
Parenteau’s acquisition means that Blake Speers and Miles Wood will most likely be heading back to juniors and the minors once the final 23-man roster is set, which is best for their development. With Parenteau in the fold, the Devils now have a solid set of right wingers in Palmieri, Smith-Pelly, Bennett, and Sergey Kalinin and shouldn’t have any trouble getting solid scoring contributions from the right side in 2016-17.