The New Jersey Devils’ offense has been the team’s Achilles’ heel for a while now, and was the primary focus for management going into the offseason once again. The Devils haven’t finished higher than 27th in scoring since 2012, or have anyone hit the 30-goal mark for that matter. In Part One of our Season Preview, I briefly touched on the forwards that came to and left the team. As the roster starts coming to form, it gives us a better perception on the players we’ll see on a nightly basis, which can make us more accurately project how this revamped offense can impact the upcoming season.
Departures…Scott Gomez (center), Steve Bernier (right wing), Dainius Zubrus (left/right wing), Martin Havlat (right wing), Michael Ryder (right wing)
Newcomers…Kyle Palmieri (right wing), Sergey Kalinin (center), Lee Stempniak (right/left wing), Jiri Tlusty (right/left wing)
Three big questions
Is Jacob Josefson entering his breakout season? -NJ.com
Has Jacob Josefson found his stride?
The Devils’ 2009 first-overall pick was one of (if not) the most pleasant surprises to emerge out of training camp. His play had noticeably improved over the latter half of last season and Coach Hynes took an especial interest in Josefson that has paid dividends so far. After having just one goal and three points in his first 25 games last year, he improved considerably in the wake of the coaching change. Josefson registered five goals and eight points in his final 37 games, and saw a steady increase in ice time. He had a goal and three points in five exhibition matchups, mostly playing on the top-two lines. He’s played more comfortably and confidently with faster line mates that are more mobile in the offensive zone. Coach Hynes is putting Josefson in a scenario where he can build on his play from last year, and if the preseason is any indication, he seems to be embracing it. If Josefson establishes himself as a top-six center, it could help the Devils immensely well beyond this season.
Fast, attacking supportive?
This was GM Ray Shero’s and Head Coach John Hynes’ motto throughout the summer on how they envisioned the Devils would play this year. After what we saw over the past few weeks, I think Shero has this retooled Devils team on the right track in adhering to that model if they aren’t there already. Their newfound speed was demonstrated in their triumphant three-on-three overtime play. All the open ice is a thriving environment for speedy players, and the Devils were victorious in three, while their fourth overtime went to a shootout. In comparison, last year’s team would have gotten burned playing this format. New Jersey outshot their preseason opponents 195-170. Despite going 3-4-0, the Devils were 3-1 in their final four games, and only had a -3 goal differential against their opponents (20-17). If the preseason is any indication, the Devils are brandishing a close, competitive, attacking style of hockey that is more adherent to the fastened pace of today’s game. Newfound chemistry amongst the forwards indicates the “support” element that Shero and Hynes want the team to have. Adam Henrique, Josefson, and Kyle Palmieri are among those whose play has been in sync in this regard. They combined for three goals and seven preseason points, and even had success with Tuomo Ruutu (one goal) when he replaced the injured Kyle Palmieri. Lee Stempniak and Jiri Tlusty combined for two goals, three points, respectively playing five and four games this preseason. Both played a strong two-way game as temporary plugins on the top line, just as well as they played a 7-9th forward role.
How will youth impact the lineup?
The Devils were the league’s oldest team dating back to 2013, and the results have clearly shown. I previously mentioned how the roster was replenished of veterans over the summer. No part of the team was affected more by this than the offense. The five forwards that left the Devils had an average age of 34.2 (average of all departing players was 34.5), whereas their offseason forward acquisitions had an average age of 27. The Devils are going into the season with six forwards under the age of 25. Four of them (Henrique, Josefson, Reid Boucher, Palmieri) will mostly occupy spots throughout the top-two lines, with one of them being relegated as the seventh forward. Sergey Kalinin is at least starting the year on the third line, and could very well stick there if the defensive play he exhibited translates into the regular season. The one-way contract Stefan Matteau signed assured he would have a roster spot, which is currently on the fourth line with a combination of Stephen Gionta, Jordin Tootoo, and Pavel Zacha (who’s likely going back to juniors). Matteau’s playing style completes the making of a fast, aggressive, gritty checking line for Coach Hynes to have at his disposal.
Players to watch
Travis Zajac…Coach Hynes is giving him every opportunity to recapture his game. He’ll be starting the season with Mike Cammalleri on his left and one of Jiri Tlusty, Lee Stempniak, or Kyle Palmieri on his right side. Zajac is the team’s best faceoff taker, plays that typical Devils-style brand of defense, and is exceptional on the penalty kill. In the first two seasons of his eight-year $46 million contract however, Zajac’s only averaged .47 PPG, registering just 25 points in 2014-2015. The Devils need Zajac to rebound if they want a chance to surprise people this year. He’ll be entering his tenth season with New Jersey, and his recent offensive struggles have raised a lot of questions on whether he’s a true top-two center or if he’s benefited from having good linemates most of his career.
Let’s see if the years Boucher has spent developing in the team’s system will finally pay off. -sportsoverdose.com
Reid Boucher…There’s a chance Coach Hynes could try him as the top line’s right wing, but he’s more likely to start on the third line. With Kalinin pinned as the third line’s center and one of Stempniak, Tlusty, or Ruutu on the other wing, Boucher’s play could impact whether the Devils having a third scoring line or just two checking lines. Fans are anxious for Boucher to finally establish himself as part of the team’s forward core. He’s had three goals and eight points in his first 34 games, while getting 37 goals and 68 points in 118 AHL games over the past two seasons, so we know the potential for Boucher is there. He scored twice in five preseason games, and is playing more efficiently in the younger retooled Devils lineup. The Devils can’t rely on Cammalleri to be their only main scorer, or Adam Henrique to lead the team with 43 points again if they want to fare any better than last year.