Devils Season Preview: Regime change prompts period of transition in New Jersey
For the first time in 28 years, the New Jersey Devils front office will not be led by Lou Lamoriello, who exchanged a role as team president for the general manager gig with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
In his stead steps Ray Shero, who's tasked with building a competitive team around goalie Cory Schneider, the closest thing he has to a franchise player.
Shero has done well to clear some cap space since stepping into those large shoes, and began his tenure as GM by drafting Pavel Zacah, locking up some solid young defenseman, and trading for winger Kyle Palmieri. He also brought in promising first-year head coach John Hynes, who's set to infuse a new identity into the traditionally defensively-minded team.
Still, despite subtracting veterans Bryce Salvador, Dainius Zubrus, Scott Gomez, and Ryane Clowe, the Devils enter 2015-16 as one of the NHL's oldest teams (with an average age of 28.6), and the prospect cupboard doesn't run too deep.
The Devils finished seventh in the Metropolitan Division last season, and will likely be sitting at or near the basement once again. As such, Devils fans might do well to turn their eyes to Switzerland, where top prospect Auston Matthews may be providing a glimpse into the future.
The Lamoriello years are a thing of the past, and so is the notion of a perennially competitive Devils team, for the time being at least.
Projected Depth Chart
| LW | C | RW |
|---|---|---|
| Mike Cammalleri | Adam Henrique | Kyle Palmieri |
| Patrik Elias | Travis Zajac | Jiri Tlusty |
| Tuomo Ruutu | Jacob Josefson | Reid Boucher |
| Stefan Matteau | Stephen Gionta | Jordin Tootoo |
| LD | RD |
|---|---|
| Andrew Greene | Adam Larsson |
| Eric Gelinas | Damon Severson |
| John Moore | Jon Merrill |
| David Schlemko |
| G |
|---|
| Cory Schneider |
| Keith Kinkaid |
X-Factor
Defenseman Adam Larsson, drafted fourth overall in 2011, enters his fifth season with the Devils after signing a six-year, $25-million contract extension in July.
Shero freely admitted the deal is based more on potential than production, as Larsson has recorded only six goals and 45 assists in 192 career games.
Larsson, however, impressed Hynes early in training camp, who appears set to deploy the 22-year-old in all kinds of situations.
In 64 games for the Devils last season, Larsson recorded career highs in goals (3), assists (21), points (24) shots (91), and average ice time (20:58). While the new deal doesn't kick in until next season, Larsson's time to assert himself as a top-flight defenseman begins now.
That's something the Devils will desperately need in order to be competitive this season.
Player to Watch
Adam Henrique made quite the first impression back in 2011-12, scoring 16 goals and recording a career-high 51 points while finishing third in the Calder Trophy voting. He also contributed five goals and eight assists in 24 games during the Devils surprising run to the Stanley Cup Final.
Not bad for a third-round draft pick.
Four seasons later, Henrique is coming off consecutive 43-point campaigns, and is one year removed from hitting 25 goals. Decent numbers, to be sure, but not quite a step forward from his impressive rookie season.
Limited last season by a wrist injury suffered near the beginning of 2015 that required offseason surgery, Henrique is back at full strength and could be in for a career year while centering the Devils top line.
The Devils ranked 28th in goals for last season, and will need their skilled, highly paid forwards to be at the top of their games. Don't be surprised if Henrique leads the club in points after Game 82.