New Jersey Devils Learning from Previous Roster Mistakes

The New Jersey Devils have, in my opinion, had a relatively quiet summer. No blockbuster trades and no drastic roster changes. The most surprising thing that happened this offseason was former president Lou Lamoriello jumped ship and is now the general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs.

I’m not saying that the Devils have had an unproductive summer, but it hasn’t been highly productive either. They seem kind of stagnant—and that is not something they can afford to be when teams like the Buffalo Sabres, Edmonton Oilers, and even the Columbus Blue Jackets and Pittsburgh Penguins are moving players and making deals to better their current situation.

After the way the Devils ended last season (25^th in the NHL, and 7^th place in the Metropolitan Division), you would think the team would be going bananas—adding quality talent, traded dead weight and cutting loose ends.

In a way the team has. So far, New Jersey has cut ties with Dainius Zubrus, putting him on waivers to be bought out. The team also said goodbye to forwards Martin Havlat, Michael Ryder, Scott Gomez, and Steve Bernier, and defenseman and Mark Fraser. Also likely gone is captain and UFA Bryce Salvador.

What do most of these players have in common? The majority (with the exception of Fraser) are 30 or older. It looks like the Devils are learning they can’t keep an older roster—not when all the other teams in the League are infusing their own rosters with youth, speed and skill.

"For their 2014-15 season opener, the Devils had only two forwards younger than 31 in their lineup – Travis Zajac and Adam Henrique. [NorthJersey.com]"

Whether the team wants to admit it or not, the Devils are in a rebuilding year. They started the rebuilding process by shedding away the unhealthy fat. Now, New Jersey has to bulk up by filling in its roster’s holes.

The most glaring hole in their roster is the lack of a true No. 1 center. The center position, like I have said many times before, controls the flow of the play; everything filters through the center. If the team lacks a strong center, the team will lack direction.

Yes, New Jersey has Zajac. But lately it just doesn’t seem like he puts together performances that are worth the No. 1 label. So, then if it’s not Zajac, Henrique would be considered the team’s No. 1 center? If that’s the case, the Devils aren’t any better off.

"None of his previous numbers indicate he is more than a second-line center or left wing. He has 50-60 point upside which is technically grounds for a first-line player, but his advanced numbers yank him into only a top-six role, albeit barely. That is the growing problem in New Jersey. We did not even touch face off percentages because the only one above 50% was Henrique. [Today’s Slapshot]"

It’s not like either of these two guys can’t be considered the No. 1 center. They are talented; they just have to do a better job at playing like a true centerman. In order to do so, they need a better supporting cast.

Patrik Elias’ age is starting to show. It seems like he won’t be able to put of the production or the minutes many are used to. And then there is Ryan Clowe who hasn’t played since November. You could go through every forward on the roster and, after doing so, you would realize why New Jersey is having a tough go of it. Mike Cammalleri may be the team’s savior, but even he can’t do it alone.

So, what is New Jersey to do? Well, they really need help in the forward area. They need to find a better supporting cast for its centermen and/or just find better forwards in general. They still have a lot of forwards who are north of 30 on the roster. They have to find a way to add younger players to that list.

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