Now is when the training camp battles begin to tighten up, and we can start sifting the contenders from the pretenders.
Yesterday, the New Jersey Devils made their first round of roster cuts, reducing the size of the training camp roster from 61 to 45. There weren’t many, if any, surprises.
READ MORE: Devils Make First Round of Cuts; Roster Reduced to 45
45 players is still a lot to sort through, however. Yet, there’s really only a handful of spots that are actually up for grabs.
You know the roster locks. Jack Hughes, Jesper Bratt, and Co. aren’t competing for anything. And we’re working under the assumption here that Arseny Gritsyuk is in the group of locks.
However, there are some rookies who are fighting for an NHL roster spot, and some PTO players seeking to earn a contract. So, who is in the fight?
Forwards
Luke Glendening
This preseason’s Mr. Reliable.
Luke Glendening has been an excellent player for the Devils through training camp. Tom Fitzgerald brought in Glendening amid a battle for the center position, with no clear candidate to assume third or fourth line duties.
We know Cody Glass will be one of those players. However, depending on who makes the final roster will determine whether Glass is on the third or fourth line.
Assuming it’s Glendening, Glass is likely to slide up to 3C, with Glendening manning the fourth line. He’s been delightfully consistent, displaying his defensive prowess, winning 63.64% of his face-offs (28/44), and chipping in a goal and two points in fix shots in four contests.
He’s exactly the kind of player you want in your bottom-six at the end of games to win defensive draws and matchups while trying to maintain a lead.
Glendening appears a slam dunk PTO candidate, and should earn a contract to solidify the center depth.
Shane Lachance
However, there’s one player who could give Glendening a run for his money.
Shane Lachance got a late start to training camp after becoming injured in the prospect challenge. However, as soon as he debuted, he was an instant impact.
He’s only dressed for one game thus far, but skated on what appears to be a potential Utica Comets first line alongside Matyas Melovsky and Lenni Hameenaho.
Yet, he also earned first unit power play minutes, and cashed in on the opportunity, amid showcasing his ability to be a physical menace, and control the puck low in the offensive zone.
Lachance has the opportunity to be a BIG problem for the Devils’ opposition. For him, it will be about dependability and skating. Can he be as quick-footed and reliable away from the puck as Glendening?
We’ll need some more time to assess if he can handle it against NHL heavier lineups this week.
Kevin Rooney
This will be a defining week for Kevin Rooney, who is in the fight, but on the lower end of the battle.
Rooney’s been fine thus far, playing as a responsible veteran forward in a bottom-six role. He’s chipped in an assist on three shots in three games. But if he earns a contract, it won’t be for points.
Instead, it’ll be for being hard to play against as a checking forward, winning battles, and perhaps contributing on the penalty kill.
The ex-Devil working to become a current Devil is up against a formidable roadblock with some big performances around him. Perhaps a two-way, or an AHL deal shouldn’t be all that surprising.
Nathan Legare
Speaking of tough competition for Rooney, Nathan Legare has made plenty of noise this preseason.
With how good of a camp he’s had, and considering his waiver eligibility, I’m starting to wonder if Legare can be scooped up on the waiver wire.
That’s not the reason the Devils should keep him on the roster, however.
Thus far, Legare has earned the right to claim he’s in the fight for NHL minutes. He’s had a cup of coffee in the NHL before, skating in three NHL games last season.
However, the taste of the big leagues seemingly has Legare hungry for more. He’s been a physical menace, throwing 13 hits in two games against the New York Rangers and New York Islanders, finishing each with seven and six respectively. And although there were no recorded hit statistics against the Ottawa Senators in Quebec, he asserted himself there physically as well.
It’s not just the physicality, but the time and place in which Legare is utilizing it. He’s not putting himself out of position, and he’s separating bodies from pucks or playing disruptor.
Add the two points (1g, 1a) he’s contributed through three games, and he’s a candidate to snag fourth line minutes. Let’s see how he fares against heavier NHL rosters.
Defensemen
Seamus Casey
By now, Simon Nemec is a roster lock. Even Sheldon Keefe stated, “He’s ready.” Yet, Luke Hughes remains without a contract.
But, even if he did, we’d probably still be talking about Seamus Casey making his case for the NHL roster anyway. Casey’s shown really well through two preseason games, with two assists in two games. But it’s not just the points. It’s his willingness to battle, puck transition ability, craftiness at the blueline, distribution from the point, and his creativeness as a QB on the power play.
Casey plays a game bigger than his size, and has an elusiveness that’s become even more present than ever. He’s seemingly the top candidate to be a Hughes-replacement should the contract stand-off continue.
Ethan Edwards
And yes, Keefe did mention Ethan Edwards by name as a Hughes-replacement. Yet, that was before Casey got his reps in during the preseason. Since then, it’s been Casey’s show.
Still, Edwards has made enough noise for himself this preseason as a reliable defensive defenseman who—as Keefe noted—perhaps has the best skating ability among all Devils defensemen.
If there’s one thing that can give Edwards an edge, it’s his skating.
This is a big week for Edwards, he can put himself back on top with a strong showing against heavier NHL lineups this week as most of the league has begun reducing the size of their rosters.
Regardless, there’s an NHLer in Edwards. We’re not counting out the possibility that it happens this season, either.
Dennis Cholowski
This is more of an honorable mention than anything.
The Devils acquired Dennis Chowloski at the last trade deadline amid a bevy of injuries. He has the NHL experience, and the tools of an offensive defenseman. He’s far from perfect, however. With the puck, he’s fine. Without it, however, it’s questionable.
If the Devils want Edwards to play every night—which is likely the case if he’s not going to play regular minutes in the NHL—then you can bet on Cholowski as a seventh or eighth defenseman in New Jersey.
Goaltenders
Georgii Romanov
No, Georgii Romanov is not going to steal minutes from Jacob Markstrom or Jake Allen. Heck, he might not even usurp minutes from Nico Daws.
Well, that’s if Daws makes it through the waiver wire.
The Devils could have a goaltending issue in the AHL with whispers of a claim coming for Daws once he’s waived to go to the Comets.
That will leave Utica with Jakub Malek in his first pro season, Tyler Brennan, and Jeremy Brodeur who is on an AHL deal.
Thus, the Devils are going to need some depth, and Romanov is proving his worth.
Romanov had a stellar performance on Sunday in Quebec against the NHL-heavy Senators, making 30 saves on 31 shots. In the preseason, he’s accrued a 1.21 GAA and .953 SV%, making 43 saves on 45 total shots.
Romanov was previously a highly touted goalie prospect. He’s certainly in line to earn at least an AHL deal, if not a two-way contract.
