Speculation: Camp locks and dark horses

[Emperoreddy]

As preseason and camp moves on we will get a long look at a lot of new players.

List the guys you think are locks to make the team and your dark horses.

Obviously the regulars don't apply here.

 

[Based Anime Fan]

I think Mueller easily makes the team.

Butcher has the best chance of the rookies

 

[Its a Trap]

Ill wait for more then one game.

 

[Emperoreddy]

Ill wait for more then one game.

This thread exists for knee jerk reactions.

 

[MadDevil]

Mueller is likely a lock simply based on his waiver status (and he's looked solid so far). I think Butcher and Santini fight it out for the last starting spot, and I might actually give Butcher a slight edge there based on his skillset.

 

[VoidCreature]

Based on today alone, I see Nico, Mueller, Noesen and Blandisi making the team for sure.

Bratt and Butcher deserve longer looks.

Hayes is the only guy I want to see shot into the sun.

 

[Emperoreddy]

I think JQ's chances took a hit tonight. He didn't look very good while you had very solid games from guys like Bratt, Noesen, and Blender.

 

[Cult of Hynes]

Hischier, Blandisi and Mueller are definitely locks.

Butcher continues to look good. I think he makes it as well.

 

[Devilsfan992]

Based on today alone, I see Nico, Mueller, Noesen and Blandisi making the team for sure.

Bratt and Butcher deserve longer looks.

Hayes is the only guy I want to see shot into the sun.

Bratt looks good, but he is only 19 and he can still play professional hockey in Sweden.

The camp locks are

F: Hall, Henrique, Palmeiri, Zacha, Johanssen, Nico, Noessen, Boyle, Stafford
D: Moore, Severson, Greene, Lovejoy (unfortunately), Mueller
G: Schnedier Kinkaid

That leaves 5 forward spots and 2 D. My guess is

F: Wood, Blandisi, Speers, McLeod, Lappin or Quenneville
D: Butcher and Santini

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

Bratt will be in London

 

[My3Sons]

Bratt looks good, but he is only 19 and he can still play professional hockey in Sweden.

The camp locks are

F: Hall, Henrique, Palmeiri, Zacha, Johanssen, Nico, Noessen, Boyle, Stafford
D: Moore, Severson, Greene, Lovejoy (unfortunately), Mueller
G: Schnedier Kinkaid

That leaves 5 forward spots and 2 D. My guess is

F: Wood, Blandisi, Speers, McLeod, Lappin or Quenneville
D: Butcher and Santini

My guess is that Wood and Prout are probably near locks. Wood would be better served by some time in the minors and the Devils would be better served if Prout was on a different team, but for different reasons I think they are both on the roster opening night barring something dramatic.

 

[Emperoreddy]

I don't think Wood is a lock at all right now.

I'm really tempted to give Bratt dark horse status and wonder if he gets a look for a few games.

 

[Zippy316]

My guess is that Wood and Prout are probably near locks. Wood would be better served by some time in the minors and the Devils would be better served if Prout was on a different team, but for different reasons I think they are both on the roster opening night barring something dramatic.

I don't get the Prout hate. He's the least of the Devils problems.

 

[Bleedred]

I don't get the Prout hate. He's the least of the Devils problems.

He's not terrible, he's just got no ceiling, there's no future here for him, and there's no way the staff is gonna choose him over their favorites in Lovejoy and Moore, even if he's better than them.

He doesn't really do anything particularly that great either.

I still strongly believe that Prout is better in a #6 role than last year's Ben Lovejoy is in ANY kind of an NHL role. Unless the bad year was just an anomaly for him, and he's really not on the decline.

 

[Emperoreddy]

Prout played well so he still is in the mix for the 7th D spot.

 

[My3Sons]

I don't get the Prout hate. He's the least of the Devils problems.

I don't hate him but he is on an expiring contract and may force a young defender to the minors because of the roster numbers game. He's a vet presence and tough on a team that was soft last season so he sticks but in the long run if he takes NHL time from a deserving young player only to leave at the end of the season I see that as a net loss. I may very well be wrong but my intent was not to denigrate Prout as a real problem. I fully realize there are significant systemic problems the Devils face in the near term. My issue is that right now you have to find small smart decisions to set up a better tomorrow and I don't see Prout as part of that.

 

[JimEIV]

Butcher is fun to watch but I'm a little skeptical about his defense.

 

[Zippy316]

I don't hate him but he is on an expiring contract and may force a young defender to the minors because of the roster numbers game. He's a vet presence and tough on a team that was soft last season so he sticks but in the long run if he takes NHL time from a deserving young player only to leave at the end of the season I see that as a net loss. I may very well be wrong but my intent was not to denigrate Prout as a real problem. I fully realize there are significant systemic problems the Devils face in the near term. My issue is that right now you have to find small smart decisions to set up a better tomorrow and I don't see Prout as part of that.

Prout is a guy that you can sub into your third pairing and he won't hurt you but it doesn't matter if you sit him. Prout allows us to not carry Santini, Butcher, Mueller, Dyblenko, or Kapla as the 7th man and let those guys play at either the NHL or AHL level.

He's also not making too much money, so we could always demote him if need be.

Prout also seems to be our de facto enforcer at this point. To be honest, I'd rather see him than Helgeson or Gazdic blocking shots in the D zone all game. He's at least a competent NHL defender.

 

[Bleedred]

Prout is a guy that you can sub into your third pairing and he won't hurt you but it doesn't matter if you sit him. Prout allows us to not carry Santini, Butcher, Mueller, Dyblenko, or Kapla as the 7th man and let those guys play at either the NHL or AHL level.

He's also not making too much money, so we could always demote him if need be.

Prout also seems to be our de facto enforcer at this point. To be honest, I'd rather see him than Helgeson or Gazdic blocking shots in the D zone all game. He's at least a competent NHL defender.

I remember referring to Prout as the rich man's Helgeson last year. He's not nearly as bad as Helgeson (who the hell? Mark Fraser?), he just has a limited skill set.

 

[Emperoreddy]

Because he never appears in anyone's lineups. Blandisi should be a dark horse to make the team, and be in the opening night lineup.

He had a very good game. At two assists right now, but in reality he should have had a goal because he deflected Mueller's shot in. His dish to Noesen on his goal was slick

 

[njdevil26]

I really wish there was a way to get rid of Lovejoy.

Prout is fine as a #7.

Greene-Severson
Moore-Santini
Mueller-Butcher

 

[Ripshot 43]

This is officially the thread that will change drastically with each pre season game played

 

[New Jersey Devils]

It is quite upsetting to me to see Lovejoy take a up spot from one of our youngsters.

 

[njdevil26]

I am surprised at how much Butcher looks like he belongs.

 

[AfroThunder396]

There's not a prayer in the world Bratt makes the team. He'll probably be a late cut but there's not a chance he makes the team.