According to Birnell (Utica reporter), the Devils nearly signed McLaughlin in 2022 when they also signed Halonen. Devils brass had eyes on him and Gruden for a while. Not sure if that’s management or coaching, ever since Keefe admitted to watching film on Dumoulin I wonder how much he’s involved with scouting pro players.
A bit puzzling to be what they see out of some of these 20-30 point forwards in the AHL. Feels like all of these guys are JAG in the AHL, let alone anyone you can count on to be a contributor in the NHL.
I would sit some combo of Hischier, Bratt, Meier and maybe a defenseman or two in Boston and then ice a full lineup at home against Detroit with Dougie.
No sense in having some of the top guys play a back to back this late in the season when we’re carrying 15 forwards and 8 defenseman.