Good afternoon Devils fans. Well, they did it. The Devils have become the first team in 6 years to go undefeated in the preseason, taking down the Islanders in a 3-0 shutout. Yes, I know it is preseason and we have to have to celebrate that with a grain of salt. But still, that’s pretty awesome to witness. Overall, the team’s offense, defense, and goaltending did well for themselves, depending on the game. Up and coming players made a case for where they belong in the organization. We got a preview of the effective power play from new AC Travis Green. Let’s get into the game last night.

In lieu of usual starters, the lineup was primarily used as a “show me what you got moment” before today’s roster cuts. The lines were:

Nosek-Mcleod-Holtz
Willman-Lazar-Bastian
Gambardella-Schmelzer-Mercer
Tierney-Dowling-Thompson

Hatakka-Smith
Bahl-Nemec
L. Hughes-Miller

Schmid
Poulter

The highlights for the game can be found below:



With the preseason over and the regular season starting on Tuesday, the focus now is how the team will take the ice for games that matter. On the subject of the roster, the Devils announced roster moves to finalize regular seasons plans and strategies:

We have announced six roster moves today, including a signing.

D Hatakka and G Poulter assigned to Utica (AHL).

F Willman signs one-year, two-way deal and assigned to Utica.

Fs Bowers, Dowling, Thompson waived with intent to assign to Utica.

— New Jersey Devils (@NJDevils) October 7, 2023

Initial thoughts on the moves:

- Bowers, Dowling, and Poulter all make sense.
- Hatakka is a bit of a surprise. I thought he did well for himself. I get that it was probably between him or Nemec. But I would much prefer Hatakka over Miller or Smith.
-Thompson is a mistake. I’m sure he will be called up this year but I love his play and would rather have Lazar as an extra forward. Maybe that’s just me.
- Congrats to Willman for earning on contract. He’ll do well in Utica.

With that being said, the remaining players in camp include Nolan Foote, Brian Halonen, Alexander Holtz, Simon Nemec, Nico Daws, and Keith Kinkaid. Those, along with new roster players, including Chris Tierney. Tomas Nosek, and Colin Miller will chomp at the bit for those final spots. In my opinion, the top-9 is locked up for the offense and 5 out of 6 defense slots are filled, leaving Smith and Miller the odd men out. Assuming the Devils will run the lines they’ve gravitate towards this preseason, here’s what it could look like and what positions are possibly open:

Toffoli-J. Hughes-Bratt
Meier-Hischier-Holtz
Palat-Haula-Mercer
?-Mcleod-Bastian

Sieganthaler-Hamilton
Bahl-Marino
L. Hughes-?

Vanacek
Schmid

Team Needs - 4th line LW, 3rd line RD, 3 additional skater spots

My suggestions:

- Nosek slots in on the 4th until Nolan Foote works through injury. After, one can stay and the other remains a scratch.
- Nemec takes the last defensive slot. I get it, he has some areas of growth for his game, particularly on defense, but I’m fine running him and slotting in Smith if need be.
- If you run with those options, you can have Lazar as the last scratch option to have a 23 man roster.

What are your thoughts? How would you finish up the prep for this season?

Leave your thoughts and comments below. Raise Hell,

-Josh Biringer

Join the Discussion: » 31 Comments » Post New Comment

» Final Post for Me

» G15 Review: Battered Devils Routs Pens 5-2

» G14 Review: 3rd Period Collapse Destroys Devils in 6-3 Jets Loss

» G13 Review: Vanacek Pulled in 4-2 Loss to Capitals

» G12 Review: Disastrous 3rd Breaks Down Devils in 6-3 Loss