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New Jersey Devils 2015-16 NHL Preview

By Matt Verderame

Jan 28, 2015; Newark, NJ, USA; New Jersey Devils goalie Cory Schneider (35) makes a save during the third period against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Prudential Center. The Devils defeated the Maple Leafs 2-1 in a shootout. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 28, 2015; Newark, NJ, USA; New Jersey Devils goalie Cory Schneider (35) makes a save during the third period against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Prudential Center. The Devils defeated the Maple Leafs 2-1 in a shootout. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports /
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95. <p class=. Metropolitan. Eastern Conference. New Jersey Devils. 14. player

The Devils are finally going in the right direction, but the results won’t show it in 2015. New Jersey fired head coach Peter DeBoer during the season last year before going to an odd three-man system of Adam Oates, Scott Stevens and Lou Lamoriello. In the offseason, Lamoriello resigned and went to the Toronto Maple Leafs, while the Devils replaced him with Ray Shero. Shero is an experienced hand who guided the Pittsburgh Penguins to a pair of Stanley Cup Final appearances including a championship in 2009. Shero’s first big move was to hire John Hynes, who is getting his first crack in the NHL after coaching the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins of the American Hockey League over the past five seasons.

Dec 2, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; New Jersey Devils defenseman Marek Zidlicky (2) handles the puck against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the second period at the CONSOL Energy Center. The Penguins won 1-0. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 2, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; New Jersey Devils defenseman Marek Zidlicky (2) handles the puck against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the second period at the CONSOL Energy Center. The Penguins won 1-0. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

Hynes, the league’s youngest coach at 40 years old, takes over a team in transition. The goaltender is elite in Cory Schneider and the defense could be solid with youngsters such as Jon Merrill, Adam Larsson and Damon Severson, but the forwards are atrocious. The only bright spot could be down the middle, with a center group of Adam Henrique, Travis Zajac and 18-year-old rookie Pavel Zacha. On the wings, the only players worth noting are Mike Cammalleri and Patrik Elias, who is likely in his final season after a stellar career.

Team MVP

Cory Schneider – G

Schneider is definitely the bright spot on this poor roster. Last year, Schneider finally got the chance to have his own team and shined with a 2.26 goals against average and a .925 save percentage. Schneider also racked up five shutouts and 26 wins despite being on the second-worst team in the Eastern Conference. Look for Schneider to play in roughly 70 games and win approximately 30, putting himself on the fringe of the Vezina Trophy race.

Best Case Scenario

The Devils watch Larsson blossom from a solid player to an elite defenseman, while Severson, Merrill and Eric Gelinas join him to form a high-quality defense corps. With the defense and Schneider providing New Jersey with lockdown support in its own end, the forwards can be aggressive and Henrique finally breaks out, scoring 30 goals. Elias gives the Devils one more good year, and the continued production of Cammalleri gives the Devils a terrific power play. Also, Zacha showcases elite skill to provide depth down the middle, and the Devils contend for a playoff spot.

Worst Case Scenario

The forwards continue to play horribly. Elias shows that his career needed to end in April, and the centers of Henrique, Zajac and Zacha can’t score enough to keep the team afloat. Schneider is good but overwhelmed, and the defense continues to turn the puck over too much, even for a young group. New Jersey sputters in a very tough division and is picking in the top three come the 2016 NHL Draft.

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