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While the New Jersey Devils cupboards are pretty bare in terms of top forward prospects, they are well equipped when it comes to NHL caliber defence prospects.
Devils general manager, Lou Lamoriello, hinted earlier this summer that he'd like to have one of their top young defence prospects on the team this season.
Camp and preaseason play will ultimately determine which player makes the team, but heading into camp I think Eric Gelinas is the early favorite.
The Devils have plenty of defensive defensemen on the team and there is a glaring need for some more offense and mobility on the backend. Barring an injury or someone being moved, I think that almost rules out a guy like Alex Urbom making the team unless he really impresses in camp. Urbom is a quality defence prospect but there's not much in the way of offense with him.
Jon Merrill looks like he's going to be a heck of a player but given some injury problems and off-ice issues over the last couple seasons, some development time in Albany would likely benefit him. That said, he definitely has a shot at making the team this year.
Damon Severson is in the same type of situation as Merrill. He's loaded with talent but given his age and lack of experience, some more development time would benefit him as well.
That brings me to Gelinas, who I think is the favorite to make the team right now. With Gelinas you get the full package. He's good at both ends of the ice and possesses a bomb of a shot. He's a weapon on the power play, too, and with Ilya Kovalchuk no longer a Devil, they could certainly use his shot.
Gelinas scored 16 goals with Albany in 2011-12, so the offensive ability is clearly there.
Lamoriello never really brought anyone in who has a big shot and can play point on the power play, and I think Gelinas having the ability to do that gives him an advantage over some of the other guys. Merrill and Severson could do it, too, but they're not as polished and experienced.
With the Devils having a plethora of quality defence prospects ready to push for a spot and the team only having one vacancy, if any, on defence, the camp competition should be fierce.
It could go a variety of different directions and all the players listed above will be given an opportunity to make the team. Who will take advantage of that opportunity remains to be seen.
Right now, my money is on Gelinas.
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