Todd Cordell: On Zajac, Henrique, and centering Hall

This could be psychological... a mix of expectations, familiarity (trying to get away with junior plays at an NHL level), and the possibility they might be incompatible as NHL players.

I won't say it's for any of those reasons, but I don't think we should dismiss the pair entirely. The NHL is a different game than the Juniors...

I think Henrique had a bad year by his standards overall. Hopefully he bounces back this year

I think we have the forward depth to get by, new season means new numbers so maybe Hall-Henrique will work this Year. I'm not losing any sleep regarding line combos...our D on the other hand.

If Will Butcher goes the FA route on August 15th, you'd have to think Shero makes a serous play for him. But so will about 20 other teams. At least he could look at our roster and think "so my chances of playing in the NHL next Year are about 99.9%".

This could be psychological... a mix of expectations, familiarity (trying to get away with junior plays at an NHL level), and the possibility they might be incompatible as NHL players.

I won't say it's for any of those reasons, but I don't think we should dismiss the pair entirely. The NHL is a different game than the Juniors...

I think Henrique had a bad year by his standards overall. Hopefully he bounces back this year
- archromat

We need a spreadsheet

The Hall-Zajac-Palms line worked well towards the end of the season no reason to change something that worked.

It helps having the puck , Zajac wins a lot of faceoffs.

Hall-Zajac -Palmieri
Zacha -Henrique - Quenneville
Mojo- Nico - Mcleod / Speers
Wood -Boyle - Noesen /Blandisi

still could se some muscle.
D is porous enough without playing Prout.

I haven't watched a lot of either Hall or Hischier, but my suspicion is that Hischier centering Hall might not work as well, simply because they are players who hold onto the puck and like to drive the lines that they are on. It's why Kopitar-Brown never worked very well in LA (obviously Hall is a million times better than Brown).

But who knows, maybe they'll be awesome together and I'm overthinking it.

It helps having the puck , Zajac wins a lot of faceoffs.

Hall-Zajac -Palmieri
Zacha -Henrique - Quenneville
Mojo- Nico - Mcleod / Speers
Wood -Boyle - Noesen /Blandisi

still could se some muscle.
D is porous enough without playing Prout.
- thechezman

Sorry. Mojo will not play on the 3rd line

It helps having the puck , Zajac wins a lot of faceoffs.

Hall-Zajac -Palmieri
Zacha -Henrique - Quenneville
Mojo- Nico - Mcleod / Speers
Wood -Boyle - Noesen /Blandisi

still could se some muscle.
D is porous enough without playing Prout.
- thechezman

Mix up those middle 6 lines

My thoughts on opening line up. Speers seems to be thought of quite high by the staff so I figured he'd get a shot at the top 6 to go along with Henrique (the finisher) and MoJo (playmaker). Instead of Speers, it could quite possibly be McLeod's spot to take, but I think the Devils want to build him down the center.

Hall - Zajac - Palmieri
Henrique - MoJo - Speers
Zacha - Nico - Q
Wood - Boyle - Noesen

thoughts?

My thoughts on opening line up. Speers seems to be thought of quite high by the staff so I figured he'd get a shot at the top 6 to go along with Henrique (the finisher) and MoJo (playmaker). Instead of Speers, it could quite possibly be McLeod's spot to take, but I think the Devils want to build him down the center.

Hall - Zajac - Palmieri
Henrique - MoJo - Speers
Zacha - Nico - Q
Wood - Boyle - Noesen

thoughts?
- NaNa04

Don't waste Nico on the third line. if he can't crack the top two send him back to Juniors. And I don't want that.

Agreed!
Would love to see start of season with Nico and Zacha centering first 2 lines, That would mean Rico as wing and Zajak as 3rd line center. At 32 would be nice to trade Travis and get something back but we would have to retain salary with that contract

Worst case situation try Nico at centering first 2 lines then send him back to juniors. But I agree he will be a waste with 3rd line minutes.