Todd Cordell: New Jersey Devils trim roster with two more cuts

I think Hayden and Tennyson make it as they have to go through waivers I believe and Hayden I think has shown a little more than Rooney in preseason but they do like Rooney so who knows

Just think that smith hasn't shown enough of what the devils were looking and hoping for and probably best he plays rather than sitting in the pressbox

I think between Hayden, Rooney, Tennyson and Smith you have to keep Hayden and Smith. Rooney and Tennyson are likely to clear waivers and if not it's not disaster. They are likely good call ups but neither is going to be an important piece.

The alternative is sending Smith to Juniors and keeping Tennyson which isn't horrible.

I have a feeling Shero is going to make a trade.

Todd Cordell: New Jersey Devils trim roster with two more cuts
- Todd.Cordell

Also goes without saying that this pretty much confirms boqvist has made the team, not a surprise but good to see

That's what I'm thinking too.

If one of wood/Mueller gets traded...opens up a spot. I'd still prefer replacing Mueller with Smith. Time for mgmt to cut their losses with M.

Dey'll be bahck

McLeod should be happy with how he did. Hopefully he can translate this to real success in the AHL and he'll be the #1 call up. It'll be Hayden and Tennyson who make it.

Lineup tonight:
Hall-Hischier-Bratt
Gusev-Hughes-Palms
Coleman-Zajac-Simmonds
Boqvist-Zacha-Hayden

Butcher-Subban
Mueller-Severson
Smith-Tennyson

Bad news for Wood that he isn't even in this lineup. Might mean a trade or just that they're planning to sit him. Also looks like a vote of confidence in Butcher to take the next step.

Woodie out, JBo in for tonight's game (according to Amanda Stein).
I guess we'll see Wood's grumpy face again on opening night. Maybe this will motivate him again.

I'm not a fan of Simmonds with Coleman and Zajac. I think Simmonds needs to ride shotgun with Gusev and Hughes, or Hynes can try Simmonds with Zacha and Bratt or Boqvist.

I'm hoping the season starts with:

Hall-Hischier-Palmieri
Gusev-Hughes-Simmonds
Boqvist-Zacha-Bratt
Coleman-Zajac-Hayden/Wood

Vatanen-Subban
Butcher-Severson
Greene-Carrick
Mueller, Tennyson

Schneider
Blackwood
50/50 split of games

as far as preseason goes, all of our questions and unknowns have panned out to above or at expectations, with the exception of Smith.. which really isn't too bad. Hall looks great, Hischier looks to take the next step, Hughes can get it done, Gusev should be fine, Subban is a revelation, goaltending is solid, Boqvist is awesome, Simmonds is a 3rd/4th liner that can bang..
Wood is Wood and Zacha remains unknown. I'm pretty happy going into the season. We'll see if this group of forwards can make it happen against NHL teams game after game.

Lineup tonight:
Hall-Hischier-Bratt
Gusev-Hughes-Palms
Coleman-Zajac-Simmonds
Boqvist-Zacha-Hayden

Butcher-Subban
Mueller-Severson
Smith-Tennyson

Bad news for Wood that he isn't even in this lineup. Might mean a trade or just that they're planning to sit him. Also looks like a vote of confidence in Butcher to take the next step.
- willschulme

Wood makes any of those lines worse. I'm not even confident he's better than Hayden, even with the limited action we've seen from Hayden. The only way you fit in Wood is if you move Boqvist to the right, or move Coleman to the RW and bump Simmonds to the 4th line.

Woodie out, JBo in for tonight's game (according to Amanda Stein).
I guess we'll see Wood's grumpy face again on opening night. Maybe this will motivate him again.

I'm not a fan of Simmonds with Coleman and Zajac. I think Simmonds needs to ride shotgun with Gusev and Hughes, or Hynes can try Simmonds with Zacha and Bratt or Boqvist.

I'm hoping the season starts with:

Hall-Hischier-Palmieri
Gusev-Hughes-Simmonds
Boqvist-Zacha-Bratt
Coleman-Zajac-Hayden/Wood

Vatanen-Subban
Butcher-Severson
Greene-Carrick
Mueller, Tennyson

Schneider
Blackwood
50/50 split of games
- CardiffGiant

I have to disagree with your assessment on Simmonds. I wasn't impressed when he was with Gusev and Hughes. I feel like he slowed them down.

Lineup tonight:
Hall-Hischier-Bratt
Gusev-Hughes-Palms
Coleman-Zajac-Simmonds
Boqvist-Zacha-Hayden

Butcher-Subban
Mueller-Severson
Smith-Tennyson

Bad news for Wood that he isn't even in this lineup. Might mean a trade or just that they're planning to sit him. Also looks like a vote of confidence in Butcher to take the next step.
- willschulme

Wood is a one trick pony speed and get to the net with no hands, it seems he struggles unless he gets free for a breakaway but the ladies will be upset if they don't see his pretty face

I really don't know what Hynes sees in Hayden.

I have to disagree with your assessment on Simmonds. I wasn't impressed when he was with Gusev and Hughes. I feel like he slowed them down.

I get why Simmonds shouldn't be on that line, but I have a feeling an NHL vet with some size and toughness can benefit them. Hopefully, Hughes and Gusev can control the puck between the 2 of them and do quick give and goes. Also, I think most of their starts will be in the offensive zone so having Simmonds with them isn't a bad thing.

Perhaps moving Zacha to the left side and Gusev to Hughes is right side might work. I just feel Gusev and Hughes need a little more "sandpaper" riding shotgun with them. Palmieri would be nice in this spot, but I really think he works best with Hall.

A line of Bratt-Boqvist-Simmonds can feed off of softer competition.

I have a feeling Shero is going to make a trade.
- drew18

At the deadline

I get why Simmonds shouldn't be on that line, but I have a feeling an NHL vet with some size and toughness can benefit them. Hopefully, Hughes and Gusev can control the puck between the 2 of them and do quick give and goes. Also, I think most of their starts will be in the offensive zone so having Simmonds with them isn't a bad thing.

Perhaps moving Zacha to the left side and Gusev to Hughes is right side might work. I just feel Gusev and Hughes need a little more "sandpaper" riding shotgun with them. Palmieri would be nice in this spot, but I really think he works best with Hall.

A line of Bratt-Boqvist-Simmonds can feed off of softer competition.
- CardiffGiant

I think it will be a good indicator tonight if palms can work with Hughes and gusev

Bratt has played well with Nico and hall before so palms can bring a physical element to Hughes line, yes not as physical as Simmonds but it's not like palms shys away from contact

Im thinking Palms and Hall 40+ goals
Nico and Jack around 30 each.
Goose around 20 with 50 a

Smith definitely had a better camp last year, so he has disappointed a bit. However, I can't see why the Devils wouldn't at least give him the 9 NHL games before deciding to send him back to Juniors.

I have a feeling Shero is going to make a trade.
- drew18

I agree. Jets are desperate for D. With our RD in order: P.K, Severson, Vats, Smith, Carrick, Tennyson, I feel we need to make a deal. Vats would likely fetch us the largest return, and his departure would not affect this squad too much. Smith can be a bottom pair LD. So.... Vats and Mueller to Winnipeg for........ Appleton and a 3rd? Or Raslovic straight up.

Im thinking Palms and Hall 40+ goals
Nico and Jack around 30 each.
Goose around 20 with 50 a
- Leniwm1

Oh my

Oh my
- willschulme

Hayden with 12 and 18

Im thinking Palms and Hall 40+ goals
Nico and Jack around 30 each.
Goose around 20 with 50 a
- Leniwm1

lol

I think Boqvist makes the opening day roster and that both Smith and Tennyson get cut. That means that the Devils will open the season with 14 forwards and 7 defensemen, something Hynes recently mentioned that he was opened to doing.

But wait! With so many teams with serious cap issues and the NHL season about to get under way, it would not surprised me one bit if Shero pulls off trade. It would be great if he trades for a top 4 defenseman.