Team: 2017-18 New Jersey Devils

Initial Creation Date: Aug. 4, 2017

Published: Aug. 4, 2017

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

Opening Night Breakdown ***Things will change throughout the season, but I believe opening could look like this

Forward Line 1: Hall-Zajac-Palmieri
This line was the only consistent scoring threat during the Devils' dismal 2016-17 season. As for opening night this line is a safe bet. Hall will have a much better year now that he has settled into NJ. A potential 30 goal and 70 point campaign may be on the way for the motivated 25 year old. Palmieri is establishing himself as a consistent scorer and may threaten the 30 goal mark once again. After a slow start this year Palmieri was scoring on a 40 goal pace by mid-season. Zajac has long been the anchor down the middle with responsible defensive play and it will remain that way for at least opening night, and until he hits the "wall" in his career. Nico or maybe even another center could emerge as the number 1 later in the year.

Forward Line 2: Johansson-Zacha-Henrique
Shero fleeced the Caps due to their cap crunch while acquiring MoJo. He is an established 20 goal scorer, and is a safe bet for just around 50 points a season in a top 6 role. Coming off of a career high 58 points could be a stepping stone for his offensive game, and hopefully just a sample for what he has in store for NJ. Many are debating whether Zacha will be pushed to the wing, but I have him as a center for at least opening night. After an up and down rookie season for the 2015 6th overall pick he spent the entire summer in New Jersey training. Expect much bigger things from Zacha in the 2017-18 season. I have Henrique playing on his off wing, as I see him as the odd man out in the center logjam. He is better suited for the wing being a shoot first player. A once 30 goal scorer looks to get back to that point.

Forward Line 3: Wood-Hischier-McLeod
This is where things really open up. After all Hischier can start as the 1C or 2C but it's not ideal for him or his development, but I'm going off of what I saw from last year's first overall pick, Auston Matthews. Matthews played his first game as Toronto's 3C. Granted he scored 4 goals, but still started down the depth chart. I believe Hischier will have a similar start. Not a 4 goal debut, but eventually becoming the 1C by the season's end. McLeod may need to start on the wing with the center position clogged up. Wood brings a big, fast body that could finish Nico's passes. He also can protect Nico and McLeod as a big bodied gritty player. Wood and McLeod bring immense speed. This trio could be the fastest line in the entire league.

Forward Line 4: Quenneville-Boyle-Speers
You can easily flip Q and Wood at the 3LW and 4LW position, and that may happen later in the season, but Wood's experience will have him start on the 3rd opposed to Q. Boyle is a lock for the 4C as a big, physical presence. A potential mentor for the younger centers. The 4RW battle will come down to Speers and Noesen. I believe Speers gets the nod after hearing Hynes' quote on him. He said Speers' is a relentless competitor. His drive could be enough to get him a spot on opening night.

Defense Pairing 1: Greene-Severson
This is where things need work.. Andy Greene hit the "wall" in his NHL career this past season. He is no longer the underrated defensive anchor he once was. He is more of a number 4 or 5 defenseman on another team. His time in NJ is coming to an end, but he was a great player and captain. To Greene's right is 22 year old Damon Severson. A current RFA is the Devils' best d-man with top pairing potential. His plus/minus was as ugly as it got in the 2016-17 season, but things went downhill all too quick in the 2nd half of the season for the entire team. He is maybe a year or two away from being the team's anchor. He put up 31 points on a horrific offensive team. Down the road he could put up around 45 points with the right partner, but another season with a guy like Greene will limit his play. Severson is a true bright spot for the Devils' defense, and with more work in his own end he could cement himself in the top 2.

Defense Pairing 2: Moore-Santini
This pairing could be pretty good for NJ this season. Moore's speed and offensive talent contrasted with Santini's developing reliable "stay at home" defensive play could work out. Santini is another bright spot for the Devils' defense. He could develop into a stable 2nd pairing defensive defenseman. Moore could be a liability in his own zone but compensates with his offensive ability.

Defense Pairing 3: Mueller-Lovejoy
This final pairing is a toss up. Leaving guys like Kapla and Prout out. Prout is not what the Devils' want nor need on their backend right now. Kapla on the other hand can become a solid NHL caliber defenseman with some seasoning in the AHL. Back to the point, this third pairing is unpredictable. Starting with former 1st rounder Mirco Mueller. Shero took a chance on Mueller by exchanging a 2nd and a 4th to San Jose. If a change of scenery can help Mueller reach his potential that San Jose was hoping he'd reach while playing out in California, then this could be another steal of a deal for Shero. Lovejoy was one of Shero's less successful moves during his time here in NJ. Brining in a player he worked with before in Pittsburgh did not work out well. Lovejoy underwhelmed tremendously. Hopefully he can somewhat turn around his future as a Devil.

Goaltending

Starter: Cory Schneider
There's no debate here. Coming off the toughest year of his career Schneider is looking to regain his 2015-16 form. That year Cory had a GAA of 2.15 compared to 2.82 in 16-17. His save percentage was .924 in 15-16 compared to .908 in 16-17. The 15-16 Schneider was a consensus top 5 goalie in the league, while the 16-17 Schneider was merely pedestrian. With some defensive help Cory can easily get back to where he was 2 seasons ago. I believe Schneider will do it regardless if Shero adds a top 4 defenseman this offseason or not, he has made it clear that this season was unacceptable. Similar to Hall, Cory is a very motivated player right now and will have a huge season.

Backup: Keith Kinkaid
Kinkaid was just resigned this offseason by Shero. He has been good when the Devils have needed him before. Despite Shero having the option to go with Scott Wedgewood or the apparent heir to Cory Schneider in 2015 2nd round pick Mackenzie Blackwood Shero chose to stick with the Long Island native for the next 2 years.