Hockeywiztalks Hockey Blog

 New Jersey Devils' GM, Tom Fitzgerald has said that the Devils want to take that next step this season, and possibly vie for a playoff spot. In this blog, I  explore how the Devils can turn their team into a playoff-caliber team this season. Here is a quick look at the roster right now, and the prospects they have that could potentially crack the lineup. The current lineup looks like this: J.Kuokkanen-J.Hughes-Y.Sharangovich P.Zacha-N.Hischier-J.Bratt M.Wood-M.McLeod-A.Johnsson N.Foote-J.Boqvist-M.Studenic R.Graves-D.Hamilton T.Smith-D.Severson J.Siegenthaler-PK.Subban M.Blackwood J.Bernier Prospects who could potentially crack the lineup are Alexander Holtz, Dawson Mercer, Tyce Thompson, Kevin Bahl The Biggest weakness of the Devils at the current moment is goal scoring; if Holtz and Mercer aren't NHL ready yet, then they need to go out and trade for one. The Devils have been one of the teams that have been linked to Vladimir Tarasenko; Tarasenko is exactly what this team ne...

 I'm doing something a little different this week, because tomorrow July 28th is the first day of NHL Free Agency, I thought it would be fitting to make Free Agent Signing Predictions. Side note: I will only making predictions on the UFA signings. Key Free Agents: Dougie Hamilton-NJ (7yrs/63M) The signing of Dougie Hamilton gives the Devils a true number 1 defenseman and gives them great depth on the right side with Hamilton, Subban, and Severson. Jaden Schwartz-SEA (7yrs/45.5M) Jaden Schwartz is a great veteran presence in the locker room and is a really good all-around player. Adding Schwartz would be a huge boost to a new expansion team like the Seattle Kraken. Philipp Grubauer-EDM (6yrs/39M) Signing Philipp Grubauer would give the Edmonton Oilers a legit number 1 goalie, something they are in dire need of. A tandem of Grubauer and Mike Smith would give the Oilers a terrific goalie tandem in goal. Philip Danault-NYR (7yrs/42M) Philip Danault has proven over the last couple of y...