Whitney: Terry, we've got a logjam at forward that could decide the Devils' whole season, and I'm not sure the guy everyone assumes is safe is actually safe.
Terry: You're talking about the right wing battle, right? Because with Mantha signed and Gritsyuk locked up, someone's going to be watching from the press box.
Whitney: Exactly. And that's just the tip of the iceberg. Welcome back to Beatline, I'm Whitney.
Terry: And I'm Terry. This is your daily New Jersey Devils fix.
Whitney: Today we're breaking down the biggest roster battles heading into camp, starting with that crowded right side, then we'll look at the bottom-six center competition and the third-pair defense logjam.
Terry: And we'll wrap with our roster-cut predictions and who's trending up or down. Stick with us.
Whitney: Let's dive into the right wing. The Devils signed Anthony Mantha to a two-year, 9.5 million dollar deal, and they locked up Arseny Gritsyuk on a three-year extension. Plus you've got Timo Meier, Stefan Noesen, and Connor Brown already there. That's five guys for maybe three spots.
Terry: Yeah, and you've got to remember Meier is a lock. He's your top-six power forward. Noesen is coming off a career year and brings that net-front presence on the power play. So the real battle is for that third-line right wing spot and maybe a fourth-line role.
Whitney: So who's the odd man out? Mantha's making four-point-seven-five a year, so you'd think he gets a shot. But Gritsyuk was one of the top rookies last season. You can't bury a guy like that.
Terry: Right, and Gritsyuk has that dynamic skating and skill that fits the modern game. But Mantha is a proven 20-goal scorer when healthy. The question is whether he can stay healthy and whether he can keep up with the Devils' pace.
Whitney: And don't forget Connor Brown. He's a penalty-kill specialist and a coach's dream. He might be the safest bet for a fourth-line role because of that defensive reliability.
Terry: Exactly. So you've got Mantha and Gritsyuk fighting for that third-line spot, with Brown as the steady veteran who can slide into the fourth line. Noesen can play both wings, which helps. But someone's going to be the odd man out, and that's a tough call.
Whitney: I'm leaning toward Mantha starting the season in that spot because of his salary and experience. But if Gritsyuk outplays him in camp, you can't ignore that.
Terry: I'll push back there. Gritsyuk's ceiling is higher, and the Devils need to develop that young talent. If he shows he's ready, you find a way to get him in the lineup, even if it means Mantha becomes a healthy scratch. That's a good problem to have.
Whitney: That's exactly the kind of depth that wins in the playoffs. So we'll keep an eye on that battle. But the center position is just as crowded. Let's talk about that next.
Terry: Absolutely. The center depth is intriguing because you've got Hischier and Hughes locked in, but behind them it's wide open.
Whitney: Alright, so center ice. Nico Hischier just signed that five-year, 58.5 million extension, so he's your 1C. Jack Hughes is your 2C. But who's the 3C? That's a real competition.
Terry: You've got Cody Glass, Jesper Boqvist, Dawson Mercer, and even Nick Bjugstad in the mix. Mercer is interesting because he's played wing a lot, but he's a natural center. Could he move back?
Whitney: Mercer's versatility is a blessing, but he's been most effective on the wing. If they move him to center, that opens up a wing spot, but it also weakens the wing depth. I'm not sure that's the right move.
Terry: I agree. I think the 3C job is between Cody Glass and Jesper Boqvist. Glass was a top-ten pick, he's got size and skill, but he's been inconsistent. Boqvist is more of a two-way guy who can kill penalties.
Whitney: And then you've got Nick Bjugstad as a veteran presence. He's not going to wow you, but he's reliable in the faceoff circle and defensively. He could be the safe choice for a fourth-line center.
Terry: Right, and that's the thing: the Devils need a 3C who can drive play and a 4C who can be solid defensively. I think Glass gets the first crack at 3C because of his offensive upside, but he needs to show consistency in camp.
Whitney: What about the other guys? Xavier Parent, Marc McLaughlin, Colin White, and Evan Rodrigues are all listed as centers. That's a lot of bodies.
Terry: Most of those guys are depth pieces or AHL candidates. Rodrigues is interesting because he can play wing and center, but he's more of a tweener. I'd expect him to compete for a bottom-six role but not necessarily at center.
Whitney: So the center battle might come down to Glass versus Boqvist for that 3C spot, with Bjugstad as the veteran fallback. That's a solid competition.
Terry: And don't forget, the Devils tendered an offer sheet to Barrett Hayton. If they land him, that changes the whole center picture. But as of now, we're working with what we have.
Whitney: Good point. Hayton would be a big get, but let's not count our chickens. Now, the defense has its own battles. The third pair is up for grabs.
Terry: Yeah, the top four is set: Dougie Hamilton, Luke Hughes, Brett Pesce, and Brenden Dillon. But who plays with Dillon on the third pair? That's a real question.
Whitney: You've got Johnathan Kovacevic, Jonas Siegenthaler, Declan Chisholm, and some younger guys like Etienne Morin and Topias Vilen. What's the pecking order?
Terry: Kovacevic was solid last year, he's a right-shot defenseman who can kill penalties. Siegenthaler is a left-shot who's been in and out of the lineup. I'd give the edge to Kovacevic for that third-pair role, with Siegenthaler as the extra.
Whitney: But what about the young guys? Morin and Vilen could push for a spot. They've got potential, but do they need more time in the AHL?
Terry: I think so. Morin is a promising prospect, but he needs to develop his defensive game. Vilen is similar. They're not ready for prime time yet, so I'd expect them to start in Utica, but they could get a call-up later in the year.
Whitney: So the third-pair battle is between Kovacevic and Siegenthaler, with Kovacevic having the edge. That's a solid competition.
Terry: Agreed. And that gives the Devils good depth on the back end, which is crucial for a long season.
Whitney: Alright, time for our roster-cut predictions. Who's in, who's out, and who's trending up or down? Terry, you go first.
Terry: I think the forward group looks like this: Hischier, Hughes, Bratt, Meier, Noesen, Mantha, Gritsyuk, Mercer, Glass, Boqvist, Brown, and Rodrigues. That's twelve. Bjugstad and the rest are on the bubble.
Whitney: So you're leaving out a couple of familiar names. What about Colin White and Xavier Parent? They're not making it?
Terry: I think White is a candidate for waivers, and Parent is likely AHL-bound. They're fine players, but the Devils have better options.
Whitney: I'd actually keep Bjugstad over Rodrigues for that 4C spot. Bjugstad is better in the faceoff circle and more reliable defensively. Rodrigues is a nice player, but he's a tweener.
Terry: That's a fair point. Bjugstad gives you that veteran stability. But Rodrigues can play both wings and center, which is valuable. It'll be a tough call.
Whitney: Let's talk about who's trending up. Gritsyuk is obviously trending up after that rookie year. Who else?
Terry: I'd say Luke Hughes is trending up. He's going to be a top-pair defenseman for years. And on the goaltending side, Jake Allen is the likely starter, but Nico Daws is pushing for more playing time. He could be the future.
Whitney: And who's trending down? Mantha, maybe, if he can't stay healthy or keep up with the pace. He's got a lot to prove.
Terry: Yeah, Mantha is a wildcard. He could be a 20-goal scorer or a healthy scratch. I think he'll bounce back, but it's a risk.
Whitney: Alright, let's make some bold predictions. I'll say Gritsyuk wins that third-line right wing spot out of camp, and Mantha starts the season as a healthy scratch. That's my hot take.
Terry: I'll counter with this: Mantha gets the nod to start, but by Thanksgiving, Gritsyuk has taken the job and Mantha is traded or waived. Mark it down.
Whitney: Those are strong takes. And as for goaltending, we said yesterday that Jake Allen starts opening night. I'm sticking with that.
Terry: I am too. Allen's experience gives him the edge, but if Daws plays well in camp, it could get interesting.
Whitney: And we also predicted the Devils finish over 95 points this season. With this depth, I'm feeling good about that.
Terry: Absolutely. This is a playoff-caliber roster, and these battles only make them stronger.
Whitney: That's our show for today. We've broken down the right wing battle, the center competition, and the third-pair defense, plus our roster predictions.
Terry: Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review Beatline, and share this episode with your fellow Devils fans.
Whitney: We'll be back tomorrow with more coverage. Until then, let's go Devils!