i don't think we clash, stylistically. it's not like we're throwing together a ton of grinders with skill guys and fighters. that stupid fast attacking supportive thing is legitimately what we seem to be building towards
i do think we could still shore up the top pairing (greene still needs to be pushed down), but we'll see what we can do w our prospects. you have to admit the future is brighter, even if you do look at it with some tentativeness
It is extremely likely that Shero has one more trade to make, probably for a LD. Though Ty Smith is certainly NHL-ready -- I would deign to say that he will be better than Greene, Butcher or Mueller by the end of the 2019-20 campaign -- the Devils still lack an ideal pairing for Subban or Severson on the left side. Also, the Gusev acquisition ups the number of Devils trade chips. Very legitimate prospects like McLeod, Bastian, Anderson and Studenic have all seen their chances of making the 2019-20 Devils drop perilously with Gusev's addition -- not to mention Jesper Boqvist, who has higher value than any of them.
Following the IIHF tourney, I speculated that the Devils could try to make a play for LD Darnell Nurse, who looked outstanding in a pairing with Damon Severson. Nurse would also be a perfect partner for Subban -- capable offensively, excellent defensively and extremely physical. A hypothetical deal of Will Butcher, McLeod + Bastian would likely be more than enough to get Nurse playing alongside one of the Devils big 2 RD.
I certainly do not see the Devils making a play, as some have speculated, for another no-defense defenseman like Jake Gardiner. He will be asking a lot of money and it's been well-documented in Toronto what a horror show he is in his own end. NJ already has a similarly-styled LD in Will Butcher, and Butcher might be the guy to sacrifice to create more balance on the back end. The Devils need one more LD who can shut down the opposition and free up guys like Subban and Severson to create offense.
Ultimately, the Devils deserve great credit for an incredible off-season. The additions of Jack Hughes, PK Subban, Wayne Simmonds and Nikita Gusev were all outstanding acquisitions, and this team could be poised for a playoff run as early as next season -- while also retaining a strong foundation for the future. As we know, the big question still looms concerning the long-term signing of Taylor Hall. But all of Shero's savvy moves must absolutely be considered as impetus for Mr. Hall to stick around New Jersey for the foreseeable future.
