Fantasy: 5 players to target on the New Jersey Devils
With your fantasy draft just around the corner, theScore's Ian McLaren and Darren Kritzer take a look at 5 players you should consider drafting this season.
Top Targets
Cory Schneider
With Martin Brodeur out of the equation between the pipes for the Devils for the first time since the 1991 season, Cory Schneider can finally concentrate on the being the No. 1 guy in town, and that's a good thing for fantasy owners.
Last season, the former Canucks netminder appeared in 45 games, recording 16 wins, a 1.97 GAA and a .921 save percentage, good for third in the league. Expect to see Schneider start in the range of 55-60 games, with Scott Clemmensen backing him up.
The Devils worked on improving their offense this season, so a few extra goals - as well as shootout goals - will turn Schneider into one of the top goalies in all stat categories going forward.
Proceed With Caution
Michael Cammalleri
The Devils opened their checkbooks for the former Flames forward, signing Cammalleri to a 5-year, $25-million deal on July 1, but what this means from a fantasy standpoint is anyone's guess. The 32-year-old scored 26 goals in 63 games one season ago, his first 20-plus goal season since the 2011-12 campaign. After recording just one point in 10 games in January and February last year, Cammalleri exploded for 19 points in 16 games in March, making him one of the hottest waiver wire pickups that month.
Expect to see him on the top line, along with plenty of power play time, but be careful how early you take him. Cammalleri hasn't played in more than 67 games in a full 82-game regular season schedule since the 2008-09 season.
Adam Henrique
Henrique recorded a career-high in goals last season, pouring in 25 in 77 games. What was alarming in his case was his 18.2 shooting percentage, good for 5th best in the league. His career average of 14.9 percent is more likely this year, putting Henrique back in the 15-20 goal range. He also recorded a Corsi rating at even strength of 53.2.
The former 3rd-round pick in 2008 made a name for himself in the 2011-12 season, recording 16 goals and 35 assists in 74 games for an average of 0.56 points per game, but fell off offensively in 2012-13 with just 11 goals in 42 games. Look for him to still be available in the middle rounds of your draft.
Jaromir Jagr
The Devils leading scorer from a season ago, enters his 21st season as a player still worthy of racking up the fantasy points. The 42-year-old is projected to be on the top line alongside center Travis Zajac and newcomer Michael Cammalleri, so don't expect too much of a drop off from his 67-point campaign. Age will always be a factor when thinking of drafting him from here on in, but the gym rat is already thinking about playing after next season, a good indication for another successful season.
Take A Flier On
Eric Gelinas
The Devils lost defenseman Mark Fayne to free agency and used a buyout on Anton Volchenkov, giving them a potential top six consisting of Andy Greene, Marek Zidlicky, Bryce Salvador, Jon Merrill, Adam Larsson, and Eric Gelinas. Of the group, Gelinas presents a good case for a solid second season after recording seven goals, 22 assists, 5 power play goals and 124 shots in 60 games.
Gelinas was second to only the Bruins' Torey Krug in rookie defensman power-play points with 17 and should see plenty of time on second unit again this season.