New Jersey Devils notes: On Geertsen, Clarke, and Bahl vs. Okhotiuk
With most of preseason behind us, I shared my thoughts on a few bubble players and roster battles.
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A few New Jersey Devils notes as preseason finally nears its end:
Enough is enough
A bunch of bubble players – Graeme Clarke, Nikita Okhotiuk, etc. – skated this morning and word is they’ll all be heading to Utica. Mason Geertsen was a notable omission from that group.
While it’s not necessarily surprising Geertsen is still around as we approach final cutdowns, it is concerning.
Rostering Geertsen when the team isn’t good and there aren’t many capable alternatives is defensible. But Geertsen making this final roster would be a slap in the face considering all of the NHL-caliber forwards the Devils have in the organization right now.
Simply put, there is no objective case that could be made for having Geertsen on the 23-man roster. None.
He is a bad hockey player and has continued to be that through training camp. Among 28 Devils players who’ve logged at least 30 minutes of 5v5 ice, Geertsen ranks 25th with a 40.55 xGF%.
The three players below him have all been cut or were skating with the Utica-bound group this morning.
Geertsen’s poor xG numbers stem mostly from his unique ability to completely neuter the Devils’ offense whenever he’s on the ice.
They have generated 4.57 high-danger chances per 60 with Geertsen out there, which is worse than all but Thomas Hickey and Brian Pinho.
Are they in the mix for a roster spot? No!
Legitimately the only area you could argue Geertsen brings ‘value’ is physically. The thing with that is it’s not really needed.
Kevin Bahl is an 8’10’ net clearer; he’s going to make the roster. Miles Wood is an absolute bull and has never been shy about defending his teammates. He’s on the roster. Brendan Smith was a first day free agent signing who takes pride in sticking up for his guys. He’s on the roster.
Nathan Bastian is a 6’4’ power winger whose bread and butter is forechecking, causing havoc around the net, and – when needed – fighting. He’s almost certainly on the roster.
Erik Haula and Ondrej Palat may not be fighters. They are, however, two of just 24 forwards who netted 15+ goals and landed 120+ hits a season ago. They’re not shy about laying the body and they are – you guessed it – on the roster.
The Devils have plenty of physical players who can prevent the kids from being pushed around while also being able to play hockey at a high level.
I don’t doubt for a second Geertsen is beloved by teammates. But those guys also love winning and Geertsen taking a roster spot is not going to help them do it.
Do the right thing, Fitz.
Hats off
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