The scenarios run wild for the New Jersey Devils in theory but the reality is different. Early on, there was some talk of protecting eight skaters and one goalie. That would include four defensemen and four forwards. However, from a numbers standpoint, the 7F/3D/1G setup seems to benefit New Jersey. It would allow them to protect their more borderline forwards. Those forwards feature some potential as well as depth.
There is some definite inklings that the eight skater / one goalie approach may be used. Let’s try to account for both.
Forward Decisions
The Devils have enough high-quality forwards and fortunately Pavel Zacha, Miles Wood, and Joseph Blandisi are exempt.