New Jersey Devils
Latest Devils Waiver Transaction Indicative of Top Prospects Future, 23-Man Roster
After the Devils waived defenseman Nick DeSimone, it’s a slight indication Seamus Casey is remaining with the Devils’ varsity squad.
Seamus Casey might be sticking with the New Jersey Devils’ 23-man roster after all. After a number of Devils were waived and one reassigned on Sunday, the 23-man roster is beginning to take shape. Included in the waived players was a surprise defenseman who was slated to at least stick around as New Jersey’s seventh or eighth defenseman. However, with Casey’s performance thus far, it appears the Devils’ top prospect has changed the landscape of late.
On Sunday, the Devils announced the following transactions.
Waived with the intention to loan to Utica:
F Shane Bowers
D Nick DeSimone
F Nolan Foote
D Colton White
Loaned to Utica:
G Nico Daws
It was expected that all of Bowers, Foote, White, and Daws would be returned to the Utica Comets once the 26-man roster was trimmed to 23 players to meet the regular season requirements. However, DeSimone was squarely in the mix to compete for a spot on the roster — even if he was going to just be an extra.
Alas, DeSimone is on waivers and the Devils are risking losing the player who is on a league minimum, one-way contract.
As it stands, the Devils have a mix of players who are injured. Such names include Luke Hughes, Brett Pesce, Santeri Hatakka, Adam Beckman, Josh Filmon, and Topias Vilen.
All but Hughes and Pesce are eligible to start the regular season on season opening injured reserve (SOIR). Their cap hits won’t reflect on the salary cap — except for Hatakka who played 12 games last season. He will count for $161,458 against the cap. Further, it’s possible Hughes could be stashed on long-term injured reserve (LTIR).
The Devils are aiming for Pesce to be ready for the home opener on Oct. 10th against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Therefore, if Hughes doesn’t go on LTIR in order to continue to accrue salary cap space, and Pesce is activated for opening night, that would leave the roster at 23 players. The rest are SOIR candidates.
How the Devils deploy their crowded blue line is up to head coach Sheldon Keefe, but when Pesce returns, the defense becomes crowded quickly.
The Devils will have seven viable defensemen that can man the blue line, including Casey. The truth of the matter is that Casey has been playing on his off side. However, it’s also true that Keefe has iced the 20-year-old in key situations, such as on the power play or late in a game to help maintain the lead and secure a victory.
Casey’s deployment certainly doesn’t scream of a player who is pegged to be reassigned soon. Yet, Luke Hughes’ return looms and then the Devils will be forced to make another decision.
Regardless, it appears Casey could be sticking around — at least in the short-term. He’ll need to prove that he can continue to play with poise and confidence against more than just the Buffalo Sabres. And if he does, perhaps it’s someone else who is on the chopping block. Or, the Devils will make use of Casey’s waiver exemption, play it safe, and eventually reassign Casey.
As a side, yet relevant note, Casey is not a slide candidate. The first year of his entry-level contract as a 20-year-old will be burned regardless of whether he remains with the Devils or goes down to the Comets.
For now, after scoring his first career NHL goal and continually impressing, Casey appears to be in the fold on the NHL roster.
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