Here’s How the Devils Should Replace Injured Evgenii Dadonov

On Saturday morning, the New Jersey Devils announced a second x-ray revealed a fracture in Evgenii Dadonov’s injured hand. It’s a tough break (no pun intended) so early in the season. However, this is why the Devils went out and paid for depth this summer. So, how should they replace Dadonov in the lineup?

READ MORE: Key Devils Forward Injury More Serious Than Initial Diagnosis; Gritsyuk Elevated

Dadonov’s main deployment is next to Jack Hughes and Jesper Bratt on the first line. The 36-year-old winger has speed to burn and a scoring touch that compliment’s that line well.

Via X, Dr. Harjas Grewal offered his thoughts on how long it could take Dadonov to return from a fractured hand.

“Likely [four-plus] weeks before the fracture heals for Dadonov.

“Technically can return earlier. All comes down to the specific bone and type of fracture, but I don’t think Devils will rush him.”

At the minimum, four weeks bring us into the second week of November, which is a decent amount of time for the Devils to miss a key forward.

So, how should Dadonov’s impending absence be filled?

Don’t Change Anything

The Devils already had to figure out how to deploy their lineup on Saturday night without Dadonov. Ondrej Palat moved up to LW1, Arseny Gritsyuk to LW3, and Zack MacEwen debuted at RW4.

Sheldon Keefe seemingly pushed all the right buttons.

New Jersey dominated the Tampa Bay Lightning, and got the most out of Gritsyuk on the third line, who combined for two goals with Connor Brown.

In fact, all four lines were firing against the Bolts at 5-on-5, and a coach doesn’t typically like to fix what’s not broken.

Palat can’t play LW1 forever. However, until it doesn’t work, don’t change anything. Carry on the momentum.

Call-Up Shane Lachance

If anyone is coming out of the lineup, it’s Zack MacEwen.

That’s not because he didn’t play well by any means. MacEwen was impactful on the fourth line, and certainly proved to be an upgrade over Kurtis MacDermid.

Yet, the last one in is also the first one out.

Perhaps, the Devils should recall Shane Lachance and give him his first taste of NHL action. The former Boston University captain showed real well in training camp and the preseason, and Devils management is excited about the players’ potential.

Lachance is a big body with a nose for the net and works real well down low with the puck, has soft hands, and is difficult to move from the net-front. He’s the kind of big-bodied menace the Devils should always welcome into their lineup. He’s unafraid to throw the body, and mix it up between whistles.

Lachance is the ideal bottom-six player who can provide scoring and be an effective role player. If Dadonov is out for an extended period of time, it’s a perfect window to give the 22-year-old, 6-foot-5 and 220-lb giant a shot in the big leagues.

He just may seize the moment and never look back.

Lineup Tweak

So, then, what would the lineup look like?

Well, Lachance would usurp the role MacEwen took over on Saturday. That’s probably the best speed to start him at anyway.

Then, Keefe has options. He could leave the rest of the lineup like it was against the Lightning. However, he should probably swap Palat off the first line with Arseny Gritsyuk and give the 24-year-old Russian a taste of first-line duties.

Gritsyuk’s risen to almost every occasion during his time in North America thus far. He could be the dynamic scoring winger the Hughes & Bratt line has been looking for.

With another hulking body in Lachance in the lineup, and the potential that Gritsyuk can mesh in the top-six and become the scoring winger they need, the Devils inch closer to a most ideal NHL lineup.