Andrew Gross

NorthJersey

A few early-morning thoughts following my chat yesterday afternoon with Devils GM Ray Shero:

1. Shero was, understandably, not tipping his hand on what he intends to do with the first overall pick in the NHL Draft, which he’ll make on June 23 in Chicago. He went into the NHL Draft Lottery thinking the Devils would likely pick fifth and Shero said the organization would have gotten a good player at No. 5. Shero also said the discussion goes beyond Nico Hischier and Nolan Patrick when considering what to do with the No. 1 pick. But let’s be honest, it’s going to be Nico or Nolan. Patrick is likely the more developed, two-way center with a bigger body and might be the safer pick and probably would have been a consensus No. 1 had he not struggled through an injury-plagued season. Hischier, though, has an alluringly dynamic offensive game and, at this point, might be the sexier pick. Asked whether the Devils had a decision yet or were still evaluating, Shero responded, “I’m not saying it’s up in the air.” I’m pretty certain the Devils are strongly leaning toward one player, though that, of course, will remain a closely guarded state secret until shortly after 7 p.m. Eastern time on June 23. The guess here is they go with Hischier.

Nico or Nolan and other decisions Shero must make for Devils

Devils buck odds to win NHL Draft Lottery, first pick

2. Regarding Ilya Kovalchuk: The NHL-wide assumption is that Kovalchuk, while he wants to return to the NHL, does not want to return to the Devils even though it’s been reported he would like to remain in this area. Kovalchuk, at 34, likely wants to join a team ready to contend in 2017-18 and the Devils, who finished last in the Eastern Conference, aren’t necessarily in that category. Another assumption is that Kovalchuk doesn’t fit into Shero’s rebuilding plan, Shero has repeatedly said it makes no sense to bring in overpriced veterans (mainly as free agents) rather than building a solid foundation. Shero has called that a “patchwork” plan. But Shero, while saying, ultimately it would be Kovalchuk’s decision on where he wants to play and then Shero must decide whether such a sign-and-trade makes sense for the Devils, did not slam the door on a Kovalchuk return to the Devils. Obviously, Shero wants to make Kovalchuk’s trade value as high as possible and leaving open the possibility that the Devils could be a landing spot makes sense toward that end. Still, I got the impression that Shero genuinely believes the Russian sniper could help the offensively-challenged Devils, if Kovalchuk was open to a return to New Jersey.

Devils, Kovalchuk's agent laying groundwork for NHL return

3. Regarding Sherry Ross, who will not have her contract renewed as the Devils’ radio analyst. This was not Shero’s call, not under his sphere of influence. Shero, again, understandably, did not wish to comment on what has become a sore subject for many Devils’ fans. My own two cents on Ross, who couldn’t have been nicer to me as I switched from covering the Rangers to Devils, is that the Devils lose a unique voice but not retaining her, and not only because she’s a pioneer in terms of women broadcasting the NHL. The Devils lose a solid analyst, man or woman, a person who knows the game and players inside and out. True story: my first day on the Rangers beat way back in 2003, I walked into the Madison Square Garden press room to find myself sitting just a couple of seats away from Ross, then a columnist for the Daily News. I went over, introduced myself and told her that I really appreciated her writing. Because it was true.

Sherry Ross relieved of duties as Devils radio analyst

4. It doesn’t sound like Alexander Kerfoot is going to sign with the Devils. The fifth round pick in 2012, who played four seasons at Harvard, can become an unrestricted free agent on Aug. 15 and Shero didn’t shy away from hinting that’s the path he believes Kerfoot will take. The Devils can still sign Kerfoot once he becomes a UFA and it’s not like there’s any bad blood between the Kerfoot camp (kamp?) and the Devils like, say Kevin Hayes knew he didn’t want to sign with the Blackhawks before going the same route as Kerfoot appears ready to travel and signing with the Rangers. At the same time, Kerfoot can drive up his price through open bidding and also pick an organization where he believes he has the best chance for success, both individually and team success.

5. I asked Shero whether he felt there were any “untouchables” on his roster regarding potential trades. He basically laughed that notion away, given the Devils’ finish last season. Interestingly, he brought up goalie Cory Schneider unprompted as part of his answer, saying the plan is for Schneider to remain with the Devils and that’s what both player and organization want. But Shero also quickly noted plans can change as swiftly as one phone call. Like, for instance, when the Oilers call up to ask what it would take to get Adam Larsson and quickly acquiesce to you asking for Taylor Hall. Not sure what kind of market there is for Schneider now that the Stars have signed Ben Bishop, maybe the Flames? But I wouldn’t put any trade past Shero this summer.

6. Here’s the Devils’ schedule: They’ve conducted their coaching meetings, they’ve had their amateur scouting meetings. They’ll conduct more meetings at the NHL Scouting Combine in Buffalo June 2-3 and then their pro meetings are scheduled for June 11. Shero said he has not yet discussed any contracts with impending UFAs or restricted free agents and said he would use all the time allowed until the expansion draft.

7. Speaking of the expansion draft, Shero said no decision has been made yet as to which configuration the Devils’ protected list would be – seven forwards/three defensemen/one goalie or eight skaters/one goalie. Essentially, Shero has not locked into whether he’ll protect three or four defensemen yet. A lot of player movement is expected prior to the expansion draft around the league as Vegas can wheel and deal and other teams can guarantee, through trades, that certain players aren’t lost.

8. Regarding the Devils coaching staff, head coach John Hynes is obviously returning. I asked Shero if the rest of the staff – assistants Geoff Ward, Alain Nasreddine and Ryane Clowe and goalie coach Chris Terreri – were all also returning. Less clarity on this answer, though the impression was that the Devils were not making any changes unless necessary. Meaning, all of Hynes’ staff can return if they so choose. But nothing is finalized yet.

9. Notice something about the last three teams standing in the NHL, prior to the Penguins’ 3-2 double overtime win on Thursday night over the Senators in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference final to set up a Penguins-Predators Stanley Cup Final? In order, Ottawa, Nashville and Pittsburgh were Shero’s first three NHL stops. Shero was the Senators assistant GM from 1993-98, the Predators assistant GM from 1998-2006 and the Penguins GM from 2006-14. He is particularly close with Predators GM David Poile.

10. No offseason surgeries to report for any of the Devils players.

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