The New Jersey Devils face a roster crunch as training camp reaches its final stretch, with general manager and coaching staff weighing bottom-six forward spots ahead of the mandatory roster submission deadline on Monday, September 28th. A crowded group of veterans and young prospects are competing for limited jobs, forcing difficult decisions regarding waivers and minor league assignments.
Devils Forward Roster Battle Narrows in Training Camp
New Jersey’s primary roster dilemma centers on finding the right mix of players for the bottom six. Evan Rodrigues, Dawson Mercer, Arseny Gritsyuk, Cody Glass, Connor Brown, Amadeus Lombardi, Jesper Boqvist, Stefan Noesen, and Colin White are all contending for remaining forward slots. Veteran forward Nick Bjugstad remains sidelined with a long-term injury and is not participating in the current training camp battles.
The situation puts considerable pressure on management regarding experienced forwards who require waivers to clear the roster. White was placed on waivers on Sunday, while Boqvist and Noesen also remain vulnerable to waivers as the team works to finalize its lineup. Noesen represents a particularly high-stakes decision for the club due to his proven NHL bottom-six production, making him an appealing target should other organizations attempt to claim him.
Projected Line Combinations and Waiver Decisions
If New Jersey successfully clears waivers for Boqvist, White, and Noesen, the forward lines take a distinct shape. Gritsyuk, Rodrigues, and Mercer project as a third-line unit, blending youthful scoring potential with established NHL experience. Meanwhile, a fourth line featuring Lombardi, Glass, and Brown would pair young talent with veteran presence.
The debate largely hinges on whether to prioritize immediate veteran depth or developmental ice time for younger skaters. According to reporting from Nate Duffett, cutting Lombardi from the opening night roster could prove to be a misstep if the organization values his growth in a sheltered NHL role over top-line minutes in the American Hockey League. The coaching staff must weigh whether limited fourth-line minutes benefit Lombardi more than a primary role in the AHL.
Roster Construction Deadlines and Next Steps
Front-office decisions must be finalized quickly, with all NHL clubs required to submit their opening day rosters by Monday, September 28th. The next twenty-four to forty-eight hours will clarify whether New Jersey leans toward veteran security with players like Noesen and Boqvist or opts for a younger roster configuration anchored by Lombardi and Glass.
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