From Don Lever to Cory Schneider, the New Jersey Devils have boasted their fair share of NHL All-Stars through the years. On four occasions the club has seen as many as four players selected in a given year. Only the 2012 edition of the All-Star game in Ottawa had no New Jersey players.
This season the Devils could have as many as four All-Stars representing the organization in Los Angeles. On the ballot are Michael Cammalleri, Andy Greene, Taylor Hall and Schneider. Do any or all of the aforementioned players have a shot at getting voted in? Is there a player not listed on the ballot who should represent the club? Let’s have a look.
Michael Cammalleri
The Devils left wing has netted nine markers, two game-winning goals, and sports a 12.2 shooting percentage. Cammalleri’s 19 points are tied for fourth on the club. Cammy has cooled off in December but was named the NHL’s second star for the week ending Nov. 27. New Jersey’s talented forward tends to score in bunches, so a huge January push could give him the nod.
Andy Greene
With 677 games under his belt, Greene is the second longest-tenured Devil. Greene’s iron man streak of 348 consecutive games ranks second in franchise history behind the 388 of Devils legendary defenseman Ken Daneyko.
The Devils defense has been maligned this season but No. 6 still plays his heart out every night. Through 36 contests, New Jersey’s captain has three goals, six assists, and nine points. One wouldn’t think a defensive player would make it from the Devils but given Greene’s captaincy, he may get the vote.
Taylor Hall
Sidelined again with a separate lower body injury, Hall, like the Devils, was red-hot in October. Despite the injuries, when the talented left winger is on the ice he plays a lot. The kid from Calgary leads all left wingers in the league with an average ice-time per game of 20:26.
Hall ranks second on the club with 23 points and 15 assists and is tied for third with eight goals. Not only does he provide offense he generates chances, leading the team with 85 shots, four power play tallies and is tied with Cammalleri with two game-winning goals. If healthy, he could be ‘Taylor-made’ for the three-on-three format.
Cory Schneider
Coming into the season, the Devils goalie was being billed as a top five candidate for the Vezina Trophy. For a couple of months, there was a great argument to be made.
However, a poor defense and lack of offense may be taking its toll on the Devils top netminder.
The Marblehead, Massachusetts native has ten victories, a 2.90 goals-against average, a .904 save percentage and one shutout. Right now statistically speaking Schneider looks to be the fourth or fifth goalie on the Metropolitan Division ballot.
Travis Zajac
Not on the ballot but he is an old reliable. Once on the “ZZ Pops” line with Jamie Langenbrunner and Zach Parise, “Z” is now “Pops”. Zajac leads New Jersey with 24 points and 16 assists. The Winnipeg, Manitoba native has been the Devils’ most consistent center this season and is on pace for 19 goals and 56 points, the best tally since he notched 25 goals and 67 points during the 2009-10 campaign.
