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NHL New Jersey Devils

Michael Cammalleri Is Key To New Jersey Devils’ Success

By @nick_villano

Mike Cammalleri

Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

There were a ton of big splash free agent acquisitions this offseason. Paul Stastny signed with the St. Louis Blues on a four-year deal. The Colorado Avalanche responded by signing Jarome Iginla to a three-year deal. Ryan Miller went to the Vancouver Canucks while Matt Moulson returned to the Buffalo Sabres.

All these deals were huge headline stealers, but a lesser signing might end up making the biggest impact.

The New Jersey Devils brought in Michael Cammalleri on a five-year deal that is worth a total of $25 million. Despite missing six games, he still leads the team with eight goals in 16 games. Three of his goals were game-winners. When Cammalleri scores a goal, the Devils are 5-1-1. Those numbers say something about his importance to this team.

Cammalleri was most important to finalizing the top line for the Devils. Jaromir Jagr and Travis Zajac were together for most of last season. They could not find a left wing who could work with them. They tried multiple players, including Jacob Josefson, Reid Boucher and Dainius Zubrus, throughout the year. Now they have a player who will set up the first line for the entire season.

Cammalleri adds to an offense that cannot get on the right foot this season. Beyond the first line, the team has scorers in Patrik Elias, Adam Henrique, Michael Ryder and Martin Havlat. They combined for 73 goals last season, but only have 14 through 22 games this season. It shows just how important Cammalleri’s scoring is when it’s seen how little the rest of the team has contributed.

The rest of the team needs to contribute, but Cammalleri will continue to be the key to the Devils’ season no matter what. His contributions are unmatchable. Thanks to him, Jagr already has 10 assists on the year. He is really finishing on the chances he is given. He needs to continue on this pace if the Devils have any shot of turning this season around. It is playoffs or bust for this team, and there will be severe changes if they fail to make it. That is a lot of pressure on one player, but the Devils are relying on their big offseason acquisition to come up big when they need him.

Nick Villano is the New Jersey Devils writer for Rant Sports. He also adds to the site’s NBA, MLB and NFL content. You can follow him on Twitter or add him to your Google circle.

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