Eric Gelinas has moved up the Devils Top Prospects ranks and positioned himself as a possible call-up to the big club when a defensemen is needed in the 2012-13 season.

There's a problem though, we have 8 NHL defensemen on the active roster. Another problem would be that Alexander Urbom and Matt Corrente are still possibly ahead of him on the depth chart due to NHL game experience.

In his 1st full season in pro hockey Eric managed 16G-21A-37P. The 16 goals managed to lead Albany. It helped that he was getting the chance to QB the Power Play, but isn't the fact that he was doing so impressive itself? His 75 games also led the squad.

For a more in depth look at what he did last season, check out the profile done right here on ILWT by Tom Stivali:

http://www.inlouwetrust.com/2012/3/30/2913886/new-jersey-devils-prospect-report-eric-gelinas

Reading our page in the Hockey News 2012-13 Preview, I noticed that they described Gelinas as a "converted forward." Although I've yet to find anything that confirms their statement, I'll take the Hockey News word for it.

Considering the organizational lack of top forward prospects and our over abundance of top defence prospects, I would like to see Gelinas given a shot in Camp to make the team in the role Ponikarovsky played last season.

He's big. He's said to be a great skater with a heavy shot. And whatever defensive deficiencies he has wouldn't be as glaring as a forward. Maybe we could turn an Offensive minded d-man into a defensice minded scoring 3rd liner?

We have Urbom, Corrente, and Burlon in Albany. Merrill, Faust, and Daly in NCAA, Severson and Scarlett in the CHL. Not to mention Larsson and Fayne already with the Devils.

Personally I'd rather see Gelinas up with the Devils than Tedenby. We already have a pretty good idea what PDB thinkgs of Teds.

Is moving Gelinas to forward worth a try? What do you think?