The Devils forward depth just isn’t the strength that it needs to be this season. We look today at why that is and talk about how they might go about fixing it.
The New Jersey Devils are a very top-heavy team right now. Anyone who watches the team can tell you this; heck, anyone who stat watches could come to the same conclusion. Jack Hughes and Jesper Bratt are the unquestioned engine of the team, with both of them being above a point per game. Nico Hischier is also doing his part offensively, being just a few points shy of a point per game while also being a key piece in the other zones of the ice. Summer (re)acquisition Stefan Noesen has been a pleasant surprise in terms of goal production. Timo Meier is having some struggles, but is still producing at a relatively strong pace while not seeing power play 1 ice time.
Beyond that though?
Well, if you want to include the defense, Dougie Hamilton is doing his part, and while Luke Hughes isn’t scoring as many goals as he did last season, he’s still on pace for 32 points despite missing time to start the year. Maybe you argue that Dawson Mercer is filling his role as a 40-50 point guy (although he’s only on pace for 39) who brings energy and other skills to go with those points. After that, however, the positives are getting slimmer in terms of point production.
Paul Cotter started the season off on a tear, and since that time has come crashing back down to Earth with zero points in the team’s last 15 games. Erik Haula hasn’t been the straw stirring the drink this season, as he’s managed only 11 points so far. Ondrej Palat has been great as of late, with six points in the last eight games, but the worry has to be him turning into the invisible player that he was in the first 26 games. Tomas Tatar has been relegated to a fourth line role this season, and in his 30 appearances hasn’t managed to get to double digit points yet. Nate Bastian and Curtis Lazar have both missed substantial time, but neither has really made an impact when they’ve been available either.
The team has been successful so far, yet if they really want to go far this season, they made need to contemplate an offensive upgrade as the trade deadline draws closer. They certainly shouldn’t make any impulsive moves right now, as what they’ve built has been working this season for the most part. Sure, there’s been some rough games here and there, but the Devils are a top five team in terms of point percentage; they’re better than that if you look solely at points. Yet the way the offense has stagnated at times, and the lack of depth scoring, could mean the Devils might want to make a move.
Now for whom they want to make that move? That’s anyone’s guess at this point, as December is still a bit too early to tell who might be available in March. Additionally, the Devils will have to be aware of the price tags, as there’s not exactly a surplus of resources the team can part with in a trade, unless some team doesn’t mind one of the aforementioned underperformers coming back with some draft picks attached, which to be truthful, isn’t likely. The goal shouldn’t be to subtract, just to push said underperformers down the lineup a bit; the last thing any of us want to see come playoff time is Kurtis MacDermid having to dress due to ineffective or injured players.
The defense has seemingly been solidified and the goaltending has been better this season. The Devils seem as though they might just be an offensive piece (or two) away from making some serious noise this spring. The only variables to be solved are do they bring someone in and if so can they find a strong fit at a price that makes sense.
What are your thoughts on the performances of the Devils forwards this season; do you think they need to add from outside the organization? Could an unsigned prospect be added at season’s end to help make an impact? Are you on the opposite side and think they shouldn’t mess with a group that’s showing strong chemistry right now? Leave any and all comments below and thanks as always for reading!