New Jersey Devils: Stefan Noesen Earned His Spot In The Lineup
By Nick Villano
The New Jersey Devils are expecting some very important pieces back from injury this week. Despite that, Stefan Noesen should not be the player to get scratched.
The New Jersey Devils have been criminally shorthanded this week. After a knee-to-knee hit against the Los Angeles Kings, Taylor Hall missed a back to back. Kyle Palmieri has been out since November 22nd after he broke his foot blocking a shot. Marcus Johansson was also injured by a blocked shot, but his was only an ankle bruise. All three are expected to play at some point this week.
That leaves Devils coach John Hynes to make a decision about his lineup. The team already sent Nick Lappin down to the AHL, despite scoring a goal against the Dallas Stars. That leaves two more players that Hynes needs to take out of the lineup.
For much of the season, Stefan Noesen was the go-to healthy scratch among forwards. It made sense at the time. Noesen has a limited skill set, but his effort is unmatched. On paper, it would be hard to imagine he could keep up with young guns like Nico Hischier and Jesper Bratt, but he’s done just that.
Noesen has played every game this month, and played very well. He has points in six points in eight games this month. One of those points was the only goal against Carey Price, who was a brick wall otherwise. He’s proved his importance to this team, even if it ends up being as a fourth liner.
Hynes decision may be to bench two veterans who haven’t been able to do much offensively. Drew Stafford hasn’t had a point in 14 games. For a guy who’s supposed to be a veteran presence on the offensive end, that’s atrocious. Sure, he’s had some of the worst puck luck we’ve seen in a long time, but results are results. He missed the net on at least three occasions when it was wide open. Those goals could have been very important, not just for the Devils but for his confidence. It may be time to let him watch from the owner’s box while the Devils go with the hot hands.
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Jimmy Hayes is an interesting case, but one that probably ends with him being a healthy scratch as well. He’s been decent this month, with three assists in seven games. However, when you look at his game as a whole his impact is limited. He shouldn’t ever play on the power play, and doesn’t play a lick on the penalty kill. He’s only been on the ice for 10 seconds during a penalty kill. There are just better options once the calvary returns.
Noesen has been aggressive since he’s been given a shot in the lineup. He needs to continue getting chances until he stops earning them. Not only will it help the team on the ice, but it will prove to the other players you can play your way into the lineup.
One caveat to all this. Pavel Zacha should not be the healthy scratch once everyone returns. It’s not remotely in the best interest of the Devils present of future.