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New Jersey Devils Player Grades For October

By Nick Villano

NEWARK, NJ - OCTOBER 27: New Jersey Devils left wing Taylor Hall (9) skates during the second period of the National Hockey League Game between the New Jersey Devils and the Florida Panthers on October 27, 2018 at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
NEWARK, NJ - OCTOBER 27: New Jersey Devils left wing Taylor Hall (9) skates during the second period of the National Hockey League Game between the New Jersey Devils and the Florida Panthers on October 27, 2018 at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Eliot J. Schechter/NHLI via Getty Images)
(Photo by Eliot J. Schechter/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Nico Hischier: B+

Nico Hischier is the only player on the first line not in the “A” column, but that’s just because he was slightly slow to start the season off. He’s only scored goals in two different games, but scored two deflection goals in the Devils OT loss to the Nashville Predators.

He’s currently sitting at eight points, good for third on the team behind Hall and Palmieri, his line mates. Hischier is right where we want him to be. As a 19-year-old center, he could become one of the best in the league sooner rather than later. He isn’t an “A” just yet, but he’s so very close.

Sami Vatanen: B+

Sami Vatanen has been everything we want from a top defenseman on the Devils. He will never be Erik Karlsson, but he’s just fine leading the Devils defensive corps. Ignoring the massacre that was Tuesday night against the Lightning, Vatanen has been very good at keeping the puck out of the net.

Vatenen would be perfect as a 1A on a top line, but he’s taking the situation he’s been given. He’s the Devils top guy, and he’s really elevating the line he’s on.

Mirco Mueller: B+

Meanwhile, his line partner Mirco Mueller has been head and shoulders above what we expected him coming into the season. He’s been so good, we haven’t heard anything about him. When a defenseman is not in the headlines, that usually means he’s doing a good job.

Mueller has been just fine on the first line, despite what he brought to the table last season. He was not brought here to be the top guy, but he’s proved he can at least fill that role for now. As long as he continues to be a productive player who can fit any role, he will get grades of B or above.

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