New Jersey Devils: Remembering 3 Big Additions Over Offseason

The New Jersey Devils have a little bit of young depth at the center of the ice which is the most important forward position. Travis Zajac is on the older side but Nico Hischier, Jack Hughes, and Pavel Zacha are all still really young. A lot of people don’t love Pavel Zacha because of where he was drafted but the truth of the matter is that he can be a decent bottom-six center if he just continues to develop. Nico Hischier and Jack Hughes have superstar potential.

Every good centerman should be a good winger. The Devils have a few good wings like Kyle Palmieri, Nikita Gusev, and Jesper Bratt but they needed more this offseason. They acquired Andreas Johnsson from the Toronto Maple Leafs for Joey Anderson. Some didn’t like giving up on Anderson but Johnsson is probably a better player right now. Anderson might turn into a really good bottom-six forward but Johnsson will fit right into this team’s top-six.

The only question for Johnsson is who his linemates will be. He could line up next to Hischier or he could line up with Hughes. There is potential for him to find chemistry with Pavel Zacha as well. Either way, he adds great depth to New Jersey’s forward group. He can score goals and make an impact offensively if he is healthy and put in the right position to succeed.