New Jersey Devils: Perfect Lineup For 2020-21 Season

Forward Line Three

Jesper Bratt-Pavel Zacha-Nikita Gusev

The line centered by Pavel Zacha was the most successful down the stretch of the 2019-20 season. He takes a lot of grief because of where he was drafted and not living up to it. He hasn’t been the sixth-best player from his draft class, but that ship has sailed. He is, regardless of what people think, an NHL player. Landing one of those in the first round of any draft isn’t a guarantee. If Zacha can be put in a position to succeed going forward, he could be a really helpful player.

One way to put him in a position to succeed is by giving him great linemates. Jesper Bratt is a great NHL player. He has a chance to assert himself into the core of this team for a long time by having a really good year last year. He can score and make sweet passes which is always nice to have on a line like this.

Nikita Gusev was only tapping into his NHL potential as the season went on last year. He had a rough start to his North American career but came on strong around the New Year. He was a big piece of this line that was created down the stretch and had so much success. Some people might not want to see Bratt or Gusev on a “third line” but that doesn’t mean they get the least amount of ice time. Their chemistry is amazing and deserves another chance to shine together.