3 Changes New Jersey Devils Could Make When Nico Hischier/Jesper Bratt Return

Devils Go Full Rotation

The Devils have a lot of young, skilled players that can play in the lineup today. If Ruff uses this to build competition within games, it could be good for a young team like the Devils. Every shift would matter even more.

Let’s say Ruff still wants McLeod and Bastian to get in the lineup, but he understands the reality that he can’t have both here when Bratt and Hischier return. He could leave one in the lineup, and then take another player out. That could mean Zacha, Boqvist, McLeod, Bastian, Kuokkanen, Wood, and even Nick Merkley, Nolan Foote, and Mikhail Maltsev on the taxi squad.

This feels like the most likely option. Ruff loves competition, and that will build the best possible Devils team. Now, we don’t want Ruff to keep putting lines in a blender, but it would be nice to see some accountability. The pure fear of losing ones spot in the lineup will drive some to play better and others to crumble. Those who crumble can easily be replaced.

This is how teams put together the best lineup. Without options, hockey teams can fall stagnant. Instead, the Devils would have one of the most competitive teams in the league.