Pucks and Pitchforks
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New Jersey Devils: Midseason Forward Reviews

By David Holliday

Jack Hughes #86 of the New Jersey Devils celebrates with teammate Jesper Bratt #63 after his overtime goal against the Edmonton Oilers at Prudential Center on December 31, 2021 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
Jack Hughes #86 of the New Jersey Devils celebrates with teammate Jesper Bratt #63 after his overtime goal against the Edmonton Oilers at Prudential Center on December 31, 2021 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /
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New Jersey Devils
Nico Hischier #13 of the New Jersey Devils (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

Nico Hischier

Gp:35 G:8 A:16 Pts:24

Nico Hischier is having an interesting year, but a few things are becoming clear this season. He will probably never be a true number-one center like Hughes and getting past 25 goal mark more than once or twice is a long shot. His two-way game is still great and we love Hischier as a captain, but for over $7 million per season, he needs to be a 70+ point player and at 23 this is when he is hitting his prime. His underlying numbers are still good being a 55%corsi and getting a lot of defensive zone starts with his faceoff numbers being pretty good as well at 54%. His linemates for most of the year have disappointed and now he has moved away from long-time partner Pavel Zacha so we will have to see first if this lasts and secondly if it can help him.

Rating: B

Pavel Zacha

Gp:38 G:10 A:8 Pts:18

It is no secret by now that Pavel Zacha has his fans and his detractors. This year is the final nail in that coffin. He gets more chances from the team’s great playmakers than anyone and finishes on such a low number of them. He is big but rarely hits and disappears for long stretches. He has 2 goals and 4 assists since November 25th. This is something a team could get away with on a fourth line maybe but not a guy who started on what was perhaps the top line and is always talked about as a top-six guy. It is time to move on from this project before he has no value.

Rating: D

Andreas Johnsson

Gp:39 G:10 A:14 Pts:24

After his quick start, Andreas Johnsson has slowed down. He’s scored once in the last 20 games which are unacceptable but his numbers are not bad. It just would have been nice if the numbers were spread out a little better. After last season fans should be happy to see him score 20 goals and 50 points but the team can not afford to have so many players invisible for long stretches.

Rating: B-

Dawson Mercer

Gp:41 G:9 A:13 Pts:22

Much like the previous two players, Dawson Mercer has cooled off immensely. He is no longer pushing the play and is barely noticed on the ice sadly. He is still on a good pace however and fans should be happy if he does finish with 18 goals and 44 points, but it is still disappointing that he is not getting the chances he was in the first 20 games.

Rating: B

Tomas Tatar

Gp:38 G:8 A:9 Pts:17

Tomas Tatar hasn’t found his footing in New Jersey and is having a bad season despite playing with skilled players all year. He was a big signing and should have been contending for team leads in stats, but instead has been coasting around the middle of the pack. He will need to improve a lot next season like Johnsson did and may also be a candidate for trades at the deadline despite having a year left after this one.

Rating: C-

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