Pucks and Pitchforks
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New Jersey Devils Midseason Defense And Goalie Grades

By David Holliday

NEWARK, NJ - JANUARY 23: Jon Gillies #32 of the New Jersey Devils at the bench during the National Hockey League game between the New Jersey Devils and the Los Angeles Kings on January 23, 2022 at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Getty Images)
NEWARK, NJ - JANUARY 23: Jon Gillies #32 of the New Jersey Devils at the bench during the National Hockey League game between the New Jersey Devils and the Los Angeles Kings on January 23, 2022 at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Getty Images) /
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New Jersey Devils
Damon Severson #28 of the New Jersey Devils. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

Damon Severson

Gp:39 G:5 A:14 Pts:19

Damon Severson is one of the harder rankings on this team, but his play has been noticeably better when away from Ty Smith. That pairing was fantastic last season and should have been dominant in a second versus first pairing role but they were buried possession-wise every game but that was more on Smith than Severson who has turned it around since being moved. He is putting up points, moving the puck fairly well but is still prone to defensive breakdowns occasionally however for a middle-of-the-pack guy he has been pretty good recently and the goals against are more on goaltending than anything.

Rating: B-

P.K. Subban

Gp:38 G:2 A:13 Pts:15

P.K. Subban has had a better season than last and has a decent amount of points currently it will be interesting to see if he has a value at the deadline if the Devils hold on to all the salary they can. His physical play is nice but he does take it too far a little often and the fact that even teammates know about his slew footing problem is bad since plays like that are dirty, cowardly, and have no place in the NHL. Everywhere he has gone, Subban has been a bit of a controversial player and the Devils should probably be ready to move on from him.

Rating: C-

Ty Smith

Gp:33 G:1 A:9 Pts:10

To put it bluntly, Smith has been the worst defender on this team by a pretty wide margin of those who have played a lot of games. He still has not found his game from last season and nothing has changed since the quarter season mark. His play has helped sink the team and it would be best for him and the team if he could go play in the AHL for the rest of the season. This team isn’t going anywhere either way but playing for a strong team that could win a championship could be exactly what he needs. Down there he would be able to slow things down, relax a little and get his head right so he can regain that poise we all say in junior and his first NHL season.

Rating: F

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