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New Jersey Devils End Of Season Defense Grades And Goalie Evaluations

By David Holliday

NEWARK, NEW JERSEY - DECEMBER 31: Dougie Hamilton #7 of the New Jersey Devils in action against the Edmonton Oilers at Prudential Center on December 31, 2021 in Newark, New Jersey. The Devils defeated the Oilers 6-5 in overtime. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEWARK, NEW JERSEY - DECEMBER 31: Dougie Hamilton #7 of the New Jersey Devils in action against the Edmonton Oilers at Prudential Center on December 31, 2021 in Newark, New Jersey. The Devils defeated the Oilers 6-5 in overtime. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /
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New Jersey Devils
New Jersey Devils defenseman Jonas Siegenthaler (71): Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports /

Jonas Siegenthaler

GP:70 G:1 A:13 PTS: 14

Pre-Season Prediction: GP:50 G:1 A:4 PTS: 5

Last season, Jonas Siegenthaler looked like Mirco Mueller 2.0. Tall and soft with mediocre skating and stick work, but he really proved everyone wrong this season. He might be the Devils’ biggest surprise on a disappointing team. His advanced numbers were strong, his stickwork vastly improved, and while not a physical force, he was third on the team in hits and didn’t back down in scrums. Right now he looks like a legit top 4 defensive defender and with his ability to stop zone entries should find himself getting a lot of minutes next year.

Rating: A+

Ty Smith

GP:66 G:5 A:15 PTS: 20

Pre-Season Prediction: GP:75 G:4 A:33 PTS: 37

To say Ty Smith’s season was a disappointment is an understatement. He was one of the worst defenders in the entire league all season. For some reason, he still managed to stick in the lineup. He was able to get some points late in the season but the poise and awareness completely left his game for the entire year and it was like watching a different player. Next season will be career-defining for him because this was one heck of a sophomore slump. His leash should be very short with the great defenders this team has coming.

Rating: F

P.K. Subban

GP:77 G:5 A:17 PTS: 22

Pre-Season Prediction: GP:70 G:6 A:13 PTS: 19

We all know what P.K. Subban is now. He is the shadow of the Norris Trophy winner he once was, but later in the year he looked settled in for the first time with the Devils. He was nothing special, but as a number six defender, he didn’t look bad by the end.  He will always make those bad passes and turnovers that kill you, but it won’t be a problem for the Devils next season. He will probably sign for $2 million by someone who is fine sheltering him.

Rating: C-

Kevin Bahl

GP:17 G:1 A:3 PTS: 4

Pre-Season Prediction: GP:25 G:0 A:3 PTS: 3

Kevin Bahl got in a good number of games at the end and ran only slightly in the negative on some advanced stats such as Corsi and Fenwick compared to the team which is expected of such a young player with little experience. He had 28 hits in his 17 games which is something that he needs to do and might give him a shot at sticking next year though the competition for the final pairing will be fierce.

Rating: B

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