New Jersey Devils: Assessing All-Star Bids For Remaining Players
Jack Hughes is obviously the New Jersey Devils pick for the All-Star Game, but there are others who might be deserving. We take a look at the others on the list and see how likely they are to make the team.
It was great to see Jack Hughes make the All-Star team. He’s become one of the best players in the NHL this season, and it makes sense that he’s representing the New Jersey Devils. Legitimately, Hughes has been on another level. He’s sixth in the league in goals and eighth in total points. Hughes saw the Devils needed a finisher, and their best player became that finisher. That’s why he’s an All Star.
However, Hughes isn’t the only great player on the roster. The Devils have four players over 30 points. At this point last season, one player had more than 30 points, none had 40 points like Hughes, and nobody else had even 25 points at the 40-game mark.
It’s a much better team this season. We know that because it’s January, and the season isn’t basically over. With the Devils’ current place in the standings comes consideration for more All-Stars. The Devils haven’t had more than one All-Star since 2007, when Martin Brodeur and Brian Rafalski made the team (not including injury replacements). Hopefully, this is the year that changes. Let’s take a look at the nominees.
Jesper Bratt
Jesper Bratt is having a weird season. He was considered one of the best wingers in the league through November. He finished with 11 points in November and 15 points in October. It helped the Devils get off to a ridiculous start to the season.
Then, things took a turn. Bratt only had eight points in December, and because of the multi-point games, he was held pointless in seven games. There were games where he disappeared. However, it’s hard to argue against the total package.
Bratt is tied for 33rd in points across the league. When looking at advanced stats, he’s even better. Bratt is seventh in CF% amongst all players with at least 10 games played. Five of the top six play for the Carolina Hurricanes. He’s seventh in high-danger chance percentage. Bratt is playing a phenomenal two-way game, even if it isn’t turning into counting stats.
Thanks to his advanced stats, Bratt has a huge stake in the All-Star claim. He would also be incredibly fun to see in a three-on-three format. With only two more skaters and a goalie coming in the vote, Bratt has an uphill climb to make the roster.
Nico Hischier
Nico Hischier started the season looking like the best player on the Devils roster. His counting and advanced stats were some of the best in the league. He was great at 5v5, and he was playing meaningful defensive minutes, both at the end of wins and on the penalty kill. Hischier was doing just about everything the Devils needed to get the W on a nightly basis. That’s on top of being the captain for one of the biggest surprises of the season.
His numbers have dropped as of late. Hischier is 70th in the league when it comes to high-danger chance percentage. His line isn’t really considered the best on the team, and unfortunately for him, Hischier’s offensive opportunities are mostly going to Hughes.
He’s still third on the team in points with 38. He leads the team with five game-winning goals. This includes game-winning goals in wins versus Pittsburgh and Detroit over the last two weeks. The Devils were spiraling, and the team captain stepped up.
Hischier is on the ice for 19:40 per game. Only Hughes plays more than Hischier at forward. What’s going against the Devils’ captain is he is doing all the little things right. Little things don’t send players to All-Star Games.
Dougie Hamilton
The Devils top defenseman looks much closer to the $9 million man Josh Harris and David Blitzer are paying for. Dougie Hamilton has, at times, looked like a Vezina Candidate for his offensive skill and ability to hold his own in his own end. In the first two months of the season, Hamilton looked like a superduper star.
His partnership with Jonas Siegenthaler made them one of the most lethal duos in the NHL. With Siegs keeping him honest on the defensive end, Hamilton could take more risks in the offensive end. This was the perfect storm. Hamilton has the confidence to make moves, and it has him as the Devils top scoring defenseman.
Actually, his 34 points are sixth amongst all defensemen in the NHL. He’s ahead of such stars as Miro Heiskanen, Roman Josi and Quinn Hughes. Hamilton has been a phenomenal player for most of the season.
Next. Are the Devils really that much better on the road?. dark
However, when Hamilton is bad, he’s been baaaaaaad. Like, he’s lost some games for the Devils this season. It’s hard to name Hamilton one of the two remaining skater All-Stars when he has that on his resume. That’s especially true when Adam Fox is not on the team.
You can vote for these Devils and more every day until January 17th here on NHL.com.