Pucks and Pitchforks
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New Jersey Devils: Projected Forward Lineup for 2023-24

By Joseph Stanislau

The New Jersey Devils celebrates a first period goal by Jack Hughes #86 against the Carolina Hurricanes in Game Four of the Second Round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Prudential Center on May 09, 2023 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
The New Jersey Devils celebrates a first period goal by Jack Hughes #86 against the Carolina Hurricanes in Game Four of the Second Round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Prudential Center on May 09, 2023 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
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New Jersey Devils
Nico Hischier #13 and Jack Hughes #86 of the New Jersey Devils. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

Centers

Jack Hughes 

Jack Hughes after a phenomenal 99-point season and showing his draft skeptic doubters wrong. Not only did he prove skeptics wrong in the regular season, he scored six goals and 11 points in 12 playoff games. Hughes was a near .92 points per game in the playoffs, showing that he can adapt to all levels of hockey. He should be considered a candidate for the Hart Trophy every year.

Nico Hischier

The Swiss center played well above expectations with 80 points and a Selke Trophy nomination. HIschier scored 31 goals, 10 more than his previous career high. His strong play along the neutral zone and along the walls has been key in keeping the puck in the offensive zone. Like Jack Hughes, Nico Hischier is a phenomenal passer who leads his wingers and attackers to cash in on scoring chances. Hischier plays a Pavel Datsyuk style of hockey, stripping the puck and generating an offensive breakout that will be vital going forward.

Michael McLeod

Former Mississauga Steelheads forward Michael McLeod is a physical forechecking center. He hits opponents a lot as well as suppresses opponents’ shots on net. He is one of the best faceoff winners in the NHL for a good reason. He clocked in at 60.6% this past season. McLeod had 26 points and 22 assists in 80 games. He has improved his offensive point production by 6 points and could improve by another 6 points going forward. It’s not much, but it’s something. He did much better in the playoffs, with six points in 12 games.

Dawson Mercer

The young man from Newfoundland has proven why it was crucial for GM Tom Fitzgerald not to use Dawson Mercer in any trade deals. He has shown a very quick release and could be a good star in New Jersey. His two-way play and his silky stickhandling between stripping the puck, passing, and shooting is why he will be the Devils’ version of Patrice Bergeron as he ages and makes a lot of noise in the playoffs in The Garden State of Hockey.

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