New Jersey Devils: Projected Forward Lineup for 2023-24
Right Wing
Timo Meier
The Swiss power forward is looking at an $8.8 million per season deal, according to Evolving Hockey (subscription required). Meier’s bread and butter is being a physical menace and getting open near the slot and the faceoff dots. He has a lethal shot for a one-timer and a nice wrap-around technique. Meier’s point production translates over into the Devils offensive style of play, and his physical play on top of Bahl, McLeod, Bastian, and Siegenthaler make the New Jersey Devils a lot harder to beat up front.
Meier did get robbed multiple times against Igor Shesterkin in the first round but was chirping and thumping Rangers players on the forecheck and evading defensemen. He finally broke through against Carolina several times. Once he signs that long-term deal in New Jersey, it’ll be a very hard time for opponents to beat the Devils in the playoffs on top of who they add to this roster.
Nathan Bastian
One of two Mississauga Steelheads on this roster, Bastian has been very important physically on the bottom-six. He hits and blocks with ease but isn’t an offensive juggernaut that wows people. He brings that playoff hockey style of play which is critical. While not the kind of guy you would want to lose, he brings a certain something to the lineup every night. When Bastian is out of the lineup, we see the Devils lose that physical edge. Bastian is a must-have in the Devils lineup until they can possibly replace him down the road.
Ondrej Palat
The Czech veteran was out for a good amount of the season due to a lower-body injury. Still, Ondrej Palat scored 23 points in 49 games. In the playoffs, he scored seven points and three goals. When healthy, Palat is a very confident and very tough opponent to play against and is a key veteran in every other situation a growing Devils team needs to have around.
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Tyce Thompson
The New Jersey Devils need to add some size to the lineup. Tyce Thompson brings physicality and the ability to score. It has been a bit rough for the young winger making a few appearances, but it wouldn’t hurt to see him make a case for himself looking to pick a bottom 6 role with lower expectations. His time in Utica, where he has been the most productive, could translate more if Sergei Brylin becomes the associate coach for the Devils running the offense. Having Brylin around would help Thompson to use his size, scoring ability, and physical play to fully integrate into a new role in the NHL.