New Jersey Devils: Defensive Lineup Projections for 2023-24

Just a few days ago, we took a look at the New Jersey Devils forwards that will make the 2022-23 roster. Today, we are going over the defensemen and goaltenders who will start the season in red and black. Most are under contract already. However, one domino fell on Friday. Damon Severson signed a deal, but not with the Devils. He signed an eight-year deal after he was traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets.

With that said, let’s take a look at which defensemen are going to light the Rock on opening night.

Jonas Siegenthaler

Since the trade for the Swiss Guard defender from the Washington Capitals, Jonas Siegenthaler has become a very stable, physical, stay-at-home defenseman. Right now, he’s playing a top-four role next to Dougie Hamilton.

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His ability to block shots and help a defenseman like Hamilton play their offensive-defenseman games fits perfectly in what the team needs. Siegenthaler munches a lot of minutes and is becoming a reliable player who may become an alternative captain one day.

Luke Hughes

The youngest of the Hughes brothers proved he is a super dynamic offensive defenseman already in his first regular season games, scoring a few points. In the playoffs against Carolina, he had a few ups and downs, but these are all learning curves that defensemen face at the highest level of hockey.

Luke Hughes wins a lot of board battles using that big frame of his, and he is a late birthday, so he is gaining more body mass and has a lot of time to learn to be an even more dangerous defenseman playing a two-way game. His skating is similar to his brother Quinn Hughes and has the wow factor that makes older Devils fans remember seeing flashes of Scott Niedermayer skating up the ice.

Kevin Bahl

The Sasquatch of New Westminister, British Columbia has proven he can become a wild and scary presence of a man on defense. His long reach, skating, and the ability to clear out pucks is proving why he will take over Ryan Graves’s role going forward.

He’s an economical option and is an RFA who will make his pay here in the Garden State of Hockey while becoming a big fan favorite for many years.

Dougie Hamilton

Dougie Hamilton tied the franchise goal record for a defenseman, tying Barry Beck’s with 22 goals. Hamilton came just short of Scott Stevens’ 78 point single-season points record, putting up 74 points. He was one of the dominant defensemen on the offensive end. He is an offensive defenseman and plays best when he is paired with a player like Kevin Bahl playing the opposite style of hockey on defense.

John Marino

The big splash the Devils acquired from the Pittsburgh Penguins last offseason, John Marino has become the true New Jersey blue line star. He became more noticeable shutting down opposing stars. He makes it a lot harder for teams to break through, meanwhile posting +21 in the plus-minus category. His long stretch passes created offense, adding a good two-way game.

Simon Nemec

Simon Nemec, the young Slovak defenseman, already proved he can bring his international style of play to North America. His play in Utica is beginning to translate well as a shooter and is a big presence on the power play. He would benefit from playing on the special teams. When Nemec is on his game, he has swagger and style showing he is a heart, soul, and skilled player that the New Jersey Devils are going to be ready to unleash.

Daniil Misyul

Belarusian physical two-way defender and draft prospect is under ELC, he spent the past few seasons in the KHL for Lokomotiv Yaroslavl. He is the kind of defender the Devils need to play against teams in the Metropolitan and the Atlantic Divisions not just during the season but come playoff time when this team needs to transition puck movement and preventing teams from getting comfortable around the goalie crease.

Misyul is a player that would do well adapting more so in a stay-at-home defense role and, like Kevin Bahl, will also bring that Sasquatch defensive play. He adds a shot suppresser, hard-hitting guy to the lineup. Misyul played in the KHL, so he’s already played professional hockey. Don’t be surprised to make the Devils’ opening-night roster.