The New Jersey Devils have a very good problem right now. They have multiple players capable of playing on the top line, but obviously, not everyone can. Look no further than 21-year-old superstar Jack Hughes.
Hughes is a first-line center on almost every other team in the league. Given the Devils’ depth, some might consider his line the second line. With this flexibility comes many players whose game can be elevated. Who are some of the players that will benefit the most in the 2023-24 season playing with Jack Hughes?
Dawson Mercer
Dawson Mercer is the obvious selection for this list. Given how well he played last season, he’s capable of greatness. Following Timo Meier’s re-signing and Tyler Toffoli’s acquisition, Mercer loses his top-line spot, but that’s okay. Fans clamored for Hughes to have consistency on the wings for a large portion of last season.
Insert Dawson Mercer. He had a breakout sophomore season, tallying 27 goals and 29 assists. A large chunk of Mercer’s season was spent being on different lines, and he found ways to be productive.
If Dawson Mercer can consistently play with the same Center, and build chemistry, the sky is the limit. With Jack Hughes leading the second line last year, he showed he’s capable of elevating those around him. Going into the new season, it’s critical for Mercer to recreate last year’s goal-scoring. The Devils will need scorers on the wings, and playing with Hughes could be the key for Dawson Mercer.
Erik Haula
The combination of Haula and Hughes confused people originally, but it makes sense. One could argue, Haula has already benefitted from playing with Hughes. Haula’s extension shows the team believes in him and more specifically, playing with Jack Hughes. When paired up with Hughes, Haula handled most of the faceoffs, which allowed Hughes act like a scorer. Should Hughes and Haula be on the second line together again, expect more of the same.
While Haula didn’t light it up on the stat sheet, he did everything you could ask a player playing on the same line as a young superstar to do. Haula brought all the intangibles, game awareness, and leadership you’d want out of a veteran. With these two on the same line, that brings the Devils a very good chance of repeating last season’s success.
Alex Holtz
It feels like Alex Holtz is the dream we all have but were losing faith in it coming true. The 2023-24 season is undoubtedly a make-or-break season for Holtz. After two seasons of inconsistent NHL time and playing in Utica, Holtz will have to prove he belongs in Newark. His best option? The second line with Jack Hughes.
Holtz needs someone to give him opportunities, and there is nobody better for that on this team than Jack Hughes. If Holtz can find the form that made the Devils draft him, it’d be curtains for the league.
Multiple times during last year, it was said Hughes is at his best setting others up to score. If that’s really the case, you need him to unlock what’s in Holtz. See if he sinks or swims. For whatever reason, Holtz hasn’t gotten a fair shake yet. This might be his best and only chance to cement his spot on this hockey club.
Good News
There were three people listed, but honestly, there are plenty more candidates. This problem of who will be on the second line is an incredible one to have. After seeing how well Jack Hughes played with whoever he was paired up with, we all know he’s ready to elevate anybody. Only time will tell who gets the nod on the second line, but these are the problems you want to have.