3. Stefan Noesen
On pace for 60 points
The Devils surprised the world when they announced that Stefan Noesen was returning on a three-year deal this offseason. Noesen was a fringe NHLer when he was in New Jersey. Even when he left, he was still fighting for his life between the NHL and AHL. Then, he went to Carolina and became a major contributor. He found some kind of spark, and now the Devils are bearing the fruits of that labor.
Noesen has been the biggest surprise for the Devils this season, as he has been an offensive stimulant, and now he’s been moved up to play with Nico Hischier and Timo Meier. He’s also getting time on the first power-play unit. He’s contributed well there, already putting up four points with the man advantage including two goals.
Noesen is on pace for 60 points this season. Not only is that a career high, it is almost double his previous career high. Even with the Hurricanes, where he did contribute offensively, Noesen’s previous career high was 38 points. By the end of the month, he could be halfway there.
Will Noesen keep this torrid pace? He might. The way that Sheldon Keefe has been using suggests he will continue to get opportunities. He’s not delivering on an unsustainable pace. We don’t expect him to his 60 points this season, but 50 feels extremely attainable.