Ondrej Palat
Goals: 8 Assists: 8 Points: 16
Grade: C+
Ondrej Palat is the hardest guy to grade right now. It's especially hard to give him a grade knowing he's had a chance to win the game on his stick and missed. He's also had some very clutch moments since he was upgraded to the first line with Jack Hughes and Jesper Bratt. He leads the team in takeaways, which is important when you play with Hughes and Bratt. Those two might not have A+ grades without Palat (but would easily get As). He is that little extra they need, but his mistakes now and earlier in the season are impossible to ignore.
Dawson Mercer
Goals: 9 Assists: 10 Points: 19
Grade: C
Dawson Mercer has had a lot of hate amongst the fanbase this season. This always happens with a player who took "too long" to agree to a contract, but it isn't like Mercer missed any time. He just missed a few training camp practices. The problem with Mercer this season is that every time, it seems like he's worked his way out of his funk, and he falls right back into it. He's been a good NHL player this season. He's probably going to end up being a .5-point-per-game player this season. That's fine, but it's not good enough for what Mercer could be.
Erik Haula
Goals: 5 Assists: 6 Points: 11
Grade: D
The New Jersey Devils need so much more from Erik Haula, but they won't get it any time soon. Haula is going to miss at least a few games with an ankle injury, and it comes in the midst of his worst slump of his Devils career. Haula had to be on the cusp of a healthy scratch with how poorly he's been playing offensively. He has been fine defensively, and that's important, but his offense has been nonexistent. We can't ignore that in these grades, and that's why Haula sits here with a D.
Tomas Tatar
Goals: 3 Assists: 6 Points: 9
Grade: D
The New Jersey Devils signed Tomas Tatar to add secondary offense and possibly play a surprising role in the top six. He just hasn't been that. He's basically on the roster bubble, as he is Sheldon Keefe's first option for a healthy scratch when he wants to switch up the lineup. Tatar has just three goals this season, so it's hard to argue with the philosophy. Tatar could be better, and his situation hasn't exactly been easy, but three goals is three goals and this signing hasn't worked out.