New Jersey Devils set themselves up for long-term success on defense

The New Jersey Devils made a playoff-caliber signing in Brenden Dillon, adding to Sheldon Keefe's roster. Dillon has 11 hits through five games (not including Tuesday's Carolina game). As an advocate of player management, player development, and talent finding, having a veteran like Brenden Dillon on defense will only help plant the seeds for the Devils' defenders to become better defenders.

Having Dougie Hamilton anchoring the top line on defense with Brenden Dillon looks like a pork roll, egg, and cheese combo. Hamilton has that juicy offensive game, while Dillon brings that stay-at-home sasquatch-hitting defensive flare with a little kick of hot sauce. Yes, Sheldon Keefe having Dillon on his line has tapped into Hamilton becoming a more physical hitter, with him looking like a better hitter than he's ever been in his career. This defensive pair has been such a treat to watch early on in Sheldon Keefe's tenure, and it seems he and coach Ryan McGill are extracting the defensive efforts out of these two important veterans.

If you look at defensive pairs with a minimum of 25 minutes played this season, one of the top pairs per MoneyPuck in order for Goals Against per 60 minutes of 10/15/2024 are Jonathan Kovacevic-Jonas Siegenthaler (fourth least Goals Against per 60 at 1.35). Tied for 33rd in Goals Against Per 60 is Dougie Hamilton-Brenden Dillon at 2.46. The Devils had a lot of problems when Dougie Hamilton was shelfed for the rest of last season with a pectoral injury, however there's more talent, skill, and depth on this team that will keep this team competitive for a good 82-game season.

Brenden Dillon and Dougie Hamilton have 3.82 goals for per 60 minutes, tied for eighth in the NHL. Jonas Siegenthaler and Jonathan Kovacevic have only 2.20, ranked 41st in the NHL. What this means is there is a strong competitive balance when the Devils' defense has the puck and also goes on the offensive, managing the puck better.

If you take a good look at Jonathan Kovacevic's hits in the first five games, he is looking to break his all-time best of 93 hits with a 115-hit pace the way he is playing in New Jersey. Having a very physical, competitive edge and bringing the best out of your teammate like Jonas Siegenthaler coming off an off-year where a new defensive partner helps raise his competition on defense and under a new coach helps a lot.

As the New Jersey Devils grow two young, like-minded defenders in Seamus Casey, who is the new kid on the block, racking up points and power-play goals, it is great to have him a bit younger than his Slovak defensive partner Simon Nemec. Nemec has 65 plus games under his belt, whereas, before the Carolina Hurricanes game, the former Wolverine defenseman in Seamus Casey has six games under his belt and has been a bit more physical of the two defenders. It has taken both players to get accustomed to playing with each other, as you normally don't get two righty defenders on the same pair.

Simon Nemec has been improving in clearing the puck out of his own zone, blocking shots, and making great passes to his linemate and other Devils skaters, prolonging offensive zone time. As Dougie Hamilton nears the end of his contract, you have Seamus Casey molding into that role, and when Simon Nemec is ready to take over that number two slot where Kovacevic is at, this gives coach Sheldon Keefe a near and long-term outlook on the blue line.

Eventually, Luke Hughes will have to prove himself as he is returning from an injury, and upcoming RFA deals are nearing. Having the Russian bull on defense in Anton Silayev in a few seasons will bring another cheap contract and more size, physicality, and accountability on the New Jersey Devils blueline.