Takeaway #2: Splitting Up Timo Meier and Jesper Bratt
The Devils seemed like they were going to keep their best line together from last season. Timo Meier, Nico Hischier, and Jesper Bratt made beautiful magic together near the end of the season. After Tyler Toffoli was traded and Jack Hughes got hurt, it made sense to have this top-heavy line that is defensively responsible.
The first lineup of training camp kept Meier and Bratt together but with Jack Hughes as the center. However, it took just three days for Keefe to try something different. He moved Bratt to play next to Tomas Tatar and Hischier. Tatar had great chemistry with Hischier in his last stint in Jersey, so it seems like Keefe believes in that pairing.
Meanwhile, Meier is sticking with Hughes. This is something they’ve tried in the past, and it hasn’t always gone well. In 276 minutes of 5v5 since Meier joined the team, he has seen just 12 goals scored and 17 against him when paired with Hughes.
Bratt and Hischier have always been a great pairing, so expect this one to stick around. They’ve actually been able to lift up whoever is with them. Meanwhile, Tatar and Hischier brought a line with Fabian Zetterlund and one with Dawson Mercer to the top 15 of all lines in the NHL in 2022-23 according to MoneyPuck. Now connecting them could turn them into an offensive powerhouse.