3 takeaways from early New Jersey Devils line combinations
We knew that the first set of line combinations would be telling under Sheldon Keefe's new system, but we learn more with every practice in the new coach's thoughts of the New Jersey Devils.
The New Jersey Devils are back on the ice for training camp and preseason as they are moving quickly towards an October 4th opening night in Prague, Czechia. Before that, the Devils will play a few preseason games as they try to get the right lineup. The lines will change over and over again, and they will continue to change throughout the 82-game season and into the (hopefully) playoffs.
Still, it's telling to go through the Devils early line combinations. Sheldon Keefe came into training camp with some preconceived notions. Others have been quick developments. We are working with the lines which is as follows:
Tatar-Hischier-Bratt
Meier-Hughes-Mercer
Palat-Haula-Noesen
Cotter-Lazar-Bastian
Dillon-Hamilton
Hatakka-Nemec
Siegenthaler-Kovacevic
Takeaway Number One: Defenders Aren’t Playing Off Hand
The Devils came into training camp shorthanded on the blue line. Brett Pesce is still dealing with offseason surgery and will likely miss a couple more weeks, and Luke Hughes was injured during training and will miss at least the first month of the season. In the offseason, the Devils loaded up on right-handed defenders. Outside of signing Pesce, they also re-signed Nick DeSimone and traded for Johnathan Kovacevic.
Add this to Dougie Hamilton and Simon Nemec on the right side, and it seems like there are five right-handers against three lefties. Many fans thought the Devils might replace Hughes, who is left-handed, with a right-handed defenseman. Instead, Santeri Hatakka has been given the majority of the reps, playing alongside Simon Nemec.
We’ve mentioned that Hatakka is no longer waivers exempt, so he might make the roster while the injured players recover. If that’s the case, it makes sense to start the season with everyone playing on their proper side.
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.
Takeaway #3: The Final Spot Is Nathan Bastian's To Lose
The bottom six for the Devils is interesting. Unlike last season, when the Devils tried to have a line with Mercer and Alex Holtz at all times, this one brings a very specific element to the game. Ondrej Palat-Erik Haula-Stefan Noesen is going to bring veteran leadership while also providing an underdog scoring element. Paul Cotter-Curtis Lazar-Nathan Bastian is a traditional fourth line that will hit you, but we like what Cotter and Lazar bring as a unit.
Bastian is a surprising member there, basically getting guaranteed minutes with a starting line. It may be early, but Bastian hasn’t shown enough to play consistently after a no-show last season. Yes, he was hurt, but he had his worst season as a pro even before that.
Meanwhile, Nolan Foote, Kevin Labanc, and Kurtis MacDermid are on lines that are very clearly not going to make the team. It basically took the one competition in camp and made it a formality. To be fair, we haven’t seen as much from those three to say they should make the roster, but at least Labanc has shown flashes. He’s also playing for an NHL job, as he was signed to a PTO.
For now, we expect Bastian to make the roster and play opening night. From there, it’s anyone’s guess. All three of Foote, MacDermid, and Labanc (if he were to sign) would have to go through waivers to make the AHL. With the Devils' defensive injuries, it could give them a chance to hold at least two of the three while Bastian gets the first crack.
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