New Jersey Devils: Defenseman/Goalie Report Cards At The Halfway Point
The New Jersey Devils are 22-16-3 through the first 41 games. Let's check in on how the defenseman and goalies have performed at the halfway point.
What a strange season it's been for the New Jersey Devils so far. After a franchise-best 2022-23 season, things have not come together this year. Through injuries, inconsistent play, and whatever words you'd choose to describe the team's goaltending, it hasn't been great. However, at the halfway point, the Devils are still very much in the mix for a playoff spot.
On an individual player front, there has been a wide array of performances. From career years to possible career killers, there's been a lot to evaluate so far. With school back in session after the holiday break, now is a great time to black (or red) pen and grade these New Jersey Devils defensemen and goalies in the first half of the season.
Dougie Hamilton (5G - 11A - 16Pts)
What a disappointing season it's turned out to be for Dougie Hamilton. After a career year in 2022-23, this season was shaping up to be a big one for him. Before his injury, Hamilton was putting up his usual offense and was always a threat on the ice because of his shot. However, the torn pec injury that he suffered in November likely keeps him out for the regular season and flipped the Devils defense core on its head. While he hadn't been as good to start the season as he was last year, his presence is dearly missed on the backend.
Grade: B
Luke Hughes (7G - 16A - 23Pts)
Entering the season, Luke Hughes was treated as the chosen one. The Devils number one A+ prospect showed flashes of greatness in limited viewings last season. And while there's been plenty of gaffes and blunders along the way, Luke has been as advertised. He leads all rookie defensemen in points, and with Connor Bedard injured, he now has a clear path to the Calder. He's by no means polished as a defenseman, but the one thing he was guaranteed to bring right out of the gate was offense, and he's done just that. Through just 41 games, Luke Hughes already looks like a star.
Grade: B+
Jonas Siegenthaler (1G - 7A - 8Pts)
The regression of Jonas Siegenthaler this year has been tough to watch. In the previous two seasons, he looked on track to be one of the top shutdown defensemen in the league, but this season has shown major regression. His Corsi and Fenwick percentages are all sub-50%, and the eye test backs it up. This year, he has regularly been out of position, as well as uncharacteristically chasing and mishandling the puck. This season has gone from bad to worse after Siegenthaler broke his foot blocking a shot and will now be out indefinitely.
Grade: C+
John Marino (2G - 12A - 14Pts)
Similar to Siegenthaler, John Marino has had a bit of a drop-off of his own. His has not been as drastic, but he has not played like the stud he was last year. In Marino's defense, he looks like someone who was greatly affected by the departures of Ryan Graves and Damon Severson. A lot of responsibility was put on Marino this season, and with all the injuries on the backend, those responsibilities have grown more. That being said, Marino has begun to right the ship over the last few weeks, and it looks much more like last season's version of John Marino.
Grade: B-
Simon Nemec (2G -6A - 8Pts)
Probably the biggest surprise of the season has been the development of Simon Nemec. After a shaky preseason, he began the season down in the AHL. But ever since his call-up due to the injury to Dougie Hamilton, Nemec has looked like a star. The expectations were always going to be high for the former second-overall pick, but not too many people could've expected this type of composure from the 19-year-old. Nemec's eight points are not indicative of the impact he has had since coming up. Lindy Ruff has trusted him to play big minutes, and he is already third on the team in TOI, averaging 20:43. There is still plenty for him to learn over the second half of the season, but this kid is a star in the making.
Grade: A-
Kevin Bahl (0G - 5A - 5Pts)
The coaching staff put a lot of trust in Kevin Bahl when they decided to give him the Ryan Graves minutes this season. And while it's harsh to say that it backfired, it certainly hasn't worked out like they expected. Bahl had a nice end of the 2022-23 season and earned a spot in the everyday lineup heading into this year. However, it looks as though it may be just a little too much for him to handle. Bahl fits perfectly into a bottom-pair role when everyone is healthy; there is nothing wrong with that. He should be viewed as a long-term piece for this Devils team, but it looks like they have their answer as to whether or not he's a top-four defenseman.
Grade: C
Brendan Smith (1G - 4A - 5Pts)
As an everyday defenseman, he's despised by the fanbase, but as a fill-in fourth-line winger, he's beloved. The discourse around Smith is both funny and sad at the same time. He is perfectly fine as a number seven defenseman, but through injuries and some favoritism from Lindy Ruff, Smith has found himself high up in the lineup on most nights. What Smith does have going for him is that he is probably the Devils' best penalty killer. What he has going against him is that he leads the team in penalty minutes. Smith is also prone to being terribly out of position or making a backbreaking mistake that ends with the puck in the back of the Devils' net. Believe it or not though, the Devils will need him to play big minutes with all the injuries they've sustained.
Grade: C-
Colin Miller (2G - 3A - 5Pts)
The start of Colin Miller's Devils career went as bad as possible. He had a horrendous preseason, followed by an injury that kept him out until mid-November. However, since entering the lineup, he's done a complete 180. Miller has given the Devils good, quality minutes and deserves to play every night, even with a healthy lineup. He's shown off his heavy shot and hasn't been afraid to jump into the play. The pending UFA has looked deserving of a new contract through the first half of the season.
Grade: B-
Vitek Vanecek (3.31 GAA - 0.882 SV%)
Nobody has seen their stock drop more than Vitek Vanecek. After having a very solid 2022-23, Vanecek has officially become the worst goalie in the NHL. His -13.4 GSAx puts him dead last in the league. The fall off of Vanecek should be studied because it has been so drastic. He has given the Devils no chance of winning in a majority of his starts because of his inability to make saves. When Vanecek is in the net, the Devils look like a team playing with zero confidence. It turns out his poor starts in the playoffs last year still have him shell-shocked, and you wonder just how long it is until he's either sent down or bought out.
Grade: D-
Nico Daws (2.63 GAA - 0.922 SV%)
On the flip side, the Devils may have their goalie prayers answered, and his name is Nico Daws. Since being called up, Daws has been a rock in the net for the Devils, with only one subpar performance against the Vancouver Canucks. He has not only given the Devils a chance to win each night but he's stolen a game or two since his call-up. His 3.1 GSAx is a sight for sore eyes, and while the Devils wait for what feels like half the team to get healthy, he gives the team a chance every time he starts.
Grade: A
Akira Schmid (3.26 GAA - 0.893 SV%)
Akira Schmid will always be a Devils legend for what he did against the Rangers in the playoffs. But unfortunately, it hasn't transferred over to this season. The Devils entered this past offseason with the plan of adding a veteran goalie and starting Schmid in the AHL. That never panned out, and Schmid started as the 1B. And with Vanecek falling flat on his face early, a lot of responsibility rested on Schmid's shoulders. While he did give them a few solid starts and relief appearances, it wasn't enough to warrant him staying in the NHL. Schmid can still be a solution in net at the NHL level, but it's best he stays in the AHL and plays night-in and night-out.
Grade: C-
Next. Devils Forward Report Cards At Halfway Point. Devils Forward Report Cards At Halfway Point. dark