New Jersey Devils: Forward 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 forwards 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.
When looking at it individually, 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 forwards in the first half of the season.
Jack Hughes (15G - 30A - 45Pts)
Jack Hughes started the season on fire and had a legitimate shot at the MVP. He had 20 points in just the first nine games. Then, the first injury happened. Hughes missed two weeks after crashing into the boards against the St. Louis Blues. After returning, he pretty quickly found his scoring touch again despite not looking 100%. Hughes still put up 25 points over his next 22 games, but then again, the injury bug hit, and he's been out ever since. His season started so promisingly, yet injuries have continued to derail his season like they have his whole career. That being said, if he comes back soon, he can still push for 80+ points.
Grade: A-
Nico Hischier (11G - 11A - 22Pts)
After a dominant 2022-23, expectations were high for Hischier, and rightfully so. However, just like Jack, Nico missed a good chunk of games in the middle of the season and hasn't found his footing this year. The offense isn't there like it was last year and the defense has regressed from elite to just very good. What makes Hischier so great though is when the scoring isn't there he is doing all the little things that help the team win. Health will be key for him (as well as the entire team) in the second half of the season, and if he can stay on the ice he should be able to surpass his current 60-point pace.
Grade: B
Jesper Bratt (16G - 30A - 46Pts)
Despite getting the "bag" in the offseason, Jesper Bratt has shown no signs of slowing down in 2023-24. He has arguably been the Devils best and most consistent player this season. Bratt is tied for the team lead in goals, assists, and also Expected Goals, as well as being the team leader in points. With so many injuries to key players this year, Bratt has had to carry much of the scoring burden himself and has done so admirably. While he has left some grade-A scoring chances on the table, his production has helped keep the Devils afloat.
Grade: A
Tyler Toffoli (16G - 13A - 29Pts)
When the trade was made for Toffoli, the prospect of another pure goal-scorer was mouthwatering. And yes, Toffoli is tied for the team lead in goals and on pace for 34, but he leaves some to be desired. Toffoli is very much a player who thrives when the team around him is thriving. But as seen with the Devils current injury crisis, he hasn't produced like the team needs him to. Another issue is his lack of pace. He looks out of place when playing next to Hughes and Bratt, and it's evident when the team moves up the ice in transition. It would be nice to see how he plays when everyone is back healthy and considered as a complimentary piece and not a top source for offense.
Grade: B-
Timo Meier (9G - 6A - 15Pts)
It's starting to sound like a broken record, but injuries have seriously hampered Meier's first full season as a Devil. After getting off to a slow start, Meier began to pick up his scoring just before getting hurt. The Devils then inexplicably rushed him back, where he again found trouble scoring. Then, like clockwork, Meier began to find his offense just before getting hurt again. It's been a very frustrating year for Meier, who has now dealt with two injuries and inconsistent play when in the lineup. He showed last season and in some spurts this year how dominant of a power forward he can be, but he needs to be healthy first.
Grade: C
Dawson Mercer (13G - 8A- 21Pts)
The start of the 2023-24 campaign for Mercer was downright atrocious. It took him 11 games to register his first point, and at times, he didn't look like an NHLer. Yet Mercer has once again proved that he is mature beyond his years and has bounced back nicely. He has 21 points over his last 31 games and his Iron Man streak to start his career rages on. Mercer's game is simple and effective and should greatly benefit from a slightly reduced role if the team ever gets healthy. If last year told us anything, it's that Mercer can be a streaky scorer, but when he's on his game, he's hard to stop.
Grade: B-
Michael McLeod (10G - 9A - 19Pts)
What a season it's been for Michael McLeod. Nobody has taken a bigger and more surprising jump this season than him. The undisputed best face-off taker in the league has also begun to find an offensive touch. McLeod has used his speed and size to push the pace on offense and is finding ways to put the puck into the back of the net. The pending RFA is playing himself into a substantial raise next year and has become an integral part of the Devils now.
Grade: A-
Erik Haula (10G - 12A - 22Pts)
Erik Haula has had a bit of a strange year so far. He started the season well with several multi-point games but has gone on long stretches of no production. However, since the turn of the calendar, Haula has been one of the Devils' better forwards. He has six points in six games and has been playing nearly 20 minutes a night.
Grade: C+
Ondrej Palat (5G - 9A - 14Pts)
There's been a bit of animosity towards Palat ever since he signed that big contract, but yeah, he's not been good this year. He's been sidelined the past few weeks with an injury, but even before then, he'd been playing poorly. So far this season, he hasn't found much offense, and similar to Toffoli, he doesn't have the foot-speed to match how the team is trying to play. If he can get healthy and help the team make a playoff push then it's a moot point. So far the return has been less than ideal.
Grade: C-
Alexander Holtz (10G - 10A - 20Pts)
What a strange year it's been for Alex Holtz. He's the team leader at 5v5 goals and has done a great job rounding out his game. His skating looks much better than last year, and he is a very willing defender now. Yet, for some reason, Lindy Ruff refuses to reward him. That aside, Holtz has been a solid contributor and has found ways to produce in a lesser role. Most impressively, despite seeming like he's in the doghouse, Holtz has found his way into playing every game this season. A second-half surge for him could go a long way in shaping how this offseason will shape out and his role on the team moving forward.
Grade: B-
Curtis Lazar (4G - 10A - 14Pts)
Curtis Lazar has quietly been one of the Devils' most consistent players this season. Due to injuries, he's been slotted all over the lineup. That's allowed him to showcase his fast and physical style of play. Offense isn't the end-all-be-all for Lazar, but he's on track to blow past his career-high of 20 points. He has found ways to contribute at 5v5 in the bottom six, as well as becoming a vital part of the team's PK. The most telling stat for Lazar and his contribution to the team is him leading all forwards in blocked shots with 30.
Grade: B
Nathan Bastian (2G - 5A - 7Pts)
What was once a fun pairing with him and McLeod to form the "Super Buddies" is now no more. McLeod has gone on to greener pastures up in the lineup, while Nathan Bastian is the anchor on a fourth line. The lack of offense is no surprise, but watching Bastian makes you wonder why he's in the lineup. While he does occasionally mix it up and bring physicality, there have been numerous occasions where it's left the Devils shorthanded. Sooner or later, the Devils should turn to younger players who fit that role but also bring more speed and offense.
Grade: D+
Chris Tierney (0G -3A - 3Pts)
Congrats to Tierney for making the team out of camp and finding his way into 21 NHL games this year. Unfortunately, more often than not, he has not looked like he belongs on NHL ice. Over the past few games, however, he has looked more comfortable and at least deserving of ice time. That being said, he brings next to no offense, and once players start getting out of the infirmary, he should be back to the press box.
Grade: D
Max Willman (1G - 0A - 1Pt)
There's not a whole lot to say about Willman considering he's only played in seven games. However, he did score a nice breakaway goal against the Chicago Blackhawks and has provided speed to the fourth line. He is nothing more than an AHL call-up, but you can appreciate how fast and hard he plays.
Grade: D+
Tomas Nosek (0G - 0A - 0Pts)
The only reason Nosek makes it onto this list is because of the role he was expected to play coming into the year. What once looked like a value signing has turned into $1 million added to LTIR. Nosek played in just six games before being ruled out indefinitely because of a foot injury. It's unfortunate because they had a vision for him in the bottom six and on the PK when they signed him, but it never panned out.
Grade: N/A
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