New Jersey Devils: Mid-season Reviews

Ondrej Palat
GP: 35 G: 5 A: 9 PTS: 14
Mid Season Rating: C-

Ondrej Palat is still struggling in Jersey and has missed and is going to be missing a good chunk of time just like last season. His point totals are a little below where you would like, but the real issue is he was not showing the tenacity, grit, and ability to just win most puck battles as he did when he was younger. Unfortunately, he already looks like a guy who might have just hit that age where things go downhill, but as Devils fans, we just have to hope he has been banged up and can heal.

Curtis Lazar
GP: 38 G: 4 A: 10 PTS: 14
Mid Season Rating: B+

Curtis Lazar won't turn many heads out there, but he plays hard and physically for a smaller guy, and he is pitching in a good amount for a fourth-liner. If he can keep it up and show up on a night-by-night basis, he will be in the lineup and could extend his career another few years, though.

Nathan Bastian
GP: 41 G: 3 A: 5 PTS: 8
Mid Season Rating: D

Big Nathan Bastian came back last season with a vengeance after being taken by Seattle in the expansion draft for a short time, but this season, a bit of the magic is gone. If he finished with 15-20 points, that would be fine, but he needs to be more physically engaged again and be a bit of an intimidating factor on the ice.