Way-too-early New Jersey Devils defensive line combos prediction

Line 2
Luke Hughes - Brett Pesce

One of the biggest question marks around this defense is how Luke Hughes and Simon Nemec will grow this season. There are many factors to how that question will be answered, but one of the clearest impacts to that is who they are partnered with. Luke Hughes is the most interesting decision. 

There are five options for Hughes if the Devils want to keep the lefty-righty dynamic (which based on the roster, one would assume they do). Hamilton, Pesce, Kovacevic, DeSimone, and Nemec. Hamilton makes sense with someone who has more focus on defense, so that leaves four options. 

While many might think the right pairing is Nemec, we think the Devils paid Pesce a premium price so he can be a long-term pairing for Luke Hughes. Why not just start that pairing now. Pesce isn’t an offensive defenseman, but he has enough offense to compliment Hughes’ supreme skill. Meanwhile, we expect Hughes’ entire game to take a step forward, and pairing with Pesce will teach him the best ways to play.

These two will drive the Devils on a nightly basis. They could eventually take over first-line minutes. If Hughes takes a major step forward like Devils fans hope, he could immediately become a 21-minute-per-night player. Having him on the ice that often will give him ample opportunity to make a game-breaking play. Having a safer player like Pesce with him gives Keefe the confidence to do that.