Way-too-early New Jersey Devils Opening Night forward lines predictions

Line 2
Paul Cotter - Jack Hughes - Dawson Mercer

Wait! Don’t leave! Hear us out on this one. 

Paul Cotter was brought in to be a “bottom-six” forward to bring grit and toughness to the lineup. However, that’s not exactly what he’s been playing for the past two seasons. He spent more time with William Karlsson than anyone. He hit more than 400 minutes with Karlsson and more than 230 minutes with Mark Stone over the last two seasons.

Cotter was a true jack of all trades on the Knights. He played with 20 different line combinations to start games. He played with everyone, with his most common line being Cotter-Karlsson-Michael Amadio. Cotter can play at the top of lineups and with supremely talented players. 

But truthfully, this is a prediction of what Sheldon Keefe would do, not what Pucks and Pitchforks will do. We think Keefe falls in love with what Cotter can do, finds a reason that he can keep up with Jack Hughes, and Dawson Mercer adds the dynamic forward who can make things happen or get open for Hughes.

There’s also the obvious take that Keefe thinks Cotter can “protect” Hughes. Both Mercer and Cotter can take faceoffs if they don’t want Hughes to do it. And truthfully, while they won’t take defenders away from Hughes, the defensemen like Luke Hughes, Dougie Hamilton, and Simon Nemec will. Keefe can get creative with his forwards. This might not last, but we think they try it out on opening night.