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What Your Team Is Thankful For: New Jersey Devils

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With American Thanksgiving now behind us and the holiday season coming up, PHR continues its look at what teams are thankful for in 2022-23. There also might be a few things your team would like down the road. We’ll examine what’s gone well in the early going and what could improve as the season rolls on for the New Jersey Devils.

Who are the Devils thankful for?

John Marino.

There are a bunch of good answers to this question. Jack Hughes, Jesper Bratt, Nico Hischier – heck, even Tom Fitzgerald. But those that have watched the Devils for the last few years know that there was always something missing, something holding them back from taking that next step.

Marino, acquired from the Pittsburgh Penguins in the offseason in a deal that included prospect Ty Smith and a third-round pick going the other way, has been everything the Devils hoped for. The 25-year-old defenseman has been a rock for the team on the back end, eating up the toughest defensive minutes and tilting the ice in New Jersey’s favor. Despite starting far more shifts in his own end than in the opponent’s, the Devils have outscored teams 22-12 with Marino on the ice at even-strength this season.

Some of the credit for that should also go to Ryan Graves, his partner for most of the year, but there is just something that Marino has done to transform this group into the Stanley Cup contender that it has been through the first part of the year. The fact that he’s locked up at a $4.4MM cap hit through 2026-27 is just the cherry on top, and will allow the Devils to continue to invest in their dynamic young forward group in the coming years.

What are the Devils thankful for?

Front office patience.

When Jack Hughes stepped into the NHL, he was an extremely undersized, overmatched teenager. You could see his incredible skating ability, elite vision, and high hockey IQ, but he was being pushed around every night. Hughes couldn’t find a way to contribute on a regular basis, and through the first two seasons of his career, he had just 18 goals and 52 points.

Plenty of fans and media members alike wondered if he was a “bust,” because of the slow start to his career, and probably wouldn’t have blamed Fitzgerald for looking elsewhere for a franchise centerpiece. After all, he wasn’t in charge when the Devils used the first overall pick on Hughes in 2019 – he took over as general manager in early 2020.

But with a little patience and support, Hughes has brought the highlight reel that made him a star for the U.S. National Team Development Program to the NHL, and is now one of the must-see players in the NHL. With 15 goals and 34 points in 28 games this season, he is the engine that drives the offense.

Hischier too has rewarded the Devils’ patience. While his career started stronger than Hughes, there was plenty of time when people wondered if he would ever be more than a 50-60 point middle-six center. Now, with 29 points in 27 games and real momentum behind his candidacy as a Selke nominee, he’s showing he is an elite player in the NHL and the kind of foundational piece that powers a Cup contender.

What would the Devils be even more thankful for?

A breakout goaltending performance (which may already be underway).

Part of it was the holes on defense, part of it was health-related, but the Devils haven’t had a reliable goaltender for years now. They tried to fix that problem by signing Vitek Vanecek to a three-year deal, and while he has been solid, a breakout from one of their young netminders could push this team over the edge. With how well the Devils have played, they don’t need all-world goaltending every night. Vanecek’s .912 save percentage has resulted in a 12-2-2 record on the year.

But if they had a young option that could turn into a bonafide star, this core could be a legitimate force for quite some time.

Wouldn’t you know it – Akira Schmid has posted a .940 in six appearances this year. The 22-year-old hasn’t allowed more than two goals in any of his six appearances and may have found the key to unlocking his 6’5″ frame. Schmid and Nico Daws are still on their entry-level deals through 2023-24; if either one becomes a bonafide NHL starter by the end of it, the Devils will be set up for long-term success.

What should be on the Devils’ holiday wishlist?

A (net-front) powerplay piece.

If there is one spot where the Devils are actually underperforming, it’s with the man advantage. Despite having names like Hughes, Hischier, Bratt, and Dougie Hamilton to whip the puck around, the group sits 23rd in the NHL in powerplay percentage, at 20.69%. While this isn’t meant to be Nathan Bastian slander, an upgrade to the net front could make them even more dangerous and draw some focus to free up the elite talents on the wall.

When Bastian and Ondrej Palat return, the team will have plenty of options. But adding one more forward with experience playing that role would put them over the top. You can see the effect of a player like that in Edmonton, where the Oilers have the best powerplay in the league by a wide margin. Zach Hyman’s five goals would lead the Devils, and his ability to pull a defender into the blue paint gives Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl an extra step. Though those two would likely find a way no matter who was on the ice with them, the reason Edmonton is up over 30% on the season is that they aren’t the only two threats.

There is also an option of bringing in another player to sit on the dot and hammer one-timers, though head coach Lindy Ruff explained to Ryan Novozinsky of NJ.com why he would hesitate at that idea.

If you look at the best powerplays, they have that flank-shooting one-timer that is dangerous. The trouble with going to something like that with us is that it means [Hughes] or [Bratt] has to come off the powerplay, and that’s a tough scenario. 

In today’s NHL, it is difficult to compete without winning the special teams battle, and while the Devils are among the league’s best when shorthanded, they’re throwing away opportunities on the powerplay. For a team that looks like one of the best in the league, a small upgrade can make a big difference in the spring.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images

Mackenzie Blackwood Sent To AHL On Conditioning Loan

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After rehabbing a knee injury for the last month, Mackenzie Blackwood is ready to get back on the ice and into game action. He’ll do it first at the minor league level, where the New Jersey Devils have loaned him on a conditioning assignment. This allows Blackwood to play a handful of games before coming off long-term injured reserve.

The 26-year-old Blackwood has struggled both to stay healthy and perform at the NHL level in recent years, with an .880 save percentage through seven appearances this season. The team’s primary goaltending spot has been firmly handed over to Vitek Vanecek, who sits 12-2-2 on the year with a .912. The most interesting part will be whether Blackwood can retake the backup spot at all, given the other young netminders in the Devils’ system.

Akira Schmid has looked calm and efficient in his six appearances, posting a .940 and going 5-1. The 22-year-old appears to be playing at a higher level than he did as a rookie last season, when he was forced to play NHL games in his first year as a professional due to all the injuries in New Jersey. The 21-year-old Nico Daws, who actually saw 25 games last year with the Devils, is also grinding away in the minor leagues waiting for another opportunity.

With the team’s newfound contender status, they can’t wait around for Blackwood to regain his form. As a pending arbitration-eligible RFA due a $3.36MM qualifying offer, there’s a real chance that this is his last year with the team. If that’s the case, and his performance doesn’t improve, a longer stint in the minor leagues may eventually be in order. Blackwood would have to clear waivers to do it, but it is no longer rebuild time in New Jersey; the team will have to make some tough decisions to push for the Stanley Cup.

Simon Nemec To Play In World Junior Championship

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The Canadian team got a pair of reinforcements this week when Brandt Clarke and Shane Wright were loaned away from their NHL organizations, and it appears as though the Slovakian team will get a similar boost. Miroslav Satan, who is now the president of the Slovak Ice Hockey Federation, confirms that the New Jersey Devils will be loaning Simon Nemec to play at the tournament.

Nemec will be joined by Montreal Canadiens first-round pick Filip Mesar, who is currently playing with the Kitchener Rangers of the OHL. Satan did not mention Juraj Slafkovsky, likely meaning that the first-overall pick will remain with the Canadiens instead of playing the junior tournament.

The 18-year-old Nemec was the second-overall pick this summer, giving Slovakia a sweep of the top two spots. That was a historic moment for the country’s hockey program, just as the bronze medal at the 2022 Olympics proved to be.

At the World Juniors, Slovakia has never placed higher than third. They took home a bronze in 2009, thanks to an incredible tournament from Tomas Tatar, and in 1999, thanks to Marian Gaborik and Ladislav Nagy (in 1993, just after the dissolution of Czechoslovakia, the two nations competed together and finished in third place).

With Nemec, Mesar, and other impressive youngsters in place (including 17-year-old Dalibor Dvorsky, a top prospect for the 2023 draft), Slovakia will try to reach the gold medal game for the first time.

Zetterlund, Boqvist Expected To Stick Around In A More Permanent Capacity

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The New Jersey Devils remarkable season is becoming more and more real each day. At first a nice story, then a “prove it,” then “what next,” the 19-4-1 Devils now sit among the NHL’s most elite teams this season with little evidence they’re slowing down. The team had another busy offseason, however the bulk of the talent on the roster isn’t much different than the same group that put up just 63 points last season. One of the several changes that has seemingly turned the tide in New Jersey is the development of some of their less-heralded prospects, including forwards Fabian Zetterlund and Jesper Boqvist.

As the Devils’ own Amanda Stein profiles, Devils head coach Lindy Ruff recently pulled both players aside and informed them that they should “get a place.” In other words, the two had been living in the team hotel in New Jersey without a permanent home, neither considered a firm part of the roster. However, a player being told to find a more permanent living situation implies that their spot on the roster is fairly safe. New Jersey had certainly hoped that both players could be a part of the long-term plan for them, however neither had really secured that status just yet. Now, 24 games into the season entering tonight, the Devils have found a winning recipe, and while it includes big names like Jack Hughes and Jesper Bratt, it’s also quite clearly been impacted as well by players like Boqvist and Zetterlund.

New Jersey Devils Recall Andreas Johnsson

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The New Jersey Devils have announced that forward Andreas Johnsson has been recalled from the team’s AHL affiliate, the Utica Comets.

The move puts Johnsson, 28, in the position to make his season debut in New Jersey. Despite scoring 13 goals and 35 points in the NHL last season, the former Toronto Maple Leafs forward didn’t make the Devils’ roster out of camp and was placed on waivers near the start of the season.

His placement on waivers may have been partially financially motivated, though, as it’s likely that Johnsson’s $3.4MM cap hit played a role in the Devils making him available for every other NHL team to claim.

Likely due to his contract, Johnsson went unclaimed on waivers, something that has greatly benefitted the Comets. In 12 AHL games, Johnsson has 13 points, production that supports the idea that despite losing his NHL job in New Jersey he’s still a capable offensive producer.

With Ondrej Palat, Nathan Bastian, and Miles Wood all dealing with injuries, the Devils’ recall of Johnsson gives them a spare forward to work with on their roster. While we don’t yet know if head coach Lindy Ruff will dress Johnsson for games, this recall is certainly an opportunity for Johnsson to re-establish himself as an NHL talent.

John Marino Dealing With Upper-Body Injury

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After losing their winning streak in a defeat to the Toronto Maple Leafs last week, the New Jersey Devils have jumped right back on the horse, taking home three more victories in recent days. The club is 19-4 on the year, and a huge part of that is due to allowing so few goals.

The Devils defense corps has been outstanding, with something of an unlikely lynchpin in newcomer John Marino. The 25-year-old has just eight points in 23 games but manages to tilt the ice in his team’s favor despite extremely tough deployment. New Jersey has outscored their opponents 21-8 at even-strength with Marino on the ice, even though he starts more shifts in the defensive zone than the offensive.

That’s why it’s such a big deal when the team announces Marino isn’t practicing today and is out with an upper-body injury. While he is considered day-to-day, it is a critical loss for the Devils.

Kevin Bahl is expected to slot into the lineup in his place should Marino be unable to go tomorrow against the Nashville Predators. Luckily, if you can call it that, the Devils do have an easier stretch coming up, with games against the struggling Philadelphia Flyers and Chicago Blackhawks.

New Jersey Devils Recall Three Players

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Ahead of their game against the New York Rangers tonight, the New Jersey Devils have made several recalls. Alexander Holtz, Kevin Bahl, and Nico Daws have all been brought up, giving them some extra bodies to help cover a few absences.

Nathan Bastian is going for imaging today on a shoulder injury according to Ryan Novozinsky of NJ.com, and team reporter Amanda Stein explains that Daws is up to cover for Akira Schmid, who is feeling ill.

The trio of young players is a reminder that the Devils, tied for first in the NHL with 18 wins, have a number of extra high-level prospects at every position. Holtz, 20, was the seventh overall pick in 2020 and has played just 13 NHL games so far. Bahl, still just 22, was a key part in the Taylor Hall trade and has played just 27. Daws, incredibly, has actually seen the most action in a single season of the three, playing 25 games for the Devils last year when they had so many goaltending injuries.

For a team already finding a ton of success with their young NHL roster, the number of impressive players in the system could lead to a long-term window of contention.

New Jersey Devils Re-Assign Tyler Wotherspoon

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November 27: The Devils have returned Wotherspoon to the minors, according to the team Sunday morning. Wotherspoon did not spend enough days on the active roster to warrant being placed on waivers to go back to Utica. Wotherspoon didn’t get into any games on his call-up.

November 23: After sending a pair of youngsters down to the AHL yesterday, the New Jersey Devils have recalled Tyler Wotherspoon to take their place on the roster. The minor league veteran shouldn’t be expected to get into the lineup, but a recall is a nice reward for depth players in the organization.

Wotherspoon, 29, signed a new two-year, two-way deal this summer to stay with the Devils organization after a solid year with Utica in 2021-22. He had 21 points in 53 games, and helped the club reach the AHL postseason. While he has a solid minor league salary built into the deal, a few days in the NHL will only help the bottom line for the former top prospect.

Selected 57th overall in 2011, Wotherspoon quickly made his way to the NHL with the Calgary Flames. Over parts of four seasons, starting in 2013, he played 30 regular season games and six postseason contests at the highest level. For the last six seasons, however, he’s been stuck in the minor leagues, playing for the Stockton Heat, San Antonio Rampage, Lehigh Valley Phantoms, and now Utica.

He did get the unique opportunity to play for Team Canada at the 2022 Olympics, recording two points in five games after the NHL decided not to attend.

The Devils play the Toronto Maple Leafs this evening before heading on the road for a Friday tilt in Buffalo. Wotherspoon is likely just an extra body to take along as injury insurance.

Nathan Bastian Leaves Game With Upper-Body Injury

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  • According to a team tweet, the New Jersey Devils lost forward Nathan Bastian partway through last night’s game to an upper-body injury. Bastian left the game during the first period after taking a hit from Capitals forward T.J. Oshie. The 24-year-old is a good defensive presence in the bottom six and is an adept penalty killer. With no extra forwards on the active roster, the team will have to make a recall from AHL Utica if Bastian misses any time.

New Jersey Devils Begin Jesper Bratt Negotiations

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It’ll be 14 straight for the New Jersey Devils if they can pull off a win tonight, and all things are good in the organization. Jack Hughes and Nico Hischier have blossomed into star centers, Dougie Hamilton is back to being an elite offensive defenseman, and Vitek Vanecek is giving the team a stable presence in net. Above all of those performances, though, might be that of Jesper Bratt.

The 24-year-old sixth-round pick is establishing himself firmly as one of the most dynamic offensive players in the league, with 24 points in his first 19 games. That follows a 73-point campaign that seemed to be overlooked by many, thanks to the overall failures of the team. Bratt leads the Devils in scoring and has set himself up for one heck of a restricted free agent negotiation this summer.

With a $5.45MM qualifying offer, arbitration rights, and potentially back-to-back 70+ point seasons, there’s a lot of leverage in the young Swede’s camp. The Devils, for their part, are clear about their intentions – they want Bratt locked up long-term. Speaking with The Fourth Period, general manager Tom Fitzgerald indicated that talks between the Devils front office and Bratt’s agent have now started and that there has been no change to what they’re looking for.

Discussions conveniently have started. You know, with a hello to his agent, actually it was (Monday) night we sat together just to go through some things and what we’ll get going. I just don’t want this to be a distraction to the player. You know, as we go along, we know how we feel about him. And we want to tie him up long-term. We hope the feeling’s mutual.

Fitzgerald did hold up the Boston Bruins as a template, however, noting how there needs to be “enough money to go around” if you want to build a championship team. The Devils already have long-term commitments with Hughes, Hischier, and Hamilton, but none of them are outrageously priced. The Selke candidate and team captain Hischier has a $7.25MM cap hit through 2026-27, arguably one of the better value deals in the league right now. Hughes is only slightly ahead at $8MM, and Hamilton – despite being an unrestricted free agent when the team signed him – is at $9MM.

The team does have other core pieces like John Marino and Jonas Siegenthaler signed long-term, but Fitzgerald isn’t lying when he says there are plenty of other players that need money too. The Devils only have three regular forwards signed for next season: Hughes, Hischier, and Dawson Mercer, still on his entry-level contract. Bratt, Yegor Sharangovich, Michael McLeod, Jesper Boqvist, Nathan Bastian, and Fabian Zetterlund are all arbitration-eligible restricted free agents, meaning there’s a lot of work to do for Fitzgerald and his staff to keep this group together.

Bratt is the key to all of it at this point, and the one that will likely draw much of the front office focus throughout the year. Whatever amount he comes in at will drastically affect the other negotiations and force the Devils into some tough decisions on pending UFAs like Tomas Tatar, Miles Wood, Erik Haula, Damon Severson, and Ryan Graves – all good players in their own right.

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