The panic of this season’s preseason was starkly different from the excitement of a year ago when the Devils went undefeated. This year, the Devils won only one preseason game, a victory thanks to the help of Jeremy Brodeur in a game made up of all Utica Comets. The rest of the team, on average, only had two preseason games and took the loss in all their games.
The preseason is not about wins and losses but rather about learning systems, feeling out chemistry, gauging young talent, and getting their legs back for the start of the season.
The week in Prague allowed the Devils to build a team mentality away from all the distractions that can come from opening the season at home. The players dined together, participated in hard practices, did some sightseeing, and bonded, much like the Western Canada trip did for the Devils to start the season in the 2022-23 season, which sent the Devils on a 13-game win streak.
The lines the Devils will be running to start the season are more balanced than last, as each line has a strength new head coach Sheldon Keefe can utilize.
The top line of Nico Hischier, Tomas Tatar and Dawson Mercer is the “what’s old is new again” line. Reunited from the 2022-23 season, the line is a three-zone threat. Keefe can roll the line out in all situations, whether in the defensive zone or offensive. Hischier, a year removed from a top-two Selke Trophy season, is strong on the faceoff dot and is usually the hardest-working player on the ice. Mercer, coming off a less-than-stellar season and was delayed at the start of camp due to contract issues, is due for a strong year. A fan favorite, Tatar returns to the Devils after his struggles.
Two years ago, this was one of the top three lines in the NHL, and watching their first game together, they hope that returns. All three players will find time on the power plays and the penalty kill. The strength of this line will be its ability to match up against opposing teams’ top lines. Not only will they be able to shut down other teams’ top lines, but this line can also take it right back and put the opposition on the defensive.
The second line is a dream come true for those who want to see skill, hockey IQ, speed, and goals that feature Timo Meier, Jack Hughes, and Jesper Bratt. All three are considered among the best in the NHL. Last year, former head coach Lindy Ruff changed lines so much that there was little chemistry among the lines. This year Keefe has been consistent with keeping them together. Hughes is one of the elites in the game. Fresh off the cover of EA Sports NHL 25, Hughes is the player people pay to watch. Bratt, the quieter person in life, is electric on the ice. The Devils’ third line last season was ineffective. Often, players who were in the coach’s dog house or mismatched brought little to the team other than to play against other teams’ top lines.
Ondrej Palavt sees the ice and situations to easily turn a defensive play into an offensive turnaround, as New York Ranger fans will remember. Stef Noesen brings his Carolina Hurricanes experience to the Devils. He is very physical along the boards and his return to the Devils adds a dimension that was lacking last year. Erik Haula is a player who is strong in the faceoff circle, a smart two-way player, and will be matched with Noesen and Palat. This will allow the Devils to better control the defensive zone starts and disrupt other teams’ top lines.
Curtis Lazar, Paul Cotter and Nate Bastian are huge physical forces on the ice. Their line will be used to play a much tougher game. When the Devils were pushed around and beaten up by the NHL’s more physical teams, the Devils lacked a response. They were often outmatched and unable to answer when teams went after their star players. Last year, the Devils were one of the fewest-checking teams on the ice. Lazar is a smart player who isn’t afraid to get into a scrum, and Bastian should move more toward his previous play. This line can score but is not expected to. They are out there to let the other team know they are.
The Devils forwards can stack up against the rest of the league. Laced with veterans and elite IQ, the offense should be more than the one-dimensional team they were last year. Under Ruff, the Devils relied on the transition game and had little response or adapting when they found themselves behind. Last year’s system was exposed by the modern trap of 2-2-1 or the 1-3-1 defensive position. The forwards were too often trapped playing zone in their zone. They rarely dictated the play. Keefe brings experience dealing with amazing talent after coaching the Toronto Maple Leafs. The chemistry will be essential, but the Devils are no longer rolling out four lines, all with the same game plan. Each line will bring something different to the ice. Each line brings an overall balance to the game. Last season, the Devils relied too much on the top two lines, leading to fatigue and exhaustion.
