The New Jersey Devils knew some early turbulence was coming. A reshaped forward group takes time to click, and when chemistry is still forming, the offense can feel out of sync fast. That’s where the Devils are right now: special teams have been poor, the defense and goaltending have raised concerns, and the scoring touch has been the biggest drag on the mood around the team.
Even so, the offense is also the part most likely to rebound. There have been signs worth trusting.
Luke Evangelista already looks dangerous after scoring twice against the Utah Mammoth on Tuesday and ringing another shot off the post. Luke Hughes has driven plenty of the attack, even if his zone exits need work.
The fourth line has looked better with Jesper Boqvist, and Stefan Noesen is now on waivers.
That context matters for Anthony Mantha, who has drawn some early attention for the wrong reasons. Through three games, he has no points, even while skating on a line with Jesper Bratt and Jack Hughes.
He has avoided the harshest criticism because Nico Hischier and Jesper Bratt also have not scored yet, but Mantha was brought in to finish chances, and so far he has not even been putting pucks on net. That stands out because over the past few seasons, he has been one of the NHL’s most efficient shooters.
Patience still makes sense, at least for now. Mantha is a strange fit alongside Hughes and Bratt, but if the combination starts to work, it could be as productive as any winger Hughes has played with.
He is the kind of net-front presence who can clean up rebounds when Hughes fires away. He can also settle into his “office” when Bratt is dancing through defenders.
The idea is simple: put him in position to cash in on the kind of chances those two create.
Right now, there are two obvious reasons it has not come together. First, the Hughes line has not spent enough time with sustained zone possession.
That should improve as the season goes on. The Devils, in general, have been living in the neutral zone too much and have been too volatile once they get into the offensive end.
The other issue is Mantha himself. He has been quiet on the ice, and his size has not shown up in board battles or in space.
That is a problem because he needs to be working in space. Instead, he has mostly planted himself in front of the net, which does not really fit with Bratt and Hughes.
At that point, it becomes too easy to defend, almost like playing 5 on 4.
In Other News...
Devils Suddenly Face A Bigger Blue Line Decision Than Expected
The Devils were already managing a stretched blue line with Johnny Kovacevic and Seamus Casey sidelined, and now Jonas Siegenthaler may be dealing with another injury after a recent game. That kind of hit to the back end can force a team to move quickly, especially when the alternatives are either reaching down to the AHL or looking outside the organization for help.
Simon Edvinsson has emerged as one of the names worth watching if New Jersey decides it needs a more serious answer, though nothing has been confirmed and any trade idea comes with obvious complications. For a team trying to hold together its defense in the short term while protecting its bigger picture, the next move may say a lot about how aggressively the Devils want to solve this problem. [Read more 🡒]
Devils Already Face A Goalie Question They May Need To Answer Soon
The Devils have already found themselves sorting through the early layers of their goaltending plan, with the current waiver claim sitting in the third-string role while Jake Allen and Nico Daws have handled the net with mixed results. With the schedule beginning to demand more from the position, the team is weighing whether a fresh look is needed soon, especially if it wants to manage workload and steady the position before it becomes a larger issue.
Poirier has drawn attention for what he showed in the American Hockey League, and there is a belief he can eventually settle into the NHL game as well. For New Jersey, the question is less about long-term upside than timing, because a start or two could offer both rest for the main goaltenders and a chance to see whether the next option can help sharpen the teams overall performance. [Read more 🡒]
Devils Veteran Suddenly Caught In Roster Crunch As Return Nears
Stefan Noesens return to the lineup has suddenly turned into a roster question for the Devils, with the veteran placed on waivers as the club works through its cap picture. Its the sort of transaction that can pass quickly in the standings but carries real weight for a depth piece, especially for a team trying to keep its roster flexible while juggling injuries and pending reinforcements.
If Noesen clears, New Jersey can send him to the minors and open up the space it needs to activate Johnathan Kovacevic from injured reserve. The only wrinkle is the obvious one: once a player hits waivers, there is always the chance another club steps in, which leaves the Devils waiting on the one outcome they cant control. [Read more 🡒]