The New Jersey Devils are running out of time-and options. Sitting at 25-22-2, they’re teetering on the edge of mediocrity, and if they don’t find a way to string together consistent wins soon, they could slip below .500 and watch their playoff hopes fade in real time. Injuries, shaky goaltending, inconsistent special teams, and scoring droughts have all played a role in what’s been a frustrating, stop-and-start campaign.
With the trade deadline approaching, the pressure is mounting on general manager Tom Fitzgerald to make a move. The longer he waits, the narrower the Devils’ playoff window becomes.
One glaring issue? Secondary scoring.
If New Jersey wants to stay in the mix, they need help down the middle-and fast. A reliable depth center and a retooled fourth line could be just what the doctor ordered.
Fourth Line Falling Flat
Let’s start with what’s not working. The Devils have leaned on Cody Glass and Luke Glendening to center their third and fourth lines, respectively.
Glass has shown signs of life recently-three goals in his last five games, a 52.5% faceoff win rate, and a tidy 15.6 shooting percentage. He’s doing his part.
But the fourth line? That’s where things fall apart.
Glendening, brought in on a one-year, $775,000 deal after a strong training camp, just hasn’t delivered. In 48 games, he’s managed only four points.
His latest contribution was an assist in a 4-1 win over the Utah Mammoth earlier this month, but before that, he went 28 games without a point. That’s not a cold streak-it’s a deep freeze.
To be fair, Glendening wasn’t signed to light up the scoreboard. He was meant to be a defensive anchor, a faceoff and penalty kill specialist.
But even those strengths have been underwhelming. His 45.24% win rate in shorthanded faceoffs is his lowest since the 2014-15 season.
He’s been on the ice for 11 goals against while killing penalties, seven of which came from high-danger areas. At 5-on-5, the numbers are even more lopsided: 18 goals against to just six for.
That kind of imbalance from a fourth-line center is hard to ignore.
Looking Within: Can the Devils Find a Spark?
Of course, not every solution has to come via trade. Sometimes, the answer is already in your system.
That’s how Cody Glass ended up centering the third line-he stepped up when the team needed him. Could the same be true for the fourth line?
Enter Lenni Hameenaho. The 21-year-old was called up from the Utica Comets over the weekend and made his NHL debut against the Calgary Flames.
And he didn’t just survive-he looked like he belonged. Hameenaho slotted in next to Glass and Arseny Gritsyuk, and the newly formed line made an immediate impact.
He recorded the team’s first shot on goal and was on the ice for 16 shot attempts and three high-danger scoring chances. That’s a solid debut, especially considering the circumstances.
Another name to keep an eye on: Shane Lachance. After a strong training camp and a couple of preseason games, he was sent to the AHL for more seasoning.
He got a taste of NHL action in November when injuries forced a call-up, but he hasn’t been back since. Still, Lachance brings a different flavor-size, strength, and a net-front presence that the Devils’ bottom six could sorely use.
He’s versatile enough to play center and brings a physical edge that could shake things up.
Trade Talk: Clock’s Ticking
If the internal options don’t pan out-and fast-Fitzgerald will have to look outside the organization. The Devils can’t afford to let their secondary scoring issues linger much longer, especially with the playoff race tightening.
There was some buzz about a potential trade when Dougie Hamilton was benched against the Jets, but that talk has cooled as Hamilton has responded with six points in his last five games. Instead, the more likely candidates to be moved are players whose production doesn’t match their paycheck-Ondrej Palat and Stefan Noesen come to mind.
The challenge? Cap space.
The Devils have just $95,207 available, which makes acquiring a veteran like Ryan O’Reilly or Steven Stamkos-both of whom have been linked to the team-an uphill climb. Without shedding salary, a deal of that magnitude is all but impossible.
Still, the need is clear. The Devils need a depth center who can contribute at both ends of the ice. Whether that player comes from the AHL, a savvy trade, or an unexpected internal breakout, something has to give.
Final Word
The Devils are at a crossroads. Their top-end talent can only carry them so far if the bottom six continues to struggle.
Hameenaho’s debut is a glimmer of hope, but one promising rookie isn’t enough to right the ship. New Jersey needs more-more scoring, more defensive responsibility, more consistency.
If they want to make a real push for the postseason, the time for waiting is over. The Devils need to act-and they need to act now.