The New Jersey Devils might only be two games into their Western Canada road trip, but there’s already something brewing on their fourth line that’s worth keeping an eye on. It’s early - no one’s crowning a new shutdown unit or breakout trio just yet - but what we’ve seen from Lenni Hameenaho, Arseny Gritsyuk, and Cody Glass has been, in a word, promising.
Let’s rewind for a second. Before hitting the road, the Devils made a lineup tweak that flew under the radar: they called up Hameenaho and slotted him into the fourth line alongside fellow rookie Gritsyuk and the 26-year-old Glass, who, by default, is the elder statesman of the group.
On paper, it looked like a classic “let’s see what we’ve got” experiment. On the ice?
It’s been a little more than that.
Both goals in Tuesday’s win over Edmonton came from this line. Glass and Gritsyuk each registered a goal and an assist, feeding off each other with a chemistry that’s hard to fake.
Sure, they’ve benefitted from softer matchups - that’s the nature of fourth-line deployment - but the way they’ve capitalized on those chances stands out. They’re not just surviving shifts; they’re driving play.
There’s a noticeable energy and pace when this trio hits the ice. They’re outshooting and outchancing opponents in limited minutes, which is exactly what you want from your depth.
But what’s encouraging isn’t just the numbers - it’s how they’re getting there. This isn’t a line relying on fluky bounces or chaos in front of the net.
They’re moving the puck with purpose, finding seams, and creating real scoring opportunities.
Let’s talk about Hameenaho for a moment. He hasn’t found the scoresheet yet, but he doesn’t look out of place.
That’s a win in itself for a young player just getting his first taste of NHL action. He’s skating well, making smart reads, and showing flashes of the skill that earned him the call-up.
It’s early, and there will be rookie mistakes, but the foundation looks solid.
That’s more than can be said for some of the other players who’ve been rotating through the bottom six this season. With Juho Lammikko already waived and Luke Glendening sitting as a healthy scratch, the door is open for this new-look fourth line to stick around. Even if Stefan Noesen returns later this season, the Devils have options - and right now, none of them should involve breaking up a line that’s showing this kind of potential.
For this group to keep trending upward, though, it’ll take more than just a couple of good games. The coaching staff needs to lean into what each player does best.
Gritsyuk has a legitimate shot - he should be encouraged to use it. Glass, while not racking up assists yet, has shown he can distribute when he’s got finishers around him.
And Hameenaho? He’s close.
If the chemistry continues to build, it’s only a matter of time before he chips in on the scoresheet.
Of course, patience is going to be key. This isn’t a veteran line - far from it.
Outside of Glass, none of these guys had NHL experience before this season. There will be bumps.
There will be off nights. But if the Devils can resist the urge to shuffle the deck the moment something goes sideways, this line could become a real asset.
And let’s not forget the bigger picture here. The Devils have struggled at times to define their identity this season.
There’s been talk of a team caught between styles - not quite the fast, attacking group they once were, but not fully committed to a more physical, grinding approach either. This fourth line could help nudge them back toward what worked: speed, skill, and relentless puck pursuit.
If this trio continues to grow, they could do more than just hold their own against opposing depth lines - they could tilt the ice in New Jersey’s favor. And in a league where depth scoring often separates playoff teams from pretenders, that’s no small thing.
So yes, it’s only two games. But sometimes, two games are enough to catch a glimpse of something real. This fourth line might not be the headline act, but if the Devils are going to find their footing in the second half of the season, they’re going to need contributions from every corner of the lineup.
Right now, Hameenaho, Gritsyuk, and Glass look ready to give them just that.