Next up in our fantasy hockey team preview series is the New Jersey Devils. After a number of years of rebuilding, everything came together and they made it to the second round of the playoffs after a 112-point season, finishing third in the league. The team bolstered its lineup even more over the offseason and is set to make an even bigger splash as its stars approach the prime of their careers.
The Devils had a number of good fantasy hockey options last season and it should only be better this season. They are a good team and will outscore their opponents by a fair margin. Finishing fifth in goals scored and eighth in goals against in 2022-23 bodes well for them this season with improvements to the lineup. We’ll take an in-depth look at all three positions and discuss who’s worth having from the Devils.
New Jersey Devils Fantasy Hockey Preview
Devils Forwards
The Devils look to be incredibly talented offensively this season and their entire top six is worth rostering. They have everyone from goal-scorers to shooters to power forwards. While the team only had one point-per-game player, Jack Hughes, the rest came pretty close and should improve this season. Two of the forwards expected to slot in the top six arrived late last season or this offseason. These two are Timo Meier and Tyler Toffoli. Meier will hit every category, especially shots, hits, and goals. Toffoli on the other hand led the Calgary Flames in goals and points last season and will have more offensive players to play beside in New Jersey.
Hughes may very well top 100 points this season. He’s been getting better at a quick rate and hit 99 last season in 78 games last season. He won’t help out physically, but he will shoot a ton and score goals because of his speed and skill. Jesper Bratt is similar, except he won’t go at the very top of the draft. He is a softer player but will play key minutes offensively and put up points.
I didn’t want to lump Nico Hischier in with Hughes and Bratt because he has a larger impact defensively than any other forward. Combine that with his rising value because he just produced 80 points, and he is a strong fantasy hockey choice. I wouldn’t bet against him climbing over the point-per-game threshold this season with the linemates he’ll have all season.
As for the final member of the top six, Dawson Mercer is just getting his career going and had an impressive sophomore season. He can be a 30-goal scorer as soon as this season, doing so without the help of being on the top power play. When it comes to the power play, Toffoli and Mercer will likely be left off the top unit, so they won’t be able to benefit from those points. He should be the sixth of the forward group in New Jersey drafted, but that doesn’t mean he won’t hold good value and have a high ceiling this season.
After the top six, I do want to mention two players; Ondrej Palat and Erik Haula. While neither is worth drafting, either one of their values could shoot up if there’s an injury in the top six. Palat is looking for a bounce-back season and Haula is consistent if he stays in the third-line center role.
Devils Defensemen
The Devils got some strong production from their defensemen last season, but it mostly came from Dougie Hamilton. He will have a massive fantasy impact again this season. He runs point on the top power-play unit and recorded over 70 points last season. He’s a high-volume shooter and it translates to goals, but his defensive impact isn’t huge like some others on the team.
The team lost Ryan Graves and Damon Severson, their second and third-highest point-getters on defense from last season, so there are new options to fill the void. Luke Hughes came in hot and should be a prime candidate to put up a fair amount of points. The soon-to-be 20-year-old put up four points in his first five games in the NHL. In a top-four role, he’ll compete for the Calder Trophy and play over 20 minutes a night.
Related: 2023 Fantasy Hockey Team Preview: Carolina Hurricanes
The fantasy impact ends with Hamilton and Hughes. In a league where hits and blocked shots both matter, Jonas Siegenthaler should be on your radar.
Devils Goalies
Vitek Vanecek was the Devils’ starter last season, but they could have more of a tandem in 2023-24. Akira Schmid takes over now that the Devils moved on from Mackenzie Blackwood. Schmid played very well and will be in a more prominent role this season. Vanecek has the higher quality start percentage, but Schmid put up better numbers overall. Vanecek would be the safer option to look at first. Even so, both should have a strong fantasy impact as the team will win games regardless.
The Devils have some very strong players to have on your fantasy hockey team. As a team projected to be one of the best in the league at both ends of the ice, this is a group you definitely want to have players from.
Make sure to check out all of our Fantasy Hockey Team Previews as they roll out over the coming weeks!