In some respects, the New Jersey Devils have a humiliation of riches on their blue line. A bonafide Norris Trophy contender in Dougie Hamilton, a correct top-pair counterbalance in Brenden Dillon, a stalwart defensive-defenseman in Jonas Siegenthaler, two top-four picks in Luke Hughes and Simon Nemec, an entire, two-way top-three defenseman in Brett Pesce, and nice depth in newcomer Jonathan Kovacevic and rookie Seamus Casey. Regardless of all that expertise, head coach Sheldon Keefe has the problem of discovering a solution to get the most effective out of his deep defensive corps by discovering the proper matches like a hockey sommelier.
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In 4 video games, the Devils have gotten combined outcomes from their protection. Hamilton and Dillon have already set the course to turn into one of many elite pairs within the NHL; whereas Siegenthaler and Kovacevic have been a gradual defense-first pair and the mix of Casey and Nemec has had problem of their zone. Concern concerning the pair construction might turn into moot as Pesce seems set to return throughout the subsequent week, and Hughes has already begun skating with the workforce, although he’s probably three to 4 weeks away from a return.
Discovering (a Function for) Nemo
Second-year participant Nemec has had a rollercoaster begin to his profession. Final season, as a 19-year-old, he was pressed into common obligation at practically 20 minutes an evening when Hamilton was misplaced for the season simply 20 video games in. He performed so nicely at first that he compelled the Devils to maintain him within the NHL. Like most rookies, he appeared to put on down bodily and mentally because the season continued, finally falling out of favor with interim head coach Travis Inexperienced upon the latter’s elevation. He completed the season tasked with engaged on his decision-making at each ends of the ice. His capability stays unquestioned. Uncommon is it to discover a right-hand shot defenseman together with his abilities and tranquility with the puck, not to mention one that may’t legally drink in America.
Nemec’s function this season stays unclear. With the losses of Pesce and Hughes earlier than the beginning of coaching camp, he spent a lot of the early a part of the preseason working with Santeri Hatakka, and the pair set to carry down the fort till Hughes returned. Then Hatakka went down, needing shoulder surgical procedure himself, and the Devils have been down to a few NHL-caliber defensemen to fill the spots, all right-handed. Casey had expertise taking part in on the left facet on the College of Michigan, so he was moved over to fill Hatakka’s spot alongside Nemec.
Casey’s sturdy preseason additionally made him the quarterback of PP2, a place most believed would go to Nemec. Within the first 4 video games, the pair has performed with combined outcomes. With the pair on the ice, in 33 minutes, the Devils have solely surrendered one purpose however have solely scored as soon as. They’ve additionally performed to an anticipated objectives for a share (xGF%) of 27, nicely under the opposite two pairs. Because the common season has worn on, the duo has gotten much less and fewer ice time, particularly when the sport is within the steadiness. Whereas sheltering a younger pair is to be anticipated, the Devils can’t be excited for the additional strain the sheltering places on the highest 4. In Saturday’s sport in Washington, the pair performed a mixed 43 seconds within the last ten minutes of a one-goal sport. Whereas the workforce received the sport, the components just isn’t sustainable.
Discovering the Proper Mixture
The Devils’ reinforcements can be again sooner fairly than later, leaving Keefe with some troublesome selections. The primary resolution can be: As soon as Pesce returns, who’s the primary participant out of the lineup? Even with Pesce, the Devils are an unbalanced lineup of 4 right-shot defensemen and two left-shot. Till his return, the Devils might make a easy swap of placing Nemec with Siegenthaler and Casey with Kovacevic.
The pair of Siegenthaler and Kovacevic have logged probably the most ice time of any of the Devils’ pairs. In simply over 60 minutes collectively they’ve solely surrendered one purpose in opposition to. The Devils’ goaltenders have put up a .960 save share with them on the ice. This explains the low goals-against quantity however signifies their capability to field out across the crease and suppress high-danger alternatives. Regardless of all that, they’re solely taking part in to a 50 xGF%. If the purpose is to discover a solution to unfold out minutes higher and provides Nemec the most effective probability to proceed to enhance, breaking apart this pair is smart.
The Devils might flip Kovacevic and Nemec, which might release Nemec to be extra aggressive within the offensive zone and assault by means of the impartial zone, each his strengths. Within the Washington sport, his resolution to pinch on the blue line price the workforce a fast counterattack odd-man rush, which Jacob Markstrom cleaned up. If Nemec have been taking part in with a extra stalwart defender like Siegenthaler, he wouldn’t must hesitate when pinching or taking offensive motion as a result of he could be assured he has a powerful defender on his left. It’s no knock on Casey to say he isn’t but the caliber of defensive defenseman that Siegenthaler is, however a pair the place Nemec needs to be relied on as the first defender just isn’t a recipe for achievement at this level in his profession.
If the purpose can also be to develop Casey, taking part in with Kovacevic is a greater match than Nemec. Casey is shouldering a problematic burden, as he’s taking part in in his first week within the NHL and being requested to run an influence play unit. Giving him a gradual, defensive defenseman who can skate, transfer the puck, and use his physicality will enable Casey to play freer and have somebody behind him to erase errors.
Making an attempt these pairs early within the sport is smart. In the event that they don’t settle nicely and permit Keefe to unfold out minutes higher with minimal danger, they will simply swap again to the pairings they’ve used within the first 4 video games. Even when it’s only a situational deployment, the workforce can ship a pair of Siegenthaler and Kovacevic over the boards for necessary defensive zone faceoffs or when attempting to kill off video games.
Coaches have problem balancing giving their workforce the most effective probability to win at this time whereas nonetheless doing what they will to develop future star gamers on the NHL degree. Gone are the times of the American Hockey League (AHL), with juniors being the one developmental degree. With accidents and expectations, increasingly more gamers are requested to develop whereas taking part in within the NHL. Making these changes permits the workforce to perform each objectives with out sacrificing wins.
