The New Jersey Devils were able to complete a 7-0-0 preseason headed into the regular season. As a team, interestingly enough, their on-ice possession metrics at five on five were very abysmal. The Devils ranked 27th in the league in Corsi-for percentage (CF%) and 25th in expected goals-for percentage (xGF%). The fact they were able to muster a 7-0-0 record is certainly surprising given their metrics.
However, there are a few easy answers to how it was accomplished. The Devils owned a team save percentage of .931 which was the second-highest in preseason. Further, they had a shooting percentage of 16.13, by far the highest in the league. Lastly, arguably the main reason they survived despite the lackluster five-on-fie impacts, the team went 8-for-21 on the power play.
Regardless of all that, there were specific players who did excel and individuals whose did struggle mightily. That is the important aspect of preseason.
The Good
Jesper Bratt
The Devils’ new $63-million man was electric in the preseason. Jesper Bratt totaled five goals and four assists good for nine points across only four games. The five goals were tied for the league lead and the nine points edged teammate Jack Hughes and Vegas superstar Jack Eichel for the league lead.
As a whole, the Devils’ top line in preseason – Bratt, Hughes, and newcomer Tyler Toffoli dominated. Each had very strong possession numbers and each tallied a hefty number of points. Certainly an exciting trio to watch entering the regular season.
John Marino
The former Pittsburgh Penguin had a two-goal outing in the Devils’ 6-5 win against the New York Islanders. As a whole, he was also probably the Devils’ best defenseman when it came to on-ice impact.
He led the team in CF% and was second in xGF% (among players with at least three games played). Marino was on the ice for 29 scoring chances to only 16 against, as well as 13 high-danger chances to only five opponent chances.
He, along with his seemingly new partner, Kevin Bahl, played well during tune-up season. Look for that duo to serve as the team’s second pairing during the regular season and play during late-game defensive situations.
Daniil Misyul
The first non-regular on this list is projected to spend the season with the Utica Comets (AHL). Misyul, a 2019 third-round pick, played in only two preseason games but had extremely strong impacts. His CF% of 58.18 ranked third of Devils’ skaters who played at least two games. He also posted a strong 59.87 xGF% and was on the ice for five high-danger chances to only two by the opposition.
Misyul, at six-foot-three, projects more as a defensive defenseman and we saw that on display in a small-sample size in preseason. The 184-game KHL veteran posted a 39.79 Corsi Against per 60 minutes (CA/60) which was the fifth-lowest on the team. This signifying that while he was on the ice, the Devils were suppressing opponent shot attempts.
Curtis Lazar
New Jersey acquired the nine-year veteran last March for a fourth-round pick. Fighting for a fourth-line job, Curtis Lazar excelled. He was also the only Devil that played all the preseason games possible.
Lazar tallied three points, but had very impressive on-ice impacts. Each of his on-ice impacts graded above 50.0. Meaning, when he was on the ice, the Devils were out-chancing their opponents. Few examples of this was Lazar’s 26-17 differential in scoring chances, 3-0 in goals, and 58.91 xGF%. Each figures that were one of the better marks on the team.
Overall, it was a strong preseason for a player that desperately needed one.
The Goalies
The Devils had three goalies that got a game for them in preseason. Each excelled:
| Save Percentage (SV%) | Goals Saved Above Expected (GSAx) | |
| Akira Schmid | .920 (80/87) | 2.33 |
| Vitek Vanecek | .937 (59/63) | 2.14 |
| Erik Källgren | .935 (29/31) | 0.43 |
| Keith Kinkaid | 1.000 (7/7) | 0.74 |
As you can see, each netminder posted a positive GSAx and superb save percentages. Unfortunately, Keith Kinkaid was injured in his only appearance. However, it was very encouraging for each of the goalies that played for New Jersey in the preseason.
Honorable Mentions: Jack Hughes, Tyler Toffoli, Nico Hischier, Jonas Siegenthaler, Dougie Hamilton, Santeri Hatakka, Tyce Thompson, Joe Gambardella
The Bad
Colin Miller
The Devils brought in the veteran defenseman this offseason via the Dallas Stars. Throughout his career, Colin Miller has always put up very solid on-ice impacts. However, during the preseason, the opposite held true.
Miller posted the second-worst xGF% (36.51) of any Devil to play at least four games this preseason, only trailing AHLer Justin Dowling. Miller was also on the ice for a staggering 25 scoring chances, to only 15 for, and 10 high-danger chances, to only 11 for. It was dire struggles for the 30-year-old veteran.
Luckily, as mentioned above, Miller has a strong track record. One should expect things to be rectified in the regular season, and ultimately for the total sample to outweigh a four-game preseason sample.
Ondrej Palat
The Devils’ $30-million man had a rough year last season, largely due to an injury that caused a lengthy absence. Preseason did not go any better in terms of on-ice impact. Ondrej Palat posted the third-worst xGF% of any Devil who played three or more preseason games. Meanwhile, his 30.16 CF% was the worst.
The scoring output was decent, totaling four points in three games. However, the overall on-ice impacts at five on five were very poor. Hopefully, that is not a sign of things to come in the regular season.
Luke Hughes
The highly-touted defenseman certainly showed flashes, especially on the power play. However, Luke Hughes struggled overall at five on five.
Hughes posted an abysmal 31.53 xGF% through the four games he played. Of the 39 Devils’ skaters that played in the preseason, he was on the ice for the most goals against, third-most shot attempts against, fourth-most shots against, third-most scoring chances against, and second-most high-danger chances against.
Struggles are expected early on for the young defenseman. Especially given his defensive game is certainly a work in progress. Hopefully, with some sheltered minutes to begin in their regular season, he develops that part of his game properly.
Simon Nemec
Another highly-touted defensive prospect also showed flashes, but, overall, had very poor on-ice metrics. Nemec did score two preseason goals, with the second being a beautiful breakaway tally. However, as mentioned, the on-ice metrics were very poor.
Nemec posted the fourth-lowest xGF% (38.80) of any Devil that played four preseason games. The 2.69 xGA that the Devils allowed with Nemec on the ice was the fourth-highest on the team, trailing only Michael McLeod, Kevin Bahl, and Luke Hughes.
As mentioned, he flashed at times, namely the couple goals he scored and other instances throughout the preseason. However, he would likely benefit from more seasoning in Utica (AHL).
Graeme Clarke
Graeme Clarke was very strong last season for Utica (AHL), and several were hoping he was going to push for a roster spot out of camp. Unfortunately, across three preseason games, he was held scoreless and posted a negative-four plus-minus rating.
The traditional statistics are just as bad as the on-ice impacts. Defensively, the Devils were a train wreck when Clarke was on the ice. His CA/60 of 84.5 was by far the worst on the team of any Devil who played at least three preseason games. The figure was the ninth-worst in the whole league of 711 skaters who played at least 30 minutes of five-on-five ice time this preseason.
Clarke will likely have to have a strong beginning of the season for Utica (AHL) and rely on an injury or two with the big club to get his chance this year. His play in preseason certainly warrants a cut.
Honorable Mentions: Erik Haula, Dawson Mercer, Alexander Holtz, Nolan Foote, Graeme Clarke, Michael Vukojevic, Justin Dowling, Tyler Wotherspoon
Note, all statistics courtesy of Natural Stat Trick.