The New Jersey Devils are 47 games into their 82-game slate this season which has brought us to the All-Star break. Technically, it is six games past halfway mark, but, with the All-Star break serving as the impromptu midpoint of the season, why not take a look at how each Devils player has faired so far this season?

Offensively, despite the plethora of injuries, the Devils have done quite well all things considered. New Jersey is averaging the ninth-most goals per game and own the sixth-best, though quickly falling, power play. From an analytical standpoint, the team is grading out strong as well. New Jersey’s averaging the sixth-most expected goals for per 60 minutes at five-on-five.

Below are the grades for half of the Devils’ forward group. We will be analyzing every Devils forward who have played in at least seven games this season. Part II will be out in the coming days, as well as a defensemen and goalie versions of the series.

Alexander Holtz

The former seventh-overall pick in 2020, Alexander Holtz, has made very encouraging strides this season despite being bogged down by some poor-quality linemates for a vast majority of the season. Holtz has racked up 12 goals and 23 points while only playing 12:05 of ice time per night. His overall offensive impacts are extremely strong as his offensive goals above replacement (GAR) rating per 60 minutes places him fifth among Devils forwards.

However, as head coach Lindy Ruff has cited, and one of the reasons he has seen benching and demotions, for right or wrong, has been his dire struggles defensively. His defensive expected goals above replacement (xGAR) is the second-lowest among Devils forwards. Regardless of that, it has been a pretty strong first-full season of his NHL career.

Grade: B

Chris Tierney

Veteran Chris Tierney is one of several Devils forced into action due to a plethora of injuries. He has skated in 27 games as a result and has only totaled four points while average just about nine minutes of ice time per night. Despite being a black hole offensively, Tierney’s defensive impacts have been quite good. His defensive GAR and xGAR figures rank in the league’s 81st percentile and he has done decent work on the penalty kill when asked to do so.

Is he an everyday NHL-level player on a playoff team? No, probably not. But he has done what the Devils have needed to ask of his so far this year.

Grade: C

Curtis Lazar

The 28-year-old Curtis Lazar, who was acquired in exchange for a fourth-round pick last season, has quietly been one of the most positively-impactful Devils this season. Lazar, who has 16 points in 42 games, is on pace for a career-high. Although that does not seem too impressive, what tells the whole story, and just how impactful Lazar has been, is his underlying metrics.

Lazar has been elite defensively, his overall xGAR and GAR metrics grade in the 96th percentile and as the above indicates, he’s been terrific on the penalty kill. Specifically, his defensive GAR per 60 minutes rank seventh among 425 NHL forwards this season. To top it off, despite the subpar point totals, his offensive impacts grade out above average as well. An extremely underrated performer thus far this season.

Grade: B-plus

Dawson Mercer

It has been a pretty disappointing third season in the NHL for the only 22-year-old Dawson Mercer. Mercer is only on pace for 23 goals and 40 points, the point total would be the lowest of his carer. Despite this, his overall offensive impacts are still above league average, which is encouraging.

Specifically, Mercer has been a train wreck defensively, owning even strength defensive impacts that are among the worst in the NHL. When Mercer is on the ice, the Devils are giving up the second-most expected goals against per 60 of any forward to play at least 15 games for the team this year. Not good to see in a year where Mercer is due a new contract as a restricted free agent at season’s end.

Grade: C-minus

Erik Haula

Erik Haula has quietly had a very nice start to his second year in New Jersey. He is on pace for a 40-point season while posting very strong on-ice metrics, including decent work on the penalty kill.

Haula’s offensive on-ice metrics rank in the 65th percentile, while he has been very strong defensively, ranking in the league’s 87th percentile. He is everything at team can ask for out of a No. 3 center, hopefully, as the team gets healthier he can get back to that role sooner rather than later.

Grade: B-plus

Jack Hughes

Injuries are the worst, plain and simple. The Devils’ superstar was on pace for historic numbers before getting interrupted with injuries on two separate occasions. Despite this, Jack Hughes‘ point total is still second-most on the team as his point-per-game figure ranks fifth-best in the NHL.

When he has been on the ice, he has been electric. Hopefully, he can get back very soon after the All-Star break and continue on the 45 points he has able to post in only 32 games prior to his second injury.

Grade: A

Jesper Bratt

An underrated superstar, Jesper Bratt has once again been terrific for the Devils so far this season. He leads the team in assists and points (50). Specifically, he is on pace for 33 goals, 54 assists, and 87 points, each would shatter career-highs.

For good reason the 25-year-old leads the team in both total GAR and xGAR. His eight-year, $63 million extension the Swedish forward signed in June is already looking like a steal as Dom Luszczyszyn‘s projections at the Athletic value’s Bratt at $9.3 million.

Grade: A

All of the above statistics courtesy of Evolving Hockey and Natural Stat Trick.