Free agency day one has come and gone, and the flurry of signings and trades that come with it have subsided. This year, general manager Tom Fitzgerald’s top priority was to re-sign star restricted free agents Jesper Bratt and Timo Meier, and he went above and beyond by trading for Tyler Toffoli. But he didn’t just focus on the big names in the top six, he also made an under-the-radar trade for Dallas Stars’ defenseman Colin Miller, giving up only a fifth-round draft pick.
While this deal may seem unimportant on the surface, it essentially locks in the Devils’ defensive corps for the 2023-24 season. Even without longtime Devil Damon Severson, New Jersey still boasts an exciting defense with lots of talent. Tom Fitzgerald is the mastermind behind this, and he executed his vision for the blue line to perfection. With the departure of Severson, every NHL-level defender except Kevin Bahl is a Fitzgerald acquisition.
After a disastrous stint of drafting resulting in lackluster play for a better part of a decade, Tom Fitzgerald built a formidable, yet cost-efficient defense from scratch. Today, we’ll take an in-depth look into how he formed the Devils’ 2023-34 defense.
Note: All player cards are via Dom Luszczyszyn of The Athletic. All GAR models are via Evolving Hockey. All contract information is via CapFriendly.
Projected 2023-24 Defense
Barring any last-minute changes, this is what the Devils’ defense will look like this season.
| Jonas Siegenthaler | Dougie Hamilton |
| Luke Hughes | John Marino |
| Kevin Bahl (RFA) | Colin Miller |
The top pairing looks to be the same as last season with Hamilton and Siegenthaler leading the way. The bottom four got shifted around in the absence of Severson, with Luke Hughes and Colin Miller joining the mix.
How Was the Defense Built?
Starting in January 2020, when Fitzgerald was named interim general manager, he set out to build a formidable defense piece by piece. He was diligent in this pursuit, adding his pieces through slick trades, good-value signings, and smart drafting. Here’s how he added each defenseman:
Dougie Hamilton
Age: 30
Height/Weight: 6’6”, 230 lbs
Acquired via: Unrestricted free agency
Contract: Seven years, $63 million ($9 million cap hit)
Remaining years: Five
Analysis
We’ll start this off with the undisputed leader of the blue line: Dougie Hamilton. Hamilton is the jewel in the defense’s crown and is Fitzgerald’s magnum opus.
Hamilton was acquired as an unrestricted free agent during the 2021 offseason. New Jersey had been a rumored destination before the deal due to their cap space and defensive situation. There was intense competition for the perennial Norris Trophy candidate but Fitzgerald managed to reel him in.
Even though his contract carried the highest average annual value (AAV) for a Devil to date, it is still considered a team-friendly deal compared to the rest of the market. Seth Jones, for example, received a $9.5 million per season deal from the Chicago Blackhawks a few days prior even though he is a far inferior defenseman.
What Effect Has He Had?
Hamilton came in pretty much as advertised as the rock of the Devils’ blue line. As expected, he is a pure offensive-defenseman, earning most of his goals above replacement (GAR) in his opponent’s zone. Hamilton is not a liability on defense, playing at replacement level over the past three seasons.
He had a rough first season with New Jersey but still managed to notch 30 points while battling through injuries. His second season, however, saw him explode for 74 points. His 22 goals last season earned him the record for most goals in a season by a Devils’ defenseman. He’s done this all while playing over 20 minutes a night in the top pairing.
Hamilton’s Value
Fans and organizations always want their top-paid player to be one of their top performers, and that’s exactly what has been the case with Hamilton. Tom Fitzgerald made a fantastic decision in signing Hamilton, who is the most important piece of the team’s defense. Even though he is the team’s highest-paid player, his contract is still team-friendly because he provides almost $6,000,000 in surplus value.
Jonas Siegenthaler
Age: 26
Height/Weight: 6’2”, 218 lbs
Acquired via: Trade with the Washington Capitals.
Contract: Five years, $17 million ($3.4 million cap hit)
Remaining years: Five
Analysis
Jonas Siegenthaler plays a much different style of hockey than Dougie Hamilton, but he has still managed to become one of the Devils’ most valuable defensemen. The Swiss-born Siegenthaler is an overpowering defensive-defenseman who thrives in his zone. Originally drafted by the Washington Capitals in the second round, he broke out with New Jersey, becoming one of the best stay-at-home defensemen in the league.
Tom Fitzgerald acquired Siegenthaler as a bargain bin find from the Capitals at the 2021 trade deadline. In exchange, the Capitals received a conditional third-round pick originally acquired from the Arizona Coyotes in the Taylor Hall trade.
Siegenthaler broke out the next season, and Fitzgerald pounced on the chance to bolster his defense in the long term. After the season, he wisely signed him to a five-year contract that carries a meager $3.4 million cap hit; a deal that takes effect in the 2023-24 season.
What Effect Has He Had?
At the time of the trade, nobody expected much from Siegenthaler, a regular healthy scratch who had only played seven games so far that season. He proved his doubters wrong and then some, solidifying his status as New Jersey’s top defender. Last season, he played on the top pair with Dougie Hamilton, averaging over 20 minutes a game.
Almost all of his value comes from his defense. His large frame and hockey IQ allow him to break up plays and make opposing forwards’ lives hell. This is reflected in his defensive GAR, which is in the 92nd percentile league-wide. Siegenthaler is also a serviceable penalty-killer, playing slightly above replacement level on the top unit.
Siegenthaler’s Value
Jonas Siegenthaler might be Fitzgerald’s smartest acquisition from a value standpoint. Siegenthaler went from being a nobody to a thorn in the league’s side in just a season with the Devils. Fitzgerald recognized his value before the rest of the league caught on, and the result is paying dividends. His new deal, which takes effect this season, has term and an unbelievably low annual average value compared to his projected market price.
While his player card doesn’t reflect his new contract, it is only a difference of about $400,000. Despite this minuscule increase, the Devils are getting an extraordinary value of $8.2 million for only $3.4 million. Tom Fitzgerald may have made his best moves in trading for and signing Jonas Siegenthaler.
John Marino
Age: 26
Height/Weight: 6’1”, 181 lbs
Acquired via: Trade with the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Contract: Six years, $26.4 million ($4.4 million cap hit)
Remaining years: Four
Analysis
While he doesn’t boast offensive star power, John Marino is a staple of the Devils’ blue line. He was brought in to be a replacement for Damon Severson when he inevitably left, and he has proven that he can fill that defensive gap.
Tom Fitzgerald fleeced the Penguins by trading for Marino. In exchange for Marino, the Devils only gave up the struggling Ty Smith and a third-round draft pick. And Marino wasn’t just a rental for a season, he had five years left on his contract. At the time, there was no doubt that the Devils won that trade, and Marino has proven this right ever since.
What Effect Has He Had?
Marino’s offense was disappointing last season, but he made up for it with strong play in his end. He played most of his minutes in the second pair but still averaged over 21 minutes of ice time. His GAR may put him in the 51st percentile league-wide, but his defensive GAR puts him in the 89th percentile in that category. Perfect for a second-pair defenseman.
Marino’s Value
It’s somewhat baffling that Tom Fitzgerald spent so little to get John Marino. He traded a prospect tryng to find his place and a mid-round pick for a very solid defenseman with term. Marino’s contract carries great value; his $4.4 cap hit per season grants the team $2.3 million in surplus value. He’s only 26 years old and the Devils have him for another four years. Another great move by Fitzgerald.
Luke Hughes
Age: 19
Height/Weight: 6’2”, 184 lbs
Acquired via: First-round draft pick in 2021
Contract: Entry level ($1.85 million per seaspon)
Remaining years: Two
Analysis
The long-anticipated debut of Luke Hughes finally came at the end of last season, and he didn’t disappoint. New Jersey was fortunate when he fell into their lap at the 2021 NHL Entry Draft, and Fitzgerald used the fourth-overall pick to get him.
The youngest Hughes brother spent the past two seasons at the University of Michigan, becoming the best offensive-defenseman in the NCAA. He scored 87 points in 80 games with the Wolverines and was a finalist for the 2021-22 Hobey Baker award. He came over to New Jersey at the tail end of the regular season after advancing to the NCAA finals.
Hughes’ value
Right now, Hughes is projected to get plenty of playing time in the second pairing, but there’s no telling how he’ll fit in. If last season is anything to go off, however, he’ll add a ton of offensive punch to the bottom four.
He scored two points in his second NHL game against the Capitals, including a dramatic overtime goal. He also notched two assists in his three playoff games against the Carolina Hurricanes. Luke Hughes should be the number two offensive defenseman behind Dougie Hamilton, making him one of Fitzgerald’s most valuable assets.
Colin Miller
Age: 30
Height/Weight: 6’1”, 200 lbs
Acquired via: Trade with the Dallas Stars.
Contract: Two years, $3.7 million ($1.85 million cap hit)
Remaining years: One
Analysis
The newest addition to this group, Colin Miller isn’t as flashy as Hamilton or as well-known as Hughes, but he provides highly underrated play on a budget. Fitzgerald acquired Miller in yet another slick move, giving up only a fifth-round pick.
Miller’s Value
Miller may just be a bottom-four defenseman, but his on-ice impacts are still highly valuable. He has solid defensive and offensive impacts, putting him in the 69th percentile among NHL skaters.
This is reflected in his market value, a whopping $8.3 million, far above the $1.85 million he’s being paid. This makes him one of, if not the, most underpaid player on the Devils. Miller is slated to be a bottom-pairing guy, but he could slot up to the top four as the season progresses.
Kevin Bahl
Age: 23
Height/Weight: 6’6”, 230 lbs
Acquired via: Trade with the Arizona Coyotes
Contract: N/A (RFA)
Analysis
Kevin Bahl is your typical bottom-pairing defenseman. He won’t astonish you with offensive prowess, but can be efficient defensively. What he brings to the table is his size and not being a liability.
Fitzgerald acquired Bahl in the Taylor Hall trade. At the time, he appeared to be the centerpiece of the return, but that changed with the additions of Dawson Mercer and Jonas Siegenthaler. Bahl played fine in 42 games last season and is expected to break camp as the last defenseman on the depth chart. He doesn’t have a contract at the time of writing, but he should garner less than $1.5 million.
Current Depth Options
Brendan Smith
Age: 34
Height/Weight: 6’2”, 200 lbs
Acquired via: Free agency
Contract: Two years, $2.2 million ($1.1 million cap hit)
Remaining years: One
Analysis
Brendan Smith may have been the Devils’ weakest defenseman last year. However, he still was not awful. Fitzgerald acquired Smith to plug the hole at the bottom of the defense as a placeholder and for some veteran presence. He should serve as your prototypical seventh defenseman this season.
Simon Nemec
Age: 19
Height/Weight: 6’1”, 185 lbs
Acquired via: First-round pick in 2022 NHL Entry Draft
Contract: Entry level
Remaining years: Three
Analysis
New Jersey’s pick at second overall in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft, Simon Nemec has the potential to be of great value on the blue line in the future. He didn’t see NHL ice last season, but he was productive in the AHL, notching 34 points in 65 games. He’ll probably need one or two more years of development, but Nemec will eventually make an impact in the NHL.
How it Comes Together?
Tom Fitzgerald is one of the savviest general managers in the NHL and it’s astonishing that he wasn’t nominated for the Jim Gregory award last year. He molded the defense to fit his vision, and now he’s reaping the rewards. The Devils have a defense built for contention at a fraction of what it should cost without sacrificing offensive prowess.
Fitzgerald’s most impressive acquisition on defense has to be Jonas Siegenthaler, whom he traded peanuts for and subsequently signed to a bargain deal. The Dougie Hamilton and John Marino moves are also highly important to the success of the defense.
What’s even more impressive is that every defenseman that played significant minutes last season generated surplus value, meaning Fitzgerald has more money to play with on offense and in goal. Tom Fitzgerald should earn praise for the way he’s built his blue line.