As a whole, the New Jersey Devils had a very strong preseason, for whatever that is worth. They were tied in the league for points with 10, and their 5-2-0 record was one of the best. They also played very well at five-on-five, as evident by the team’s 10th-best Corsi-for % (CF%) and sixth-highest expected-goals for % (xGF%).
Unlike last year, they also got the goaltending to back up this strong five-on-five numbers. All culminating in a very strong tune-up season. Of the player who participated in this strong showing, who excelled? Who did not?
The Good
Tomas Tatar
Tatar’s 2021-22 season was a disappointment, to say the least. However, in the preseason, he led the Devils with four goals. Only Dougie Hamilton had a higher point total than Tatar.
He also had one of the stronger metrics on the team. His CF% and xGF% each led Devils’ players who played at least three preseason games. These metrics were not only the best on the Devils, but one of the best in the league.
To further expand on how good the Devils were with Tatar on the ice, at five-on-five, New Jersey held the scoring chance advantage 36-14. They also only gave up seven high-danger scoring chances to the 17 they produced. Tatar certainly earned a top-nine role to begin the season and is a prime bounce-back candidate.
Kevin Bahl
After a disappointing 2021-22 campaign that saw some struggles in Utica (AHL), then, despite the apparent undeserved praise, struggles in a short NHL stint, it was looking bleak for the former second-round pick. However, Bahl turned in an excellent preseason that surprisingly still did not earn him a roster spot.
Bahl’s 72.45 xGF% at five-on-five led Devils’ defensemen that played at least two games. While Bahl was on the ice at five-on-five, the Devils totaled 21 high-danger scoring chances and only allowed three. The six-foot-seven defenseman finally looked like everything he was made out to be.
It will be interesting to see how soon before Bahl gets the call up. He certainly earned the opportunity to challenge Brendan Smith for a starting spot.
Graeme Clarke
Like Bahl, Clarke also had a very disappointing 2021-22 campaign. He only tallied 24 points in 52 AHL games. Though, in preseason, the former 2019 third-round pick looked very strong.
Clarke played in four games for the Devils this preseason, scoring two goals and tallying an assist. His three points was tied for third most on the team. Meanwhile, his 13 shots only trailed Erik Haula. His 59.63 xGF% also indicates the Devils were very strong at five-on-five when he was on the ice.
It will be a big third, second-full, AHL season for Clarke. If he can build on this preseason performance, it will wonders for his development.
John Marino
John Marino looked as advertised in his four preseason games. Outside Kevin Bahl, Marino was no doubt the team’s strongest defender. The Devils outscored opponents 5-0 at five-on-five with Marino on the ice. Furthermore, the shot differential was 27-11. When he was out there, the Devils were much better for it.
Not to mention, the player the Devils gave up for Marino, Ty Smith, was sent down to the AHL to begin the season. If this preseason play can carry over to the regular season, the Devils will look back on that trade very fondly.
Vitek Vanecek
As mentioned, as a group, it was a very strong preseason for the Devils’ goaltenders. Outside one stinker of a game by Mackenzie Blackwood, the group, including Blackwood, was very strong. The best performer of the bunch was certainly one of the newer Devils, Vitek Vanecek.
In total, Vanecek faced 69 shots and stopped 64 of them, good for a .928 save percentage. He saved almost two goals more than expected (1.52). So, overall, he played very well.
If Vanecek can just give New Jersey at least league-average goaltending, the team would improve drastically from last season. Certainly a strong start for the former Capital with his new team. Hopefully, the preseason success carries over.
Honorable Mentions:
- Jesper Bratt: High-danger chances at five-on-five were 14-1 when he was on the ice. Scoring chances were 40-21.
- Dawson Mercer: At five-on-five, the Devils scored four goals and only gave up one. He had three points in four games.
- Tyce Thompson: Led Devils’ players who played at least two games in five-on-five CF% and xGF%.
- Topias Vilen: Only played one game, though, shot attempt differential at five-on-five was 14-4 when he was on the ice. The scoring chances were 10-3.
The Bad
Nikita Okhotiuk
Before it started, it was a huge preseason for the young defenseman looking to earn an NHL roster spot. In his short stint last season, Okhotiuk impressed many, and his metrics, defensively, backed it up. However, his preseason was a disaster.
Among skaters to play at least three games for the Devils, only Brian Pinho had a lower CF% and xGF% than Okhotiuk. While Okhotiuk was on the ice at five-on-five, the Devils were outscored 4-1.
Okhotiuk will return to the AHL where he will hope to expand on an impressive 2021-22 season there.
Brendan Smith
Brendan Smith was a surprising free-agent signing in the offseason. He currently projects to play on the bottom-pair, left side and has had mixed results throughout his long NHL career. Early returns in the preseason did not look too good.
With Smith on the ice at five-on-five, the Devils surrendered 33 scoring chances, the highest of any Devil during the preseason. Interestingly enough, Smith’s offensive-zone start rate was higher than his defensive. He was one of the Devils’ poorer defensemen in preseason.
Look for Kevin Bahl to rightfully push Smith for that left-side, bottom-pair job.
Mason Geertsen
Geertsen’s struggles at the NHL level are well documented. And given his style of play, not all that surprising.
His job is to protect his teammates and throw his body around. He does that part well, but, as evident again in preseason, he does not exactly do much of the other stuff well enough to be an everyday NHL-level player.
Geertsen posted CF% and xGF% the lowest of any Devils to play four games. As a result, he was rightful waived Sunday. Geertsen is a player that every AHL team should have. And his play at that level translates much better than it does at the NHL.
Simon Nemec
The second-overall pick is poised to become a strong, two-way, puck-moving defenseman. Though, you can tell he needs to spend some time developing in the AHL first. Which is why, trial basis or not, it was surprising to see him on the Devils’ opening roster.
His CF% of 43.16 and xGF% of 43.80 are both lackluster figures. Furthermore, the Devils were outscored at five-on-five 3-0 with Nemec on the ice. He did show flashes though, of what made him such a high pick.
Nemec will be just fine. Though, he is much better suited to begin the season in Utica (AHL).
Reilly Walsh
At points last season, the former Ivy League attendee was playing like one of the best offensive defenseman in the AHL. However, as has been readily clear, the right side of the Devils’ defensive depth chart is jam-packed. Also, during the preseason, Walsh did not do much to help his cause.
In two games played by Walsh, the Devils were out-shot by their opponent 21-8 at five-on-five with him on the ice. Furthermore, he posted a woeful xGF% of 42.63. This number was sixth lowest of Devils that played at least two games.
Walsh is still a strong prospect. Though, one that does not appear to fit in the system any longer due to the Devils’ depth on the right side. It would make sense to see Walsh used as a valuable chip in a future trade.
Honorable Mentions
- Chase Stillman: Only played in one game, but it was woeful. Opposition owned the shot-attempt advantage,14-4, and scoring-chance advantage, 8-2, at five-on-five.
- Brian Pinho: Of the 41 Devils that played in the preseason, Pinho ranked 39th in CF% and 41st in xGF%.
- Thomas Hickey: Worst CF% and xGF% of any Devils’ defensemen. Rightfully released from his professional try-out contract.
- Jesper Boqvist: Owned the lowest CF% of any Devil that played at least four games. He was also on the ice for 26 opposition scoring chances at five-on-five (third-most among forwards).
All possession metrics courtesy of Natural Stat Trick.