The New Jersey Devils had roster turnover all over their lineup, some of which affected their defense. Of the regulars on defense last season, Ty Smith was traded, and P.K. Subban was let go in free agency. Knowing this, there are two roster spots on defense that need to be filled. Let’s take a look at who those replacements are and check in on some familiar faces.

Ryan Graves

Handedness: Left

Contract: One year, $3,166,667

Means of Acquisition: Trade from COL (2021).

Analysis:

Ryan Graves had a solid first year with the Devils, recording a career-high 22 assists and 28 points. While he might not have been the stabilizing force defensively that the team or the fans wanted, though he certainly didn’t make the team worse when he was out there.

Graves also had great chemistry early on with star defenseman Dougie Hamilton. This is important to note for a potential long-term extension. Look for him to serve as a steady middle-pairing defenseman in a big contract year.

Dougie Hamilton

Handedness: Right

Contract: Six years, $9,000,000 per season.

Means of Acquisition: Via free agency (2021).

Analysis:

After a great first-third of the season with the Devils, it all went down hill for Hamilton. The now 29-year-old defenseman played much of last season with a still healing jaw and a broken toe which certainly hampered his scoring ability.

All that being said, Hamilton coming out of the season with 30 points in 62 games should be considered as a win. A healthy Dougie Hamilton this year has a high potential to turn back to the elite defenseman he was just a year ago. Pending health, expect Hamilton to re-emerge as a top-offensive defenseman in the league.

John Marino

Handedness: Right

Contract: Five years, $4,400,000 per season.

Means of Acquisition: Via trade from PIT (2022).

Analysis:

Marino, entering his fourth professional season, will be joining a new club for the first time in his NHL career. After being acquired this summer from the Penguins in exchange for Ty Smith and a draft pick, the 25-year-old defenseman will look to join what is one of the most dominant right defensive sides in the NHL, on paper.

With a half-decade older Damon Severson on an expiring contract, this trade also could be insurance for the long term. Especially with Severson entering his final season under contract. Expect Marino to serve as a quietly, strong defensive defenseman.

Damon Severson

Handedness: Right

Contract: One year, $4,166,666

Means of Acquisition: Acquired via draft (2012)

Analysis:

The aforementioned Severson has arguably been the Devils most important defenseman for quite some time. He has led the Devils in ice time per game for each of the past four seasons on his way to 33 goals and 137 points in 287 games during that span.

With his contract expiring, and the Devils bringing in right-handed defenseman John Marino via trade, and Simon Nemec in the draft this summer, Severson’s future with the Devils looks grim. Though, that doesn’t mean that he still can’t be an effective defenseman for the team this season. Specifically, as the team’s top, two-way defenseman, as he has been for the past few seasons.

Jonas Siegenthaler

Handedness: Right

Contract: One year, $1,125,000 (Extension: 5 x $3,400,000)

Means of Acquisition: Via trade from WSH (2021).

Analysis:

Last year was Siegenthaler’s breakout, as he emerged as one of the best defensive defenseman in the entire NHL. Siegenthaler was second in even strength defensive wins above replacement (EVD WAR). He was only behind another Jonas, Jonas Brodin according to Top Down Hockey.

If Siegenthaler can continue on this trajectory, that contract extension he signed in the offseason could look even better than it does right now. Look for him to serve as the Devils’ top shutdown option, at five-on-five and on the penalty kill, this season.

Brendan Smith

Handedness: Left (can play right side as well)

Contract: Two years, $1,100,000 per season.

Means of Acquisition: Via free agency (2022).

Smith has been a decent enough bottom-pair defenseman for a large part of his career. If he can continue to be that with the Devils, he will have done his part as a stop-gap until younger left-shot defenseman are ready to play. If not, it shouldn’t be hard to fill his role with another veteran, or even a prospect in the organization.

Other Potential Options

The Devils have a plethora of other defenseman that can be described as on the cusp of being NHL ready. However, as it stands, and based off performances from most last year, it looks like they are not quite there yet.

Here are some of the aforementioned:

Left Defensemen	Right Defensemen
Thomas Hickey	Simon Nemec
Nikita Okhotiuk	Reilly Walsh
Kevin Bahl	Shakir Mukhamadullin

Be on the look out for the next two articles in this series, previewing the forwards and previewing the goaltenders.