On looming defense decisions, early returns from the new top-6, and Cotter running hot

If the Devils wish only to maximize their lineup right now, the optimal six on defense seems clear. Plus, thoughts on changes up front and Cotter's strong start.

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A few New Jersey Devils notes on this off-day:

More than meets the eye 👀

On paper, the Devils have very tough decisions to make when Brett Pesce and Luke Hughes are ready to return to the lineup.

There is no question that either player is stepping in the day they’re able to. But who comes out?

The Devils still have time to gather more data before making any decisions. But we’d have to see a pretty drastic change from what has transpired over the first seven games for the conclusions to be any different.

Sheldon Keefe has consistently paired Brenden Dillon with Dougie Hamilton, Jonas Siegenthaler with Johnathan Kovacevic, and Seamus Casey with Simon Nemec. Two of those duos have performed well. Extremely well, even! One hasn’t.

I’ve seen a lot of comments about how Siegenthaler, in particular, or Kovacevic should be sat. Those mostly stem from priors – Siegenthaler was not good last season while Kovacevic was supposed to be the team’s No. 7 defenseman.

I don’t see how a legitimate case could be made for taking either out of the lineup.

Siegenthaler has looked like the defensive ace he was a couple of seasons ago while Kovacevic has been with him every step of the way.

They’ve largely faced the stiffest competition nightly and handled it as well as possible, controlling nearly 64% of the xG share. Those are numbers you’d expect from a pair of $9 million defenders.

Meanwhile, Dillon and Hamilton have complimented each other nicely. Dillon has done the bulk of the dirty work and allowed Hamilton to flex his muscles offensively by helping the team pile up the shots and chances.

Realistically, that leaves both members of the 3rd pairing as the obvious candidates to be replaced.

Seamus Casey has shown flashes of brilliance but he’s on a rookie deal and it makes more sense to stash him Utica – and let him play big minutes there – than come in and out of the lineup with the big club.

Nemec is the last guy you want sitting – he was a 2nd overall pick a couple of years ago and arguably the team’s most reliable defenseman just last season – but, based solely on this year’s play, he has probably been the worst defenseman on the Devils

The lineup choices Keefe and Tom Fitzgerald have to make are difficult in terms of what the team has invested in certain players and trying to develop the youngins further.

They’re not very difficult if the only consideration is icing the best possible lineup right now. It’s pretty clear who should play.

Early payoffs 💵