Taking stock of the New Jersey Devils' depth chart

Let's take a closer look at how the roster is shaping up now that the dust has settled.

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Although there is still plenty of off-season remaining, and there will no doubt be more moves to come around the league, the bulk of the heavy lifting has been done for most teams. The New Jersey Devils certainly fit into that category.

How is the depth chart shaping up now that the dust is settled? Let’s take a look at just that.

Forwards

The top-6 is set in stone for me. I know Timo Meier moved around the lineup, and spent some time on the 3rd line last year, but those days of juggling are over. The Devils didn’t trade a handful of assets, and give Meier a predictably large contract extension, to be centered by Erik Haula or Michael McLeod.

He’s going to be with the team for a full training camp and hit the ground running, be it on a line with Jack Hughes or Nico Hischier.

I know some will toss around the idea of Dawson Mercer on the 3rd unit. It may happen in small spurts but I expect he’ll be a fixture in Lindy Ruff’s top-6 – and rightfully so.

Mercer has averaged 2.11 points per 60 with Hughes and 2.43 points per 60 with Hischier over the past two years. Both outputs are top line rates at 5v5.

Without a star pivot by his side, Mercer has struggled to create offense and drive his own line.

Essentially, he can give the Devils top line caliber hockey with Hughes/Hischier or he can be an inconsistent non-factor on the 3rd line. I know which option I’m choosing.

It’s not as if the Devils are devoid of talent and/or have no players with a history of production in their bottom-6. They don’t need to force Mercer down there to try and get some offense from the 3rd line. They’ll be just fine without him.

Speaking of the 3rd line, that’s where things get really interesting. Ondrej Palat and Erik Haula should make up a strong duo to lead the way there. Who will compliment them on the right side is anyone’s guess.

Alexander Holtz is a former 1st round pick with a big shot and a strong history of AHL production. Graeme Clarke is a pretty gifted offensive player as well and zero U25 AHL forwards produced more 5v5 points than he did last year. It stands to reason one of those guys can take the next step and grab that RW3 spot.

I know some have pitched the idea of bringing back Tomas Tatar, for example, and making Holtz/Clarke ‘earn’ that spot. I don’t see it that way. Signing Tatar wouldn’t force them to earn a job – it would take one away entirely.

Tatar had 50 points last year and strong two-way impacts. He’s not signing back to play on the 4th line, rotate in and out of the lineup, or be moved again in October.

If you give him a contract, you’re entirely blocking Holtz/Clarke. Take a look at the depth chart – there is no top-9 spot for them to earn no matter how well they play.

If I’m Tom Fitzgerald, and I’m not trading Holtz for another player to improve the team’s chances next season (and beyond), I’m not bringing in a top-9 forward.

Give Holtz and/or Clarke the opportunity to adequately fill that spot – it’s reasonable to think one or both are capable – and plug the hole at the deadline if it proves to be a problem spot.

The 4th line is pretty cut and dry. Michael McLeod and Nathan Bastian make up a very strong duo – at evens and on the PK – that is going to play every night.

Curtis Lazar can rotate in and out with his overall playing time dependent on a) injuries and; b) how ready Nolan Foote is. I know the Devils would like Foote to be in the mix. It’s in his hands now.

Defense