What I'd like to see from each Devils defenseman in 2023-24

From Kevin Bahl to Jonas Siegenthaler, I commented on eight different blueliners.

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Training camp opens in just a few weeks, which means it is time to kick the season preview, and lookahead, content into high gear.

I started things off by going player-by-player and sharing what I’d like to see from each New Jersey Devils forward (Part 1, Part 2) in 2023-24.

Up next are the defensemen.

Kevin Bahl: Establish on the PK

I know I’ve talked about the penalty kill a lot in recent weeks but the Devils lost several guys who played big minutes last season – and played them very well. That means guys like Kevin Bahl have to step up.

John Marino and Jonas Siegenthaler are the only defenders on the roster who a) dressed in more than 60 games last year and; b) logged at least 40 minutes on the penalty kill.

Brendan Smith played a regular role when dressed but sat on the sidelines for a good chunk of the year. Colin Miller, Dougie Hamilton, and Bahl combined to play about as many minutes on the PK as Damon Severson.

The Devils need several guys to take on bigger PK roles this year and Bahl is perhaps atop the list.

Smith will be in and out of the lineup. Miller could be, too, if Simon Nemec forces his way onto the team.

Meanwhile, Hamilton logs a ton of ice at evens and on the PP. You only want to put so much on his plate.

All roads lead back to Bahl. His PK metrics last season were quite good, albeit in a small sample.

He was on for only two goals against in nearly 40 minutes (put another way, power plays essentially went 2/20 with Bahl out there) and he ranked 1st among all Devils defenders in suppressing attempts, chances, and expected goals on a per minute basis.

There’s a difference between playing 54 seconds per night – usually at the end of power plays vs 2nd units – and playing a regular shift. The Devils need the latter moving forward.

Bahl isn’t going to play a ton at evens but, if he can become a quality regular on the PK, that’ll help him dress in an awful lot of games.

Dougie Hamilton: Get the power play humming