The Devils that made the list are: Jack Hughes (Tier 1), Nico Hischier (Tier 2), Timo Meier (Tier 3), Dougie Hamilton (Tier 3), Jesper Bratt (Tier 4), and John Marino (Tier 4).
I’m on the subway but will post the blurbs on each of our guys when I get above ground.
MountainBaker8217
Jack Hughes
> A leap from 3A to 1C is only fitting for one of the game’s brightest young stars. Hughes built on his 2021-22 breakout by showing he’s more than one of the premier playmakers in the league. Instead of being an elite set-up threat in transition, he started creating and finishing his own chances to outright take over possession in his minutes. That caliber play not only made him the biggest difference-maker in New Jersey, but elevated him into the Hart conversation for the first, but likely not the last, time.
> As Hughes continues to grow — his increased shot-making, his game translating to a playoff environment — the holes in his game keep shrinking. The bar raises each year with his progression, and should move even higher this season.
> “Jack Hughes is only going to grow his game,” one analyst said.
> He’ll continue asserting himself as the game-changer in New Jersey and one of the leading up-and-coming superstars in the league.
MountainBaker8217
Nico Hischier
> From 4B to 2C, Hischier’s taken one of the biggest year-to-year jumps in the tiers. He finally performed like the cornerstone the Devils expect him to be. A boost in offense, shot-making in particular, to complement his playmaking was the big difference for Hischier. And that shift didn’t weigh on his defensive style; he still shut down top competition and that only made him tougher to match up against. That caliber of play was pivotal in the playoffs, and will be for years to come in New Jersey.
> For Hischier to keep popping off offensively while maintaining his defensive excellence and to become a Selke favorite.
MountainBaker8217
Timo Meier
> Meier’s an ideal fit in New Jersey on paper, but has something to prove after struggling post-deadline.
> Some felt he actually shouldn’t have jumped as high as 3B.
> “I’m not totally sold on Timo. He’s a good player. I don’t think he’s a great player,” a coach said. “I think he’s got a little bit of blinders.”
> Others, however, see the potential with the Devils.
> “I think you have (Meier) in the right spot. Him and (Andrei) Svechnikov are similar players, power forwards,” one executive added. “I think he’ll be better there this year, too. I think it took him a bit to get acclimated.”
> A better showing than post-deadline, highlighted by quality scoring chances from the volume shooter who is surrounded by top-tier passers.
MountainBaker8217
Dougie Hamilton
> After an off year to start his Devils career, Hamilton is back.
> He posted career highs in production with 22 goals and 74 points while getting back to winning his minutes in a big way. The Devils turned into a puck possession juggernaut last season and Hamilton is a key part of that equation. They earned 56 percent of expected goals and 59 percent of goals with Hamilton on the ice — right back to his career norms. His ability to influence offense remains elite.
> Still, he has his detractors within the game who question his ability without the puck. “Defensively, he can’t play a lick,” one scout said.
> Same ol’, same ol’ for Dougie: elite offensive impact, questionable defensive ability — and no one who loves or hates him changes their mind.
MountainBaker8217
Jesper Bratt
> Bratt backed up his 2021-22 season with a consistently strong performance. With the Devils’ elite centers taking strides last year, Bratt became the perfect complementary winger in their top six, fitting anywhere as needed. He brings high-end puck-moving ability and can create his own chances. That earned him an eight-year extension this summer to keep him in New Jersey.
> Another step forward for the passer, with increased shooting talent around him.
MountainBaker8217
John Marino
> If you want offense from the back end, Marino is not your guy. But based on everything else? He’s a secret star in the making.
> The model isn’t a huge fan, but his micro-stat profile is terrific thanks to his ability to get the puck out and up the ice and his elite gap control defending the rush. He’s a very toolsy defender who can handle very tough minutes. Marino is an underrated part of the Devils machine.
> He’ll do everything right from the back end, except put numbers on the board.
CrashyBoye
That scout saying Dougie “can’t play a lick” of defense is a real clown take if I’ve ever seen one.
His defensive metrics aren’t amazing and he’s definitely not a defensive specialist but most of the time he’s *fine*, which is all we need from him as long as he’s producing points and the defenseman around him play their game.
Doesn’t play a lick is such a ridiculous statement.
8 Comments
The Devils that made the list are: Jack Hughes (Tier 1), Nico Hischier (Tier 2), Timo Meier (Tier 3), Dougie Hamilton (Tier 3), Jesper Bratt (Tier 4), and John Marino (Tier 4).
I’m on the subway but will post the blurbs on each of our guys when I get above ground.
Jack Hughes
> A leap from 3A to 1C is only fitting for one of the game’s brightest young stars. Hughes built on his 2021-22 breakout by showing he’s more than one of the premier playmakers in the league. Instead of being an elite set-up threat in transition, he started creating and finishing his own chances to outright take over possession in his minutes. That caliber play not only made him the biggest difference-maker in New Jersey, but elevated him into the Hart conversation for the first, but likely not the last, time.
> As Hughes continues to grow — his increased shot-making, his game translating to a playoff environment — the holes in his game keep shrinking. The bar raises each year with his progression, and should move even higher this season.
> “Jack Hughes is only going to grow his game,” one analyst said.
> He’ll continue asserting himself as the game-changer in New Jersey and one of the leading up-and-coming superstars in the league.
Nico Hischier
> From 4B to 2C, Hischier’s taken one of the biggest year-to-year jumps in the tiers. He finally performed like the cornerstone the Devils expect him to be. A boost in offense, shot-making in particular, to complement his playmaking was the big difference for Hischier. And that shift didn’t weigh on his defensive style; he still shut down top competition and that only made him tougher to match up against. That caliber of play was pivotal in the playoffs, and will be for years to come in New Jersey.
> For Hischier to keep popping off offensively while maintaining his defensive excellence and to become a Selke favorite.
Timo Meier
> Meier’s an ideal fit in New Jersey on paper, but has something to prove after struggling post-deadline.
> Some felt he actually shouldn’t have jumped as high as 3B.
> “I’m not totally sold on Timo. He’s a good player. I don’t think he’s a great player,” a coach said. “I think he’s got a little bit of blinders.”
> Others, however, see the potential with the Devils.
> “I think you have (Meier) in the right spot. Him and (Andrei) Svechnikov are similar players, power forwards,” one executive added. “I think he’ll be better there this year, too. I think it took him a bit to get acclimated.”
> A better showing than post-deadline, highlighted by quality scoring chances from the volume shooter who is surrounded by top-tier passers.
Dougie Hamilton
> After an off year to start his Devils career, Hamilton is back.
> He posted career highs in production with 22 goals and 74 points while getting back to winning his minutes in a big way. The Devils turned into a puck possession juggernaut last season and Hamilton is a key part of that equation. They earned 56 percent of expected goals and 59 percent of goals with Hamilton on the ice — right back to his career norms. His ability to influence offense remains elite.
> Still, he has his detractors within the game who question his ability without the puck. “Defensively, he can’t play a lick,” one scout said.
> Same ol’, same ol’ for Dougie: elite offensive impact, questionable defensive ability — and no one who loves or hates him changes their mind.
Jesper Bratt
> Bratt backed up his 2021-22 season with a consistently strong performance. With the Devils’ elite centers taking strides last year, Bratt became the perfect complementary winger in their top six, fitting anywhere as needed. He brings high-end puck-moving ability and can create his own chances. That earned him an eight-year extension this summer to keep him in New Jersey.
> Another step forward for the passer, with increased shooting talent around him.
John Marino
> If you want offense from the back end, Marino is not your guy. But based on everything else? He’s a secret star in the making.
> The model isn’t a huge fan, but his micro-stat profile is terrific thanks to his ability to get the puck out and up the ice and his elite gap control defending the rush. He’s a very toolsy defender who can handle very tough minutes. Marino is an underrated part of the Devils machine.
> He’ll do everything right from the back end, except put numbers on the board.
That scout saying Dougie “can’t play a lick” of defense is a real clown take if I’ve ever seen one.
His defensive metrics aren’t amazing and he’s definitely not a defensive specialist but most of the time he’s *fine*, which is all we need from him as long as he’s producing points and the defenseman around him play their game.
Doesn’t play a lick is such a ridiculous statement.