In a season in which the New Jersey Devils scored the fourth most goals, their powerplay left much to be desired. They converted at just a 21.9% rank, good for 13th in the NHL according to NHL.com. In a vacuum, that would not seem so bad. However, a team with multiple 30-goal scorers should be much more potent. Judging by the eye test you would think they were closer to the cellar in PP%. But with Andrew Brunette out and Travis Green in, as well as some additions in personnel, there is top-five potential for this unit.
Projected Devils Powerplay Unit
Predicting the First Powerplay Unit
Centre: Nico Hischier
Hischier had a breakout season in 2022-23, with a large uptick in scoring coming from the powerplay. He scored seven goals and had 12 assists on a whopping 56 shots. As a borderline elite faceoff taker, he is a vital asset on the first unit. He does most of his damage in the bumper spot and near the net where he cleans up and scores the dirty goals.
Left Wing: Jesper Bratt
Bratt has always been a solid powerplay player because of his transition play, quick release, and playmaking ability. This year he found his scoring touch, registering eight goals. Bratt’s best spot is on his off-wing where he can either get off his one-timer or distribute the puck.
Right Wing: Nathan Bastian
This may come as a massive surprise to some people but not to me. Bastian is a textbook net-front presence on the powerplay. He was able to have some production in the spot back in 2021-22 but was rarely used last season. The coaches should simply tell him to park in front of the goalie and don’t move. Bastian would be good for at least five goals from pucks simply hitting off of him.
Left Defence: Jack Hughes
You’ll see both powerplays rolling out four forwards and one defenceman, and Jack should once again return to this spot. He is one of the most dangerous players on the powerplay in the entire league. Hughes is a one-man transition, getting from one end to the other usually untouched. Once he does get set up he is a constant threat with the puck on his stick. Hughes had more powerplay points this year (31) than he did every previous year combined (30). There is no taking him off the top unit.
Right Defence: Dougie Hamilton
The Devils signed Hamilton with the idea that he would quarterback their PP1, and that’s exactly what he did last season. Hamilton scored 10 more points on the man advantage this year (28) than his previous career high (18) back in 2020-21. He has a booming shot and is not afraid to use it. His powerplay production is a big reason why we reached career highs across the board this year. Like Hughes, there’s no reason to take him off the first unit.
Predicting the Second Powerplay Unit
Centre: Erik Haula
The Devil’s second unit was particularly bad last season yet I decided to keep Haula on it. Much of the puck-carrying responsibility will be taken off his plate and he can get back to being a nuisance by the net. Another reason for him being on this unit is with Hughes and Hischier together on PP1, they’ll need someone reliable to take faceoffs. If they ask him to simplify his game and just get to the blue paint, he could have a much bigger impact next season.
Left Wing: Dawson Mercer
Mercer, similar to Haula, is best when he’s in and around the crease. The two of them can interchange between the bumper position and behind the goal line, as long as they make the opposing goalie’s life a living hell. Mercer hasn’t been a huge stable on the powerplay yet in his career, but I think this could be the next evolution in his game.
Right Wing: Timo Meier
The coaching staff tried to force Meier into the bumper roll on PP1 last year and had little success. Placing on his off-wing and letting him shoot at high volume would be the way to go. He arguably has the best shot on the team and the coaches need to utilize it more. Yet Meier still had four powerplay goals when he came over from the Devils. He has hit double-digit powerplay goals the past two years and had a career-high 17 goals this season. If given the opportunity to use his shot consistently, he should be able to repeat that number.
Left Defence: Tyler Toffoli
One of two big additions to the powerplay, Toffoli brings a heavy right-handed shot to PP2, something the Devils sorely lacked. Similar to Meier, parking Toffoli on his off-wing and letting him shoot at will should be the game plan. He had a career-high 10 powerplay goals with Calgary last season, and while he may not hit that number again, he should provide yet another shooting threat to the second unit.
Right Defence: Luke Hughes
The second of the big additions is Jack’s brother Luke. Luke Hughes is the quintessential powerplay player. His transition game is elite and he can skate in a phone booth. Not to mention his elite ability to open up passing lanes and find his teammates. He would take all the pressure off of everyone on this unit and allow them to focus on getting open and scoring. The sky is the limit for Luke on the powerplay and could very well overtake Dougie Hamilton on the top unit at some point in the season.
The Powerplay Should be Lethal in 2023-24
Talent is abundant on this roster. There is now a perfect balance of elite playmaking and pure goalscoring. What I think most fans look for this upcoming season in regards to the powerplay is consistency. They were overly reliant on the first unit and were too streaky throughout the season. While no one is expecting them to score at a historic rate like the Edmonton Oilers last season (32.4%), the talent is there to be a top-five unit.
Main Photo: Tom Horak-USA TODAY Sports
