5 Combos Devils Should Experiment With During Preseason

The preseason gets underway tomorrow (Sept. 22). Here are 5 experiments the New Jersey Devils should tinker with before the Global Series.

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We're almost there. The New Jersey Devils play their first preseason game tomorrow night against the New York Islanders, and with that comes our first look at what Sheldon Keefe might be thinking as far as line combos and defense pairs for what should be a unique preseason since the Devils begin the season in Prague.

Keefe already gave us a good idea of what he's planning on trying in the preseason during the team's first practices this week. Let's cover some of those line combos and a few other pairings he should experiment with this preseason.

Meier, Hughes and Bratt

Yes, the Jack Hughes and Timo Meier combo has not worked much since the Devils acquired Meier at the 2023 trade deadline. Their sample isn't much — just 276 minutes — but the numbers are only so-so; they have a 50.4 expected goals share (xG%) as linemates.

Their numbers with Jesper Bratt only improve marginally, up to a 50.8 xG% as a trio. So why should Keefe give them a shot during the preseason when the evidence suggests they've only had average results?

It's simple. It's a new coach with a new system, and there's absolutely no harm in trying it during the preseason. Plus, Hughes is just coming off major shoulder surgery. And while I don't expect any long-term concerns with him, having another play driver like Meier might help him ease back into the game.

Also, if you're concerned about Hughes (and even Bratt) getting pushed around, Meier should help ease some of those concerns, given that he's a physical power forward. I've always thought there's upside with this trio that former coach Lindy Ruff never fully tapped into. Perhaps Keefe will unlock it.

Jonas Siegenthaler & Dougie Hamilton

Though it looks like Keefe is starting the preseason with Brenden Dillon alongside Dougie Hamilton, I'd still like to see him reunite Jonas Siegenthaler with Hamilton at some point.