Devils Defensive Depth Already Being Put to Use

The New Jersey Devils' defensive depth is already being put to use as Luke Hughes and Brett Pesce remain out of the lineup.

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A couple of weeks before the season started, I wrote about how the New Jersey Devils' defensive depth was much improved heading into the 2024-25 season. Unfortunately, they've had to dip into their pool of defensive depth since Luke Hughes and Brett Pesce remain out of the lineup.

However, their improved defensive depth held down the fort and then some in their two games against the Buffalo Sabres in Prague. With Hughes still a few weeks away from returning and Pesce's timeline uncertain, the Devils will need that defensive depth to continue shining.

Siegenthaler & Kovacevic Might Be Something

I know everyone wants to read about Seamus Casey. We'll get to him in a second, but let's start with Johnathan Kovacevic, who the Devils acquired in a trade with the Montreal Canadiens this summer.

Because Pesce and Hughes are both out of the lineup, Kovacevic has begun the season in a top-four role alongside Jonas Siegenthaler. And you have to like the results, at least through two games.

Kovacevic collected a goal and an assist in the opener in Prague and posted solid on-ice metrics in both games. His expected goals share (xG%) of 59.33 percent was fourth among Devils skaters in Prague, and he was one of their best shot suppressors, allowing just 1.73 expected goals per 60 minutes.

Devils coach Sheldon Keefe clearly trusted Kovacevic, as he averaged 22:06 of ice time across the two games. That probably won't last once Hughes and Pesce return to the lineup, but at least Keefe knows he has someone he can count on when Pesce or Dougie Hamilton isn't available on the right side.

There's also reason to believe that Kovacevic will sustain solid results over a larger sample. Though he didn't play a ton in Montreal, his underlying metrics were quite good:

Via Evolving Hockey