Projecting Devils 2024-25 Depth Chart

With most of the offseason work done, let's try and project the New Jersey Devils' 2024-25 depth chart

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With August beginning yesterday, it's the dog days of the NHL calendar. The New Jersey Devils still have to re-sign restricted free agents Nolan Foote and Dawson Mercer, but otherwise, the bulk of the offseason work is completed.

Since that's the case, we have a pretty good idea of what the Devils' depth chart should be heading into training camp about six weeks from now. Let's analyze each position group and do our best to project their depth chart.

Center

The most important position group up front, and it has the potential to be the Devils' strength if everyone remains relatively healthy in 2024-25. It obviously starts with Nico Hischier and Jack Hughes, the team's cornerstones.

Hughes only played in 62 games last season but still totaled 74 points — a 98-point pace over 82 games. Had he stayed healthy last season, there was a good chance he would have become the franchise's first 100-point scorer in a single season. He had shoulder surgery in April, so hopefully, that will remedy the injury problems he's had the last couple of seasons.

Hischier missed some time last season, but it was due to an unfortunate play when Buffalo Sabres defenseman Connor Clifton hit Hischier up high and concussed him. Still, he totaled 67 points in 71 games and should continue to thrive under new head coach Sheldon Keefe.

Erik Haula and Curtis Lazar round out the Devils' NHL center depth. Haula was one of the most underrated defensive forwards in the NHL last season, while Lazar had some pretty strong defensive impacts, too. They lead a bottom six that should have much more defensive prowess next season.

The Devils' center depth does get thin after Haula and Lazar, though. Justin Dowling has played NHL games and can step in a fourth-line role, but Hughes and Hischier need to play 75-plus games this coming season. One long-term injury to either, and center suddenly becomes a major question mark. But if they stay healthy, the Devils are four deep down the middle.

Right Wing

No, I'm not putting Timo Meier here. But even if Meier lines up on the left side, the Devils should be in pretty good shape at right wing. Mercer will sign eventually, and he figures to slide onto one of the top two lines. We'll get into it in greater detail once he signs, but he could erase some concerns about top-six scoring if he has a bounce-back season.

While Mercer could play a big role in 2024-25, no one is more important on the wing than Jesper Bratt, who totaled a career-high 56 assists and 83 points in 82 games last season. He's one of the Devils' best play drivers at five-on-five, and I expect him to get plenty of time alongside Hischier and Hughes.

The addition of Stefan Noesen should also help add some needed depth and physicality to the bottom six. He totaled 35-plus points in each of his two seasons with the Carolina Hurricanes and looks to be an excellent defensive forward.