Devils Should Benefit From Haula Sticking in 3rd-Line Role

With some new additions and hopefully a healthier Jack Hughes, Erik Haula should finally settle into a more suitable third-line role

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I'm sure when the New Jersey Devils acquired Erik Haula two offseasons ago, they knew using him all over the lineup was a possibility. Though he's played plenty of center, he's also an effective winger who could play middle-six minutes. Injuries, mainly to Jack Hughes, were part of why he played on the wing so much in his first two seasons with the Devils and why he played top-six minutes.  

But with Hughes having had shoulder surgery a few months ago and the Devils having a deeper roster after a busy offseason, Haula should finally settle into a third-line role he’s best suited for.

Haula’s Success Playing Anywhere

Even before Hughes' shoulder injuries worsened last season, former head coach Lindy Ruff used Haula on Hughes' wing plenty. One of Ruff's most common line combos during the 2022-23 season was the Haula, Hughes and Jesper Bratt trio. And even though most of us didn't love it, they were dominant.

In 182 minutes together in 2022-23, the Haula, Hughes and Bratt line finished with an expected goals share (xG%) of 72.6 percent and a goal differential of plus-4 (10-6). It's hard to argue with those results, even if it wasn't most fans' favorite line combo.

Another unit that Ruff used that season, though to less effect, was Haula, Hughes and Dawson Mercer. Even though they weren't as dominant as the trio with Bratt, they still finished with a 51.57 xG% and a goal differential of plus-3 (13-10). So while Haula playing on the wing wasn't fans' preference, it worked.

Haula's usage on the wing lessened this season, but he was still a fixture in the top six as a center. That was mainly due to Hughes' struggles with shoulder injuries. After returning from a near-month-long absence after the All-Star Break, Hughes finished the season playing on the wing, with Haula centering him more often than not to take draws and lessen the possibility of further damage to Hughes' shoulder.

Similar to the previous season, Haula and Hughes once again had success in 2023-24, totaling a 53.95 xG% in nearly 330 minutes together as linemates. Though Haula was playing higher up the lineup than the Devils probably wanted him to, he quietly had a very solid season, even if the counting totals don't pop off the page.

Haula didn't receive any Selke love, but perhaps he should have. His even-strength defense was worth an expected goals above replacement (xGAR) of 6.1, ranked first among all Devils skaters. Not only was that the best mark on the Devils, but it was a top-10 rate among all forwards league-wide. He was one of the best defensive forwards in the NHL, and his RAPM chart shows his strong two-way impacts this past season: