Devils Notebook: Luke Hughes, Early Line Combos & More
Updates on Luke Hughes extension talks, early line combos, and more in this edition of New Jersey Devils Notebook
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Can you feel that? We’re getting closer to New Jersey Devils hockey, as the Devils open up their preseason schedule tomorrow afternoon against the New York Rangers. Head coach Sheldon Keefe has already given us a look at what he’s thinking for line combos to start exhibition games, and there are some intriguing pairings.
Plus, updates on Luke Hughes and where talks stand on a contract extension, Jacob Markström and plenty more.
Devils’ Early Line Combos
Based on today’s practice, it looks like most of these players will sit out tomorrow’s preseason debut against the Rangers. That means we’ll get a watered-down lineup, but we already have a good idea of what Keefe is thinking to begin the preseason.
Our first look at the top six includes a line of Evgeny Dadonov, Jack Hughes and Jesper Bratt, followed by Timo Meier, Nico Hischier and Dawson Mercer.
Dadonov might be a better fit with Hischier, but time will tell. For now, I’m intrigued by what he could do with Hughes and Bratt. Dadonov is crafty with the puck, and his finishing talent could be a welcome addition with Hughes and Bratt; he shot 16.8 percent over the last two seasons.
Dadonov is also a good skater, so that added pace should help make the Hughes and Bratt line a little more effective than last season, when Ondřej Palát was the third wheel.
I was wondering where Keefe would start Mercer to begin the season, but keeping him on the wing is the right decision. He played generally well with Meier and Hischier last season, with the three totaling a 50.9 expected goals share (xG%) and +5 goal differential as a line.
Mercer might be a better fit with Hughes. That is where he’s been most productive early in his NHL career, but giving him a shot with Hischier and Meier is putting him in a position to succeed to begin the preseason.
We’ll also eventually get a look at Palát, Cody Glass and Connor Brown as the third line. I really like the tandem of Brown and Glass; both are defensively responsible, but can chip in some offense. They should also complement Palát well, so this has the chance to be an effective third line.
Hughes Updates, and a Markström Extension, Too?
As of this writing, Luke Hughes remains unsigned, but talks are ongoing, per multiple reports. On yesterday’s 32 Thoughts, Elliotte Friedman reported that there was a rumor that Hughes and the Devils had agreed to a six-year extension, but that it was false. There’s still work to do, but they’re working toward a long-term agreement.
David Pagnotta more or less confirmed Friedman’s report last night, stating that the Devils and Hughes are focused on an eight-year deal and are working around the dollars.
While it can be frustrating that Hughes remains unsigned nearly 24 hours ahead of the Devils’ first preseason game, there’s good news here. One) The Devils and Hughes don’t seem to be interested in a three-year bridge deal. Two) The dreaded five-year deal that would have lined him up with Jack’s contract expiring doesn’t appear to be on the table, either.
Whether it’s seven or eight years, Hughes and the Devils seem to agree on wanting a long-term deal, so it’ll get done in due time. That’s a best-case scenario, so Devils fans should be pleased with that news, even though he remains unsigned.
General manager Tom Fitzgerald mentioned during his press conference on Thursday that he’s also talking extension with Markström and his camp. The 35-year-old netminder is in the final year of his contract, but appears to want to stay in New Jersey.
Markström’s age may be a slight concern, but as I’ve mentioned a few times with Jake Allen, goalies tend to age better than skaters. I can’t imagine an extension with Markström is for much more than a couple of years, and that could line the Devils up for when it’s Mikhail Yegorov time in a few years.
That’d give the Devils some security with a veteran netminding tandem until some of their top prospects (Jakub Málek included) are ready for The Show.
Injury Updates
The Devils gave us a couple of injury updates on Thursday. For the most part, there weren’t any surprises. We have a general timeline for when we can expect Johnathan Kovacevic to return to the lineup, although it won’t be anytime soon.
Fitzgerald told reporters that we might not see Kovacevic until January, so he will miss significant time. That means Šimon Nemec, you’re up, and maybe Seamus Casey, too.
The one surprise injury update was Stefan Noesen, who reaggravated a groin injury while training this summer. It was apparently an injury he played through last season, which would explain why his play dropped off post-Christmas.
Unfortunately, it doesn’t look like Noesen will be available for a little while; the Devils said he’ll be out for weeks. That’s a blow to the team’s depth, so it will be tested early on.
However, that could present an opportunity for Shane Lachance or Lenni Hämeenaho to begin the season in the NHL, assuming the injuries they suffered during the Prospects Challenge don’t linger too long. Both were standouts at that tournament, so we’ll see if they can make an impression on Keefe and the Devils’ coaching staff.
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