Devils Notes: Meier, Bahl & Nemec Pair, & More

Thoughts on Timo Meier moving down the lineup, needing to break up the Kevin Bahl & Šimon Nemec pair, and more

Follow us on Twitter: @AlexC_NJD, @NJD_OnTheRush

---

It's been a long layoff, but the New Jersey Devils are set to return to game action tomorrow night when they take on the Colorado Avalanche. They returned to practice yesterday sans Jack Hughes, Brendan Smith and Jonas Siegenthaler. 

However, Hughes was part of practice today, though in a grey non-contact sweater. Let's empty the notebook and review some line combos from on-ice sessions over the last two days, plus Avalanche goaltender Ivan Prosvetov clearing waivers. 

Meier Demoted; Palát Back With Hischier & Bratt

After playing a few games together before the break, the line of Timo Meier, Nico Hischier and Jesper Bratt is no more. That's understandable, given how Meier played in the team's final game against the Tampa Bay Lightning before the layoff. 

While I don't love Meier moving to a line with Curtis Lazar and Nathan Bastian, I understand it. I don't think that will help him get going, but it's not like he's earned being higher up the lineup through this point of the season. 

Plus, if Ruff is concerned about Meier's defensive game, which he should be, having him on a line with Lazar and Bastian should help cover up some of his defensive flaws. Lazar's even-strength defense has been worth an expected goals above replacement (xGAR) of 3.2 this season. Only Ondřej Palát has been more valuable defensively. 

And for all Bastian's struggles, he has been solid defensively, with his even-strength defense worth an xGAR of 1.5. If Meier ever gets it going, he should be able to drive that line offensively.