Devils Player Types & What They Need to Add
A look at the New Jersey Devils' roster construction and what they need to add to improve for 2026-27.
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Before the Olympic break, a long-time subscriber commented with a good article topic: New Jersey Devils player types and what they could use more of.
Now would be a good time to dive into the topic, with the Olympics nearing a conclusion and the trade deadline being two weeks away. What do the Devils have, and what do they need more of heading into the trade deadline and offseason?
Playmakers
Jesper Bratt
Jesper Bratt is having a down season, but who isn’t? He’s on pace for 19 goals and 59 points, which would be the lowest he’s totaled since the 2020-21 COVID-shortened season.
Despite the dip in production, Bratt is still a high-end playmaker. He finished with 67 assists last season and has continued to drive play at a high level this season. The finishing is a concern, but that could be the product of a system that suppresses offense, since every Devil has been finishing below expected under Sheldon Keefe.
The Devils need Bratt to start scoring more goals, but he’s undeniably one of the better playmakers in the NHL. Add some more shooting threats, and there’ll be a payoff again.
All-Around Threats
Jack Hughes
Jack Hughes has shown 40-goal upside in previous seasons, so you could easily classify him as a sniper, but he’s more than that. He’s morphed into a player capable of doing a bit of everything.
When healthy, Hughes is one of the best play-driving forwards in the NHL. We’ve seen that in the Olympics and what he’s done for Team USA. He can create chances for just about anyone.
Hughes is also an underrated two-way force. That’s become a welcome new development under Keefe, so you could file him under just about any category.
Nico Hischier
Nico Hischier usually gets praised for being a Selke candidate, but the truth is that he’s not the defensive forward pundits make him out to be. He’s not a bad defensive forward by any stretch, but he’s not elite.
Hischier’s strengths come on offense. He’s an underrated finisher, but he’s also a good playmaker who can set up offense off the rush. He also wins a ton of puck battles and is one of the best forwards in the NHL at winning puck battles.
Arseny Gritsyuk
Before the season, I would not have thought I’d be talking about Arseny Gritsyuk being a player who does a bit of everything, but his game is well-rounded.
There haven’t been many bright spots for the Devils this season, but Gritsyuk has been one. His counting totals may not suggest it, but he’s arguably been the team’s best five-on-five forward:
Gritsyuk has a legit shot, but he’s also a good playmaker and gets in on the forecheck. He’s also highly underrated defensively. He does a bit of everything, and the Devils need to prioritize getting him re-signed heading into next season.
