Devils' Siegenthaler Needs Strong Close to 2023-24

Jonas Siegenthaler needs to show well in the New Jersey Devils' final six games after struggling for most of 2023-24.

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There will be changes to the New Jersey Devils this offseason. There is no doubt about that. From coaching to goaltending and more, general manager Tom Fitzgerald has a busy summer ahead of him. 

Among those changes will be on defense. There is a clear need for a left-handed shot that can move the puck effectively. That's why Jonas Siegenthaler is facing a crucial final six games to the 2023-24 regular season. 

Siegenthaler has had a down year, and not just because of his injuries. By all metrics, he has not been as impactful as he was a season ago, and certainly not two seasons ago when he was one of the best defensive defensemen in the NHL. Six games may not be much, but a strong close could show he can still be a part of the solution moving forward.  

Siegenthaler's 2023-24 to Date

Even before it was clear the Devils were heading toward a disappointing season, Siegenthaler wasn't the same as he was over the last two seasons. Unfortunately, it wasn't just a bad start that he could shake off. It's persisted for most of 2023-24. 

What's gone wrong for Siegenthaler? The best way to dig into his struggles is by looking at his microstats. The first thing that sticks out most is that he's gone from an elite rush defender to one of the weaker ones in the NHL. 

Siegenthaler's entry denial rate still ranks in the 62nd percentile, which is solid. But he ranks in the 30th percentile in possession entry prevention and 15th in entry chance prevention. Those were among his strong suits in his previous two seasons.

For context's sake, those three metrics ranked in the 75th percentile or higher a season ago, with his possession entry prevention ranking in the 93rd percentile. That is a significant, significant dropoff. Why has that been the case?