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A few New Jersey Devils notes on yet another off-day:
1) On first glance Nico Hischier's counting totals won't blow you away but what he's been able to accomplish, particularly at 5v5, at such a young age is really impressive.
He's tied for 51st in 5v5 points with 20 – there are 93 top line forwards, so that's pretty dang good – and has already developed into one of the better, and more efficient, playmakers in the league.
Only 16 players have registered more primary assists at 5v5 and, if we account for ice time, he comes out looking even better ranking inside the top-10 on a per-60 minute basis.
Check out the company he's keeping.
It's pretty amazing to see Hischier doing so well considering he's a 19-year-old who hasn't even scratched the surface of his potential. I still think Nolan Patrick will be a really good player, but you can't convince me the Devils didn't make the right choice in June.
2) I know Kyle Palmieri has looked a little out of sorts at times this year, especially without Nico Hischier centering him, but I wouldn't worry about his somewhat slow start in terms of filling the net.
He scored an impressive 56 goals over his first two seasons as a member of the Devils and is actually generating shots and chances at a much higher clip this season.
When some bounces start to go his way, and his shooting percentage normalizes a little bit, the goals and points will be there. Just wait.
3) Taylor Hall getting a couple extra shifts is a positive, but I'm hoping the 11F/7D lineup the Devils dressed last time out is just a one-time thing.
For starters, dressing Ben Lovejoy gives the coaching staff another excuse not to give Damon Severson the ice he deserves.
Also, taking Stefan Noesen out of the lineup breaks up a depth line that has been working really well.
The sample size isn't large (71 minutes), but the Miles Wood - Pavel Zacha - Noesen trio posted an expected goals for of 69.95% in their time together. That'd be impossible to sustain over a larger period of time – no line is that good – but it's probably a good sign that they can more than hold their own against other depth lines.
Take Lovejoy out, reunite the Wood - Zacha - Noesen line, and call it a day.
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