New Jersey Devils Impress with Top Four Defensemen

Adam Proteau says there are many impressive players on the New Jersey Devils, but their top four defensemen are arguably the best bargain for the team.

The New Jersey Devils continue to thrive this season, and there are lots to like in their overall game. 

For instance, at 11-1-1, they’ve got the best road record in the NHL this year. They’re also third in the league in offense, with a goals-for average of 3.68 in 28 games. 

Their top four defensemen have combined to generate 50 points. And they’ve got one of the NHL’s most balanced groups of forwards: all of their current top-nine forwards, and 10 of their top 12, have at least 12 points.

However, what’s most impressive, at least, to this writer, is New Jersey’s defense. Most hockey fans will recognize veteran Dougie Hamilton, but after that, it’s a relatively underrated collection of blueliners who have clamped down big-time in New Jersey’s zone and made life on their goaltenders far easier than many NHL goalies have it.

The Devils have a goals-against average of 2.39 this season, second only to Boston (2.11) in the league. Their top four D-men deserve much credit for that fact. 

Hamilton is their anchor, averaging a team-best 21:49 of ice time, and amassing 15 assists and 22 points while being extremely responsible in his own end. The 29-year-old is an analytics and possession darling, and although he’s paid a significant sum of money – his salary cap hit is $9 million through the 2027-28 campaign – Hamilton isn’t being criticized by anyone. He’s one of New Jersey’s top players all around, and he’s in his prime.

Meanwhile, Hamilton’s defense partner, 25-year-old Jonas Siegenthaler, has been one of the NHL’s best bargains this season: the Swiss defenseman has a cap hit of only $1.125 million, but he’s been terrific in his own end, often taking on the opposition’s best forwards, and he’s added 10 assists and 11 points. Siegenthaler signed a contract extension in July that will keep him in New Jersey through the 2027-28 season, but even when his salary rises to $3.4 million next year, he’ll be one of the NHL’s best-valued defenders.

New Jersey’s second defense pairing is also effective this year. Twenty-five-year-old veteran John Marino has been a revelation since Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald acquired him from the Pittsburgh Penguins last summer. 

Marino is a savvy defender off the rush, and his transition game is perfect for New Jersey’s elite young forwards. He’s not going to be the favorite for the Norris Trophy as the NHL’s top defenseman, but Marino has already proven his worth as he averages 21:36 per night.

Finally, big boy Ryan Graves rounds out the top four of the Devils’ defense corps. Graves is another D-man who won’t be a name you see regularly on the scoresheet, but his pairing with Marino allows Graves to jump into the play on offense and use his physical game to open up space for his team.

In total, the Devils are paying approximately $17.7 million for their top four defensemen. That’s crucial to allowing them to spring for more help up front, even after veteran winger Ondrej Palat eventually returns from injury. And, as per Cap Friendly, they’re basically capped out anyway.

But the way things are going for them, New Jersey isn’t under any rush to make alterations to the roster, although perhaps Damon Severson, who fell to the Devils' third pair, could be moved to free his $4.17 million cap hit. But coach Lindy Ruff seems comfortable with the players he has right now, and the results speak for themselves.

You may not be able to pick out all of New Jersey’s best defensemen in a lineup, but the Devils as an organization, and as a collection of competitors, don’t mind that anonymity at all. They know they’ve got a stellar group, and now it’s about staying consistently this effective for the rest of the regular season and playoffs.