Predicting the Devils' 2024-25 Opening Night Forward Group

With the 2024-25 NHL season and NHL training camps both right around the corner, it is time to look at what the New Jersey Devils opening night forward group could look like.

* At this time, Dawson Mercer is still a UFA, so he will be left out of the prediction. *

Forward Line 1: Palat - Hischier - Bratt

Forward Line 2: Meier - Hughes - Tatar

Forward Line 3: Noesen - Haula - Foote

Forward Line 4: Cotter - Lazar - Bastian

When Mercer signs and returns to the Devils lineup, he will push for a job on the second or third line. This will cause an internal battle, which can bring out the best in depth players.

As of now, I have Nolan Foote filling in for Mercer, who could use this opportunity as a chance to show the Devils he has what it takes to be an everyday NHL player.

The top line has Ondrej Palat on the left side; this could be interchangeable with Tomas Tatar, who has experience playing on that line with Hischier and Bratt.

This is the same with Tatar being on the second line alongside Hughes and Meier. Newly hired head coach Sheldon Keefe may change it around and put Tatar on the top line, or potentially even move Meier up and stack the top line.

However, unless Keefe has changed his entire coaching philosophy, he will want to have two dangerous lines instead of one stacked one. He will also lean on players like Palat, Tatar, Stefan Noesen, and Paul Cotter. These players can move up and down the lineup and be trusted to kill penalties and log extra shifts when needed.

Players like Nathan Bastian and Foote are fringe players, meaning once Mercer comes back, one will likely see time in the press box. Additionally, if Keefe uses Kurtis MacDermid as a forward, he will play some games on the last line as well.

The Devils have a lot to be excited for, especially when it comes to how their opening night roster will shake down. 

Buckle up, Devils' fans; it's going to be an interesting next few weeks.