Predicting what the Devils' opening night blue line could look like.
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 blue line could look like.
Pairing 1: Siegenthaler - Hamilton
Pairing 2: Dillion - Pesce
Pairing 3: MacDermid - Nemec
The New Jersey Devils had a great off-season and rebuilt their defence core. They added strength, size, and overall talent.
They managed to add an entirely new pairing in Brett Pesce and Brenden Dillion, who will log a ton of minutes and be a solid pairing for the team.
They will have a healthy Dougie Hamilton playing alongside a healthy Jonas Siegenthaler and hope that this pairing returns to their previous form.
Their last pairing is a bit mixed up because of Luke Hughes' injury, which is why I have Kurtis MacDermid listed to help provide Simon Nemec with a bit more physical help.
The Devils also have Santeri Hatakka and Johnathan Kovacevic, who could slot in where MacDermid is. On top of that, they also signed Jakub Zboril to a PTO, and he will be at training camp.
When Hughes returns from injury in six-eight weeks time, the pairing could change a bit.
Pairing 1: Siegenthaler - Hamilton
Pairing 2: Hughes - Pesce
Pairing 3: Dillion - Nemec
Ideally, this would be the pairings with Hughes eventually taking the jump to the top pair with Hamilton. However, having someone like Pesce who is defensively sound can make a huge impact on a young offensively gifted defenseman.