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Devils Have A Left-Wing for Jack Hughes After All
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- Devils Have A Left-Wing for Jack Hughes After All
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For too long has the left side of Jack Hughes been a black hole. However, the New Jersey Devils very well may have solved their top-line issue, and they didn't need to spend any assets to do so.
When the Devils traded Tyler Toffoli at the 2024 NHL Trade Deadline, it left a certain void on the top line.
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Toffoli was the perfect player alongside Jack Hughes and Jesper Bratt at the time. He didn't burn speed like his linemates. But, his hockey IQ is through the charts. Toffoli knew exactly where to be to receive a pass from his elite linemates, and his top-tier shot had him on 35-goal pace before he was moved to the Winnipeg Jets .
Since then, the Devils have mostly deployed Ondrej Palat on the top line. In the last two seasons, he's provided little on the scoresheet. It's something Palat's noted at the last two break up meetings, with the notion of wanting to contribute more. However, Palat has provided just 11 and 15 goals in each of the past two seasons, respectively.
The Devils have tried some other options this season. They threw Stefan Noesen up with Jack and Bratt, which looked a bit better than it did with Palat. Evgenii Dadonov had a short run before he became injured.
Yet, recently, head coach Sheldon Keefe put his top-six in a blender. The results suggest he certainly hit a home run, especially on Jack's line.
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Arsney Gritsyuk came into New Jersey with some elevated expectations by the fans, but perhaps not by the organization and his teammates. What they thought they were getting was a depth forward with offensive upside.
Yet, what they received is a player who has shown all the makings of a top forward for the Devils, who can perhaps blossom into an elite part of the core.
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Now, Keefe is deploying him on the Devils' top line, and the early returns are very encouraging.
Against the Chicago Blackhawks on Wednesday night, Gritsyuk, Jack and Dawson Mercer 's line was utterly dominant. In terms of attempts, per Natural Stat Trick , through 60 minutes at even strength, they out-chanced the opposition a whopping 29-5. Further, they accrued an elite 13 scoring chances for, while allowing zero, goose egg, none! And six of those chances were high-danger, one of which Mercer deposited.
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And you might be thinking, "Yeah, but it's just one game. The sample size is small."
As a trio, you'd be right. But as for Gritsyuk, he's an analytical darling, and the eye test supports what the numbers are saying.
For any Devils skater who has played in 100 minutes or more, Gritsyuk's (CF%) first overall in Corsi-For percentage. Gritsyuk's 58.37 CF% is about three points higher than the next-best Devil, Jack Hughes, at 55.86 CF%.
Gritsyuk is also fourth on the Devils in expected goals (51.96 xGF%) and scoring chances (53.62 SCF%), and ranks fifth in high-danger expected goals in New Jersey.
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Certainly, Gritstyuk gained the benefit of matching up against the opposition's depth players when he was lower in the lineup. However, he showed in his first regular season top-line audition he has the horses to keep pace. In fact, he looked excellent alongside Jack at even strength.
Palat drew a lot of praise for "doing the little things right" while rounding out Jack and Bratt's line. However, Gritsyuk brings the same pedigree, working well in all three zones, winning board battles, positioning himself well defensively, and helping move the puck up ice and away from danger.
Even Keefe noted that when it comes to Gritsyuk, the Devils have a complete player.
"[Gritsyuk] is a guy, first he comes over here, he's built as a big scorer and shooter and all of that," Keefe said. "And then he shows his passing side, the more time that passes here, like this is just a complete hockey player. He's sound defensively, works hard, he's strong, he's good in possession, smart makes really good reads. So, he's a really good and useful player for us, and on a day like today, you can elevate him."
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Elevate him, the Devils did. Perhaps, it's where Gritsyuk belongs.
There's little need to worry about the Devils' depth after moving Gritsyuk up. Palat, Noesen, Dadonov, and Connor Brown —when everyone's healthy—can handle those roles, and maintain a quality third unit that can win their shifts.
Gritsyuk has an en elite, quick release and makes good on his chances. He's scored three goals and eight points through 17 games, but in an elevated role, you can expect those numbers to pop a bit. Especially next to Jack.
Save those Devils trade assets for a need elsewhere, Tom. Perhaps a third-line center, or another defenseman who doesn't specialize in offense.
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The top-six may be complete as is.
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