One Question for Each New Jersey Devils Defenseman in 2024-25

The New Jersey Devils open training camp on Wednesday when veterans report. The Devils prospects wrapped up their training camp and some will report with the veterans, however not many — if any — are expected to skate with the varsity club this season. Seamus Casey is undoubtedly the most intriguing prospect, and perhaps he’ll dip his toe in the NHL waters and see a game or two this season. But, the Devils’ defense is deep after some impressive work by general manager Tom Fitzgerald this summer.

The makeover the Devils’ blueline underwent transitioned the defense from a young, inexperienced group to a veteran heavy core who will certainly support sophomores Luke Hughes and Simon Nemec.

And although said makeover has many believing in the Devils again, the shadow of last seasons demise casts over the team until they prove the 2023-24 season was the anomaly.

With that, we have one question for each Devils defenseman in the 2024-25 season.

Nick DeSimone

Can DeSimone steal a starting spot in training camp?

As a result of an impressive — albeit small — sample of work in his Devils tenure, Nick DeSimone earned his first-ever one-way NHL contract.

The 29-year-old defenseman represented by Allen Walsh suited up for just 11 games at the end of the 2023-24 season after the Devils claimed him off waivers. In that stint, DeSimone showcased plus puck-moving capability and impressive playmaking on the backend, especially on the rush which is New Jersey’s bread and butter.

The right side of the defense is stacked. It’s difficult to imagine DeSimone taking time from any of the projected starters. However, with a few injuries already before veteran training camp even opened, there’s an opportunity for DeSimone to carve out a role for himself — especially because now the Devils might be lacking a puck mover.

DeSimone is projected to play as the Devils’ seventh defenseman in 2024-25, but could he perhaps be a little more? It won’t be easy, but never say never.

Brenden Dillon

Can Dillon Replicate His Winnipeg Form?

Fitzgerald signed Brenden Dillon this summer as a free agent. Previously playing in a solid, defensive Winnipeg Jets system, Dillon’s defensive metrics at 5-on-5 were very good.

The veteran defenseman is likely to be deployed in a third-pair role and potentially alongside Nemec. However, now Dillon is going to be in a high-speed, offensive system.

How will that impact the way he plays his game?

Dillon is one of the more physical players in the NHL, throwing 241 hits in 77 games last season and 2169 hits in 892 career games.

It’s fair to wonder if the change in system he is going to play in will be too much of a culture shock.

Dougie Hamilton

Can Hamilton Revive a Deflated Power Play?

When Dougie Hamilton went down with an injury in December, it was the turning point of the season for the middling performing Devils squad. Despite their overall struggles, the Devils’ power play went from a top man advantage in the NHL to the bottom of the barrel when their PP QB injured his pectoral, which saw his season end after just 20 games.

As a result, the Devils’ power play converted on just 16.9% of chances in the final 62 games. That’s nearly half of the chances the Devils converted on pre-Hamilton injury when he helped New Jersey convert on 36.8% of chances.

It’s rare that a team makes the playoffs with such little success on the power play, much less advances any closer to winning a championship. Although there is a new head coach, the supporting coaching staff has remained untouched. Yet, the power play is expected to return to it’s dangerous status, and that has everything to do with Hamilton’s presence.

Santeri Hatakka

Is Hatakka the Next LHD Up?

With Luke Hughes’ timeline to recover from a shoulder injury, there is suddenly a spot open on the left-side of the blue line to win in training camp.

According to the Devils’ depth chart, Hatakka is the next-best left-shot defenseman New Jersey has in their system. As a result, it could be Hatakka’s spot in training camp to lose.

READ MORE: Santeri Hatakka Wants Full-Time NHL Role With Devils

Hatakka is on record with New Jersey Hockey Now stating he believe’s he will be a full-time NHLer in the 2024-25 season. The Finnish defenseman in a small sample size showed excellent poise in the defensive and neutral zones and adequate ability to move the puck up ice.

He may not rake in points, but Hatakka — if his current trajectory continues — can certainly obtain a ceiling as a No.4 two-way defenseman.

Let’s see what he shows in training camp.

Luke Hughes

Can Luke Improve His Defensive Game?

Well, it’s certainly not news anyone wanted to hear, but Luke Hughes will miss at least the first 11 games of the regular season.

REQUIRED READING: Devils Release Update On Luke Hughes Injury

The good news is that this didn’t happen in-season. He could have missed a lot more time than he is.

When he does return, Hughes will undoubtedly be an injection of offense from the blue line. Defensively, however, there are questions.

Hughes carries the puck well in transition at 5-on-5, often helping the Devils move the puck away from danger. However, when in his own zone, Hughes could tend to struggle with winning puck battles along the boards, frequently out-muscled by his opposition. In passing lanes, Hughes has a long enough stick to interrupt the rush, yet doesn’t always seem to get his stick on the puck.

Hughes and Brock Faber were neck-and-neck in the Calder Trophy race last season — which was ultimately won by Connor Bedard. The Devils defenseman finished in third behind Faber despite having the same amount of points, but one more goal. That’s because Faber was much more reliable defensively, and his metrics showed it.

Hughes is due for a contract next summer. If the Devils defenseman wants to sign a similar deal as his Calder Trophy opponent, he’ll need to improve his game on the other side of the puck.

Johnathan Kovacevic

Can Kovacevic Add More Physicality?

Similarly to Kevin Bahl who was traded to the Calgary Flames in the Jacob Markstrom trade, Johnathan Kovacevic is a hulking 6-foot-5, 240 lb defenseman.

The former Montreal Canadiens defenseman who was originally drafted by the Winnipeg Jets served as a mainstay on the Habs’ blue line last season. He mostly known as a plus-skater who can move the puck well in transition, is active in his own end of the ice, and can kill penalties.

Despite his solid metrics, he seemingly lacks physicality.

Across 62 games last season, Kovacevic threw just 75 hits. That’s what left Devils fans wanting more out of Bahl — who actually thre more hits than Kovacevic last season — registering 151.

If Kovacevic can add some more edge to his game, he would be the total package.

Kurtis MacDermid (?)

Can MacDermid Provide More than Being an Enforcer?

Admittedly, Kurtis MacDermid might be a forward. We’ll see how he’s deployed this season, but he barely averaged five minutes of time on ice all of last season.

His position may not matter.

That is, however, unless he can prove himself to be more than just an enforcer.

This summer, rival New York Rangers forward Matt Rempe put in the work to be more than just a giant on the ice who will drop the mitts. He worked on his skating and is aiming to be an effective bottom-six forward.

MacDermid did receive a safety net when he signed a three-year contract with the Devils at the beginning of the offseason. However, by no means should he be satisfied with five minutes a night or less to send a message to the opposition.

Simon Nemec

Will Nemec and Luke Be Paired At All?

Pairing two rookies together raises some red flags.

But, how about pairing two sophomores? Well, there is the added issue that not only might Hughes be hurt, but Simon Nemec might be injured too.

GO DEEPER: Devils Simon Nemec Injured in Olympics Qualifier Game

We haven’t had an update since he went down with injury playing in an Olympic Qualifier for Team Slovakia.

Regardless, when both Hughes and Nemec are fully healthy, they’re a coaches dream left-defense, right-defense pair — IF they’re ready for it. Hughes lacks defensively where Nemec provides, and although Nemec still has time to improve his offense, there’s little doubt that Hughes is the superior distributor.

If both sophomores prove they’re reliable on their own, they could grow together and become one of the NHL’s best defensive pairng duos.

Brett Pesce

Can Pesce Provide the Offense He Once Did?

When the Devils signed Brett Pesce to a six-year contract this summer, they brought the Tarrytown, New York native in for his defensive prowess.

Pesce is an excellent shut down defenseman who covers passing lanes extremely well, helps advance the puck up the ice, and defends the rush quite aggressively.

With Carolina last season, Pesce netted just three goals and 13 points all year. However, in the three seasons prior, Pesce was a 25-point or more player. In 2022-23, Pesce netted five goals and a career high 30 points. And in the season before, Pesce netted a career-high seven goals.

They’re not astronomical numbers, but with Luke Hughes’ absence for at least the first 11 games, the Devils will welcome any offense that can be chipped from the blue line.

Jonas Siegenthaler

Can Siegenthaler Get Back to Basics?

Once known as a defensive stalwart, Jonas Siegenthaler struggled mightily last season. Perhaps he regressed the same way the rest of the team did, which makes him a prime bounce back candidate.

But that’s exactly what we’re questioning.

Siegenthaler was paired with Hamilton to be the yin to Hamilton’s yang. Hamilton provides in the offensive zone while Siegenthaler shuts things down in front of his goaltender.

For whatever reason, Siegenthaler looked lost for much of last season, especially after Hamilton suffered a season-ending injury.

Perhaps he just needs the comfort of his ol’ defensive partner back, but the Devils certainly need Siegenthaler to return to form.

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