Stefan Noesen Becoming Key Piece to Devils Success

When the free agency window opened, most fans and media expected the New Jersey Devils to be active. They began the day by signing two proven veterans, Brenden Dillon and Brett Pesce. The one move not many had anticipated General Manager Tom Fitzgerald to make was bringing back former Devil Stefan Noesen.

After revitalizing his career with the Carolina Hurricanes, Fitzgerald signed him to a three-year, $2.75 million per season deal to bolster the Devils bottom-six. Through the first quarter of the season, Stefan Noesen has been the steal of the summer.

He has been everything as advertised and then some. His size and physicality have been a breath of fresh air, and has been a ‘gun for hire’ as a net-front presence on the power play. Through the first 22 games of the season, Noesen has scored ten goals and added eight assists, a 37-goal, 30-assist pace over 82 games.

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While yes, it is highly unlikely that Noesen will reach those numbers, it provides a snapshot in time of how he’s affecting the game. And when you look even further under the hood, his numbers are even more impressive.

Noesen’s ten goals have him tied for the team lead; he’s second and third in goals per 60 and points per 60; his Corsi percentage is third on the team at 57%, and his expected goals percentage is 64.8%. Amidst all the career highs he’s currently having, he still brings jam to the lineup, registering the third-most hits on the team. Not to mention, this is just at 5 on 5.

During his time in Carolina, Noesen’s bread and butter was on the power play. Ten of the 27 goals he scored over his two years with the Hurricanes came on the man advantage. The Devils desperately needed a net front/bumper on their power play, and Noesen has delivered. He already matched his power play goal total last year with three while shooting at a 23.1% rate.

“He’s been terrific. He knows exactly where to be and exactly what his job is, and he gives you absolutely everything he has,” head coach Sheldon Keefe said about Noesen on the power play. “He’s been extremely consistent, but he also locks all the other pieces in place.”

All of this production through the first quarter of the season has accumulated to a promotion from Keefe to the top line. Noesen is now one-third of a top line that features Nico Hischier and Timo Meier, and through a handful of games, has been the Devils best line. Outside of the shutout loss to Tampa Bay, that trio has a 70% or more expected goals rate.

READ MORE: New Jersey Devils Make Tweak to Fourth Line Amid Struggles

Keefe continued to commend Noesen for battling, especially against Carolina.

“For him to score that goal [second period power play goal] was big for us,” Keefe stated. “More importantly than the goal he just battled all night.”

For the Devils to continue to have success this season, they’ll need the consistency of Stefan Noesen to help them get wins. While it’s great that he’s popping up on the scoresheet now, a time will come when his offense cools off, and he will have to rely on his grit and motor to impact the game.

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