New Jersey Devils Face Challenges with Lack of Depth Scoring

Head coach Sheldon Keefe has yet to admit it, but the New Jersey Devils have a depth scoring problem.

This issue has been percolating for some time now but became quite evident after their recent shutout loss to the Colorado Avalanche on home ice. The loss marked the fifth time they’ve been shutout this season and has become a wart on a Devils team that is having an overall great start to the season.

It appears the Devils are taking the old homage of “you’ll only go as far as your stars take you” far too literal. Jack Hughes, Jesper Bratt, and Nico Hischier have been stars for this season for the Devils and the catalysts for having the team as high in the standings as they are.

However, as shown recently against Colorado and throughout most of these shutout losses, when teams can neutralize the Devils top six, they struggle mightily to score.

Bottom six players, such as Dawson Mercer, Erik Haula, Tomas Tatar, and Paul Cotter, have been unable to contribute much offense in recent weeks, making the Devils a top-heavy and predictable team. Since November 1st, the Devils have gotten just six 5v5 goals from their bottom six, one of which was scored by Stefan Noesen, who has been in the top six for about a month.

While Keefe has yet to admit to the problem, General Manager Tom Fitzgerald has already expressed his interest in upgrading the Devils depth.

“You can’t have enough depth. I’ve been in touch with teams… “said Fitzgerald in an interview with The Athletic. “I’m looking for utility players, I guess — guys who can skate. I like size and versatility and guys who can play in the middle and on the wing. Just to add depth to the organization.”

READ: 4 Devils Trade Target Wingers to Improve Depth

What the Devils are currently getting from the Devils bottom six isn’t enough. On a surface-level view, they haven’t produced to the standard needed to have long-term success. And when looking a little deeper into the analytics, the numbers back up that sentiment.

The line of Haula, Cotter, and Mercer has been the worst on the team, with a 43.5% expected goals percentage, while also boasting the second-worst Corsi percentage at 45.6%.

Individually, it hasn’t been much better.

Erik Haula has had a rough go of it as of late, with just 11 points through 30 games. His lack of production, combined with his sub-50 % Corsi and on-ice goal percentage, has hurt the Devils for much of the season. He’s having trouble shooting and scoring, and even when he’s on the ice, his lines give up more goals than score.

As for Mercer, Cotter, and Tatar, all three are scoring under expected, as well as scoring under one goal per 60 minutes. Hardly numbers that breed success.

The numbers don’t look good, and as it stands, it matches the eye test. However, that’s not to say this all can’t change. As we’ve seen in the past, Mercer and Tatar are known for their streakiness and are no strangers to going quiet for weeks on end before putting up points in bunches.

As for Haula, he’s gotten off to slow starts in his first two seasons with the Devils, but this year has been exceptionally slow. Optimists may chalk it up to a change in system, and they may be right, but as it stands, Haula has, without a doubt, struggled relative to what’s expected from him.

Meanwhile, Paul Cotter, despite going quiet recently, has been an effective part of the Devils bottom six. He brings good pace and a ton of physicality. Unfortunately, the team’s bottom six as a whole can’t score, and he is lumped in with them. That being said, he’s still on track for a career-high in goals and points.

If the Devils have true Stanley Cup aspirations this year, then they’ll need their core bottom six forwards to step up production, something they’ve been capable of in the past.

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