Devils Depth Being Challenged
Team needs to find the correct role for Alex Holtz and solve Goaltending
Welcome to the THW New Jersey Devils Substack newsletter, with all the latest from our Devils writers.
In today’s edition, we feature articles about where Alex Holtz should be deployed, whether Elvis Merzlikins is the solution to the Devils’ goaltending issues, hand out mid-season awards, and much more; please share this free substack with your hockey fan friends and family so they can subscribe and enjoy all the latest.
Now on to the good stuff….
Devils’ 2023-24 In-Season Awards: Halfway Point
January 18, 2024 by Erica Rosenbaum
For the Devils, this season has been a major disappointment. Coming into the season, expectations were rightfully high due to the record-breaking 2022-23 campaign that the team had. Securing top wingers Jesper Bratt and Timo Meier and adding supplemental pieces led to pre-season predictions of the team being top contenders.
With a laundry list of injuries occurring at the same time, exceptionally poor goaltending, and underperforming leaders, the team finds itself in a tough position at the halfway point. However, some players have been extremely valuable to the team and others have been underrated all season. Lastly, what needs the improvement is not necessarily one player, but the people making decisions about the team.
Alexander Holtz Has Earned a Spot in the Devils’ Top Nine
January 17, 2024, by Josh Reinitz
Heading into 2023-24, the New Jersey Devils were not wanting for offensive firepower. They had an offense consisting of superstars Jack Hughes, Jesper Bratt, and Timo Meier and a solid group of secondary scorers that could each easily net 30 goals in Nico Hischier, Dawson Mercer, and Tyler Toffoli. Add in one of the NHL’s premier offensive defensemen, Dougie Hamilton, and rookie Luke Hughes, and the Devils were poised to challenge for the league’s scoring lead. At the time, the team figured it could park Alexander Holtz on the third line…
Devils Acquiring Elvis Merzlikins Would Come With Risks
January 17, 2024 by Neil Villapiano
Despite Nico Daws‘ recent strong play, the New Jersey Devils still need to look for another goalie to pair with him. There are a number of names out there, and they all come with a different price and risk. The question becomes how much of a risk is general manager Tom Fitzgerald willing to take to fix and stabilize the team’s netminding? He could go short-term and add someone for just the rest of the season, or he can look for something more long-term. If he chooses the latter, one name that has popped up over the past few days is the Columbus Blue Jackets’ goaltender Elvis Merzlikins.
5(ish) Questions With Devils Defenseman Colin Miller
January 10, 2024 by Josh Reinitz (Premium Content)
Colin Miller is coming off his best offensive game as a New Jersey Devil, having scored his first two goals on Saturday night against Vancouver. After the game when asked about breaking through on the scoresheet, Miller said, “That’s sort of how it goes, you don’t score for a while then you get a couple, it was certainly nice to see some go in.”
Now for our exclusive Q&A with Colin Miller:
THW: It’s gotta be fun for you to get back in games; for fans who haven't seen you play much other than last night, what can they expect?
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