Line Combos: Guess the 22-23 Opening Night Lineup

[My3Sons]

Sharangovich - Hughes - Mercer
Bratt/Zacha - Hischier - Holtz/Bratt
Tatar/Zacha - Boqvist - Zetterlund
Wood - McLeod - Bastian

Graves - Hamilton
Siegenthaler - Severson
Bahl - Smith/my dog in booties
Okhotyuk

Blackwood
Bernier

Not thrilled, not entirely upset, just my assumption for opening night. All the offseason speculation was fun for the first few weeks, but i don't see where the 'big splashes' are to be made or even make sense.

I'm significantly more excited for opening night 2023 and believe that's what the organization should be focusing on.

There was some report that made it sound like Bernier wouldn't be ready to open the season? I'm also skeptical they don't add some veteran righty but I agree that they are less likely to make a splash signing this offseason. Too many question marks still to be decided.

 

[Jack Be Quick]

There was some report that made it sound like Bernier wouldn't be ready to open the season? I'm also skeptical they don't add some veteran righty but I agree that they are less likely to make a splash signing this offseason. Too many question marks still to be decided.

He started skating about a month ago but admitted in the exit interviews that progress has been slower than expected. He still believes September is realistic supposedly.

 

[youryeah]

Sharangovich - Hughes - Mercer
Bratt/Zacha - Hischier - Holtz/Bratt
Tatar/Zacha - Boqvist - Zetterlund
Wood - McLeod - Bastian

Graves - Hamilton
Siegenthaler - Severson
Bahl - Smith/my dog in booties
Okhotyuk

Blackwood
Bernier

Not thrilled, not entirely upset, just my assumption for opening night. All the offseason speculation was fun for the first few weeks, but i don't see where the 'big splashes' are to be made or even make sense.

I'm significantly more excited for opening night 2023 and believe that's what the organization should be focusing on.

after all the talk about goaltending I would be surprised if they're banking on a blackwood / bernier tandem again. I would be pretty disappointed.

 

[My3Sons]

He started skating about a month ago but admitted in the exit interviews that progress has been slower than expected. He still believes September is realistic supposedly.

If they do make an aggressive move this summer my guess is it would be for a goalie.

 

[Jack Be Quick]

after all the talk about goaltending I would be surprised if they're banking on a blackwood / bernier tandem again. I would be pretty disappointed.

I'm not happy about it either. I just don't see good ufa options or trades that wouldn't partially mortgage the future.

I also have a lot of faith in Daws, which is why I'm hopeful for '23. Him, Luke, Slaf, and possibly Grits becoming regulars is the kind of thing that changes franchises.

Some of the so called kids will also be established vets by then.

I hate to shit on this coming season, and obviously don't want to sit through another tragic one, it's just how I see it playing out.

 

[Eggtimer]

Shara Hughes Mercer
Zacha Hischier Bratt
Kuokkanen Boquist Zetterlund
Wood McLeod Bastian
Johnsson Tatar

Graves Hamilton
Siegenthaler Severson
Bahl Rutta
Smith

Husso
Blackwood
Bernier

Very probable lineup. Doesnt really fill me with much hope for the playoffs next year but there’s a very good chance that that’s what the lineup could look like.
This is with Holtz and Slafkovsky in Utica or ??

 

[Eggtimer]

If they do make an aggressive move this summer my guess is it would be for a goalie.

I think so as well. Not sure who that will be or how aggressive we get. I’m hoping it’s for a goalie that has not been talked about that comes out of nowhere that we are all pumped about getting. Just not sure who that will/ could be.

Im still holding onto hope that we do what Brodeur and Fitz said about getting “heavier” and harder to play against. Brodeur sayig adding players that will allow our skilled guys to “do what they do” at least gives me a little bit of faith that we at least try to move on from the non-core pieces like Zacha Johnson Kuokkanen and Tatar , and add Nichushkin Marchment Neidderier types .
I mean , who else woild ne moved to allow for addig heavier style players ?
won’t ore guys Hughes Nico Bratt Mercer , so who else if left besides who I mentioned ? I guess McLeod, Bastian , Shara but I see those guys as good / decent complimentary pieces for now?
It has to be Zacha Johnson Tatar ….. I hope ….. please ?

 

[ninetyeight]

What an unfortunate time to have goalie problems. I really don’t think having Husso in net makes much difference. Maybe not even Campbell, who leafs fans have plenty negative things to say. Kuemper has been battling through injuries and hasn’t really looked all that great, behind possibly the best team in the league. Not to mention there are bunch of other teams looking to sign these UFA goalies too. And getting a young quality starter via trade might get more expensive than most of us are comfortable with. I’d still look into the european market, but I know how you guys feel about that.

Really the best case for us would be a Blackwood bounce back.

 

[My3Sons]

Very probable lineup. Doesnt really fill me with much hope for the playoffs next year but there’s a very good chance that that’s what the lineup could look like.
This is with Holtz and Slafkovsky in Utica or ??

I think Holtz starts the season in Utica and I think Slaf is either in Europe or Utica. You'd think he'd want to play another year professionally in Europe and make a lot more there than he'd make in Utica.

 

[McDuffz88]

Sharangovich-Hughes-Mercer
(UFA/Trade)-Nico-Bratt
Tatar-Boqvist-Zetterlund
Wood-Mcleod-Bastian

Siegs-Hamilton
Graves-Severson
Okhotuik/Bahl-Subban

Campbell
Blackwood
Bernier
Daws
(After all 4 imploding as usual) some random

 

[Jack Be Quick]

Very probable lineup. Doesnt really fill me with much hope for the playoffs next year but there’s a very good chance that that’s what the lineup could look like.
This is with Holtz and Slafkovsky in Utica or ??

Slaf has to be in Utica to adjust to the North American game and the Devils system unless he blows minds in camp and can step right into the NHL.

No more Euro leagues for very promising kids once they're drafted please. Not even - and perhaps especially not - the KHL. Goalies being the (brief) exception.

 

[FooteBahl]

Very probable lineup. Doesnt really fill me with much hope for the playoffs next year but there’s a very good chance that that’s what the lineup could look like.
This is with Holtz and Slafkovsky in Utica or ??

I haz sad that nobody liked my lineup…I thought it was tits

 

[Jack Be Quick]

I haz sad that nobody liked my lineup…I thought it was tits

You have 12 players who aren't on the team yet and several who in all likelihood never will be.

 

[Hockey Sports Fan]

Sharangovich-Hughes-Mercer
Slaf-Nico-Bratt
Tatar-Boqvist-Burakovsky
Wood-McLeod-Bastian
Mango, Zetterlund

Graves-Hamilton
Siegs-Severson
Bahl-Ohk
Smith

Blackwood
Husso

I’m pretty sick of McLeod though and I wish they’d get a better 3C and put Boqvist on the 4th line. Yeah complaining about your 4C is pretty dumb but McLeod sucks and brings nothing to the table besides face offs but he’s such a non factor offensively it doesn’t even matter.

And our top pairing might be the slowest in the league, Graves and Dougie are painfully slow. This blue line will be forever the death of this team until we start bringing in guys who can actually move. Hamilton’s contract is going to be a huge problem in another year or two.

Well I think this is the only guess that had Slafkovsky in the lineup. Better luck next year.

Get ready for some Kevin Costner draft day shit:

1. NJD 1st Round Pick 2, NJD 2nd Round Pick, A.Johnsson and J.Boqvist traded to CBJ for CHI 1st Round Pick 6, CBJ 1st Round Pick 12, rights to Corson Cuelemans.

2. CBJ 1st Round Pick 12, NJD 3rd Round Pick, traded to MIN for K.Fiala, MIN 1st Round Pick 24.

3. MIN 1st Round Pick 24, A.Holtz, T.Smith, P.Zacha traded to SJS for T.Meier, J.Reimer

4. NJD 4th Round Pick, T.Tatar traded to ARI for T.Emberson

At the draft Pick 6: take one of Jiricek/Nemec/Gauthier.

Lines:
Bratt-Hughes-Sharangovich
Fiala-Hischier-Meier
Kuokkanen-Mercer-Zetterlund
Wood-McLeod-Bastian

Sigenthaler-Hamilton
Graves-Severson
Bahl-Subban

Blackwood-Reimer-Bernier

And here's the only one who speculated the Devils end up with Nemec, that's worth a cookie or two.

 

[Hockey Sports Fan]

With free agency likely done with, not a single listing of Haula or Palat in the thread so it’s back to the drawing board for everyone!

No idea how the forward lines are gonna shake out anymore, feels like there’s more of a log jam than ever. Not sure how any of Boqvist, Holtz, Zetterlund, Thompson, or Foote muscle their way into this lineup.

Sharangovich - Hughes - Bratt
Palat - Hischier - Mercer
Wood - Haula - Tatar
Johnsson - McLeod - Bastian
Boqvist, Thompson

Siegenthaler - Hamilton
Graves - Severson
B. Smith - Nemec
T. Smith

Blackwood
Vanecek

¯\_(ツ)_/¯

 

[devs1616]

I'm gonna go against the grain with my top line, specifically LW. See Sharangovich in most predictions on top line

Palat- Hughes- Holtz
Bratt- Hischier- Mercer
Sharangovich- Haula- Zutterlund
Tatar- Boquist- Bastian
McLeod, Wood (IR)

Graves- Hamilton
Sieganthaler- Severson
Bahl- B. Smith
Ty Smith

Blackwood
Vanecek

Think Nemec starts in Utica for some NA experience but get up to the big club in short order. Also don't see a way Johnson sticks around.

 

[My3Sons]

You are all crazy, NJ finally gets the 2C they've been looking for and you geniuses put him in the bottom six? What's wrong with you? This is the lineup:

Sharangovich Hughes Mercer
Bratt Haula Palat
Boquist Hischier Zetterlund
Wood McLeod Bastian

Graves Hamilton
Siegenthaler Severson
Smith Smith

MBW
Vanacek

 

[Alex NJD]

Even with some of the moves it's still a shot in the dark trying to picture the bottom 6
Assuming Wood is still injured and rehabbing and Johnsson is moved out

Forwards
Sharangovich - Hughes - Mercer
Palat - Hischier - Bratt
Tatar - Haula - Holtz
Zetterlund - McLeod - Bastian
Boqvist - PTO

1st line: Keeping together something from last year that worked well, Fitz made it clear Mercer will be a top 6 winger
2nd line: Palat will get time with both Hughes and Hischier eventually , to start we have a strong defensive line that has no weaknesses
3rd line: Little bit of everything, I think Holtz makes the team, no way Tatar plays 4th line or gets scratched plus the other 2 definitely need someone whos good at zone entries
4th line: Big Z plus the super buddies who are Ruff favorites, energy line that is decent defensively
13th forward: I think Bo makes it and is more proven and versatile than some other options. Could replace Tatar at 3LW or McLeod at 4C
14th forward: Random PTO, Odd men out Thompson and Foote are playing top line in AHL rather than getting no time. Instead we grab a PTO forward closer to camp who I doubt gets into many games

Defense
Graves - Hamilton
Siegs - Severson
Okhotyuk - T. Smith
B. Smith

1st pairing: Both played their best hockey at the start of the year, Hamilton injury derailed them both a little. Hopefully they reignite that chemistry
2nd pairing: Shutdown pairing that was good last year, should get the harder minutes
3rd pairing: I think the young guys come out and make it hard to leave them out of the lineup. Ty Smith has a little experience on the right side. Okhotyuk could be Bahl instead, both should get into games. Nemec a dark horse, he and Hughes should get 9 games late in the season.
7th D: B. Smith will likely get his fair share of time on the 3rd pairing as well, signed for this role specifically

 

[Nubmer6]

Even with some of the moves it's still a shot in the dark trying to picture the bottom 6
Assuming Wood is still injured and rehabbing and Johnsson is moved out

Forwards
Sharangovich - Hughes - Mercer
Palat - Hischier - Bratt
Tatar - Haula - Holtz
Zetterlund - McLeod - Bastian
Boqvist - PTO

1st line: Keeping together something from last year that worked well, Fitz made it clear Mercer will be a top 6 winger
2nd line: Palat will get time with both Hughes and Hischier eventually , to start we have a strong defensive line that has no weaknesses
3rd line: Little bit of everything, I think Holtz makes the team, no way Tatar plays 4th line or gets scratched plus the other 2 definitely need someone whos good at zone entries
4th line: Big Z plus the super buddies who are Ruff favorites, energy line that is decent defensively
13th forward: I think Bo makes it and is more proven and versatile than some other options. Could replace Tatar at 3LW or McLeod at 4C
14th forward: Random PTO, Odd men out Thompson and Foote are playing top line in AHL rather than getting no time. Instead we grab a PTO forward closer to camp who I doubt gets into many games

Defense
Graves - Hamilton
Siegs - Severson
Okhotyuk - T. Smith
B. Smith

1st pairing: Both played their best hockey at the start of the year, Hamilton injury derailed them both a little. Hopefully they reignite that chemistry
2nd pairing: Shutdown pairing that was good last year, should get the harder minutes
3rd pairing: I think the young guys come out and make it hard to leave them out of the lineup. Ty Smith has a little experience on the right side. Okhotyuk could be Bahl instead, both should get into games. Nemec a dark horse, he and Hughes should get 9 games late in the season.
7th D: B. Smith will likely get his fair share of time on the 3rd pairing as well, signed for this role specifically

I think Thompson makes the team. Also, just about every year one of our kids comes out of nowhere to make the cut. I think our days of PTOs are behind us unless someone spectacular drops into our laps.

 

[Captain3rdLine]

Gonna take a wild crack at it:

Palat-Hughes-Sharangovich
Bratt-Hischier-Mercer
Tatar-Haula-Zetterlund
Boqvist-McLeod-Bastian
Scratches: Thompson, Geersten
IR: Wood

Graves-Hamilton
Siegenthaler-Severson
B.Smith-Nemec
Bahl


Blackwood
Vanacek


It’s 3 months away so he has lots of time but everyone here seems to think Wood won’t be ready so I’ll just go with that. Have a feeling Holtz disappoints in camp. Hopefully not. Same with Ty Smith. I really like Okhotiuk and hope he makes it but I get the impression that they like Bahl and his frame more and he played more games last season. We’ll see, maybe Okhotiuk outplays him.
I think Nemec has a really good camp, and makes the team.
Blackwood gets first start of the season.

 

[My3Sons]

Gonna take a wild crack at it:

Palat-Hughes-Sharangovich
Bratt-Hischier-Mercer
Tatar-Haula-Zetterlund
Boqvist-McLeod-Bastian
Scratches: Thompson, Geersten
IR: Wood

Graves-Hamilton
Siegenthaler-Severson
B.Smith-Nemec
Bahl


Blackwood
Vanacek


It’s 3 months away so he has lots of time but everyone here seems to think Wood won’t be ready so I’ll just go with that. Have a feeling Holtz disappoints in camp. Hopefully not. Same with Ty Smith. I really like Okhotiuk and hope he makes it but I get the impression that they like Bahl and his frame more and he played more games last season. We’ll see, maybe Okhotiuk outplays him.
I think Nemec has a really good camp, and makes the team.
Blackwood gets first start of the season.

you don't see Johnsson still on the team? I'm skeptical they can move him and if Nemec is on the team I think they keep Tatar.

 

[Captain3rdLine]

you don't see Johnsson still on the team? I'm skeptical they can move him and if Nemec is on the team I think they keep Tatar.

Ya I’m not 100% sure either but I think worse case they could even send him to the AHL. I think they’re definitely keeping Tatar no matter what and I think they want to leave a spot open for one of the younger forwards.

 

[Nubmer6]

Interesting fact... Ty Smith is still waiver exempt.

Just say'n.

 

[Captain3rdLine]

Interesting fact... Ty Smith is still waiver exempt.

Just say'n.

Utica bound baby!

In all honesty though we should probably trade him before that happens.

 

[My3Sons]

Utica bound baby!

In all honesty though we should probably trade him before that happens.

If he has a signed lease with Hughes it's hard to see him going anywhere. They demoted Cory with Hughes living there, hard to see them do that to him again.