Improving the lineup depth was one of the main priorities for the New Jersey Devils from last season. The team did not get enough contributions from their Bottom 6 last year, and while the Devils could use a little more offense from some of their other pieces as well, having no depth contributions when the big names go cold isn’t helping either. This led the team to move on from players such as Curtis Lazar, Nathan Bastian, Erik Haula, Tomas Tatar, and stopgap guys like Kurtis MacDermid and Justin Dowling. With summer and the preseason now behind us, we have a little more of an idea about initial lines, and honestly, I think there’s more potential for the fourth than the third.
The Devils still have some players from last season on what’s currently their third line. Ondrej Palat has been moved down into a role he’s seemingly more suited for, and Cody Glass also returns after being acquired at the trade deadline last season. Joining them will be free agent signing Connor Brown, who can hopefully repeat some of his production from last season with Edmonton. Obviously names can move up and down the lineup as injuries, illness and hot/cold streaks happen, but the Devils will need this line and the next to be pitching in, especially in the road games to open the season where opponents get last line change. Again, however, I think there more potential for the next group to be chipping in offensively.
The only returnee currently on what is set be the starting fourth line from last season is Paul Cotter. Cotter started off red hot in his first campaign as a Devil with 12 of his points coming in his first 19 appearances. He would play 60 more games in the regular season, however, and only recorded another 10 points across those games. His playoff performance in terms of points wasn’t much better, with just one assists in five games. What I’ve liked so far though has been his chemistry in the preseason with one of his new linemates, Arseny Gritsyuk. The two found themselves on the same line a few times in the preseason contests and it led to some nice moments and one goal each for Cotter and Grits.
The other piece of their line is PTO signee turned NHL contract signee Luke Glendening. Glendening may not have spent a lot of time with the above two during the preseason, and may not have contributed on either of their goals, but he had a goal himself and he looked strong in his outings. Glendening should also help the team on faceoffs, offsetting some of what was lost by the departure of Haula. I’m not sure this line will stay together all season (nor am I sure of the third) as I think the Devils might want to see which Bottom 6 players provide more offense and which provide more defense before settling on where and how to deploy them on most nights.
Right now though, especially with the firepower that Gristyuk brings, I’m excited to see what tonight’s opening night fourth line can bring. If they don’t get stuck matched up against top lines all night, and get a few opportunities against weaker quality of competition, they might find some opportunities to put the puck in the back of the net. Do that more than just tonight and the Devils might have their support this season that was lacking in 2024-25.
Now I’d like to hear your thoughts on what is set the be the Devils fourth line when the season begins tonight, Do you expect decent point contributions from them? Do you think they or the third line will be tasked more with defensive responsibilities? Do you see any members of this line moving elsewhere (higher in the lineup or to the press box) as the season goes along? Leave any and all comments below and thanks as always for reading!