1. Jesper Bratt – The Offensive Catalyst

Jesper Bratt has been the Devils’ top scorer this season, amassing 88 points in 80 games. His 67 assists set a franchise record and place him among the league’s leaders. Bratt’s consistent performance has been crucial, especially with injuries affecting other key players. His ability to produce offensively will be vital in the playoffs.​

2. Nico Hischier – The Defensive Anchor

Nico Hischier has been a defensive stalwart for the Devils, excelling in shutting down opposing top lines. His ice time and short-handed minutes are among the highest on the team. Hischier’s two-way play and leadership as captain make him indispensable in the postseason.​New Jersey Hockey NowThe Hockey News

3. Luke Hughes – The Rising Star

Luke Hughes has shown significant growth this season, contributing offensively and defensively. His 40 points in 63 games highlight his potential. As a young defenseman, Hughes’ development will be crucial for the Devils’ success in the playoffs.​

With these players stepping up, the Devils are poised to make a deep run in the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

2024-25 New Jersey Devils Season Superlatives and Awards

As the New Jersey Devils gear up for their first playoff appearance since 2023, eyes are on the players who can elevate their game in the postseason. While the team boasts several standout performers, here are three Devils who need to step up during the playoffs:

1. Jesper Bratt – The Offensive Catalyst

Jesper Bratt has been the Devils’ top scorer this season, amassing 88 points in 80 games. His 67 assists set a franchise record and place him among the league’s leaders. Bratt’s consistent performance has been crucial, especially with injuries affecting other key players. His ability to produce offensively will be vital in the playoffs.

2. Nico Hischier – The Defensive Anchor

Nico Hischier has been a defensive stalwart for the Devils, excelling in shutting down opposing top lines. His ice time and short-handed minutes are among the highest on the team. Hischier’s two-way play and leadership as captain make him indispensable in the postseason.

3. Luke Hughes – The Rising Star

Luke Hughes has shown significant growth this season, contributing offensively and defensively. His 40 points in 63 games highlight his potential. As a young defenseman, Hughes’ development will be crucial for the Devils’ success in the playoffs.

🗳 Voting Commentary

This section won with five votes. The other four were split:

• One vote for the Kovacevic extension (announced March 7)
• One vote for how Simon Nemec was handled this season
• One vote for Brian Halonen being demoted and not recalled after two appearances
• And one… again… was “Pfft.”

🏆 Best 2024 Offseason Move: Acquiring Jacob Markstrom

It was one of the worst-kept secrets that GM Tom Fitzgerald wanted a goaltender last season. Though he brought in two, the big fish—Jacob Markstrom—eluded him due to Calgary ownership blocking the deal. But on June 19, Fitzgerald landed his man, trading a 2025 first-round pick and Kevin Bahl to Calgary in exchange for Markstrom, with the Flames retaining 31.25% of his salary.

Markstrom may not have been spectacular (90% save percentage in all situations), but he was an upgrade over the 2023-24 Vanecek-Schmid-Daws trio. The cost wasn’t steep: Bahl was replaced via free agency, and the pick will land mid-round. It was a smart move—and one that still looks good today.

🗳 Voting Commentary:

This won by five votes. Other votes:

• Two for Brett Pesce’s signing
• One for the Kovacevic trade
• One for the Stefan Noesen signing

🧯 Worst 2024 Offseason Move: Extending Kurtis MacDermid

On May 17, 2024, Fitzgerald extended MacDermid for three years. The result? A disaster.

Stats:

• 0 goals, 0 assists, 6 shots, 23 PIM, 5:40 ATOI, 3 fights
• Played just one game between Feb 2 and April 16
• Didn’t protect anyone, didn’t contribute, wasn’t the toughest guy on the team

No part of this move worked. The support for MacDermid seemingly comes only from MSG Networks or Don Cherry acolytes. Two more years on this contract remain—and that’s two too many.

🗳 Voting Commentary:

This won with five votes. Other votes:

• Two for Brenden Dillon
• One for Tomas Tatar
• One writer simply said “None,” happy with the 2024 offseason overall

🌟 Best Surprise: Johnathan Kovacevic

When Kovacevic was acquired on June 30, 2024, expectations were low. He was supposed to be depth, maybe pushing guys like Nick DeSimone. Instead, he paired seamlessly with Siegenthaler, forming a legit shutdown pair for half the season.

He’s had issues (penalties, offense, play without Siegenthaler), but with a GA/60 lower than 2.0 at 5-on-5 and strong analytics, he vastly outperformed expectations. A fourth-round pick in 2026 was a small price to pay. He earned his March 7 extension.

🗳 Voting Commentary:

A tie-breaker: 3 votes for Kovacevic, 3 for Jake Allen. Since Allen won Best Goalie elsewhere, this went to Kovacevic. Other votes:

• 2 for Stefan Noesen
• 1 for Nico Hischier’s 35 goals

😬 Most Disappointing: Simon Nemec

Nemec’s season started rough with an Olympic qualifying injury. Though he made the opening roster, his game faltered, leading to an October 22 demotion. He wouldn’t return until February after Siegenthaler got hurt.

From there, he couldn’t stick in the lineup. He was outplayed by Seamus Casey and Dennis Cholowski. For someone drafted second overall in 2022 and who looked so promising in 2023-24, this season was a major setback.

🗳 Voting Commentary:

Nemec got 7 of 9 votes. Others:

• One for Ondrej Palat
• One for Tomas Tatar

Notably, the Tatar vote came from a different writer than the one who named him worst signing.

🚨 Best Utica Comet: Brian Halonen

Despite Utica’s rough season and coaching turnover, Halonen stood out. He led the team in goals (27), shots (140), and added 9 PPGs and even a shorty. Physical, productive, and consistent—he deserved more than the two-game call-up he got.

Halonen still has another year on his deal. He should be a top call-up candidate next season.

🗳 Voting Commentary:

Halonen got five votes. Other votes:

• Two for Nolan Foote
• One for Seamus Casey
• One did not respond

🔮 Best Prospect: Arseni Gritsyuk

Still in the KHL, Gritsyuk has done everything he can to warrant NHL attention. His 17 goals and 44 points in 49 games placed him fourth in scoring for SKA—behind top-tier talent like Demidov and Nikishin.

The Devils are reportedly waiting until 2025-26 to sign him. Given KHL contract rules and visa delays, that’s understandable. When he arrives, the hype will be justified.

🗳 Voting Commentary:

Gritsyuk won with six votes. Other picks:

• Two for Anton Silayev
• One for Mikhail Yegorov

🏅 Superlative Awards 2024-25

Rather than list them all here, we’ve added a full Season Superlative Awards Companion Post with over 60 fun, brutal, and insightful awards, from Best Fight to The Sickos Award to The “There Are Four Lights” Award. Click through to enjoy them all.