3 New Jersey Devils Who Will Regress In 2024-25

The New Jersey Devils are going to be a lot better than last season despite their questionable forward depth. Assuming the team stays healthy, they will be atop the standings. With better healthy and different faces, there will be some changes within the lineup and certain players might take a step back. These are three who are set to regress in 2024-25.

Luke Hughes

As a rookie, Luke Hughes was asked to step up in a big way and take over duties on the top power play as Dougie Hamilton missed 62 games. Hamilton is still a top defenseman in the league and should be running the top power-play unit as he recorded 16 points in 20 games. Hughes finished last season with 47 points, 25 of which came on the power play. It is predictable that, even if he improves from year one to two, the power play provided a lot of his offense.

Nico Hischier

The Devils started off very hot last season, especially on the power play where Nico Hischier took advantage of. In seven career seasons in the NHL, he has only played the full year twice. This makes it tough for him to put up high point totals. With Jack Hughes healthy, maybe for the full season, Hischier may not hit his same point pace, even though I believe he is very capable of putting up 67 points again.

Eric Haula

Eric Haula finished last season with 16 goals and 35 points in 76 games, but ended the season far worse than he started it despite playing a lot more. He scored six goals and 12 points in the final 35 games after 10 goals and 23 points in the first 41 games. When Jack Hughes and Hischier are healthy, Haula gets third line minutes and won't be playing with very strong linemates to help boost his numbers.