Devils notes: On inconsistencies for young defensemen — and alarm for Jacob Markstrom

Are we live? Are we live? The Devils had a nice week, winning three straight games before suffering a disappointing loss to the Flyers on Saturday, their first home regulation defeat of the season.

Here are 10 things I learned about the Devils this week..

1. Let’s start by resetting where the team stands without Jack Hughes (finger) in the lineup. Their 4-4-0 record includes a minus-3 goal differential and 2.63 goals per game. Look, that may not be perfect, but it’s way better than the worst-case scenario, given the number of injuries they’ve had to endure. Fingers crossed Hughes is back by Christmas (the most optimistic timeline). Coach Sheldon Keefe said Saturday that it’s clear the team misses his offensive skill.

2. Just how unlucky have the Devils been in the injury department this year? They’re now third in man games lost to injury, according to NHL Injury Viz, “trailing” only the Golden Knights and Panthers.

3. Defensemen Luke Hughes and Simon Nemec had arguably the worst games of their respective careers in Saturday’s loss to the Flyers. Luke posted a minus-3 rating, while Nemec had a minus-4. Their Game Score performances are even uglier: Luke’s minus-6.11 was the ninth-worst single-game performance in the league this year, per Hockey Stat Cards’ website.

4. I asked Keefe about the Hughes-Nemec pair after the game. I expected some fire and brimstone from the oft-blunt coach. But his answer had a forgiving tone.

“It’s kind of what you get (with them), right?” said Keefe. “I mean, they’re great on offense, which I thought they were good again here today … it was the same when we were in Philly. Those guys were outstanding with the puck on offense, but they gave up three breakaways. Today was similar in nature. So, that’s kind of what you get.

“We’ve liked enough of what we’ve seen from them on the (offensive) side of it that we want to stay with it … and it’s a time for them to grow at the same time and kind of recognize that a big part of the game is to not be pushing so much on offense that you give the freebie up. It’s really hard to make up for those types of chances and those goals … but that’s part of the growth when you got young defensemen. You’ve got to work your way through it.”

5. It sure sounds like Keefe is willing to accept defensive miscues from these guys, though he surely can’t wait for the return of his defensive MVP, Brett Pesce (hand).

“Getting closer (to coming back), yeah,” Keefe said. “I’d still put him in the weeks department, though. He’s been skating lots, so I think once his hand gets going and the strength gets there, I think it’ll be pretty quick. He’s not there yet. It’s not in the near future.”

6. There was a Vancouver Canucks scout in the building for the Devils-Flyers game Saturday. Just noting that for no reason at all.

7. I go back and forth on whether the Devils trade for Quinn Hughes this year debate. On one hand, it’s Quinn freakin’ Hughes and he would probably fix everything (no exaggeration, he’s that good). On the other hand, do you really want to give in to Vancouver’s lofty demands? It’s not an easy decision. I’m leaning towards paying the price due to how wide open the Eastern Conference is.

8. Saturday’s 5-3 loss wasn’t all on goalie Jacob Markstrom, but at some point, the newly-paid goaltender needs to start playing above league average (.897). In 11 starts this season, Markstrom has had just four games above an .850 SV%. He has a 3.60 goals-against average and .874 SV% in 12 games.

9. Devils goalie prospect Mikhail Yegorov stopped 28 of 29 for Boston University Saturday night. The venue he played in? Madison Square Garden. Preview of what’s to come?

10. I have two awesome guests coming on our YouTube show “Speaking of the Devils” this week (subscribe here). It’ll be live and shot on location. One of them was mentioned in today’s newsletter! Stay tuned …

Question of the week (from ‘Chad Alley’ on X): “Do you think Nashville would consider Dougie (Hamilton) for (Ryan) O’Reilly straight up? This would give the Devils exactly what they need as well as create enough space to fit O’reilly and Kovacevic upon return.”

Nashville reportedly wants a first-round pick plus an A-level prospect for Ryan O’Reilly, whose contract pays him a $4.5 million average annual value through 2027. I’m not sure Dougie Hamilton, who carries a $9 million AAV through 2028, alone gets it done. Predators GM Barry Trotz is a tough negotiator — especially with Tom Fitzgerald.

MORE DEVILS COVERAGE

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