Predicting the Devils' Opening Night Blue Line

With the 2024-25 NHL season and NHL training camps both right around the corner, it is time to look at what the New Jersey Devils opening night blue line could look like.

Pairing 1: Siegenthaler - Hamilton

Pairing 2: Dillion - Pesce

Pairing 3: MacDermid - Nemec

The New Jersey Devils had a great off-season and rebuilt their defence core. They added strength, size, and overall talent.

Related: Predicting the Devils' 2024-25 Opening Night Forward Group

They managed to add an entirely new pairing in Brett Pesce and Brenden Dillion, who will log a ton of minutes and be a solid pairing for the team.

They will have a healthy Dougie Hamilton playing alongside a healthy Jonas Siegenthaler and hope that this pairing returns to their previous form.

Their last pairing is a bit mixed up because of Luke Hughes' injury, which is why I have Kurtis MacDermid listed to help provide Simon Nemec with a bit more physical help.

Related: Devils Provide Injury Update on Young Defensemen

The Devils also have Santeri Hatakka and Johnathan Kovacevic, who could slot in where MacDermid is. On top of that, they also signed Jakub Zboril to a PTO, and he will be at training camp.

When Hughes returns from injury in six-eight weeks time, the pairing could change a bit.

Pairing 1: Siegenthaler - Hamilton

Pairing 2: Hughes - Pesce

Pairing 3: Dillion - Nemec

Ideally, this would be the pairings with Hughes eventually taking the jump to the top pair with Hamilton. However, having someone like Pesce who is defensively sound can make a huge impact on a young offensively gifted defenseman.