We are in the final 15 thots folks. This edition includes Ken Hogan and the New Jersey Devils, who are having a strong season, sitting 4th in the Metropolitan Division with a 38-20-11 record. They have a balanced offense, averaging 3.3 goals per game (10th in the league), but their power play (18.97%, 16th) is underwhelming and could be improved.

Defensively, the team is middle of the pack, allowing 2.94 goals per game (18th). However, their penalty kill is elite (86.76%, 3rd in the league), which helps them stay competitive in tight games.

Forwards: B+

Your forward group is solid with a mix of proven veterans and young talent. Tim Stutzle is the centerpiece of your offense, providing elite production, while Sam Bennett and Adam Henrique add depth down the middle. Dylan Guenther is a promising young winger, but the supporting cast of Radek Faksa, Mark Jankowski, and Aliaksei Protas lacks high-end scoring ability. Your depth on the wings is decent with Joel Armia, Kasperi Kapanen, and Rafael Harvey-Pinard, but none of these guys are game-changers.

Strengths:

• Tim Stutzle is a legitimate star.
• Dylan Guenther has great upside as a goal-scorer.
• Good balance between youth and experience.

Weaknesses:

• Lacking elite wingers outside of Guenther.
• Depth forwards are more complementary than game-changing.
• No clear secondary scoring threat behind Stutzle.

Defense: B

Your defense has some strong pieces but lacks elite puck-moving defensemen outside of Dougie Hamilton. MacKenzie Weegar is a strong two-way player, while Ryan Suter, Troy Stecher, and Jan Rutta provide solid experience but are not game-breakers. Tyler Myers is past his prime and doesn’t move the needle much.

Strengths:

• Dougie Hamilton is a top-tier offensive defenseman.
• MacKenzie Weegar is a reliable two-way presence.
• Defensive depth is decent but aging.

Weaknesses:

• Lacks a high-end puck mover outside of Hamilton.
• Ryan Suter, Myers, and Stecher are not long-term solutions.
• No clear defensive anchor for the future.

Goalies: B-

You have Jacob Markstrom and David Rittich, which gives you an experienced but somewhat inconsistent duo. Markstrom is capable of carrying a team, but he has struggled with consistency. Rittich is more of a backup than a legitimate 1B option.

Strengths:

• Markstrom has been elite at times.
• Rittich is a serviceable backup.

Prospects: B

Your prospect pool is decent but lacks elite upside. Lane Hutson and Tom Willander are your most exciting prospects on defense, while Dylan Guenther is already making an impact at the NHL level. Florian Xhekaj and Michael Fisher provide some defensive depth, but you don’t have many high-end offensive prospects outside of Guenther. Aiden Celebrini could develop into something interesting, but he’s not a sure thing.

Strengths:

• Lane Hutson and Tom Willander are solid defensive prospects.
• Dylan Guenther is a legitimate top-six talent.

Weaknesses:

• Lacks elite, game-breaking prospects.
• Depth prospects are mostly long shots.

Draft Picks: C+

You have a 2025 NJD 2nd and a full set of 2026 picks, including a 1st-rounder. While this gives you some flexibility, you’re missing extra high-end picks that could help restock the pipeline.

Strengths:

• 2026 1st-round pick gives flexibility.

Overall Team Grade: B plus .5

If you want to contend soon, you may need to make a splash for another elite forward or a younger top-pairing defenseman. If you’re looking toward the future, adding more high-end prospects through trades or the draft will be crucial. Your team is competitive but not elite. You have strong pieces, but you lack true star power beyond Stutzle. The defense is solid but aging, and your goaltending is passable but not a long-term solution. The prospect pool has a few bright spots but lacks high-end talent. If Ken spent as much time as he does cooking delicious pierogis and beef from Rex’s Ranch, he would have a team that is top 5. Instead, he focuses on bickering about the Canucks, politics channel, and combing his hair until every strand is perfect. Moral of the story? Put more effort in your team and make bold moves.

Written by Rex (voice 2 text)