The New Jersey Devils have been the surprise team in the NHL the past two seasons (in both a positive and negative way):
2021-22 Devils finished 14th in the East (63 points)
2022-23 Devils finished 3rd in the East (112 points)
2023-24 Devils finished 13th in the East (81 points)
Tom Fitzgerald, Devils President of Hockey Operations and General Manager, hopes that for the first time in his term, the Devils meet expectations, which is for them to climb back into a playoff spot. Fitzgerald had a stellar off-season, as detailed below, which doesn’t include the fact that he’ll be getting his #1 defenseman Dougie Hamilton back from injury, and two other key defensemen, Luke Hughes and Simon Nemec will no longer be rookies. Please note that Hughes is projected to miss training camp and the first month of the season with a shoulder injury.
In addition to the changes on the ice, the Devils will have a new head coach, bringing in former Toronto coach Sheldon Keefe to replace Lindy Ruff. Keefe experienced a lot of regular season success with the Maple Leafs, which the Devils hope he continues.
KEY OFF-SEASON ACQUISITIONS
Paul Cotter
Brenden Dillon
Jacob Markstrom
Stefan Noesen
Brett Pesce
Goaltending has been an issue for the Devils, but they now have a strong veteran tandem with Markstrom arriving from Calgary and Jake Allen arriving from Montreal at the trade deadline. The defense in front of Markstrom will also be improved due to the acquisition of veteran stay-at-home rearguards Dillon and Pesce. Pesce, a native of Tarrytown, NY, played 9 years in Carolina and is the rare defensemen who is equally comfortable playing the left-side or his natural right-side. Noesen and Cotter will provide much needed bottom six depth.
KEY OFF-SEASON DEPARTURES
Kevin Bahl
Alexander Holtz
John Marino
Akira Schmid
Brendan Smith
Considering the universal approval of the Devils’ upgrades in goal and on defense, there’s not much concern about the loss of Bahl, Marino, Schmid and Smith. The only off-season move that can be questioned is the deal that sent Holtz (along with Schmid) to Vegas for Cotter and a 2025 3rd round pick. Holtz was selected 7thoverall in 2020, scored 16 goals in his first full year in Newark and was considered a part of the Devils future. Fitzgerald and his scouts must see something in the bigger Cotter who flashed during his three seasons in Vegas.
FINAL ANALYSIS
The Devils talent up-front, led by Jack Hughes, Nico Hischier, Jesper Bratt and Timo Meier, is unquestioned. The forward group is not as accomplished as what Keefe left behind in Toronto, but this upgraded defensive corps, and goaltending has the potential to be better than anything he’s worked with on the NHL level. The Devils are primed to compete for a division title and return to the playoffs. This year there should be no surprises.
GRADE A
“Devils – Grading the Off-Season” is the second in a series prior to the start of hockey and basketball training camps. Rangers, Knicks and Nets summer report cards coming soon to SRNY.
