Young Devils, bright future
No playoffs, but N.J. showed it has promise for ’21-22
The New Jersey Devils were one of the NHL’S youngest teams this past season, and many times they played like it.
Using 11 rookies at times over the course of Lindy Ruff ’s first season as coach, the Devils made mistakes and showed their inexperience in missing the playoffs for the third straight year and eighth time in nine seasons.
While the 19-30-7 record was disappointing, the Devils showed promise. They grew from hockey infancy in general manager’s Tom Fitzgerald’s rebuilding effort to walking, although it was unsteady at times. The goal for next season will be to run. There are signs they can.
A stronger Jack Hughes, the No. 1 overall draft pick in 2019, took major steps
in his second season. Rookie Ty Smith showed the potential to be a top defenseman. Miles Wood and Pavel Zacha had career seasons with 17 goals apiece and Yegor Sharangovich had a surprising 16 as a rookie. Mackenzie Blackwood showed flashes of being a No. 1 goaltender, but his game (14-17-4) suffered after a COVID -19 outbreak sidelined the
team in late January.
Blues 7, Wild 3: David Perron, Brayden Schenn, and Jordan Kyrou each scored twice and St. Louis scored seven straight goals to erase a first-period deficit. Zach Sanford also scored. Jordan Binnington had 16 saves. The Blues are locked into fourth in the West Division.
Note: The New York Islanders signed forward Reece Newkirk, 20, to a three-year, entry-level contract.