GROWING FOR IT
Devils eyeing real progress in quest to get back to posteason
The Devils are primed to take a step in the right direction after an active offseason. Between the additions of Dougie Hamilton, who immediately became the team’s No. 1 defenseman, and Ryan Graves, general manager Tom Fitzgerald is hoping the Devils’ longstanding defensive issues will be lessened. Additionally, Tomas Tatar, acquired in free agency, plugs into the top six and Jonathan Bernier fortifies the Devils’ goaltending tandem.
Fitzgerald made a point to address every area of the lineup, but now it’ll be about how it comes together on the ice. With a few notable offseason additions, plus a breakout season or two from younger players, the Devils could have a legitimate chance to compete for a playoff spot.
OFFENSE
While he may not be a top-line winger on many other NHL teams, Tatar is a crafty playmaker who is effective off the rush. Coming off being a healthy scratch for most of the playoffs with the Canadiens last season, Tatar is probably champing at the bit to show what he can do with big minutes.
After an underwhelming rookie season that led into a promising sophomore campaign, Jack Hughes is certainly one of those young players the Devils need to have a breakout year. The same goes for Nico Hischier, who hasn’t been able to dazzle like he did in his rookie season. That one-two punch of Hughes and Hischier at center hasn’t been what the Devils need it to be, but it could develop with another year under their belts.
Winger Jesper Bratt is also seemingly on the verge of a breakout. The Devils certainly hope center Yegor Sharangovish and forward Janne Kuokkanen, both 23, can build off their play last season as
well.
DEFENSE
A lot will be expected of Hamilton. Though he has played tough minutes for most of his career, Hamilton has almost always had an strong defensive partner.
That won’t be the case in New Jersey. Hamilton is by the far the team’s No. 1 defenseman and will be expected to play as such.
Hamilton will likely be partnered with Graves, who helped fortify a strong defense in Colorado for parts of the last three seasons. Graves may just be a product of playing alongside 2019-20 Calder
Trophy winner Cale Makar within a defensively sound team like the Avalanche, but there’s a possibility he can complement Hamilton well.
Ty Smith and Damon Severson had held down the defense last season, and managed to create a strong bond — on and off the ice — along the way. Both Severson and Smith are on injured reserve, but each player is considered “day-to-day” and is eligible to return by their seasonopener on Friday. Oh, and P.K. Subban is still here. No. 76 is in his walk year and will certainly need to show a lot more than he has in New Jersey in the past.
GOALTENDING
Jonathan Bernier was brought in to not only mentor the 24-year-old Mackenzie Blackwood, but also compete with him. The hope is that the two can push each other and sustain a healthy competition in goal. With Blackwood unvaccinated, however, more complications could arise.
COACHING
Lindy Ruff’s first season as the Devils bench boss wasn’t ideal, with the team finishing next-to-last in the East Division with 19 wins in a 56-game season. However, the veteran head coach and former Rangers assistant knew he was joining a rebuilding franchise. The team was somewhat stagnant last season, so it’ll be crucial for the Devils to at least take steps in the right
direction.
MOST IMPORTANT OFFENSIVE PLAYER
Jack Hughes. Having been on the cusp of a breakout the last two seasons, Hughes is due for a dominant year.
MOST IMPORTANT DEFENSIVE PLAYER
Dougie Hamilton. Stepping right into a No. 1 defenseman role of a rebuilding squad is sure to be one of the biggest challenges of Hamilton’s career. Plus, he has a lucrative seven-year, $63 million contract to live up to.
TOP ROOKIE
Dawson Mercer. The 18th-overall pick in the 2020 draft has had a tremendous camp and made it impossible for the Devils to keep the forward off the opening-night roster.
EY COACHING DECISION
Similar to last season, Ruff is going to have to decide how to measure the team’s improvement this season. Is it a playoff berth? Is it finishing higher in the standings than last season?
PREDICTION
The Devils will take strides as a team and be in a lot more games than they were last season. In a stacked Metropolitan Division, however, the Devils will likely fall short of the playoffs.