New Jersey Devils 24-25 Season Preview

New Jersey Devils
Metropolitan Division

2023-24 Recap
Record (W-L-OTL): 38-39-5
Over/Under: 46-35-1
Home Favorite: 15-14
Home Dog: 3-7
Road Favorite: 14-6
Road Dog: 6-15
Win Score 4 or more: 34 of 38
Lose Give Up 4 or more: 31 of 44
Puck Line Wins: 24 of 38
Puck Line Losses: 32 of 44
Front End Back-to-Back: 11-4
Back End Back-to-Back: 3-12
Goals Scored Per Game: 3.22 (12th)
Goals Against Per Game: 3.43 (27th)

Additions: Jacob Markstrom, Tomas Tatar, Brett Pesce, Brenden Dillon, Paul Cotter, Stefan Noesen, Johnathan Kovacevic. Jakub Zboril (PTO), Kevin Labanc (PTO)
Subtractions: John Marino, Brendan Smith, Kevin Bahl, Alexander Holtz, Tomas Nosek, Michael McLeod, Chris Tierney

New Jersey entered last season with lofty expectations but injuries to Jack Hughes and Dougie Hamilton, a blueline that was missing two key pieces from the previous season, and below average goaltending all added up to the Devils missing the playoffs and costing both head coach Lindy Ruff and his interim replacement Travis Green their jobs. After failing to address the roster issues during the season, GM Tom Fitzgerald had a busy offseason. Sheldon Keefe was hired as the Devils’ new head coach. Fitzgerald fixed the goaltending issues trading for goalie Jacob Markstrom and bolstered his blueline by adding a pair of veterans in Brett Pesce and Brenden Dillon.

Fitzgerald did a great job in the summer addressing the roster issues and the Devils should be a team to watch out for as they open the season with a pair of games in Prague against the Buffalo Sabres.

Offense
Chasing the game was a major issue for the Devils in 2023-24. New Jersey gave up the first goal a league high 57 times. Of the Devils' 44 losses, 35 came when giving up the first goal. On the other hand, starting on time was a trademark of the Maple Leafs under Devils new head coach, Sheldon Keefe. Toronto scored first in 48 games, winning 31 of those contests. Look for the Devils to bounce back offensively under Keefe who has a history of coaching highly skilled offensive players from his days in Toronto.
Jack Hughes is one season removed from 99 points, and if he can stay healthy there is no reason he can’t equal or surpass those numbers. Nico Hischier missed 11 games last season and was on pace to match his career high of 31 goals. After scoring 11 goals in his first 46 games, Timo Meier found his way in the last 6 weeks of the season, scoring 17 goals in the final 23 games. The Devils are counting on Meir picking up where he left off. Three times in his career he has scored 30 or more goals. Jesper Bratt goes unnoticed by fans outside of Jersey. The 26-year-old Swede has averaged 28 goals over the past three seasons.

The Devils will need a way to figure out how to replace the 42 goals that left with Tyler Toffoli (signed in San Jose) and Alexander Holtz (traded to Vegas). Dawson Mercer, whose goal production slipped last season should see his numbers bump back up playing with Jack Hughes and Timo Meier. Tomas Tatar returns for a second stint with the Devils. He had seasons of 15 and 20 goals playing alongside Nico Hischier. It’s still too early to tell whether Tatar will be reunited with Hischier or play lower down in the lineup. One other key factor could be the return of Dougie Hamilton to the top power play unit. The Devils had 25 goals in the 20 games Hamilton was in the lineup. With Hamilton lost to injury, New Jersey scored just 30 goals in the remaining 62 games.

Defense
The Devils fell from 8th to 27th and it would not be fair to pin the blame solely on the 11 different defensemen who saw action last season. Poor goaltending was also a significant factor. The decision to let go experienced defenders in Ryan Graves and Damon Severson and then needing rookie defenseman in Luke Hughes and Simon Nemec to slot into your top four was unfair to the two kids. The issues were further compounded when Dougie Hamilton tore his left pectoral muscle and was done for the season at the 20-game mark.

The free agent signings of Brett Pesce and Brendan Dillon along with the return of Dougie Hamilton give the Devils one of the deeper bluelines in the NHL. New Jersey will start the season without Luke Hughes. The Devils announced in mid-September that Hughes suffered a left shoulder injury during off season training. While the injury doesn’t require surgery, Hughes will be out 6-8 weeks meaning he will likely miss the first 12 games at a minimum.

Goaltending
Show me a good goalie and I will show a winning hockey coach or as Alain Vigneault would always say, “your goalie is better than mine, you win. My goalie is better than yours, I win.” With a team save percentage of .886 that was 30th in the league, it says
everything you need to know about why the Devils missed the playoffs. The off-season trade for Jacob Markstrom from Calgary gives the Devils an elite goalie that they arguably haven’t had since the days of Martin Brodeur. Yes, Corey Schneider and Mackenzie Blackwood had their moments, but they were brief. With Markstrom and Jake Allen, acquired at last season’s trade deadline, the Devils have stability in goal and a tandem that can help take them on a deep playoff run.

Player to Watch – Jacob Markstrom
Jacob Markstrom has had eight straight seasons with a sub three goals against average and in that same span just one season with a save percentage below .900. He had a no trade clause and wanted to be a member of the Devils going back to last season’s trade deadline. “It is a big team with a high expectations….. there is pressure on goaltending," said Markstrom. "I have been on teams in Canadian markets, I know what is expected.” Markstrom gives the Devils a chance to win every time he hits the ice. Last season, the Devils were hoping for a save from their goalies, with Markstrom they won’t have to hope, they will expect a save allowing the players in front of him to play a more relaxed game.

Outlook
I am high on this year’s Devils team and back in July I grabbed them at 22/1 to win the Stanley Cup. That number is long gone as they are now 13/1 at DraftKings Sportsbook. The safer play for me would be New Jersey to win the Metro Division at +230.

Regular Season Point Total: 100.5 (Over -125/Under -105)
To Make the Playoffs: -400
To Miss the Playoffs: +300
To Win the Metropolitan Division: +230
To Win the Eastern Conference: +650
To Win the Stanley Cup: +1300