The New Jersey Devils were quick to let their cross river rivals, the New York Rangers, know their season was continuing with a post season berth.
But a first round exit spoiled the excitement in Newark and the Devils were left with decisions to make in the off season.
A normal off season would have seen the Devils make a few moves of note but not so in 2018.
The Devils ended the regular season with a 44-29-9 record and secured a wild card berth in the playoffs late in the campaign as the Florida Panthers were gaining momentum late.
New Jersey was middle of the pack for many of the statistical measures including goals against 240 and a 2.93 goals against average;Â their goals for were nearly identical at 243 and 2.96.
The power play cracked the top ten in the league with a 21.4% success rate and the penalty kill was ranked eighth in the league with 81.8% success.
The last big splash for the Devils was the signing of Taylor Hall who won a Hart Trophy this past season so New Jersey was thought to ride that roll with a few other pick ups this off season.
Instead, the club has gone the opposite direction and kept their powder dry.
In fact, trade deadline acquisitions, Patrick Maroon and Michael Grabner, were not pursued as unrestricted free agents and both have signed elsewhere.
Hall will be leaned on even more this coming season; he had 39 goals and 93 points in 76 games.
Kyle Palmieri scored 24 goals and 44 points and rookie Nico Hischier kicked in 20 goals and 32 assists in 82 games.
The problem is the rest of the Metropolitan Division, excepting the Rangers, will be stronger this coming season. In fact, the division is the home of the last two Stanley Cup-winning tea,s.
The Rangers will roll out the kiddie corps in their rebuilding program and are unlikely to surprise anyone. But the rest of the division made enough moves, albeit quietly, to improve the ranks.
What signings the Devils have made were focused on locking down their talent in the system and waiting.
Waiting to spend down some of their $19,5 million in cap space according to CapFriendly.com.
Where the Devils need to improve is in goal with Cory Schneider going 17-16-6 in 40 games. Keith Kinkaid went 26-10-3 and that tandem needs to get better.
Eddie Lack signed a one-year deal to stay with the Devils this coming season and was 1-2-0 in four games with the club last season.
It is difficult to believe there is not a move coming ahead of training camp with the cap space. Though the talent level of the remaining UFAs is slim a deal should be made to support Hall, Hischier and Palmieri.
The other option is use the assets they have stockpiled in Newark and Binghamton with the AHL Devils.
You must be logged in to post a comment.