Devils Talk Everything That Went Wrong in 2023-24 – Hockey Writers – Devils Deal

Before the start of the 2023-24 season, the New Jersey Devils were a team to watch in the Metropolitan Division, following a tough Stanley Cup Playoff run last year. Armed with Jack and Luke Hughes, and led by 2022-23 Selke finalist Nico Hischier, fans are anticipating what they believe will be the best year of Devils hockey yet. However, following an undefeated preseason, the team had one of its most disappointing seasons to date. Let’s take a look at everything that went wrong with the Devils last season, and what the organization has done to fix these problems.

Setting goals for yourself

Arguably the biggest problem throughout the 2023-24 season has been scoring goals. The Devils have always been plagued by injuries and poor performance from different goalkeepers. Akira Schmid saw a drop in save percentage (SV%), dropping from .922 to .895 from 2022. As the season progressed, there was also a revolving door of goalies being called up and sent down to the Utica Comets. This movement often includes Schmid, Nico Daws, and Isaac Poulter. The Daws had several outstanding games, including a Stadium Series victory against the Philadelphia Flyers. However, the 23-year-old goaltender returned to the American Hockey League (AHL) after the season ended, and finished with a .894 SV%.

Earlier this year, the Devils acquired Jake Allen and Kaapo Kähkönen, in an effort to replace the goalies. In exchange for Allen, they gave the Montreal Canadiens a conditional third-round pick, with Allen’s former team keeping half of his $3.85 million salary. The Devils traded Vitek Vanecek and a 2025 seventh-round draft pick to the San Jose Sharks for Kähkönen, who had a 6-20 record before joining the Devils. However, general manager (GM) Tom Fitzgerald was still holding out for a top goaltender. After months of rumors and speculation, they acquired Jacob Markstrom, giving the Calgary Flames a first-round pick in the 2025 Draft and Kevin Bahl. Is it possible that this seasoned goalkeeper could be the one missing to save the Devils goalkeeper? With his career .909 SV% and 15 NHL seasons under his belt, it’s clear the Devils have found their new starting goaltender.

Training

As the season progressed, it became clear that Lindy Ruff was no longer the right fit for the role of head coach. Fitzgerald has been waiting months for an underperforming team to right itself, especially since Ruff led the team to 52 franchise wins and 112 points last year. The final nail in Ruff’s coffin came when the Devils lost 5-1 to the LA Kings. After pulling Daws with six minutes left in the third period, the coaching staff failed to send another skater. This blunder led to Ruff being released from his coaching duties two days later, as the wildcard continued to slip out of Devil’s hands.

With only 21 games left in the regular season, Travis Green took over as interim coach. After the Devils finished in 7th place in the Metropolitan Division with a 38-39 record, it became apparent that the team needed new leadership. Once again, Fitzgerald rose to the occasion, and Sheldon Keefe was hired as the Devils’ new head coach on May 9. Keefe has led the Toronto Maple Leafs to the playoffs for five consecutive seasons, and Fitzgerald believes he can help unlock the full potential of the Devils’ program. With the right training, it’s very possible that the Devils could become a major contender for the Stanley Cup.

Giving up the First Goal

Devils fans dread the moment when their opponent scores first, and every “1-0, they” tweet leaves fans battered and bruised. No matter which goalkeeper started or which lineup combinations were drawn, the Devils struggled to play the full 60 minutes. In 82 games, they conceded the first goal 57 times. The Devils always need to bounce back from a loss, which puts a strain on the team’s morale. Coupled with poor scoring, poor defense, and an ineffective power play, the team failed to qualify for the playoffs.

Related: The Devils Reunited With Tomáš Tatar Is A Step Too Low

The Devils’ GM talked about all this and more during the first week of free agency, where Fitzgerald acquired Stefan Noesen, Tomáš Tatar, and Paul Cotter. Noesen was signed back on a three-year contract worth $8.25 million. His skill, versatility, and dynamic play will bring something special to the Devils’ bottom six. The club also brought back fan favorite Tatar, and the veteran left winger was delighted to be back home. In fact, a lineup featuring Tatar, Hischier, and Dawson Mercer proved to be a lethal combination throughout the 2022-23 season. Finally, Cotter has a versatile playing style that can be used in many different ways, including with the puck and with the body. In exchange for Cotter, the Devils sent Schmid, Alexander Holtz, and a 2025 third-round draft pick to the Vegas Golden Knights. Cotter is capable of succeeding at any forward position, and his toughness and skating ability will be a boon for the Devils. Overall, it appears that the Devils are increasing their level of depth and experience by adding players to break up the lineup.

The body

The Devils were pushed around last season, lacking muscle and energy when it was needed most. Although there were a few fights here and there (especially the Devils-Rangers brawl at Madison Square Garden) they needed to strengthen their body. Taking the offseason to assemble their roster, Fitzgerald stood up and reaffirmed the players who will stand on the blue line.

The first move Fitzgerald made was to re-sign Kurtis MacDermid, who served as the Devils’ top offensive lineman last season. Then during free agency, they acquired Brett Pesce, Brenden Dillon, and Johnathan Kovacevic. Pesce offers improved skill, experience, and defensive reliability. With a six-year contract worth $33 million, he will be a valuable asset on the blue line. Dillon is a defender who will bring up a lot of power, especially since he recorded 241 tackles last season. Finally, Kovacevic will greatly improve the Devils’ defense, especially since he recorded 83 blocked shots in 62 games. The 26-year-old finished his third NHL season with a plus-11 rating, the highest rating of any Montreal Canadiens forward in 2023-24.

Devils Return 2024-25?

All things considered, it’s clear that the Devils are using the 2023-24 season as a learning experience. There was a lot of struggle and hardship, but this will make the team stronger in the end. With Fitzgerald doing everything right, there’s a strong chance the Devils can come back better than ever. Likewise, with players like Jack Hughes, Dougie Hamilton, and Timo Meier not 100% healthy, the sky is the limit for the Devils. However, while the team may look dangerous on paper, it is up to the Devils to see how far they can go in the 2024-25 season.