Devils in Need of Reinforcements
The Devils won 2 of 3 in their first week of 2024 but lost 2 more players to injury
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In today’s edition, we feature articles about if Jacob Markstrom is a fit, goalie options other than John Gibson, Jesper Bratt being among the league’s elite, Jack Hughes making the All-Star team, and much more; please share this free substack with your hockey fan friends and family so they can subscribe and enjoy all the latest.
Now on to the good stuff….
3 Trade Destinations for Flames’ Jacob Markstrom
January 7, 2024 by Rupert McDonald
With how well Markstrom has played lately, trade rumours have begun surfacing about him. The Flames are expected to be sellers at this year’s trade deadline and would likely garner a significant return for the 33-year-old netminder. Moving him would require some work, given that he has a cap hit of $6 million through the 2025-26 season, but it is far from impossible. If general manager Craig Conroy does elect to move him, these three teams would serve as great fits.
Devils’ Jesper Bratt Belongs in the 2024 All-Star Game
January 7, 2024, by Josh Reinitz
Jack Hughes grabs the headlines, Nico Hischier may be the best two-way forward in the NHL, and while those two are perennially in the All-Star discussion, this season, Jesper Bratt merits selection to the All-Star Game as one of the 12 players to be added to the roster. It is not unusual for former first-overall picks like Hughes and Hischier to vie for multiple All-Star Games. However, a diminutive, former sixth-round pick is rarely on pace for a 100-point season; this is the season he deserves recognition as an All-Star.
Devils Sunday Brunch - Running Out of Players
January 7, 2024 by Josh Reinitz (Premium Content)
This is the Devils Sunday Brunch. We look forward to it evolving as the season progresses. If there are things you want to see here, please let us know; we want this space to be interactive. Today’s edition will discuss a 2-1 week for New Jersey, assess the injury issues and potential replacements, and end with an exclusive talk with rookie Graeme Clarke.
The Devils began the week and the new year strongly with a solid road victory over the Washington Capitals. The win put the Devils in playoff position for the first time all season. Nico Hischier, Michael McLeod, and Dawson Mercer scored twice for the team.
They followed that up by splitting a costly weekend back-to-back series with a tough, physical victory over the Chicago Blackhawks that cost them Jack Hughes before losing an odd game to the Vancouver Canucks, costing them Jonas Siegenthaler. Now, the team will take two days off before practicing, head to Florida for a three-game trip against the Lightning and Panthers, and then up to Boston for a Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day matinee against the Bruins.
Goalies Not Named John Gibson for the Devils to Target
January 6, 2024 by JP Gambatese
The Devils have been perpetually linked to Anaheim Ducks goaltender John Gibson. He’s been excellent this year, to be sure, but there are a lot of red flags surrounding his potential acquisition. For one, this is his first truly good season since 2018-19. Sure, there’s an argument to be made there that the Ducks have been so miserable that it was impossible for Gibson to succeed, but there are goalies (as you’ll soon see) on terrible teams that have made the most of it.
Another issue pertaining to Gibson is his contract. Being that he’s been volatile, his $6.4 million cap hit for this and the next three seasons is a major risk. Finally, there’s the cost of acquisition. He’s previously been a top-three goalie in the NHL, and he’s been playing like it again this year. Pair that with a competitive goalie market, and it’s a recipe for a severe overpayment.
With all this in mind, let’s take a look at some goalies other than Gibson that the Devils would be smart to consider trading for.
Devils’ Jack Hughes Named 2024 All-Star
January 4, by Erica Rosenbaum
The NHL announced the first 32 All-Stars that will travel to Toronto in February to represent their respective teams. Jack Hughes is the New Jersey Devils’ representative and will make his third NHL All-Star Game appearance. The 22-year-old center is a perfect choice for the All-Star Game due to his flashy play, high skill, and entertaining personality.
In his first appearance in 2022, Hughes recorded three goals and one assist at 20 years old. Furthermore, he tied Claude Giroux for the most points on the Metropolitan team. In 2023, he did not record any points, but he became the first-ever Florida-born NHL player to appear in multiple NHL All-Star Games.
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