New Year, New Devils?
The Devils closed out 2023 in dire need of upgrades in goal but, they still have Jack Hughes which means they always have a chance
Welcome to the THW New Jersey Devils Substack newsletter, with all the latest from our Devils writers.
In today’s edition, we feature articles about Jack Hughes’ record breaking 2023, the Devils’ need for better performances in back-to-back games, the Stock Report featuring Luke Hughes, Michael McLeod, and Jonas Siegenthaler, interesting potential overseas games, 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….
Devils’ Stock Market: McLeod, Siegenthaler, L. Hughes & More
January 3, 2024 by Daniel Amoia
The New Jersey Devils have been inconsistent throughout the first half of the season. They are now in sixth place in the Metropolitan Division with a 19-14-2 record (40 points). However, they’re only six points behind the second-place Carolina Hurricanes, with three games in hand. The division has proven extremely competitive, as just six points separate second and seventh place. This is the fourth edition of a biweekly series called Devils Stock Market. As always, players go through ebbs and flows. This series looks at the biggest standouts right now – both good and bad
Jack Hughes is Breaking Records for the Devils in 2023
January 2, 2024, by Josh Reinitz
Historically when someone mentioned the New Jersey Devils, the first thought was a stalwart defense and stellar goaltending. Despite having a litany of talented forwards throughout their storied history, the three-time Stanley Cup champions were built from the back forward under general manager Lou Lamoriello. Since their last appearance in the Final, much has changed. They have spent nearly a decade searching for the next Martin Brodeur to no avail, then spent significant draft capital on franchise-changing centers, Nico Hischier in 2017 and Jack Hughes in 2019.
Hischier has evolved into one of the elite two-way centers in the game. Last season, he set a career-high in points (80) and was the runner-up for the Selke Trophy as the best defensive forward in the NHL. He has lived up to his billing when taken number one and provides a diverse skillset different than Hughes. He has evolved from being named the youngest captain in the NHL who deferred to his older teammates to the voice in the room with the most gravitas at age 24. Never was his value to the team more evident than during his long absence this past November. Hughes has similarly exceeded expectations, though in a different way, and if 2023 is a harbinger of the future, he is set to etch his name atop all of the Devils’ career offensive records.
6 NHL Global Series Matchups That Must Happen
December 31 2023, by Mike Fink
With the Global Series likely expanding and the World Junior Championship in full swing, it’s interesting to think about which matchups the NHL could provide for every country. Some teams have a unique history with a given country, and it’s only fitting that they play in the games as a result.
This season, the games took place in Sweden. It was fitting that the Detroit Red Wings, Ottawa Senators, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Minnesota Wild, four teams with iconic Swedish players, both from the past and the present, were the teams that faced off against one another. So, let’s look at the countries that can host the series in the future and what the matchups could be in those countries.
Devils’ Back-to-Back Results Are Due for an Improvement
December 30, 2023, by JP Gambatese
The New Jersey Devils have certainly not met their sky-high expectations this season. As it stands, they sit fifth in the Metropolitan Division with a record of 19-13-2 — which, while sturdy in a vacuum, just isn’t cutting it in a stacked division. They sit in the second wild card spot, and with games at hand, they likely find themselves in a comfortable playoff spot soon. Still, the Devils entered 2023-24 as a favorite to win the Stanley Cup, and the team’s record simply does not match those expectations.
While the team has struggled to play up to the level they did last season, there’s an argument to be made that their record is less reflective of their play than it is on the schedule. For example, the Devils have the most back-to-backs in the league this season with 16. While yes, every team has back-to-backs in their schedule, it does seem as though the Devils have gotten the short end of the stick this season.
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