NJ Devils: Real Contenders for Next Season?

The New Jersey Devils have definitely made some promising strides in the game with the way they have made some big strides in the offseason, signing massive stars and coming up with some high expectations in the next campaign, but does the team offer the best chance of winning in the 2024-25 NHL season?

A New Look for New Jersey

GM Tom Fitzgerald was in his bag in the offseason. Everyone knew that the Devils weren’t good enough to contend at a high level in the game, and no one can deny the fact that they really needed a lot of upgrades in the squad if they were going to come up with impressive runs that would determine their chances of winning in the years to come. So far, we have seen how the Devils have managed to prove their point in being committed to a championship, but then we have seen them struggle hard ever since, not making any strides since the 2009-10 season.

The Devils have never made the Stanley Cup since 2003 image

Sure, the Devils have won a total of three Stanley Cups in 1995, 2000, and 2003, but all of those are in the past, and they have yet to come up with impressive strides since then, with the latest push on that end being in the 2022-23 season, where the Devils lost to the Carolina Hurricanes in the second round. That was also the only season where the team finished with 50+ wins in the last five years, with all of the other campaigns being losing seasons so far.

It has been decades of struggles for the Devils ever since image

But now with the team making huge upgrades in the offseason, it is easy to say that the Devils are going to jump out as contenders now more than ever. After all, things are starting to shake up in the Eastern Conference, and one can say that the Devils are ready to take on the challenge at this point. After finishing 13th overall in the 2023-24 season with a 38-39 record, it is safe to say that the New Jersey Devils are now ready to begin a campaign – a determined push that would bring them to the top of the league if they play their cards right.

So can the Devils be a title contender next season? Let us break down what impact has their offseason moves to offer in their chances of winning for the 2024-25 season.

A Tougher Devils Squad to Play Against

The Devils added a lot of muscle in the squad image

Last season’s problems were how the Devils were quite easy to push around in the game, given the fact that they didn’t have enough muscle to begin with. Of course, if we are going to judge hits as a basis for the team’s toughness, it is never going to be enough, and that was easily addressed by the team this offseason with a promising flurry of moves that proved to be pivotal so far. The team added size via trades, the draft, and even in the free agency market. If you are not satisfied, you can see the roster that has now Paul Cotter, Stefan Noesen, Brett Pesce, Brenden Dillon, and even Johnathan Kovacevic – all of which have had a total of 692 hits between each other last season. That says a lot about their physicality, and the way they are dedicated to coming up with a brute force in the game.

Defensive Wins Games

Of course, the acquisitions are not entirely one-sided, and it cannot be denied that landing the likes of Brett Pesce and Brenden Dillon, along with Jacob Markstrom addresses the defensive needs of the team. These are big upgrades that the team have made to address their lack of presence on the defensive side. For context, it is worth noting that the Devils have more Goals Against (283) than actual goals scored (264) in the season, which is why addressing their defensive presence should be a massive concern, especially if they are going to come up with a wondrous playoff run. New Jersey is one of the teams with a poor defensive rating, and the promising acquisitions this offseason are promising, but will not be enough to guarantee a chance at the title. Still, progress is progress, and this is going to be a chance for the Devils to finally prove their worth.

The Devils have upgraded its defense image

A Contender for a Reason

Frustrations are now pressuring the team image

Despite being the champions, the Florida Panthers aren’t actually making a lot of media noise in the offseason, and the Devils are even getting more attention than what most expect at this point. So far, making business decisions has been good for the Devils. What I can say is that the team has really thought about what matters at this point – no longer to contend, but to win a title at long last. The team would not care to make such daring moves in trades, signings, and even the draft if they are not that committed to winning, and it cannot be denied that this focus is going to be the power shift that makes them contenders now more than ever. The Devils have been losing for way too long, and now it is the time for them to start winning and deliver a promising campaign that many people have been waiting for.

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Is Now the Devils’ Time to Shine?

The Devils are here to stay at the top of the game, and it cannot be denied that we are going to see some big strides from the team now more than ever. This is the massive expectation that many people are looking for from the Devils, and with a spark of potential shown in the 2022-23 season, it does seem that it is no longer an impossible dream.

So strap in, New Jersey fans. The coming season is going to be a promising campaign that many people are looking for, and the Devils are definitely gunning for a chance at the top of the game, so you would not want to miss it.

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