Each NHL team’s biggest burning question in 2018
By Simon Vacca
New Jersey Devils: Will they upgrade the blue line?
The New Jersey Devils’ 2017-18 season was not supposed to be one for the books.
The drafting of top-end talent in the form of first overall pick Nico Hischier aside, the club was widely regarded to be well out of contention for Lord Stanley’s trophy. Yet John Hynes’ men had other plans in mind.
Concluding their campaign with a 44-29-9 record, the Devils took the NHL by storm, as the likes of Taylor Hall, Brian Boyle, Will Butcher, Kyle Palmieri and Hischier played some of the league’s best hockey night in and night out. Hall, in particular, was the driving force behind New Jersey’s ability to shift its narrative, embarking upon a 26-game point streak and ultimately putting up 39 goals and 93 points in 76 appearances — a process that culminated with the talented winger capturing the Hart Memorial Trophy as the league’s most valuable player. The club also succeeded in making the Stanley Cup playoffs for the first time since 2012, only to be eliminated by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the first round.
As the Devils aim to use the 2018-19 campaign as an opportunity to build upon this momentum, GM Ray Shero shall be required to address a matter of concern. Who, after all, is the club’s No. 1 defender?
The answer is…nobody — as of yet. Each of Will Butcher, Damon Severson and Sami Vatanen are capable of turning heads, but more will be required from New Jersey’s back end if dreams of contention are to be translated into a reality — especially in light of consistent inconsistency from between the pipes.
With the likes of Tyler Myers, Jake Gardiner, Michael Del Zotto and Erik Karlsson set to become UFAs, expect Shero to ponder his options carefully. The Devils are looking to establish themselves as contenders — as such, the prospect of a key defensive acquisition looms large.