Article written by Gabrielle Nordstrom
—–
Improvements made to the New Jersey Devils roster have caught eyes around the league as they could be a top team this upcoming season.
The Devils made a big splash and traded for goaltender Jacob Markstrom. Over the past few seasons, the Devils have lacked one major thing – a starting, reliable goaltender. Bringing in Markstrom does just that for New Jersey.
Last season, Markstrom played 48 games and had a save percentage of .905 with two shutouts on a Calgary Flames team that missed the playoffs. The Devils sent off young defender Kevin Bahl and a first-round pick to land Markstrom.
After one of the best seasons in NJ Devils history in 2022-23, this last season the Devils seemed to lack the strength and power they once had.
The Devils added Brett Pesce, a 6’3” defender. Pesce adds veteran experience depsite only being 29 years old. He has played 57 playoff games in his career and had 21 points. He was with the Carolina Hurricanes for nine seasons before signing with the Devils in free agency. He has 198 points in 627 games.
Another addition to the Devils defense is Brendan Dillon. Dillon was previously with the Winnipeg Jets. Another veteran thrown into the mix gives the Devils more flexibility on their blueline. He has played in over 800 games and has played in 83 playoff games.
Paul Cotter has also joined the Devils where he will fill a spot in the fourth line. The last season players were always being moved around on the fourth line as it seemed that it was impossible to find a line that could be an effective fourth line. With Cotter, speed, size, and strength will be added to that line.
Some familiar faces came back to the Devils in free agency.
Stefan Noesen reunites with the Devils where he will fill the same role he once played with the Devils. A perfect third-liner who brings grit, strength and size.
Tomas Tatar joins the Devils again, claiming he “has family” here. Fans are excited to have Tuna back in the black and red. When playing with the Devils, Tatar-Hischier-Mercer was one of the best lines in the NHL. Will we see these three reunite soon?
The Devils no longer are a team that can be pushed around. With additions like Cotter, Dillon, Noesen, the young stars on the Devils have someone always looking out for them.
One of the biggest changes to the Devils is the voice behind the bench.
Sheldon Keefe joins the Devils as head coach after being let go by the Toronto Maple Leafs.
The Maple Leafs have been one of the top teams in the NHL since Keefe started coaching there. They have struggled in the playoffs massively, which led to Keefe being fired. His record with the Maple Leafs was 212-97-40.
He is ready to bring the Devils back to the playoffs and bring a Stanley Cup back to New Jersey. He has already spent the summer talking to players on the Devils roster and then had development camp not too long ago. He knows the players were not satisfied with how the season went last year, he knows this team can be something special.
The Devils will start their season overseas and play two games in the Czech Repulbic before returning back to the states.
A new era in New Jersey can be beginning as this might be one of the best Devils rosters in recent years.
