Oh, I’m gonna enjoy writing this one.
Ah, our hated red rivals from statistically the worst state in the United States. A team mascot has never been so fitting for a franchise. You know em’, you hate em’, you hate Martin Brodeur. They’re still paying Ilya Kovalchuk $100 million to simply not play for their own franchise, and they had one of the scummiest blueliners in league history for 13 years (we don’t forget, Scotty boy.)
Boy, these sorry SOBs are missing the magical and mystical power of ol’ Lou Lamoriello, aren’t they? Gotta say my 100% unbiased opinion and say if the Flyers lose one game to these guys next season, I’m coming into the locker room and beating someone with a 2×4 until I get some answers.
The Devils finished the 2019-2020 season with a mediocre record of 28-29-12, good for 68 points and 8th in the Metropolitan division. Yes, dead last. They finished with 189 goals for, putting them 25th in the league and 230 goals against, bad enough for 29th in the league. Maybe the shortened season was a blessing in disguise for these fellas, eh?
The Devils have only made the playoffs once since losing in the Stanley Cup Finals in 2012 to the Los Angeles Kings, that being 2018. Other than those two years, the Devils haven’t been a major threat in the Metropolitan division, but in all fairness, neither have the Flyers.
It’s crazy, when you make moves like trading a Hart Trophy winner in Taylor Hall, you tend to not win very much. Who would’ve thought?
Last season, along with trading away the former league MVP, the Devils fired Head Coach John Hynes after a 9-13-4 start. Replacing him was former NHLer, Alain Nasreddine. Nasreddine led the team to a 19-16-8 record to finish off the season.
This offseason, the Devils hired former Buffalo Sabres coach Lindy Ruff. Oh boy, I remember frustrating Ruff and the Sabres in the 2011 playoffs. Good times. We should do that type of thing again sometime.
Admittedly, when I look at this New Jersey roster, theres a few guys that I wanted the Flyers to pursue at some point over the past decade. Players like Will Butcher and Miles Wood to name two. This team has potential and they’re still relatively young.
Additionally, they have two former 1st overall picks in Jack Hughes (AMERICA) and Nico Hischier (Swiss Chocolate is great). The Devils should expect Hughes to take a big step heading into his second year in the NHL. Hopefully he was able to put on a few extra pounds in the offseason, I would love to see this kid on Team USA some day.
Also in their arsenal, is former 1st round pick, Pavel Zacha. Guys like Hischier, who had 36 points in 58 games in 2019-2020 and Zacha, who recorded 32 points in 65 games, have been a bit of a disappointment in regards to production so far in their career. But then again, who are we to judge? It took Sean Couturier a few years to be a top center in the NHL for the Flyers.
When you have a guy like Kyle Palmieri leading your team with 45 points, you’re in need of some elite scoring. With most of the offseason and big names off the board, looking forward, the Devils have a little more than $17 million in cap space for this offseason left. Guys like Anthony Duclair, Mike Hoffman, and Erik Haula are still left on the board, which would help that struggling offense.
The Devils have also acquired former 2nd overall pick defenseman, Ryan Murray, from the Columbus Blue Jackets in a trade to attempt to solidify their defense. They’ve also traded away former 3rd round pick and U.S Development Program product, Joey Anderson, to Toronto in exchange for Andreas Johnsson. (Did this guy ever score a hat trick? Ah, nevermind. Too soon.) They also drafted Swedish RW Alexander Holtz with the 7th overall pick in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft.
However, their biggest move of the offseason came in the form of a goaltender. The Devils signed former 2x Stanley Cup Champion and Chicago Blackhawk, Corey Crawford. Will the 35 year old be able to steal some wins at this point of his career? Meh, who knows. Probably not. This team needs help…and a prayer.
Hey, who knows, maybe the “wrecking ball” Mark Recchi will be able to provide some magic behind that old Devils bench as an Assistant Coach? I really wish that guy stopped working for Flyers rivals so we can induct him into the Flyers Hall of Fame already. Come home, Wrecking Ball. Come home.
Follow me on Twitter @flyersjohnny
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