Devils Daily: The One Where the Devils Gain Plenty of Respect

Newark, NJ – The New Jersey Devils in 2022-23 took a giant leap forward that not many expected. A lot went right for them to do so. Jack Hughes broke out for 99 points, Nico Hischier turned into a Selke Finalist, Dougie Hamilton had a career year, and plenty of the remainder of the lineup had their best seasons to date. The Devils are still so young, however, that the national media is giving them plenty of respect for the 2023-24 season.

Let’s dive in.

New Jersey Devils

New Jersey Hockey Now: GM Tom Fitzgerald has done an admirable job with the contracts in New Jersey. He’s still negotiating with Timo Meier but admits he would like to explore locking up Dawson Mercer this summer, one year before he’s due for a new contract.

DailyFaceoff: With the strides New Jersey took in the 2022-23 season, they’re gaining a lot of well-deserved respect. DailyFacoff held a round table of early 2024 Stanley Cup predictions and the Devils are in the conversation.

National Hockey Now

Boston Bruins

Boston Hockey Now: After bowing out in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, Bruins coach Jim Montgomery admits to misreading Boston’s body language that could have changed their playoff hopes.

Colorado Avalanche

Colorado Hockey Now: Yegor Sharangovich is the apple of many Avs fan’s eye. After finding out that the Devils’ young forward is on the trade block, many see him as a fit in Colorado. CHN explains why he’s a classic Avalanche trade target.

Florida Panthers

Florida Hockey Now: Matthew Tkachuk wasn’t the only Cat playing injured in the Stanley Cup Final. Aaron Ekblad dealt with a broken foot, two shoulder dislocations, and multiple oblique tears. He’ll get that all sorted out this summer, however, Ekblad expects to miss the start of the 2023-24 season.

Buffalo Sabres

Buffalo Hockey Now: The Sabres are locked in to select 13th overall at the NHL Draft. Despite taking a step forward this season, could they trade up to select higher?

Washington Capitals

Washington Hockey Now: The Capitals have plenty of question marks at the center position. Evgeny Kuznetsov wants out of Washington, Niklas Backstrom’s health continues to be in question, and the pipeline isn’t very promising. Here are four free agents the Capitals could target this summer.

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