Devils Daily: Prospect Outlook; Sleeper Metropolitan Division Foe; Kyle Dubas Faces Criticism

While evaluating the Metropolitan Division from the New Jersey Devils point of view, I realized the New York Islanders could be a sleeper in the division next season. Look, a lot of things need to go right for them. Patrick Roy needs to continue his development as a head coach, Anthony Duclair needs to fit, Maxim Tsyplakov needs to pan out, and Ilya Sorokin needs to return to form.

Staying healthy is a requirement, too.

However, let’s just say it all clicks, has Mathew Barzal ever played on a better line other than with Duclair and Bo Horvat? Alexander Romanov and Noah Dobson continue to grow into a respectable top-pair. Their goaltending is top notch.

Perhaps depth could be an issue, but a guy like Roy is a coach who knows how to squeeze every drop out of his players. All I’m saying is the Devils shouldn’t take them lightly. Fortunately, they were 3-1-0 against their division rival next season and come into 2024-25 improved as well. More on how the Isles project in the links.

Elsewhere, Colorado attempted to bring back one of their former, large bodied defenseman. Kyle Dubas goes under international fire. And a controversial hire in Edmonton.

Let’s do that hockey.

Devils News

New Jersey Hockey Now: The fourth installment of our Devils vs. the Metropolitan Division series takes a look at the subtle adds the New York Islanders made that very well could see them improved next season.

More NJHN: Looking to the next group of young players in ranking the Devils’ prospects, these five players all have shown they have the potential to carve out NHL minutes with the right development.

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NHL Trade Talk, News, & National Hockey Now

The Athletic ($): In a controversial transaction, the Edmonton Oilers named Stan Bowman the general manager and executive vice president of hockey operations on Wednesday after nearly three years on a hiatus due to an “inadequate response” to sexual assault allegations by Kyle Beach during his time with the Chicago Blackhawks.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: The TSN Overdrive panel, led by Bryan Hayes, delivered blunt assessments of current Pittsburgh Penguins president of hockey operations/GM Kyle Dubas on Tuesday after Hockey Canada named Dubas the director of player personnel for Team Canada in the upcoming 4 Nations Face-Off tournament and the 2026 Winter Olympics.

Boston Hockey Now: Former first round pick Oliver Wahlstrom hasn’t quite found his footing in the NHL, skating with the Islanders in four-plus seasons. Perhaps, Wahlstrom could be the scoring depth the Boston Bruins are looking for on the cheap.

Colorado Hockey Now: The Colorado Avalanche couldn’t quite pull it off a big move they were exploring. Reports suggest that the Avs tried to bring defenseman Nikita Zadorov back to the Centennial State. Here’s why it didn’t work out.

Philly Hockey Now: The Philadelphia Flyers introduced forward Matvei Michkov as the newest member of the Broad Street Bullies on Wednesday. GM Danny Briere made sure to temper expectations, clarifying they’re not pressuring Michkov to be the savior, but just part of their solution moving forward.

Detroit Hockey Now: The plan from the outset was that Michael Brandsegg-Nygard, the 2024 first-round draft pick of the Detroit Red Wings, would be playing next season with Swedish champions Skelleftea. However, it sounds like there’s a plan to fast-track him to the NHL soon after.

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