Adversity Will Come: How the Devils Can Weather The Inevitable Storm Ahead

The 6-1-0 New Jersey Devils sit atop the NHLs mountain. With 12 points and six straight victories—five of them against playoff teams from the previous season—the Devils are on fire out of the gate. But let’s face it: in an 82-game season, adversity is inevitable. Even the most optimistic fans know that an 81-1 season is all but impossible. So when the inevitable bumps in the road come, how can the Devils prove they’re a team that the entire league should be worried about?

Overcoming Bad Losses

For starters, let’s talk about bad, painful losses. Opening Night against Carolina was as textbook a gut punch as you’ll find from this team. It’s something we’ve seen before: a tough, demoralizing defeat that can throw a team off track. For the Devils, recovering from such losses has been one of their biggest hurdles. A prime example came last season, when tough losses on the West Coast seemed to trigger a downward spiral that the Devils never fully recovered from.

Now, it’s unrealistic to expect the Devils to rattle off five straight wins after every tough loss, but a team still seeking to establish itself as a legitimate contender must demonstrate the maturity to move past a single defeat. A bad game should never spiral into a bad stretch, and staying level-headed after setbacks will be critical for this team’s long-term success.

Thus far, they’ve answered the bell. But, it’s still early. Even Sheldon Keefe knows they still have much to prove despite a strong start.

The Depth Question

Another major test for the Devils will be their depth. Jack Hughes has been absolutely sensational, scoring six goals in a three-game span during this hot streak. But as we all know, players go through hot and cold stretches, and Jack will inevitably cool off at some point. When that happens, can the Devils’ supporting cast step up to fill the void?

Last season, depth was a significant issue, especially when injuries began to pile up. There were flashes of hope, though—moments when someone unexpected would rise to the occasion. In the early part of this season, players like Cody Glass, Connor Brown, and Dawson Mercer have all chipped in at various points, showing that the depth is there. But for this team to maintain their momentum over the course of an 82-game season, they’ll need that “next man up” mentality to continue.

A good example of what should happen when the Devils’ stars don’t find the board was on Wednesday. The win against the Wild featured goals from the depth, sans the empty-net goal from Jesper Bratt.

It was an impressive win, and one they’ll need to replicate several times throughout the season, inevitably.

GM Tom Fitzgerald’s Role

Finally, let’s talk about the man pulling the strings: GM Tom Fitzgerald. Fitzgerald’s role in this team’s success cannot be overstated. Earlier today, he spoke with The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun, and the biggest takeaway was his emphasis on patience and waiting for the team to gel. “You really know your team after 20 games,” Fitzgerald said. “That’s when you can see where you’re at and what areas might need attention moving forward.”

By the time the Devils hit that 20-game mark, it’s likely they’ll be in a strong position in the standings, assuming they can maintain consistency. But great GMs know when to act, and Fitzgerald will have to decide if this team needs a boost, particularly in the top-six winger, or bottom-six center department. If the Devils continue to play at a high level through the first month of the season, Fitzgerald could be the one to add that missing piece to help them take the next step.

The Path Ahead

In the end, the Devils are showing they are a force to be reckoned with, but the real test lies in their ability to handle the inevitable adversity. It’s one thing to come out of the gates strong, but it’s how they respond to tough losses, how their depth holds up over the long haul, and how management makes key decisions that will determine whether they’re true Stanley Cup contenders or not.

We’ve talked A LOT about maturity this season. Even Jack knows, and has said, the best teams in the NHL are short minded, dusting themselves off after a mistake on a play, or even a loss and rebound the very next moment.

As the season progresses, we’ll learn more about this team’s character, but for now, there’s no denying that the Devils have the talent to compete with the best. The next chapter begins with how they navigate the bumps ahead, and whether they can keep their foot on the gas when adversity inevitably arises.