2019-20 Devils offseason review

[yave1964]

   DEVILS PRESEASON OUTLOOK They overachieved two years ago, then underachieved in 2018-19, they added Subban in a big trade, signed Simmonds, added Gusev from the Knights  and added the first pick in the draft in Jack Hughes,. With Taylor Hall healthy hopes were the Devils could contend for a playoff spot in a rugged division.

 

FINAL RECORD 28-29-12 68 points last in the Metro

 

HIGH POINT OF THE YEAR The offseason was the high point, adding Subban, Hughes, Gusev and Simmonds. Nothing after that really compared.

 

LOW POINT OF THE YEAR So, the team added a bunch of solid pieces and then.... it all went to hell very fast. They lost their first six and nine of their first eleven. They righted it a bit but then from November 30th thru December 13th they lost seven in a row to slip to 9-17-5. A preseason of promise turned into a nightmare.

 

STRANGE STAT OF THE YEAR Taylor Hall scored six goals for the Devils in those games the team lost five times. Palmieri, the teams leading scorer was oh for seven in the shootout.

 

WHAT WENT RIGHT Palmieri led the team in goals and in total points having a fine season. Gusev was disinterested in playing defense but proved a capable setup man leading the team in assists. Hall, Simmonds, Greene and Coleman were all moved out as they added picks for a rebuild. Hischier showed some promise finally. Bratt contributed 16 goals, Zacha showed promise of finally establishing himself. Severson was fine on the back end, Vatanen when healthy looked good. MacKenzie Blackwood had some growing pains but earned the confidence of his team and the beleif is he is the teams number one going forward.

 

WHAT WENT WRONG Hall was very ordinary prompting his trade. Subban had a dreadful year. Hughes had an awful rookie year. Cory Schneider continues too sink lower even spending time at the AHL level. Mcleod was recalled and looked completely overwhelmed at the NHL level. simmonds is done and was put out of the teams hair at the deadline. Too many vets didnt earn their pay.

 

FREE AGENTS None. a few AHL bodies that is about it.Palmieri and Gusev will noth need paid as they are free agents at the end of the coming year. They traded all potential free agents before the deadline and go into this draft with 3 first rounders.

 

OFFSEASON QUESTIONS They went for it in a big way before this season with Subban, Simmonds, Hughes and Gusev and it ended badly, The question is, do they try again this year or do they go with a full on youth movement? Is Blackwood the answer in net? Can subban rebound?