The New Jersey Devils have lots of youngsters that will be fighting for jobs next year, and they should be making a case for themselves now.
The New Jersey Devils abysmal year is well documented. They put themselves in a position that the playoffs looked like a longshot back in December, but then a bunch of injuries started to pop up that really put the team out of it. It’s hard to believe the Devils ever saw an injury list like they’ve had this season. We are talking Taylor Hall, Nico Hischier, Kyle Palmieri, Sami Vatanen, Miles Wood, Stefan Noesen, Jesper Bratt, among others all experiencing some longer-term injuries at different points since the Christmas break.
Most notably the injury to Hall caused some scoring woes for this team. Of course, the guy who had 37 points in 31 games played before his injury and had 93 points the year prior would leave a major void in a lineup.
What it does do, is create some opportunity for some younger players to get their opportunity to make an impact and show management that they belong. The problem is, their audition is running out of time. Not only is this season coming to a close, but some of the injured players could hop in a few games before the season ends.
This means they better start showing a little more if they don’t want to risk being passed up. Look at Jesper Bratt, a very late-round pick has passed up a bunch of much higher picks and is now a part of this team’s future going forward.
More from Pucks and Pitchforks
- Should New Jersey Devils Try Load Management With Vitek Vanecek?
- New Jersey Devils Will Prove That Last Year Wasn’t A Fluke
- New Jersey Devils: Luke Hughes’ Playmaking Will Outshine His Mistakes
- New Jersey Devils: Chase Stillman’s Performance Causes Concern
- Can Devils Fans Separate Zach Parise Heartbreak From Achievements?
There are more prospects on the way that are already in the system, and the Devils have ten picks in the 2019 NHL draft including a chance at the lottery. They will certainly have a top seven pick at the very least and a star player in the making could be joining the lineup as soon as next year if all the ping pong balls fall the right way.
Established guys like the injured ones mentioned before will of course jump right back into the lineup, and some guys who are new to the Devils but have been around the block like Kenny Agostino could have a chance to stick around next year. These facts make it where guys like John Quenneville, Michael McLeod, and Nathan Bastian have to really start proving themselves or they will be passed up. What makes an organization great is one that combines NHL talent with a bunch of premier prospects in the cupboard and the Devils seem to be working with both.
This season has had mostly downs, but injuries truly have a lot to do with it getting as bad as being a true lottery team. They could be right back in the playoffs next year if Hall, Hischier and Palmieri all stay healthy and some young guys come in and make an impact. Which young guys are going to stick around and reach their full potential? That is to be seen and ultimately up to who performs the best.