Revisiting 5 Biggest New Jersey Devils Storylines of 2020
By Nick Villano
The New Jersey Devils had quite the year, but like most of us, 2020 was terrible.
2020 was never going to be a banner year for the New Jersey Devils. Right before the New Year, the Devils traded its star player Taylor Hall for prospects and picks, fired its head coach John Hynes, and found themselves well into the basement of the Metropolitan Division. The playoffs were a distant memory, and the moves to add P.K. Subban, Nikita Gusev, and drafting Jack Hughes did nothing to make them a more competitive team. This was a team that needed a reset.
Boy, was there a reset coming.
The Devils quickly learned 2020 would be a year of change. There is so much different about this franchise in the last 12 months. There’s still frustration amongst the fanbase, but the general outlook seems to be better now than when this year started. Maybe that’s because the Devils haven’t played a game yet this season.
Speaking of that, all of the major storylines that impact all the NHL teams are not eligible for this list. The Devils had enough happen this year that specifically impacted them and them only. There won’t be mention of the pandemic cutting the season short, the new CBA, the extra negotiation to get this season restarted, a flat $81.5 million salary cap, or the Devils being without actual hockey for 10 months.
The Devils had quite the year in 2020, but most of us agree that we are more than happy it’s finally over. 2021 has to be better. Not only for us all but for our New Jersey Devils as well.