The New Jersey Devils are looking at a better year in 2021.
Like most things, 2020 was awful for the New Jersey Devils. The team was in the middle of a lame-duck season despite having all of the hype in the world behind them coming in. 2019 spelled doom already for the season, with the firing of John Hynes, trading of Taylor Hall, and the last-place standing in the Metropolitan Division. Most Devils fans couldn’t wait to get out of 2019. 2020 found a way to suck even more.
The Devils played better, but they ended up trading fan favorite Blake Coleman (although, for a very good return), captain Andy Greene (for another decent return), and their big free-agent acquisition Wayne Simmonds. Oh, and the person that started the year as the GM didn’t make any of those moves. That’s because Ray Shero was fired in January.
This year is going to be better. Only because it has to be. Only because we will have actual hockey to watch. There are so many reasons why 2021 is set to be better than 2020.
Reason #1: Jack Hughes Is Ready For A Breakout
For the past few days, all Devils fans can talk about is 14 pounds. Or was it 16 pounds? It doesn’t really matter who’s math was off, but when Jack Hughes said he added more than a dozen pounds of pure muscle. Basically, Hughes spent quarantine getting yolked. That’s good news for fans looking forward to watching the Devils this season. Hughes was a mess on the ice at times, and he was making plays to teammates who couldn’t finish at others. He ended the season with 21 points. Even in 56 games, if Hughes ended the season with 21 points again, it would be a massive disappointment. Depending on how long Nico Hischier is injured, Hughes might be the top guy for a while. This could be the key to unlocking his breakout season.