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New Jersey Devils: 20 Reasons Why 2021 Will Be Better Than 2020

By Nick Villano

Confetti rained down on an empty Times Square in Manhattan after the ball dropped, marking the start of the New Year Jan. 1, 2021. Times Square, usually packed with thousands, was closed to all but a select few due to COVID-19 restrictions,New Year S Eve
Confetti rained down on an empty Times Square in Manhattan after the ball dropped, marking the start of the New Year Jan. 1, 2021. Times Square, usually packed with thousands, was closed to all but a select few due to COVID-19 restrictions,New Year S Eve /
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New Jersey Devils
New Jersey Devils defenseman Ty Smith (48): Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports /

Reason #11: Ty Smith’s Likely Spot On Devils

Ty Smith was supposed to make the Devils roster last season. He had a really rough preseason, and he didn’t make the team. It was unfortunate, but it gave him a chance to lead Team Canada to the gold medal at the World Junior Championship, and he won the WHL Defenseman of the Year award for the second year in a row. Now, it’s pretty clear he’s ready to give the NHL a shot. With no preseason games to make him look bad, he’ll likely start the season on the NHL roster. Seeing his growth up close will be a lot of fun.

Reason #12: This Year Can’t Possibly Be As Dramatic

The Devils were selling the farm during the 2020 trade deadline, they spent seven months trying to find a full-time GM and head coach, and they were fighting every leaked rumor seemingly in existence. These aren’t the Lou Lamoriello times anymore. Still, the constant drama and rumors surrounding the Devils can’t happen again. Lindy Ruff will still around all year. Tom Fitzgerald is a long-term solution in the front office. Things will at least be…. normal.

Reason #13: P.K. Subban Redemption Tour

P.K. Subban had a really bad first season with the Devils. He was barely good enough to be a second-line defenseman, but he was supposed to anchor the first line. Nobody on the roster made sense as his partner. This season, the Devils added Murray, and he makes a lot of sense next to Subban. This could get a much better defenseman out of the Devils’ $9 million man. He’s only 31 years old, so he should still be at the end of his prime. He was nowhere close to that last season. Let’s hope he’s motivated by how things went, and this season will be a lot better.

Reason #14: Excitement/Panic Over Expansion Draft

This one comes with mixed emotions. The expansion draft could open the door for the Devils to lose an interesting asset. The Devils will protect a lot of their young assets because they are automatically protected. Some of the players not expected to be protected include Subban, Miles Wood, and unfortunately, Crawford. Who they take will be an event of anxiety and excitement for the next six months.

Reason #15: A Redo Of A Magical AHL Run

The Binghamton Devils were the best thing about last season. They started with a putrid record, but a run all the way until the end finished their season in a playoff spot. This season, it looks like the AHL is working on a return for early February. This allows them the chance to do that run again with more talent.

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