New Jersey Devils: Three Players To Watch After COVID Pause

NEWARK, NEW JERSEY - JANUARY 16: Michael McLeod #20 of the New Jersey Devils skates during a stop in play against the Boston Bruins at Prudential Center on January 16, 2021 in Newark, New Jersey. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, the game is played without fans. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
NEWARK, NEW JERSEY - JANUARY 16: Michael McLeod #20 of the New Jersey Devils skates during a stop in play against the Boston Bruins at Prudential Center on January 16, 2021 in Newark, New Jersey. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, the game is played without fans. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
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New Jersey Devils Jack Hughes
(Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

The New Jersey Devils started the 2021 season off much better than people thought. At 4-3-2, they could be in the mix by the time the season comes to a close. Despite all of that, it has been a tough year so far for this team. They had to deal with contract, visa, and/or quarantine issues with Jesper Bratt and Sami Vatanen, an injury to Nico Hischier, and COVID-19 running wild through the team. All of these things have led to them being put on pause again.

The New Jersey Devils can’t seem to catch a break this season but they keep racking up points.

Earning points in six out of nine games (four of them wins) is certainly good based on the circumstances the team has faced. The three guys who were mentioned before are all super important to this team. They have treaded water thanks to the play of the guys who were in the lineup before the pause. Most of them are on the young side and could be a part of the team for a long time.

The pause back in March that eventually canceled the Devils season was no fun to see. It did, however, allow some guys who had tough starts to their NHL careers take a step back. They’ve come in and made a major impact. It has been really fun to see some of these young kids come into the lineup this year and be difference makers.

Fans were iffy on on some of these players coming into the season, but those are the ones who have been the most fun to watch. They have also been the most important to the success of the team in 2021. Their play when they return is very important so here are the three players that everyone should keep an eye on when New Jersey Devils hockey resumes: