New Jersey Devils: 5 Facts From Media Day That Actually Matter
By Nick Villano
4. “They are done being young and being in a rebuild and they just want to win.” –Jonathan Bernier
Jonathan Bernier hasn’t gotten the publicity that Dougie Hamilton and Tomas Tatar got when they signed, but his presence means the world to the New Jersey Devils. He comes into a goalie room that has been desperate for a good backup for years. Bernier was traded to the Carolina Hurricanes for Alex Nedeljkovic this offseason, but he opted to go for free agency and he signed with the Devils.
It’s clear what the free agents saw in New Jersey when they signed. Bernier, Hamilton, Tatar, and even Ryan Graves didn’t come here for a rebuild. They came to New Jersey to push this team into playoff contention in the Metropolitan Division. It’s not an easy task, but having two goalies with the potential of Bernier and Mackenzie Blackwood sure helps.
Fitzgerald told the players this offseason that the losing stops now. We’ve seen teams try to fast forward the rebuild before, and it doesn’t always work, but the Devils seem to have made smart signings and acquisitions to help the young players. This wasn’t a reactionary move. The Devils had money in an offseason with a star defenseman and a plethora of goalies available. Now, they just have to execute.