Pucks And Pitchforks New Jersey Devils Season Preview
By Nick Villano
What is one bold prediction you have for the Devils’ season?
Villano: Let’s do one that we aren’t putting in an article. Jonas Siegenthaler scores seven goals. Despite having three career goals, Siegenthaler has never been paired with someone like Dougie Hamilton. He will have more offensive opportunities than he thought possible.
Parise: Nico Hischier will compete with Jack Hughes for the team scoring lead this year but come up a few points short. They are both outstanding players.
Rice: Tomas Tatar will come close to his career-high 61 pts in a season
Borges: Either Jonathan Bernier or Mackenzie Blackwood is traded. The Devils will have three goalies on the roster come Thanksgiving, barring any setbacks for the injured Bernier. It would make sense for Bernier to be moved on an expiring deal, but then again who would want a mid-30s goalie coming off hip surgery? Blackwood looks like a prime candidate to be moved. Now for the bold prediction for the league as it ties into the Devils’ bold prediction. The Toronto Maple Leafs will miss the playoffs. Matt Murray and Ilya Samsonov are their goalie tandem and it could either be perfect or a disaster. I am leaning toward the latter. Blackwood in blue and white? It should not be removed from the realm of possibility.
DeLuca: Tomas Tatar returns to form. This really isn’t that bold but most fans will think it is so I’m taking that opportunity to my advantage. While he will likely spend most of the year on the bottom 6, Tatar is going to be a pesky bottom 6 player for most teams to deal with. I fully expect a bounce-back year and god forbid an injury occurs he will be one of the first guys put into a bigger role and he will excel as he has done in previous seasons.
Annaluru: Devils finish 4th in the Metropolitan Division and make the playoffs as a Wild Card.
Garrison: Jack Hughes will lead the team in points this year. Hughes had a fantastic year last year before the injury. Seeing him return will showcase significant improvement in his point totals. However, the bold part is predicting he will stay healthy all year.
Bailey: Jack Hughes will have 100+ points and win the Hart Trophy.
Woo: Vitek Vanecek will be a Vezina trophy candidate. He will get 35 or more wins this season.
Holiday: After nailing this question last season going with Seider for the Calder, I am going to pick Matty Beniers to win it and be the first Kraken to bring home an award.