3 New Jersey Devils Who Have a Lot to Prove in 2023-24

1. Ondrej Palat

The Devils brought winger Ondrej Palat in as a steady veteran presence with playoff experience. Palat is a two-time Stanley Cup champion with the Tampa Bay Lightning. He signed a big five-year $30 million contract with the Devils during the 2022 offseason. The Devils expected him to make huge contributions to the team. Due to a groin injury, Palat spent a chunk of the season on the Injured Reserve list. Despite his injury, Palat remained as that veteran voice in the locker room the Devils wanted him to be.

Despite the importance of his leadership, Palat’s contributions on the ice were limited once he returned from his injury. Palat scored just eight goals in 49 games during the regular season. He had three power-play points. These numbers pale in comparison to the last time Palat played a similar number of NHL games in a season. In 55 games during the COVID-shortened 2020-21 season, Palat racked up 46 points, twice this season’s total of 23. He scored twice as many goals and had twice as many assists.

A memorable moment of Palat’s 2022-23 season was when he showed what a warrior he is. During the second period of the game on March 7th, Palat took a high stick to the face, bled all over the ice, and was taken into the locker room to receive stitches. He returned during the third period and scored a goal on his first shift back with a busted-up lip. Oh yeah, and he lost three teeth on that high stick. Absolute warrior.

Palat’s 2023 playoff performance was productive but not as spectacular as the Devils were hoping for. He scored three goals and notched four assists in 12 games. His +/- was -6, meaning he was on the ice for more goals against than for. He only took 16 shots between the two series, but his shooting percentage was 18.8%, meaning he made the chances count. Palat had good moments in the playoffs, but the Devils need him to be great.

Palat scored 11 goals in 23 games during the 2022 playoffs. He played in twice as many playoff games last season but had nearly four times as many goals. He has 51 career playoff goals and a lifetime +29 +/- in the playoffs.

2022-23 was disappointing for a player who the Devils believe still has much to give. The Devils need the version of Palat who helped the Lightning with the Stanley Cup twice. Palat is a gamer who wants to contribute to another Cup run. Expect him to have a big bounce-back year next season as he looks to prove himself with the Devils.

If these three players can have a strong year, they will contribute to the New Jersey Devils’ pursuit of the Stanley Cup.