New Jersey Devils: 3 Biggest Threats On Way To Stanley Cup Final
For the first time in forever, the New Jersey Devils can be considered legitimate Stanley Cup contenders. With that comes an enormous target and teams that think it’s their time will look to get through the Devils. Up and down the Eastern Conference there are good teams. Squads that are littered with young talent, depth, playoff experience, and their own Cup dreams. Here’s a look at three of the teams who want to keep the Devils from the Stanley Cup.
Carolina Hurricanes
The Carolina Hurricanes come as no surprise to anybody. Following an appearance in the Eastern Conference Finals, the Canes will likely be one of the favorites in the East if not the entire NHL. From upper management to the coaching staff and all the players, the Hurricanes have built this team the right way. Everyone has a designated role, everyone has the same objective, and they expect to run the East.
After last season, it seems like New Jersey and Carolina could be a perennial playoff matchup. Both teams have similar philosophies, young talent, and of course, the same end result. It is doubtful these teams have had their last big playoff matchup.
Since Rod Brind’Amour took over before the 2018-19 season, Carolina has made the playoffs each season. The way this Carolina team is constructed, it’s very conceivable that they can take that next step. With largely the same roster as last year, Carolina still managed to get better this offseason. The additions of Dmitry Orlov from Boston and Michael Bunting from Toronto shows the window is now wide open in Raleigh. Add the rumblings of Erik Karlsson wanting to go to Carolina, and this team is about to be loaded.
Having playoff experience is a largely blown-out-of-proportion argument. However, losing in later rounds and intense series like the Canes have been in is a key ingredient to a Cup team. Look at the last three winners of the Stanley Cup. Vegas, Colorado, and Tampa Bay all had years that it was their Cup to lose, and they did lose it. However, they grew from it, gained that knowledge, and won a Cup, and their windows are still open now.
Toronto Maple Leafs
As long as water is wet and the sky is blue, the Toronto Maple Leafs are favorites to represent the Eastern Conference in the Stanley Cup Finals. Finally, after making it past the first round, Toronto can go into a season without that hurdle in their minds. Toronto made some of the better moves in the offseason, going with established veterans on one-year deals. After adding Max Domi, Tyler Bertuzzi, and John Klingberg, Toronto is primed for a real run next season.
Regardless of the acquisitions, Toronto already had a great team. The usual suspects are still in town. Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, John Tavares, and William Nylander understand what’s at stake. That’s their future in Toronto. After this season, a couple of the “Core Four” could be shipped out, and it almost happened this Summer.
Toronto’s biggest question, like most teams, is goaltending. They’ve been linked to every goalie on the trade market and know an upgrade might be the missing piece. Even without a dominant netminder, the Leafs are a formidable foe in the Devils Cup dreams.
Given how last season played out for both these teams and how both games were played at Prudential Center, this is a matchup both fanbases will clamor for.
Pittsburgh Penguins
Before anybody scoffs, the Penguins are still a legitimate threat in the Eastern Conference. People have a sour taste in their mouths with Pittsburgh because of how last season ended. That’s the first time in Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin’s Pittsburgh tenure that they missed the playoffs. Since 2006, they have been a top team in the East, and the 2023-24 season might be their last dance.
Not many things are left unsaid about the trio of Sid, Geno, and Kris Letang. If you factor in aspects of the first two teams blocking the Devils’ path, what team has all of those aspects? Pittsburgh. If a puck bounced differently last season, Pittsburgh makes the playoffs, and Florida doesn’t get the time of day. That didn’t happen, but it won’t go down that way next year.
Pittsburgh has enough key players in the right spots to make noise. After a down year on the defensive side, they added former Devil, Ryan Graves, to sure up that side of the puck. Now under the helm of new President Kyle Dubas, the Pens will tinker with the rotations for another run at the Cup.
Pittsburgh will be the most questioned team on this list, but for New Jersey, this team and core is the measuring stick. Get through the Penguins, learn from their ascent, and try to make your own dynasty.
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It doesn’t end there
The teams left off are equally talented to some on here. Tampa Bay, New York Rangers, and Florida could all have made the cut. The Eastern Conference is loaded, and all of the teams think it will be their time to rule the conference. For New Jersey this upcoming season, it’s about steady growth. Being the youngest team in contention could be a disadvantage, but if it’s anything like last year, the kids will be alright.