It’s easy to see this week as another tough blow in a year that’s had many of them for the New Jersey Devils. The team is awful, one of the worst in the NHL, yet as soon as their players head to the Olympics, each one is playing some of their best hockey in a while.
It reflects poorly on the Devils and, more accurately, the coaching and culture that’s instilled in the team. It’s not a good look and something the fans can and should look at in disgust.
That’s the negative way of looking at things, and since the season has been a mess, it’s easy to see things in that light. The good thing is that the Devils are seeing their stars look like stars, and it’s a bright spot. It’s something the team can look at to build on after they return from the Olympic break.
Devils Have The Talent But Must Be Utilized Correctly
The way Simon Nemec has taken off in the Olympics makes it hard to deny his talent. He’s shown in a handful of games in Slovakia that he can be a star in the NHL someday. Nemec plays the point and also defends the dangerous ice.
The key is using Nemec correctly. The irony for the Devils is that Nemec mirrors a younger P.K. Subban in many ways (Devils fans, unfortunately, only got to experience the older Subban). The Slovaks let him cook from the point but pair a stay-at-home defenseman who can skate alongside him, and it’s why they are on pace to win Group B over the likes of Sweden and Finland. The Devils must treat Nemec the same.
You May Also Like: Simon Nemec proves in his first Olympic appearance that he's a star
The same is true about Jack Hughes and how he’s played so far. He’s on the fourth line of the USA team, yet it doesn’t feel that way. It’s because of the skill of his linemates and great overall play that unlocks Hughes.
For the Devils, it’s about finding the right forwards to play with Hughes. The USA forward group has the likes of Brock Nelson and Vincent Trocheck. The Devils need those skaters, and for all the talent that Jesper Bratt has, he’s not the complete player to unlock him.
For Timo Meier, This Raises His Value
If the Devils want to move on from Timo Meier, the post-Olympic high is the time to do it. He scored two goals for Switzerland and has looked great in the games so far. Meier is a goal scorer and has proven it with his play in the Swiss top six.
Teams will come back from the break and want a player like Meier. In the playoffs, goals are hard to come by, and he’s a scorer who can add a few in a big game. The contract is tough to trade, with a full no-move clause and five and a half years remaining. Yet, the Devils have the door open to get out of it.
Related: New Jersey Devils loss to Ottawa Senators reminds fans of what could have been
The other plus is that the Devils have options. The ideal is to keep Meier around and find a fit for him in the forward group since the Olympics proved that he can be a great player with the right supporting cast. If the Devils can’t make it work, someone else will be willing to try.
The Devils Big-Picture Approach Following The Olympics
The Devils must look at their roster and agree that the talent is there. Seven of their players went to the Olympics, and most of them are standing out at the games. There’s an urge to blow it up since the core isn’t putting it together, and they shouldn’t.
They just need to add the right pieces. They can build around Nico Hischier and Hughes if they add well-rounded players. On top of that, the Devils need the right systems to win, especially defensively, which hasn’t been the case this season.