The New Jersey Devils have a lot of important people in their organization. To end the summer, we are counting down the 15 most important people coming into the 2024-25 season. This can be players, coaches, front office members, even possibly the owners! Maybe Will Smith will show up on this list (if anyone reminds him he's invested in a hockey team). Starting things off is Jake Allen at number 15.
Every team needs good goaltending. Gone are the days of playing 65+ games as a starter and carrying your team to the playoffs. Very few in the entire league even think about 60+ games played anymore.
New Jersey has a new starting goalie in Jacob Markstrom, but Jake Allen will play a fair amount of games this year. He needs to be great when his name is called. Goaltending was an issue last year so they are prepared to have multiple players play well there this time around.
New Jersey acquired Allen at the deadline last year and he went 6-6-1 with a .900 save percentage and a 3.11 goals-against average. For being in a team so decimated by injuries and already out of the playoffs, it was a fine finish to the year.
The New Jersey Devils need Jake Allen to play well this upcoming season
Being a legit backup goalie in the NHL is not easy work. You need to be ready at all times while knowing you aren’t the main guy. Allen is just that for New Jersey coming into the year. It is an important role. If Allen and the rest of the goaltenders on this team play to the best of their abilities, New Jersey will be able to bounce back from what was a disappointing 2023-24 season.
Goaltending has been a problem for the New Jersey Devils since Martin Brodeur left. Cory Schneider was very good for a few years but the team was terrible. He fell off right when it was time to win.
New Jersey has a ton of offensive firepower. There are some legit superstars all over the ice, and they will score a lot. With a few defensive upgrades made this year, the goaltending must play well if they want to return to the playoffs.
Allen is going to be a big part of that. As a result of this pressure on the goalies, the backup goalie is firmly the 15th most important person in the organization right now.