The New Jersey Devils still have work to do, but they have the right pieces to make it happen

After Connor Hellebuyck's impressive home debut, capped by a thrilling shootout victory over the Edmonton Oilers, I happened to see GM Sunny Mehta, AGM Braden Birch, Martin Brodeur, Andy Greene, and several executives and scouts making their way to the Directors Lounge as fans were heading out.

If there's one thing we've learned about this new administration, it's that they're incredibly proactive. From the farm system to the NHL roster they've assembled, they're constantly evaluating every corner of the organization and staying closely connected to the product on the ice.

It would not shock us here at Pucks and Pitchforks if Sunny Mehta is looking to improve the team with contracts like Dougie Hamilton's and Timo Meier's, which look more like trade fodder. Both players could get the Devils a nice return in the right scenario.

A lot of speculation around the whole Quinn Hughes situation this summer is that he's still likely to come to New Jersey. The salary cap is gonna go up, and it's also a matter of time before the Devils may eventually move on from Jonas Siegenthaler's cap hit and bring up Anton Silaev from Utica.

Connor Hellebuyck's arrival has brought a noticeable swagger to the Devils. More importantly, he's brought confidence. The defense looks calmer, more organized, and less frantic in its own zone because there's a level of trust that if a breakdown does occur, Hellebuyck has the ability to bail them out when they need him most.

Since he stepped into the crease, the Devils have done a better job limiting shots against, a credit not only to Hellebuyck but also to the team's revamped defensive structure. Against Edmonton, a team loaded with offensive firepower, New Jersey controlled large portions of the game. If not for a few costly penalties that gave the Oilers opportunities to capitalize, the Devils likely would have left no doubt about who dictated the pace of play.

The best way to describe the Hellebuyck acquisition is like buying a brand-new Toyota hybrid. It gets you from Point A to Point B, but it does so with remarkable efficiency, reliability, and consistency. Every team wants that kind of dependability in goal, and the Devils finally appear to have it.

Credit also belongs to GM Sunny Mehta and the rest of the front office. They didn't rush into the goalie market. Instead, they evaluated their options, monitored potential fits, and waited for the right opportunity. Those decisions often define whether a contender takes the next step or remains stuck in the middle. From the outside, it looks like they identified their guy and stayed patient until they could get the deal done.

In only a short period, the early returns suggest the Devils have found more than just a starting goaltender. They may have found the foundation that gives the entire roster confidence to play the aggressive, fast-paced game they've envisioned.

Back to the current state of the Devils, this team has fallen into place since Jonathan Kovacevic has slotted back in on defense. Everyone else needs to work on the penalty kill a little bit more and improve on the power play. With that said, we see Sunny Mehta and the upper brass making some minor moves to boost the penalty kill, and eventually finding another player to help them adjust on the power play.

Yes, it's only November, but this Devils team has already established its identity. They're winning puck battles, attacking through the neutral zone, and refusing to quit on plays. Amadeus Lombardi's takeaway against Edmonton nearly created a scoring chance and perfectly showcased the type of relentless effort he brings every night.

The biggest difference is depth. When all four lines can generate offensive zone pressure, it keeps opponents defending and gives the goaltender valuable time to reset for the next rush.

Jack Hughes doesn't have to carry the entire offensive load anymore, and that's a dangerous development for the rest of the league. With Jesper Bratt serving as a playmaking decoy and Arseny Gritsyuk establishing himself as a legitimate scoring threat, opposing defenses can no longer focus exclusively on Hughes. Jack Hughes had a few goals himself the other night and looked very sharp, not having to do all the work.

What stands out most about Gritsyuk is his hockey IQ and anticipation. He has a knack for getting to where the puck is going to be rather than where it currently is. He wins board battles, extends offensive zone possession, and consistently keeps plays alive when they look like they're about to die. Those are the types of details that don't always show up on the scoresheet but wear down opponents over the course of a game.

When Gritsyuk gets his opportunities, he has the finishing ability to make teams pay. His snap shot is lethal; his slap shot can beat goaltenders cleanly, and his release is quick enough to capitalize on even the smallest opening.

The shootout against Pittsburgh may have been the perfect example of the skill he brings. On his attempt, he flashed shades of Pavel Datsyuk, slowing the game down, dangling with confidence, and then beating Tristan Jarry with a filthy finish that brought the crowd to its feet.

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