The New Jersey Devils is a professional hockey team based in Newark, New Jersey. They belong to the National Hockey League and play as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference. The team dates back to 1982 when the Colorado Rockies relocated to New Jersey and became the New Jersey Devils. Since then, the team has won 3 Stanley Cups, (1995, 2000, and 2003) and is currently competing for a playoff spot. Previously during the 2022-2023 regular season, they had one of the longest winning streaks in NHL history with 13 straight games. As of March 15th, the Devils are 6th in the Metropolitan Division, going 32-30, with 68 points. Despite a rocky start to the season, the team has kept pretty consistent this year. The team consists of 26 players, 10 of whom are defensive players, 15 forwards, and 3 goalies. The team ranges in age from Simon Nemec, 20 years old, to Brendan Smith (D), 35 years old.
As of March this year, one of the driving forces behind the organization is Timo Meier. Some can argue he is single-handedly keeping the team’s chance of making the playoffs alive. Since March 1st, Meier has acquired eight goals and 10 points in only seven games. Two other young players are contributing significantly to the Devils’ success, and are coincidentally the youngest players on the team. These players are Simon Nemec (2022 2nd Overall Pick) and Luke Hughes (2021 4th Overall Pick). Both play defense and, together have acquired 51 points (Hughes – 33, Nemec – 18). Offensively, 3 players have made significant impacts on the team’s statistics. Leading the team in points is Jesper Bratt, a left-wing with 65 points, following close behind him is Assistant Captain Jack Hughes, recently coming back from an upper-body injury, with 62 points, and Captain Nico Hischier, with 51 points.
Injuries have unfortunately played a huge role within this organization during the 2023-2024 season. Since November, the Devils have faced over 10 different injuries, making it difficult for consistency in lineups and shifts. Starting November 3rd, Jack Hughes left their game against the St. Louis Blues, after taking a hit in the first period, leading to him leaving the game shortly after his first shift in the 2nd period. Hughes returned a few days later and continued the early part of their season. On October 28th, Nico Hischier sustained an upper-body injury against the Buffalo Sabres, leaving the team’s captain absent before his return on November 21st. Dougie Hamilton, one of the team’s most valued defensemen, was placed on the Injury Reserve Indefinitely on November 28th, due to a torn pectoral muscle. As of now, the team hopes he can make his return in early April. On December 1st, the team finally got back Timo Meier, who was out for 7 games prior after a lower-body injury. Shortly after his return, On December 30th Meier joined Hamilton on the Injury Reserve with an alleged mid-body issue, but made his return on January 17th, to play against the Montreal Canadiens. On February 10th, Goalie Vitek Vanecek was placed on injured reserve due to a lower-body injury, and 10 days later Jonah Siegenthaler was activated off injured reserve. As of March 15th, 2024, injuries are as follows: Mar 5 – Nathan Bastian to Day-To-Day from a lower-body injury, Mar 11 – Jonas Siegenthaler to Injured Reserve (Out) from a concussion, Mar 13 – John Marino to Day-To-Day from a upper-body injury, Apr 15 – Dougie Hamilton could be activated off Injured Reserve from a pectoral injury.
Since June of 2023, the New Jersey Devils have made 15 trades and acquired 8 new players, along with varied 2024-2027 Draft Picks. The first trade that occurred during the 2023-2024 season was with the Columbus Blue Jackets, who received Damon Severson in exchange for a 2023 3rd Round Pick. 18 days later, the Boston Bruins acquired Reilly Walsh from the New Jersey Devils for Shane Bowers. On June 27th, The Devils received a 2023 6th-round pick from the San Jose Sharks, in exchange for MacKenzie Blackwood. Shortly after, Yegor Sharangovich as well as a 2023 3rd round pick was traded to the Calgary Flames for Tyler Toffoli. The team ended June with a final trade with the Nashville Predators, exchanging a 2023 7th-round pick for a 2024 7th-round pick. July 1st, the The New Jersey Devils acquired Colin Miller from the Dallas Stars for a 2025 5th-round pick. A trade with the New York Islanders led to the exchange of Tyce Thompson for Arnaud Durandeau. The first trade of 2024 was with the Calgary Flames, where the Devils received Chris Tanev for Cole Brady. On the same day, The Dallas Stars traded their 2026 4th-round pick for Christopher Tanev. March 1st, the New Jersey Devils received Kurtis MacDermid from the Colorado Avalanche for a 2024 7th-round pick and Zakhar Bardakov. The Winnipeg Jets acquired Tyler Toffoli from the New Jersey Devils for a 2025 2nd round pick and a 2024 3rd round pick. Next, the New Jersey Devils traded a 2025 3rd-round pick to the Montreal Canadiens for Jake Allen. Next, the Winnipeg Jets received Colin Miller in exchange for a 2026 4th-round pick. On March 8th, the Devils received Kaapo Kahkonen from the Sharks for Vitek Vancek and a 2025 7th-round pick. Lastly, The New Jersey Devils acquired Nathan Legare from the Montreal Canadiens for Arnaud Durandeau.
The New Jersey Devils continue to be a strong force in the NHL. With new players, a dynamic defense, and aggressive offensive lines, they have proven their place in the National Hockey League. Whether they can take it to the next level for a Stanley Cup, we’ll have to wait and see. But one thing is for sure, Devils fans have a lot to be excited about!
