2019-2020 Devils Season Review

With the 2019-2020 EHE season concluding, the first year as a GM is in the books for GM Knedel. At his press conference he was happy about the Devil’s season and how things ended up. He acknowledged that yes stat wise the season doesn’t look like it went well but it was a great improvement compared to the years prior his taking over. “Most people had us finishing 8th in the division so I see 7th as a win”.

Season Review

New Jersey Devils finished the season 34-39-9 with 77 points and in 7th in the Metropolitan Division. This is a nice improvement over last season where the Devils finished 27-49-6 with 60 points and in 8th in the Metropolitan. One bright spot this year was the consistency of Mat Barzal. After a slow start to the season Barzal finished off the season with 68 points, 31 goals and 37 assists. Finally getting over the 30 goal hump after just missing it last season finishing with 29 goals. GM Knedel wasn’t surprised with the season that Barzal had saying, “Yeah he’s our guy, we know what he is capable of and the skill set that he offers. If you’re looking for our franchise player it’s him, we love him and what he brings to our organization both on and off the ice.” These comments should deter the teams that have inquired about Barzal and his availability to be moved, as it looks like he’s staying in New Jersey for a long time. Another guy who had a great and unexpected year was that of Tyler Pitlick. Pitlick got top line minutes and didn't waste that opportunity. Being linemates with Eric Staal and then Joe Thornton helped aid his career year, scoring 54 points (24 goals and 30 assists). The Devils see this as a bridge year and the start towards making a run for the playoffs. “We have a lot of young guys in Springfield who are going to fight for a spot next season and who we are excited to see. We are going to be a young and hungry team next year”.

Trade Review

Troy Terry for Henrik Borgstrom:

Looking back on this trade for the Devils it has looked beneficial. Troy Terry got useful NHL minutes before being sent down to the AHL where he flourished scoring 59 points in 57 games. Terry looks to battle for a spot in the NHL full time next season.

Vladimir Sobotka and 2020 4th for 2020 3rd:

Purely a pending UFA trade and wasn’t a great fit for the direction the organization is moving towards.

Dominic Toninato for $400,000:

Much needed center depth for the Thunderbirds and it turned out well with Toninato scoring 36 points in 76 games

Alexander Georgiev, Ilya Mikheyev, Miles Wood for Sean Durzi, Colton Point and picks:

GM Knedel’s first bif trade of his EHE career. Georgiev was a player we liked a lot and when he was placed on the trade block we knew we had to test the waters. Georgiev is looked at to be the future for the Devils in the net and gained valuable experience this season. Mikheyev is an exciting prospect who we look forward to having next season and Miles Wood had a good season with us scoring 31 points in 69 games. Yes we may have overpaid but it’s never easy finding a goalie for the future.

Jordan Eberle, Kris Russell, Thomas Hickey, 2021 2nd, 2020 3rd, $1.5 million:

Another pending UFA trade. Eberle never found his groove this season and Kris Russell deserved to make a push for the playoffs. Thomas Hickey provided the Devils with some offense and getting back in the 2nd and 3rd rounds of the upcoming drafts was something the organization wanted to do.

Derick Brassard and $750,000 for Mathiew Perreault, Cole Fonstad, John Leonard and Layton Ahac:

Brassard served the Devils well but didn’t fit where the team was headed and getting the opportunity to pick up John Leonard was a no brainer. We are excited about Leonard and the other prospects we received.

Brady Skjei for Nicolas Beaudin, Ville Heinola, 2021 2nd:

Another big trade for the Devils. Brady Skjei was a much needed addition as finding a top line defenseman to pair with Brandon Carlo was another priority for the Devils. It was a hard decision to make but it’s never easy right.

Nick Merkley and 2020 5th for 2020 4th and $350,000:

Nick had struggled to find ice time and contribute to the Thunderbirds after a great season last year and again moving up in the draft was a move the organization liked.

Eric Staal for Jeremy Lauzon, Joe Thornton, Noah Gregor, 2020 2nd, 2021 3rd:

To end off this year's trades was a shocking one. The Devils believed that the package for Staal was something they couldn’t pass up and it added needed depth. Joe Thonton loved New Jersey as he fell back into his old form and was on fire, scoring 27 points in 22 games.

Going into the offseason the Devils have some business to handle as they need to make room for the high number of prospects that are joining the organization. In his closing remarks from his press conference, GM Knedel is excited about next season and possibly sees the team making a push for the playoffs. “If we wanted to we could’ve made the moves to challenge for the playoffs, but looking at the tight race at the top we knew it wasn’t the right decision. This team has the potential to be good so we shall see what the future has in store for us.” Most everyone went home to take a few months off but were told to be ready for camp and no one better show up out of shape.

In the upcoming draft the Devils have a 6% chance at the number 1 spot, so let's all cross our fingers and get our lucky charms out. The devils have a total of 5 picks; 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 3rd, 4th but who knows we may end up with more, we’re always open to offers!

Thank you to all the other GMs for a great season and look forward to the offseason and next year!