The New Jersey Devils have found their new head coach. Sheldon Keefe is taking over the bench in New Jersey after years with the Toronto Maple Leafs. It's an important time for the Devils and Keefe. New Jersey is looking to make up for a disappointing 2023-24 season. And Keefe is hoping to prove he can succeed in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
The Devils made the playoffs in 2023 but fell in the second round to the Carolina Hurricanes. Many expected the team to be a Stanley Cup contender this past season. But New Jersey missed the playoffs entirely as they struggled with injuries and poor performances.
Keefe, meanwhile, made the playoffs every season he coached the Maple Leafs. However, he has just one playoff series victory to show for it. Toronto defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning in the first round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Both the coach and the team have a point to prove. Proving that point begins in the summer through the NHL Draft, NHL Free Agency, and any potential trades they could make. With this in mind, here are two moves the Devils need to make in the offseason to prepare for playoff contention next season.
Devils must trade for Juuse Saros
One area that New Jersey especially struggled in was goaltending. They began the season with Vitek Vanececk as the starter with Akira Schmid backing him up. But both goalies struggled, leading to the team falling in the standings. At the NHL Trade Deadline, Vanecek was traded to the San Jose Sharks.
New Jersey brought in Jake Allen and Kaapo Kahkonen at the deadline. This tandem certainly improved the team's strength in goal. However, Allen received the majority of the game time, and was just okay. He recorded a .900 save percentage in 13 games with the Devils after his trade.
This summer, New Jersey needs to trade for Nashville Predators goalie Juuse Saros. Saros took over for franchise icon Pekka Rinne years ago. And he has built a solid track record of his own. The Predators goalie finished this season with a .906 save percentage. But he has a career .917 mark in 350 games.
Saros would give the Devils a legitimate elite goaltender. He could give the team's defense more confidence when playing. And if all else fails, Saros can allow Keefe to breathe easily as New Jersey's last line of defense.
Devils need a top-6 forward
The Devils have the majority of their top-six already figured out. Star centers Jack Hughes and Nico Hischier anchor the lines down the middle. On the wings, Jesper Bratt and Timo Meier provide Hughes and Hischier support. Beyond that, though, New Jersey could use a bit of help.
To be fair, the Devils certainly have options. Dawson Mercer and Alexander Holtz are younger players who can occupy a top-six role. Veterans Ondrej Palat and Erik Haula may also find time up the lineup. But these options, outside of Mercer, may be better suited to roles further down the line rollout.
The Devils need to acquire a top-six forward this summer. And they have options to choose from. St. Louis Blues star Pavel Buchnevich could be had through trade. As could Mitch Marner, who played under Sheldon Keefe with the Maple Leafs. In NHL Free Agency, Steven Stamkos and Sam Reinhart are potential options.
Bringing another top-six forward into the fold gives the Devils added offensive firepower. And it gives them some insurance in case of injuries next season. Adding any of the players mentioned will undoubtedly help the Devils contend for the playoffs in 2025.
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