Post by Deleted on Jun 18, 2022 15:44:21 GMT -6
After a decent draft to start the season off, the Devils made a few moves. Shipping talent out but bringing some first round picks back in return, preaching "looking to the future," ad nauseum. Then the pre-season started and it appeared New Jersey were destined to be bottom feeders in the league. The pre-season games showed the team lacked scoring. It also seemed to expose Swayman as possibly not being quite ready to lead the team. Rumors began swirling around Newark about mysterious occurrences and sightings. Perhaps the rumors were true of some sort of occult workings at the Rock because once the season started, the Devils were playing like a team possessed.
For the bulk of the season, the Devils defied logic by keeping pace with the eventual Metro winning Rangers. Putting an exclamation point on the 2/3-season standings, the Devils popped on the top of the division for a few brief stints. Another mind-boggling stat on the season was the defense. Lead by Werenski and Fowler, the Devils finished the season second in GA with 241. Riding solid defense and sputtering offense, the Devils were in a back and forth battle with Tampa in leading the league in least goals giving up. The tandem of Swayman and Forsberg held the team together for most of the season. Fowler and Werenski, respectively, lead the league in blocked shots.
Something happened over the all-star break. Whatever magical aura that was hanging over and guiding the team evaporated. What little bit of scoring the team had going for it evaporated as well. Swayman struggle to finish with 27-27-4 record, while Forsberg aided the campaign with solid numbers in net, 15-7-2, 915 S%, 2.59 GAA, and 2 shutouts. Swayman's number were too bad either, 0.901 S%, 2.96 GAA, and 4 shutouts. Two surprises on offense were the Assistant Captain Silfverberg, and promising youngster, Gurianov.
The Devils dropped from the top of the standings, dropping out of the playoff race entirely until the last game of the season, when they slid into the post-season only to be promptly booted by Columbus in 5 games.
Looking ahead to next season, the mid-season pick ups of Acciari and Schmaltz may not have produced the intended results, they did show promise. With 11 picks overall, including three first rounders: 13th, 17th, & 18th. Expect them to try and bolster their offense either by trades or FA. Look for prospects, Nico Dawes and Dawson Mercer, to be moved up to the farm. Don't be too surprised to see Mercer on the opening day roster next season. We shall see what the future brings.
For the bulk of the season, the Devils defied logic by keeping pace with the eventual Metro winning Rangers. Putting an exclamation point on the 2/3-season standings, the Devils popped on the top of the division for a few brief stints. Another mind-boggling stat on the season was the defense. Lead by Werenski and Fowler, the Devils finished the season second in GA with 241. Riding solid defense and sputtering offense, the Devils were in a back and forth battle with Tampa in leading the league in least goals giving up. The tandem of Swayman and Forsberg held the team together for most of the season. Fowler and Werenski, respectively, lead the league in blocked shots.
Something happened over the all-star break. Whatever magical aura that was hanging over and guiding the team evaporated. What little bit of scoring the team had going for it evaporated as well. Swayman struggle to finish with 27-27-4 record, while Forsberg aided the campaign with solid numbers in net, 15-7-2, 915 S%, 2.59 GAA, and 2 shutouts. Swayman's number were too bad either, 0.901 S%, 2.96 GAA, and 4 shutouts. Two surprises on offense were the Assistant Captain Silfverberg, and promising youngster, Gurianov.
The Devils dropped from the top of the standings, dropping out of the playoff race entirely until the last game of the season, when they slid into the post-season only to be promptly booted by Columbus in 5 games.
Looking ahead to next season, the mid-season pick ups of Acciari and Schmaltz may not have produced the intended results, they did show promise. With 11 picks overall, including three first rounders: 13th, 17th, & 18th. Expect them to try and bolster their offense either by trades or FA. Look for prospects, Nico Dawes and Dawson Mercer, to be moved up to the farm. Don't be too surprised to see Mercer on the opening day roster next season. We shall see what the future brings.
