DEVILS THROUGH THE DECADES: Hockey is Back!

To simply say that the last 10 months have been tumultuous would be an understatement. Our lives have changed in ways we never could have imagined. One of them was/is sporting events. For a die-hard fan, it would be times like these where sports could help fill the void. Attending and/or watching a game would serve as the perfect escape along with all that goes with it: game day reports, game recaps, current news and of course looking forward to the next scheduled game. When they drop the puck for the Devils first game back, it will have been 309 days since the last time I had that pleasure. When the season was suddenly canceled and with the Devils not making the playoff cut, it was like going cold turkey and straight to withdrawal!

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I want to thank the Devils organization for keeping us engaged and offering up entertaining virtual events that I eagerly participated in. I really enjoyed all of the Black and Red Banter sessions which gave us an opportunity to meet/get to know numerous players, coaches, and management. In addition, the Out of Office features, simulated NHL 20 games and a virtual happy hour were terrific. They provided a fantastic distraction, helped brighten my day, gave me something to cheerfully anticipate and kept me connected to the team/organization.
None of us knew that our last game was going to be our last game. Mine was March 10, 2020; seems like forever ago! At that point, it was pretty clear we were not going to make the playoffs and I had started to write my last article for the season. I ran into Matt Loughlin at that game and asked him a couple of questions (recorded his answers) to incorporate in that article. I thought it would be interesting to include here, however, bear in mind that these answers were given when we thought we would finish the season and before the draft lottery, draft, Cory's buy-out and free agency. Still and all, Matt was pretty much on the money.
Q: What do fans have to look forward to going into the off season and next season?
A: Well, the team has identified their needs. They know they have to upgrade on defense so that would be a focus. I don't know if it will come from the system yet. Sort of everyone talks Ty Smith or Kevin Bahl. I think they may need a year to marinate in the American hockey league so there will be an upgrade there, but I think they found their goaltending. We'll see what happens with Cory moving forward, but I think the issues that cropped up this year have been or will be addressed and so it won't be that hard to put the pieces together. What that means though is not necessarily a division championship. It would mean that at this time next year, near the end of the season, those games will be really important. There will be a lot of excitement in the air because these could be the wins that put you into a playoff spot. Is it guaranteed? No, but I think they'll be much better. That championship level is still another two years away, maybe three.
Q: What should we be encouraged by and/or happy about that we've seen in the last month?
A:Jesper Brat and MacKenzie Blackwood in particular. I think we want to see a little bit more from Jack Hughes before the season's over. I'd like to see him get on the board a little bit, but those two in particular. Gusev being a third - so I think those three things. Cory to a degree as at this time, he has recorded 3-0-1. So I think the signs of the future are in the 23-year-old goalie, two 21-year-old forwards -- Nico Hischier and Bratt -- and an 18-year-old (soon to be 19-year-old), Jack Hughes, but particularly Jesper Bratt. It's clear to me he's gone to another level and that bodes well for the future.
Following that conversation and during the excruciatingly LONG off-season (for us), the Devils addressed most of the needs that Matt alluded to. They signed Blackwood to a three-year contract, bought out Cory (Schneider), signed Ryan Murray on D from Columbus, Andreas Johnsson from Toronto and added three first round draft picks with Holtz, Mercer and Mukhamadullin among others in deeper rounds. In addition, last week we brought Sami Vatanen back which is huge for our defense and something I'm excited about. The only disappointment was the signing and subsequent retirement announcement of Corey Crawford. At the end of the day we made strides in shoring up the team and adding valuable players for both the short and long term.
At LONG last, HOCKEY IS BACK! I, for one, can't wait. Albeit we'll be watching from home but watching all the same! I do, however, have an arsenal of Devils masks ready to sport if and hopefully when, we are permitted back at the Rock. The downside of course will be not attending in person to cheer the team on, socializing with all of my fellow season ticket holders/other fans and the overall game experience. The upside - first and foremost, seeing the team back on the ice, getting my hockey fix, watching comfortably in my wardrobe of choice for the past 10 months: my pajamas (always from the bottom down and full set when I have no video calls scheduled). The added bonus is that I will get to watch the games with this newly recruited Black and Red Member (my pandemic puppy).
Our division will be tough and with the new realignment will add a whole new dynamic this season. We will be competing with every team we play for a coveted playoff berth. This format will exacerbate the animosity with our existing combatants (Rangers and Flyers), as well as accelerate spirited rivalries with the other teams in our newly formed division. Each and every game will be important, have a playoff feel/implications and ultimately represent a four-point swing in the standings. It is going to be exciting, intense, and gut-wrenching.
In most of the articles I have read, the naysayers are already counting the Devils out. Let's prove them wrong. LET THE GAMES BEGIN!