3 questions facing New Jersey Devils

NHL.com is providing in-depth analysis for each of its 32 teams from Aug. 1-Sept. 1. Today, three important questions facing the New Jersey Devils.

1. Are the Devils better than they were a season ago?

New Jersey signed restricted free agent forwards Timo Meier (eight years) and Jesper Bratt (eight years) and re-signed unrestricted free agent Erik Haula (three years). Additionally, defenseman Luke Hughes is expected to contribute as a rookie after earning 16:14 of ice time in two regular-season games and 19:15 in three Stanley Cup Playoff games. The Devils also acquired forward Tyler Toffoli from the Calgary Flames on June 27 and defenseman Colin Miller from the Dallas Stars on July 1.

The depth and experience at defenseman will be tested after Damon Severson was traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets and Ryan Graves signed with the Pittsburgh Penguins. Severson and Graves each tied for fourth among Devils defensemen last season in average ice time (19:57), while Graves ranked third in hits (83) and Severson was third in blocked shots (115). New Jersey did sign Cal Foote, older brother of Devils forward Nolan Foote, to a one-year, two way contract Aug. 9.

"I mean, two top defensemen in the League are moving out (Severson, Graves), so it's definitely going to be different," said Devils defenseman Kevin Bahl, who signed a two-year contract July 31. "I think there will obviously be a feeling out but there's still some really great players on this team."

2. How will the goaltending hold up?

Vitek Vanecek and Akira Schmid are expected to battle for the starter's role after Mackenzie Blackwood was traded to the San Jose Sharks. Vanecek was the No. 1 option for the first time in his NHL career in 2022-23 and played a huge role in New Jersey's regular-season success. He was 33-11-4 with a 2.45 goals-against average, .911 save percentage and three shutouts in 52 games (48 starts). The 27-year-old struggled in March, going 5-4-1 with an .898 save percentage in 10 games (nine starts), and failed to regain his form in seven playoff games (1-3, 4.64 GAA, .825 save percentage).

As a rookie, Schmid went 9-5-2 with a 2.13 GAA and .922 save percentage in 18 regular-season games (14 starts), and was 4-4 with a 2.35 GAA, .921 save percentage and two shutouts in nine playoff games (eight starts). The 23-year-old has just 24 games of regular-season experience. He replaced Vanecek in Game 3 against the New York Rangers in the Eastern Conference First Round and helped the Devils to a seven-game series victory (4-1, 1.38 GAA, .951 save percentage, two shutouts).

3. Will they take another step in their quest to become perennial Stanley Cup contenders?

The Devils were busy this offseason, particularly on offense. Retaining Meier was the biggest move but they also signed Bratt and Haula, and traded for Toffoli, who had 34 goals last season and is a six-time 20-goal scorer.

It might be too much to ask for the Devils to equal the 52 wins and 112 points they had last season in their 49-point increase from 2021-22, but players and coaches have their sights set on a second straight Stanley Cup Playoff berth. They learned a lot from the 2023 postseason run, which ended in a five-game loss to the Carolina Hurricanes in the second round and should benefit from that experience, but aren't going to surprise anyone in 2023-24.