Devils 'not going to surprise anybody' next season, Ruff says

NASHVILLE -- The New Jersey Devils were one of the biggest success stories this season and have one of the most promising young cores in the NHL.

As a result, coach Lindy Ruff knows his team will be on everyone's radar next season.

"We're all really excited about where we're at and just proud of what these guys have done," Ruff said at the 2023 NHL Awards media day at Bridgestone Arena on Sunday. "We surprised a lot of people. Knowing that, we're not going to surprise anybody next year."

The Devils had the third-most points (112) in the NHL this season after failing to qualify for the Stanley Cup Playoffs in each of their previous four seasons, including finishing 28th in the League in 2021-22. New Jersey then defeated the New York Rangers in seven games in the Eastern Conference First Round for its first playoff series win since 2012 before falling to the Carolina Hurricanes in five games in the second round.

Following the regular season, Ruff was named a finalist for the Jack Adams Award, which is given annually to the "coach who contributed the most to his team's success." He will be joined at the 2023 NHL Awards on Monday (8 p.m. ET; TNT, SN, TVAS) by forward Jack Hughes, who is a finalist for the Lady Byng Trophy, which is presented to the player voted best to combine sportsmanship, gentlemanly conduct and ability, and Devils captain Nico Hischier, who is a finalist for the Selke Trophy, which is given to the League's best defensive forward.

"I don't think too many people had us pegged for where we ended up," said Hughes, who had an NHL career-high 99 points (43 goals, 56 assists) in 78 games. "[Ruff] did a great job of steering the ship and letting us play and also teaching us how to win. He put us in good positions to have success as a team, and we want to keep it going moving forward. ... It's going to be a grind."

In an effort to do that, the Devils have already had a busy offseason. They agreed to terms on an eight-year, $63 million contract ($7.875 million average annual value) with forward Jesper Bratt on June 15, signed forward Erik Haula to a three-year, $9.45 million contract ($3.15 million AAV) on June 23, and traded defenseman Damon Severson to the Columbus Blue Jackets on June 9.

Next on the agenda for the Devils is to re-sign Timo Meier, who was acquired from the San Jose Sharks on Feb. 26. The 26-year-old forward, who scored an NHL career-high 40 goals this season, can become a restricted free agent on July 1.

"We're losing some good players who have done a good job in New Jersey, but that's the nature of the beast," Hughes said. "We're bringing in some good young players. It's going to be like, 'New Jersey is a top team and a big dog,' and we're really going to have to work for it next year."

Hischier said he thinks the Meier contract is "on the way, for sure" and that the Devils have one of the best groups of 26-and-younger players in the NHL with him, Jack and defenseman Luke Hughes, Meier, Bratt, forward Dawson Mercer and goalie Akira Schmid, who had two shutouts in their postseason series win against the Rangers.

"Expectations are definitely going to be higher, but that's something you want," he said. "Still have to stay patient. We had a great year, but it's a new 82-game season. It was really good for us to get this playoff experience. I don't think we're going to take as big of a step again as we did last year, so we're just focusing on taking those little steps."