The off-season started so well for the New Jersey Devils when they snatched Cory Schneider in a draft day trade. However, Ilya Kovalchuk‘s unexpected exit sent the Devils into a downward spiral. A summer of poor decision-making by usually steady general manager Lou Lamoriello has the team on a very difficult road back to the top.
Even after a their surprising run to the Stanley Cup Final in 2012, it was clear the Devils would drop off. With Zach Parise gone to Minnesota, the club sank all the way to the bottom of the Atlantic Division.
With all-time wins leader Martin Brodeur heading toward the end of his legendary career, the Devils pulled off a brilliant deal to make Cory Schneider the heir-apparent in goal. The Vancouver Canucks practically gave the 27-year-old away, as they desperately hoped to end their protracted goaltending controversy.
Coming at the affordable cost of a first round pick, Schneider is the ideal candidate to eventually replace Brodeur in the crease. In fact, one might argue that Schneider should start right away. Head coach Pete DeBoer might balk at the thought of sitting down the quintessential Devil, but at 41-years-old Brodeur might no longer be the better player. As Marty’s skills fade, a Schneider-heavy timeshare will probably result.
Brodeur was excellent early in the season, but he faded down the stretch. After improving his record victory total to an eerily fitting 666, a ten-game losing streak suggested that he could retire with the mark of the beast in his win column. An April 18 shutout ended that possibility, but the streak nonetheless encouraged retirement talk. Of course, Brodeur wasn’t the big name in New Jersey to call it quits.
In early July, superstar winger Ilya Kovalchuk walked away from the Devils and the $77 million they were set to pay him over the next 12 seasons in favor of a return to Russia. Days after announcing his retirement, Kovalchuk signed on with the KHL’s SKA St. Petersburg, with whom he played during last fall’s lockout.
The scoring machine averaged more ice time than any forward in the NHL last season, so his absence immediately created a massive vacuum in the Devils’ lineup. It also freed up a ton of cap space with which the Devils could rebuild. Instead of looking toward the future however, the Devils opted to spend that money on pricey veterans that have put the future of their franchise at risk.
With David Clarkson seeking greener pastures in Toronto, the Devils only returned one of their top-three point producers from 2013. That man is 37-year-old Patrik Elias. A hold over from the Devils championship years, his days are numbered.
Instead of looking towards the future, the new look Devils splashed cash on veterans Michael Ryder, Ryane Clowe and Jaromir Jagr. Michael Ryder would have a made a great complementary scorer on a playoff team, but he’s wasting his time in New Jersey. Ryane Clowe is coming off of a truly awful year, and Jagr has no place on a rebuilding team at 41-years-old.
It’s not that Ryder, Clowe and Jagr are bad players, although I fear Clowe might be. It’s just that for the same amount of money, the Devils surely could have found some young talent to comprise their future core. Setting the money aside for future purposes might have been smarter still. For further harsh criticism of these signings, you can find a more detailed take here.
The Devils are currently very short on top prospects. Adam Henrique was very good as a rookie, but a sophomore slump leaves doubt about his future. 2011 fourth overall pick has the makings of a franchise defenseman, but it’s still too early to tell. Beyond that Jon Merrill is the only truly exciting prospect. Expect Lou Lamoriello to be working the phones regularly this season as he looks to upgrade his youth system.
Desperately needing to get younger, the Devils would probably benefit from another season in last place. Unfortunately, they’ve brought in just enough talent to be mediocre. They won’t be picking first at next year’s draft, but they won’t get anywhere near the postseason. Expect them to learn the error of their ways and hold a yard-sale at the trade deadline.
