While the New Jersey Devils have been playing somewhat better post-Olympic break, their season is still on life support. 18 games are left, and the team is 12 points out of the final wild card spot and 13 out of third place in the Metro. Is it impossible to make the playoffs? Certainly not. However, the inconsistencies of this Devils group plus the number of other teams ahead of them in the standings equals a huge mountain they would need to climb that they probably can not. But hey, with the NHL
club struggling, that must mean their affiliate in Utica is ready to play deep into the postseason, right?
Well, about that…
If you haven’t been paying attention to the AHL, Utica isn’t faring a whole lot better than their parent club. To be completely honest, they’re actually faring worse. They sit last in the North Division, and second to last in the Eastern Conference. Worse still, there are very few, if any, players that would be worth calling up to New Jersey to take a look at. The Devils waived three players last week, and while Luke Glendening was claimed, Max Tsyplakov still played this past Saturday while Evgenii Dadonov played in his place the next night. Utica has a couple of pieces that could have some potential long-term, but outside of maybe Shane Lachance getting another stint, I don’t think we see any more names called up outside of if the Devils suffer a slew of injuries.
The NHL team is underwhelming. The AHL team has few promising pieces and bright spots. The organization as a whole is performing well below expectations.
To me, that’s a signal that everything needs to be overhauled at the end of this current campaign.
Everything about the New Jersey Devils organization is broken and needs repairing. The drafting isn’t good enough; the development isn’t good enough; the end results certainly aren’t good enough. Instead of preparing for the playoffs, examining who might be the first round opponent and previewing how the games might shake out, we’re more than likely looking at does the team win the draft lottery, what should we do with the pick, and if it’s kept, who we take with it. For a team that was supposedly on the rise, this is not the future anyone foresaw.
Blame injuries if you want. Blame the coaching staff if you desire. The fact of the matter is that everything surrounding this team is rotten. Yes, there is some talent here. Yes, things can be turned around. But the house needs to be cleaned. There’s too many aspects of this organization where a fresh start is needed. Expecting all of these issues to be addressed in one summer might seem like a lofty expectation, but it might realistically be the only way to get things back on track for the Devils while they have this current core group of players. What’s my priority list?
Get Rid of Current Management: Tom Fitzgerald and anyone linked to him in management needs to go. He’s overstayed any positive feelings and is now viewed by the fan base as inept and cowardly. Not a reputation you want for the person making decisions.
Flush the Coaching: At the very least, this HAS to be the end for Dave Rogalski. It should honestly be the end for Jeremy Colliton too with how poorly the offense is performing. Maybe Sheldon Keefe gets axed too depending upon management changes. This group has made the Devils look worse than their last season under Lindy Ruff; and not to rub salt in the wound, but look at how the Sabres are doing with competent management and Ruff still at the helm.
Change the Scouts: Player scouting isn’t getting the job done either. The Devils need more guys who could eventually become NHL contributors, not players who are good AHL bodies. The Devils aren’t consistently finding prospects from any league or area of the world, so it’s time for some change here as well.
Augment the Player Group: This happens every year anyway, as teams rarely ever come back 100% the same even after winning a championship. Find a few players who can gel with the identity of the current Devils group (whatever that identity may be at this point), get them signed, jettison some underperformers (at least the ones who are moveable) and maybe next season winds up going more to plan.
Fix Utica: If the other moves are made, some of this should sort itself out. At the same time, bringing in the right veteran players to help mentor younger guy ad aid them in improving their game could be another critical step in better player development.
Again, I know this seems like a lot. Call it an “organizational retool” if it helps, but the Devils need to do something. There’s a good chunk of talent on paper, but it isn’t being maximized. If ownership isn’t afraid to reset management, who in turn aren’t afraid to reset the other areas discussed, then maybe the Devils can right the ship without needing to suffer through another full rebuild.
What are your thoughts on the Devils overhauling the entire organization; do you think it needs to be done? Would you rather start with new management and have them assess other areas once their plan is in place? Do you think more than just management needs to change this summer? If these changes are made, do you think the Devils can turn it around with this core group of players? Leave any and all comments down below and thanks as always for reading!
