As each NHL team is eliminated from playoff contention -- either mathematically or by losing in the postseason -- we'll take a look at why its quest for the Stanley Cup fell short in 2017-18, along with three keys to its offseason and a way-too-early prediction on what 2018-19 will hold.
What went wrong
It's hard to find fault in the New Jersey Devils' 2017-18 campaign; with little expectations, this group arrived ahead of schedule. From their hot start (9-2-0 to start the season) to gritty finish (a 10-2-1 run to clinch the team's first playoff berth since 2012), few could have predicted this from a team that placed last in the Eastern Conference last season with 28 wins and 70 points.
Of course, the Devils were willed by Taylor Hall, who emphatically made his MVP case by scoring 93 points -- 41 more than his closest teammate. That suggests depth scoring was an issue, and it's true. Though No. 1 pick Nico Hischier quietly put together a terrific rookie season (second on the team, with 52 points) not enough forwards put up similar production, which forced GM Ray Shero to make moves at the trade deadline. It didn't help that Marcus Johansson played only 29 games.
Defensive depth appeared flimsy at times against the high-octane Tampa Bay Lightning, but something was more evident: the Devils couldn't match the physicality of the No. 1 seed. Meanwhile, one of New Jersey's strengths all season, the penalty kill, became kryptonite (Tampa Bay converted on TK of its TK power-play opportunities).
And the Devils' own power play didn't show up (TK of TK). The Devils may have arrived early, but they're not quite there yet.
Keys to the offseason
1. Add defensive depth.
The addition of Sami Vatanen in late November (in the splashy trade with the Anaheim Ducks for Adam Henrique) paid dividends for the Devils. Vatanen is a solid top-four defensemen who is under contract through 2019-20. Will Butcher, the big college free-agent signing last summer, also panned out quite nicely.
However, GM Ray Shero needs more reinforcements. John Moore becomes an unrestricted free agent this summer, so a decision will need to be made there. Meanwhile, captain Andy Greene, while still serviceable, is starting to show signs of regression at age 35, so a succession plan should be put in place. The Devils are poised to have plenty of cap space this summer, and we'd love to see them make a splash for D.
2. Make decisions on Michael Grabner, Patrick Maroon.
Shero sure was active at the trade deadline, including making the team's first-ever trade with the New York Rangers. The big additions were wingers Grabner and Maroon, who were supposed to add veteran depth scoring. Both become unrestricted free agents this summer.
Grabner was a bust, with just two goals and three assists in 21 games; he was scratched for TK games in the playoffs, and it's hard to imagine the Devils committing to the 30-year-old moving forward.
Maroon was more productive, with three goals and 10 assists in 17 games; he doesn't exactly profile as a fit with the young, speedy Devils, but he added another dimension and it wouldn't be crazy to resign him -- as long as the money and terms are reasonable.
3. Take care of their own.
As previously mentioned, the Devils will have cap space -- though some of it will be allocated to signing new deals for restricted free agents. Blake Coleman, Stefan Noesen and Miles Wood all will see their entry-level deals expire this summer.
All three have proven to be functional bottom-six forwards with higher ceilings than some might have thought. All three could be given new contracts as long as the price tag isn't too high.
Realistic expectation for 2018-19
The future is bright in New Jersey. The Devils could use upgrades on defense and need more production from their forwards not named Nico Hischier and Taylor Hall.
But as long as those two things come to fruition -- and we have a feeling that will be a priority for Shero, who has done great work so far -- there's no reason New Jersey should have a worse season in 2018-19. The goaltending situation (a late-season switch off from Cory Schneider to Keith Kincaid, and back to Schneider to close out the playoffs) is not ideal, but also not something to lose too much sleep over; trust us, many teams have it worse.
The Devils can exploit the fact that the rival New York Rangers are using next season to rebuild and build off a feel-good 2017-18 season to compete in the Metropolitan Division yet again. We don't see why they can't make the playoffs -- and with another year of experience, advance further in the bracket next time around.