While the New Jersey Devils weren't among the teams that qualified for the 24-team NHL postseason tournament, it was quite an exciting season for other reasons.
In early December, they fired head coach John Hynes. Later that month, they shipped Taylor Hall to the Arizona Coyotes along with Blake Speers in exchange for a pair of draft picks and three prospects. Then in January, they fired GM Ray Shero.
As the key young players including Jack Hughes, Nico Hischier and Mackenzie Blackwood grow into their roles, this is a team on which to keep an eye as GM Tom Fitzgerald continues to put his stamp on the roster. Here's everything you need to know about the Devils heading into the 2020-21 NHL season:
Big question: Are they going to be big sellers this year?
New GM Tom Fitzgerald has been clear about his direction for the team: once Jack Hughes and Nico Hischier are ready, the Devils are ready to go all-in. That's probably not going to happen this season, so it means management will have to come to early decisions on pending free agents Nikita Gusev, Kyle Palmieri and Travis Zajac. Re-sign to be part of the future, or trade for future assets?
Did realignment hurt or help?
No matter where the Devils played this season, New Jersey would be expected to finish near the bottom. That said, the new East Division is quite stacked, so the Devils should finish ... near the bottom.
Offseason comings and goings, plus the cap situation
The Devils have $8,468,336 in projected cap space, per Cap Friendly. Their biggest addition this offseason was longtime Chicago Blackhawks netminder Corey Crawford, though he announced his retirement during training camp. New Jersey also acquired forward Andreas Johnsson and defenseman Ryan Murray via trade. They bought out the remainder of Cory Schneider's contract, and said goodbye to John Hayden, Kevin Rooney, Joey Anderson and Mirco Mueller.
Bold prediction
Ryan Murray becomes the most important offseason addition. All eyes were on the splashy signing of Crawford, and rightfully so, but his surprise retirement obviously scuttles plans for him to share the crease with Blackwood. Meanwhile, New Jersey got an absolute gem in Murray -- who was available from Columbus only because the Blue Jackets were looking to clear cap space. Murray will flourish on the top pairing alongside Damon Severson.
Breakout candidate: Jesper Bratt
The 22-year-old looked reinvigorated by New Jersey's coaching change last season, especially when interim coach Alain Nasreddine gave Bratt the opportunity to play on the top line. Bratt had 25 points in his final 39 games -- a 53-point pace in an 82-game campaign -- and could have a big season if he picks up right where he left off.
Biggest strength: Future stars at center
The Devils have already identified their long-term No. 1 and No. 2 centers in Hughes and Hischier, who are 19 and 21 years old, respectively. How many teams have the luxury of saying that? The Devils also have an extremely deep pipeline of prospects.
Biggest weakness: "Future stars" at center
Hischier and Hughes are still developing, and currently aren't viewed as a No. 1 and No. 2 center in the league. There will be more growing pains before this duo is contending for Stanley Cups together.
Moreover, New Jersey might be offensively challenged; last season, only one player cracked 45 points, and management didn't do much to address scoring in free agency. Not ideal.
Devils in NHL Rank
None
Prospect perspective
Prospects in the top 100: No. 18 Alexander Holtz (RW), No. 35 Ty Smith (D), No. 42 Dawson Mercer (C), No. 77 Nolan Foote (LW), No. 82 Kevin Bahl (D)
Fantasy facts to know
There isn't anyone on the Devils who is a must-have for fantasy, but this team is stacked with upside players you can draft late.
Can Nikita Gusev keep the pace of 30 points in 37 games with which he closed the season? Will Nico Hischier and/or Jack Hughes take a huge step forward? Can Andreas Johnsson be a scoring-line star outside the shadow of the Leafs' forwards? If some or all of these things happen, will that make Kyle Palmieri and P.K. Subban fantasy stars again?
There are a lot of questions, but these possibilities are enough to tempt you into stashing some Devils late in the draft. -- Sean Allen