The 2023 season has New Jersey Devils fans longing for the days from the 2022 season. Just a mere year ago the vibes were immaculate, and the team was coasting to the playoffs. This time last year the Devils were sitting at 68 points through 49 games. A point total that put them fourth overall in the entire NHL standings. In 2023, the situation is much dire. The Devils have just 51 points through 47 games and are six points out of a playoff spot. And like most of the season, the Devils sputtered their way into the All-Star break.
Over the past two weeks, the Devils have continued to find any amount of consistency. Since our last Stock Up/Stock Down, they went 2-4, which included losses to the Montreal Canadiens, Dallas Stars, Tampa Bay Lightning, and Carolina Hurricanes. They did manage to beat down the lowly Columbus Blue Jackets, as well as steal a game in OT against the Vegas Golden Knights. However, the Devils season is still in turmoil and they all need to use this break as a chance to reset.
New Jersey Devils Stock Up/Stock Down
Stock Up
Tyler Toffoli
After a blistering start to the season, Tyler Toffoli hit a wall and was starting to look like a Jack Hughes merchant. Without an elite centre, the goals dried up and he wasn’t contributing for large stretches. Although it looks like he’s beginning to find his goal-scoring touch again. Over the last four games, Toffoli has scored five goals, including a hat trick and game-winner against Vegas. When he’s on his A-game he has been a goal-scoring and chance-generating machine, but those times have been sporadic this year. For the Devils to have any chance at the playoffs, they’ll need Toffoli to get on a heater and continue to score. There are still plenty of faults in his game and his long-term future with the team is still up for grabs, but as long as he keeps scoring then no one will care about the other stuff.
Stock Down
The Vibes
The overall vibes of the New Jersey Devils in 2023-24 have been less than stellar. Over the last few weeks, things have gone from bad to worse. On the ice, the play has been sloppy and inconsistent, leading to captain Nico Hischier describing it as “embarrassing”. His assessment of the team is poignant and correct. The fans have been embarrassed and the players should feel it too. There have been too many dark days in recent years, and to go back to that after a historic season last year would be a nightmare. However, nothing is more embarrassing than what’s happened off the ice. This past week forward Michael McLeod and defenseman Cal Foote were ordered to turn themselves in connection with the 2018 World Juniors sexual assault incident. While the tea leaves were there, it just recently became official that they were two of the five players involved. It’s a bad stain on the organization that is already doing PR backflips because of the on-ice product.
Stock Up
Everyone Else Stinks
A bit of a strange one, but it’s true. Despite the Devils horrendous play, most of the teams they’re chasing a struggling too. Three of the four teams above them in pursuit of a Wild Card spot are at or below NHL .500 over the last 10 games. The Philadelphia Flyers are third in the division but have lost five in a row. And the Washington Capitals are tied on points with the Devils but are also below NHL .500 over the last 10. If the Devils can find their footing, there’s a playoff spot to be had. Looking into the future, the Devils should be getting healthier after the All-Star break. Rostering half of an AHL lineup has crushed them, but they’re still in contention. With the imminent return of Jack Hughes and Jonas Siegenthaler, a good few weeks could have them comfortably in a playoff spot.
Stock Down
Lindy Ruff
Just a year ago Lindy Ruff had the fans behind him. Everything was so positive. Fast forward to today and it’s all gone back to the bad place. It won’t be long before the “Fire Lindy” chants rain down in the Prudential Center again. Over the past few weeks, he simply seems as though he can’t get out of his own way. His mistreatment of Alexander Holtz is well-known amongst the fanbase. His recent disparagement at a reporter over Holtz’s ice time lost him a lot of good equity with the fans who were still behind him. And most recently, he sat Timo Meier for most of the second period against Tampa Bay, in a game where they are already down major key forwards. Despite signing an extension before the season, there’s a very good chance he won’t make it to next year. For his sake, this All-Star break is coming at a great time.
Main photo by: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
