NFL
In recent years, the Devils have been a franchise you could describe in one word: “underwhelming.” The days of Martin Brodeur and Scott Stevens are long gone. The Devils have been in an era of short peaks and shallow valleys. Injury and a brutal division have eroded many promising seasons.
Those days are now over. The Devils’ roster is now peppered with talent, boasting depth at goal scoring and defense. They are led by a toothless, goal-scoring monster known worldwide as Jack Hughes. Now, with the addition of Vezina- and Hart Trophy-winning Connor Hellebuyck, the Devils are no longer a secret to the league.
In last night’s away contest against the piping-hot Dallas Stars, riding a 5-game winning streak, the Devils torched the Stars for 5 goals. Connor Hellebuyck looked like he hadn’t missed a beat, allowing only one goal in a raucous Dallas barn he knew well. If you want to watch the New Jersey Devils-brand of hockey, look no further than last night.
So, what makes this team different?
Look no further than the Hughes brothers if you want to see what this team’s DNA is really made of. No, I’m not talking about Mr. Golden Goal, Jack Hughes. I am referring to Luke Hughes, the lesser-known of the three. He might be the key piece to the puzzle that is the New Jersey Devils’ identity.
Last night, the Devils faced a Dallas team that has successfully deployed a very effective, aggressive 1-1-3 Neutral Zone strategy. Dallas has greatly limited high-danger chances. They have turned those turnovers at the blue line into rush chances of their own. This system was dismantled last night. It’s mostly because of Luke Hughes’s incredible speed and mobility.
Luke Hughes has incredible burst speed and four-way mobility. His ability to cut down rushing forwards and pinch plays off the side walls effectively stifles most of the chances opponents get. Afterward, he shifts his weight and momentum down the ice, usually with Timo Meier, Jack Hughes, or Nico Hischier streaking behind him. This creates obvious problems for opposing goalies and defenses, ripping apart their defensive game plan.
The heart of the Devils’ game plan starts in the middle of the ice. This team’s identity is a fast, aggressive style of play, much like Colorado, whom they play in the second half of their back-to-back with Dallas and the Avs. Now that we have identified the secret weapon and usual suspects, let’s address the elephant in the room.
Connor Hellebuyck Is A New Jersey Devil
Oh, yeah. If you’ve been under a rock, Connor Hellebuyck was finally moved ahead of the Heritage Classic. He joins his Olympic teammate Jack Hughes in a bid for the Cup. Hellebuyck’s addition instantly turned the Devils from a “fringe wildcard team” into a “potential division winner.” New Jersey has been missing a goalie of his caliber for a long time, and with the other pieces firmly in place, expect New Jersey to become a destination for other players trying to hitch a ride to a Stanley Cup berth.
Quinn Hughes has repeatedly been linked to the Devils amidst his contract negotiations with the Minnesota Wild and Jim Gregory GM of the Year winner Bill Guerin. With Connor Hellebuyck joining the fold, why wouldn’t the Devils be on his list? Hughes would get to play with his brothers, alongside the goaltender who helped immortalize them in USA hockey folklore. If the Devils continue their winning ways, you can expect more than just the other Hughes to start trying to come over and get a piece of the pie.
The Devils now have elite scoring, elite goaltending, and stout defending. The Metropolitan division is very top-heavy, meaning that a 2nd or 3rd seed will likely hurt the Devils more than help them. Could the Devils make a run at stealing the division from the Cup Champs? Let me know what you think.
