2021-2022 Season Projections
For all my season previews, we’ll be utilizing my 2021-2022 team and player projections. You can find much more background on these models here, along with more on assessing value of contracts here. We looked at the Colorado Avalanche last time, who sent Ryan Graves to New Jersey in a pre-expansion draft deal. Today, we follow Graves to New Jersey and preview the Devils and their re-vamped defense corps.
2021 Offseason
In my 2020-2021 Devils season review, we thought the Devils priorities this offseason should be finding a starting goaltender and some offensive help for Jack Hughes up front. New Jersey brought in Jonathan Bernier and Tomas Tatar in free agency but their biggest splashes were on defense, with the additions of Dougie Hamilton and Ryan Graves.
2021-2022 Season Preview
Roster Strength
With their offseason acquisitions, the Devils defense and goaltending looks relatively solid. The bigger question mark is up front, where it’s not clear where they will get their offense. The addition of Tomas Tatar was a step in the right direction, but the Devils could still use more skill up front.
Forwards
Jack Hughes is widely expected to become an elite player for the Devils, but he hasn’t yet broken out in a big way in his young NHL career. He didn’t have much help last season and that remains the case heading into the 2021-2022 season. Jesper Bratt is a solid top six option, as is newly acquired Tomas Tatar. The bottom six is also lacking and the Devils will need strong seasons from a number of their forwards if they hope to push for a playoff spot.
Adding Tatar via free agency was a shrewd move by the Devils. He may be one of the leagues most underrated players and the Devils were able to bring him in on a very good contract. With value hard to find on the UFA market, Tatar’s projected value this season is outstanding. His projected impact per $1M comes in above the 75th percentile.
Defensemen
The Devils revamped their defense corps over the offseason and it looks strong heading into 21/22. New acquisitions Dougie Hamilton and Ryan Graves will be expected to fill big roles. Signing the most coveted UFA on the market came a price, with Hamilton’s contract value coming in below the league median. However, the Devils were able to snag a good defenseman in Graves in their pre-expansion trade with Colorado who also comes with a very reasonable cap hit.
Goaltenders
Mackenzie Blackwood struggled in the starter’s role last season and it’s no surprise that the Devils went looking for an upgrade in net. They were able to sign a proven NHL starter in Jonathan Bernier and he comes with a very reasonable cap hit. Bernier was good behind a weak Red Wings team last season and should help solidify the Devil’s goaltending.
Team Performance
The upgrades the Devils made on defense and in goal has them in a position to challenge for a playoff spot in 21/22. However, the middle of the division is crowded in the model output and there will certainly be stiff competition for the final playoff spots. New Jersey will need a few of their forwards to step up with breakout seasons if they hope to see action in the postseason.
2021-2022 In Season Projections
Make sure to subscribe and check back for updates to the 2021-2022 season projections throughout the season. Watch for updates and enhancements to the models, updated player projections using 2021-2022 season data, analysis of trades and injuries, and more.
