Just like the past few years, the New Jersey Devils’ season ended earlier than any of us would have liked. For the ninth time in the past ten seasons, the Devils are not playoff-bound. The team’s lone playoff season since then in 2017-2018 seems like so long ago.
Before the players head to the golf course, they had their end of season interviews and one last media availability. We learned some things, and look deep into some other things that were said.
Team Divided On Coaching Staff
While the overwhelming amount of Devils’ fans seem to want to see head coach Lindy Ruff along with assistant coaches Alain Nasredinne and Mark Reechi sent packing, players seem to have differing opinions. Team superstar Jack Hughes gave his endorsement of Ruff, crediting him with his ongoing development and adding they have a “good relationship.” When asked about the coaching staff, team caption Nico Hischier refused to comment. Remember how your parents told you if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say it at all? It seems Nico took that advice.
Is The Coaching Staff Worried?
If the front office did anything short of saying Lindy Ruff is definitely staying that means the possibility of him being fired remains. Some NHL teams such as the Detroit Red Wings wasted no time letting go of the coaches after an unsuccessful season. New Jersey is at least taking a few days to decide their fate. When asked about it, Ruff said that he and the rest of the coaching staff and the players are “being evaluated.” Bringing the players into this seemed like an odd response. Was he trying to deflect the blame? Was Ruff saying “don’t blame me?” Ruff’s answer seems like diplomatic way of saying at this point his future with the team is out of his hands.
Some Injury News
After Taylor Hall was infamously “day-to-day” for about four months with a mysterious season-ending injury, Devils’ fans have had a reason to be skeptical of player updates. At exit interviews we learned that Dougie Hamilton had been playing through a broken toe since prior in addition to his unfortunate jaw injury.
Miles Wood made the decision to shut it down when his hip injury didn’t heal as well as he thought. The fact he said “the choice for me” makes it seem like it was his decision, and not the team’s medical staff. By no means are we saying the team medical staff didn’t agree, but it seems that the final decision was made by Wood himself.
Jonathan Bernier also hopes to return next season. Like Wood, he says he is “not where he hopes to be,” in his recovery. Consider his age, that’s more than a little concerning. There might be more questions in the Devils crease heading into this offseason than we even thought.
Subban Seems To Be Gone
Not that anyone really expected Subban to be brought back, but all his comments seem to be pointing to P.K. Subban’s time in New Jersey coming to an end. His last social media post is as close to being a goodbye message without saying it’s a goodbye message as he could get.
This is the first time in his entire NHL career he is an unrestricted free agent and seems to be facing it with uncertainty. In his exit interview he also commented on how fun the atmosphere was with the Devils’ young players, which is a positive comment on the team’s culture. It may not have worked out as well as any of us would have hoped, but thanks for the memories.
Severson Wants To Stay
A frequent scapegoat for Devils’ fans, Severson expressed his desire to not only stay in New Jersey but possibly sign an extension. He may not be Victor Hedman, but Severson has been a quietly reliable defenseman when all else seems to go wrong for New Jersey. If Severson leaves, we wouldn’t guess it was his choice.
Possible AHL Coaching Promotion
Buried in Yegor Sharangovich’s exit interview was him crediting former Devil and Utica Comets assistant coach Sergei Brylin with turning around his season after a slow start. Sharangovich added than he and Brylin have grown close. Brylin has been assistant coach with the Devils’ various AHL affiliates since the 2013-2014 season. While we’re still not sure if the current coaching staff will stay or be let go, Brylin seems to be a natural fit if a position opens. Having the support of one of the team’s young players helps as well.
Is The Team Getting Impatient?
One of the first players interviewed was Damon Severson, who said the team can no longer fall back on excuses of being “a young team” and missing the playoffs. Frustrated fans share the sentiment as the almost never ending rebuild continues. Severson commented that the “rebuild is over,” in the sense that now is the time for the team to put up or shut up. He did acknowledge that player took a step forward and that “pieces are in place.” Wood and Hughes acknowledged that pieces needed to be added to the roster, with Wood specifically mentioning veteran players.
Meanwhile, buried in one of Nico Hischier’s answer on the upcoming summer was him saying that the team will “go home and be a little pissed off.” That’s a strong choice of words, but it accurately portrays the disappointment the team feels. If anything, the culture of “maybe next year,” has been replaced by “it better happen next year.”