New Jersey Devils. (Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports)

The New Jersey Devils were deemed offseason winners, and for good reason. General manager Tom Fitzgerald hit the ground running and did everything he could to build upon last season’s success. While crucial players departed (Damon Severson and Ryan Graves), new faces were brought into the fold. His finest work came in a trade with the Calgary Flames, as Tyler Toffoli is now part of the offensive attack. The biggest key to the summer was signing Jesper Bratt and Timo Meier long-term. 

While the club has seen improvements with their team, the Eastern Conference will still be a gauntlet. Every team has improved and reinforced their rosters to compete with the best. New Jersey has the fourth-best odds of winning the Stanley Cup, but other teams can derail those hopes. Here are three teams in the conference that stand in their way. 

Carolina Hurricanes

The team that finished one point ahead of New Jersey for the division crown and eliminated them from the playoffs stands most in their way. One of the premier contenders in the Carolina Hurricanes got mightier. General manager Don Waddell brought back key players and added strong talents to demonstrate his all-in approach. 

The highlight of the summer was bringing in two-way defensemen Dmitry Orlov as well as middle-six scoring winger Michael Bunting. These two players make this roster deeper but also fill a need and add missing elements to their lineup. Furthermore, these two players make this team deeper than it was at the trade deadline. A dangerous team just got more dangerous. 

Carolina was a force to be reckoned with on the ice. They controlled the puck and were a superior team at generating offense. At five-on-five, Carolina was one of the best teams in the league. They led the league in expected goals percentage (xG%) at 60.14, finishing first in Corsi-for percentage (CF%) with 60.38.

However, they did finish second in expected goals (206.15) behind New Jersey and finished 14th in goals scored. That was an issue for them all season long, but still, they were a tough opponent to play against. To put it lightly, if you played against Carolina and had the puck, capitalize on your chances when you get them because they do not come often. 

The entire Carolina team from last season that reached the Eastern Conference finals is returning, and it got deeper. With this team having high championship aspirations, a fight to the finish with New Jersey is certain. 

Tampa Bay Lightning

Oh, how the mighty have fallen. Or maybe not? For the first time in three years, the Tampa Bay Lightning will have rested legs. After capturing back-to-back Stanley Cups (2020 and 2021) and reaching the finals again in 2022, rest was not something this team experienced. However, after a disappointing first-round loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs, this team had a summer of rest. That could be a scary thing for the rest of the conference. 

Tampa Bay lost key pieces with Ross Colton and Alex Killorn, but the main core group is intact. Steven Stamkos, Brayden Point, Nikita Kucherov, and Victor Hedman will be looking to have a bounce-back season and help guide this team back to the promised land. Given their level of fatigue, it showed with their overall impacts on the ice. 

Tampa Bay was a middle-of-the-pack team this season across the board. They ranked 15th in xG% (51.32), whereas they ranked 11th the previous season. As a team, they stayed the same with CF% and finished 13th (51.45). Despite having lethal offensive weapons, the team only scored 175 goals at five-on-five play. With extra juice in their legs having extra rest, the beasts of the east will be back. 

In what could be Steven Stamkos final season in Tampa Bay, the Bolts will be charged entering the 2023-24 season. 

Pittsburgh Penguins

When it seems like the Pittsburgh Penguins may finally be entering a multi-season rebuild, they reload for another run. Sidney Crosby is still playing at a high level, and so is Evgeni Malkin. New general manager Kyle Dubas helped shore up the bottom part of the lineup, as well as bring in new forces on the blue line. He is already rebuilding all the head-scratching moves former general manager Ron Hextall made. 

A few x-factors overshadow this team, and it pertains to their goaltending. Tristan Jarry was brought back on a five-year contract, but his level of play will need to be elevated. Despite the injury-riddled season, he finished with a decent .909 save percentage. However, his -2.8 goals saved above expected (GSAx) will need to rise if this team wants to go anywhere far. During the 2021-22 season, he finished with 12.8 GSAx, and if he can reach that level again, the team will be in great shape. As a team, the Penguins allowed more goals against than goals scored, which needs to change entering the new season.

In search of an offensive boost, Dubas brought in Norris Trophy winner Erik Karlsson. Karlsson is coming off a 101-point season, and his offensive ability will do wonders for the skilled guys on this team. Pittsburgh fell out of the race on the final day of the regular season and is looking to make the playoffs while the core is still intact.

With a revamped roster, head coach Mike Sullivan behind the bench, and elevating their level of play, this team can make the playoffs and not be counted out. This group might be older, but they are still playing at a high enough level to not be counted out.