I'm not really sold on the idea that the devils will be competitive but I'm just hoping that they'll be fun and we'll get to watch their young players flourish

They'll definitely be competitive, but I could see them beat down by the occasional really physical team like st louis, dallas or boston

I'd say its worse, at least last year the hope was Hall would rebound/ stay healthy. This year its hoping that Hughes develops ( a lot) and Murray stays heathy. Doubt they are even competitive.



Yeah its the Ice Capades out there now: Johnsson, Gusev, Hughes, Bratt, Palmieri, Carrick, Seney, Merkley, Butcher, Smith, and Boqvist all under 6' 0" and 200 lbs. The Devils are trying to be the Maple Leafs but without all the high-end talent offensive talent.

at least they're all for the most part defensively aware and responsible players

Still missing two pieces to be taken seriously (on paper)

Top-4 D-man: I think if Ty Smith plays himself into top-4, Murray stays healthy...they have outside chance at playoffs.

Replacing Coleman: They need one or two forwards who can play with relentless, physical fore-checking (ala Pickles). Not sold on Merkley, Mcleod being asked to play that role.