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NHL Airport Gate 3: New Jersey Devils

NHL AIRPORT
GATE 3: NEW JERSEY
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PREVIOUSLY: To be fair, the New Jersey Devils are playing in a division with teams like the Penguins, Rangers, Capitals, and Blue Jackets, while teams like the Flyers and Islanders also are competitive teams. But also, that's the way the NHL works, and the Devils found out the hard way, posting a 70-point record and getting the first pick in the NHL draft. New Jersey was the worst team in the conference and missed the playoffs for the fifth year in a row. The leading scorers were Kyle Palmeri and Taylor Hall, who tied with 53 points each.

ARRIVING: Nico Hischier: The Devils decided to take Hischier ahead of Nolan Patrick in the draft. Hischier had 86 points while playing for the Halifax Mooseheads in the CHL. Hischier could be the first-line center, playing alongside Hall and Palmeri. There won't be much pressure on him, Hall has said he wants to make life easier for the rookie, but if he doesn't outperform Patrick, there'll be pressure on the GM. Marcus Johansson: Johansson was traded from the Washington Capitals for a second round pick and a third round pick in the 2018 draft. He should become a second or third line winger, helping out the Devils' weak power-play unit.

DEPARTING: Beau Bennett: Bennett signed with the St. Louis Blues for a very small contract after he scored 19 points last year. Mike Cammalleri: Cammalleri was without a doubt the Devils' biggest loss of the offseason. He was bought out by the Devils, and then signed a contract with the Los Angeles Kings. During three seasons, he had 111 points in 171 games for New Jersey. Cammalleri was 35 years old and would have been 37 when his contract ended.

TAKING OFF? If the Devils were in the Pacific or Atlantic Divisions they would. Because they're in the Metropolitan, they're not. It's hard to snag a wild-card spot as well, because you know the Penguins, Capitals, Blue Jackets and Rangers are all going to make the playoffs, and that's four spots gone. With one spot left for a Metro team, the Devils would have to beat out the Flyers or a team like Boston or Tampa Bay. The Devils need more talent defensively to win games or a playoff series against high-scoring teams like Pittsburgh or Toronto, and while Corey Schneider is a solid goalie, he's not good enough to win a duel against Henrik Lundqvist or Brayden Holtby. The Devils need to add a couple good defenseman and a better goaltender, but for now, Hischier and company make a nice building block for the future.

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