After an average 2024-25 season, there is significant pressure on New Jersey Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald entering this offseason.
During his end-of-season media availability, Fitzgerald acknowledged that the group he assembled did not meet expectations.
"We won't be coming back with the same group, I could tell you that, because it wasn't good enough," he said.
The Devils struggled offensively. As Devils reporter Sam Kasan reported, New Jersey dropped from 3.22 goals per game (12th) in 2023-24 to 2.93 (20th) last season.
After earning 48 points with the Devils in 2022-23, Tomas Tatar finished his second stint in New Jersey with seven goals and 17 points. After earning a career high 25 points in 2023-24, a knee injury derailed Curtis Lazar's season, limiting him to five points.
"I think players underachieved, for sure," Fitzgerald said. "I think players who have scored enough goals in this league to give assurance that we have depth scoring didn't."
The First Time Depth Scoring Was Publicly Acknowledged
On Dec. 16, The Hockey News asked New Jersey's general manager what the next obstacle would be for his team to overcome. He immediately said that his team "needed more from other people."
"If our power play doesn't score, if one of our top lines doesn't score, we need more from other people, quite honestly, contributing wise, without naming any names," Fitzgerald said. "When the first line, second line doesn't score a goal, and the power play doesn't score, we don't score. We need guys to step up and start producing.
"There's a reason we have been shut out five times," he continued.
Whether it was confidence in the players on his roster or inflated trade costs, his roster did not improve for a two-month span, as his team became overwhelmed with injuries to Jack Hughes, Jacob Markstrom, and Jonas Siegenthaler.
Fitzgerald's lack of moves drew public criticism as fans watched their team struggle while Mikko Rantanen was traded in late January and Mikael Granlund was moved to the Dallas Stars in early February.
Fitzgerald did not add to his forward group until the NHL Trade Deadline on March 7, when he brought in Daniel Sprong and Cody Glass.
"We had a goal to try to add to the team, certain positions," Fitzgerald said of his trade deadline. "We tried hard on certain players. Some players were traded for big-time assets, and some re-signed with their teams, especially on the wing. You readjust and look at what we can do to help this team improve. We thought that the bottom-6 area was something we could try to add some speed, some size, and a little more depth."
Through 11 games, Sprong picked up two assists. In 14 games with the Devils, Glass had two goals and seven points. Neither found their name on the scoresheet during the postseason.
Multiple Holes In New Jersey's Roster
Over the years, Fitzgerald has put together a solid forward core of Nico Hischier, Jack Hughes, Jesper Bratt, and Timo Meier. A new look defense, including Luke Hughes, Brett Pesce, Johnathan Kovacevic, and Siegenthaler, and a bona fide starting goaltender in Markstrom.
Fitzgerald now needs to direct his attention to the team's supporting cast, which is always challenging to complete.
The Devils can turn their attention to free agency and look into Brock Boeser and Nikolaj Ehlers, or look to make a trade.
At some point, one would expect the Devils to move Dougie Hamilton and his contract, with an average annual value of $9,000,000. Luke Hughes has taken the role of first-unit power play quarterback. Youngsters Seamus Casey and Simon Nemec can eventually quarterback the second unit at a much lower cost.
When healthy, Hamilton is an effective player. The 31-year-old appeared in all 82 games in the 2022-23 season and amassed 74 points, a single-season high.
Dawson Mercer is another player who could fetch a good return. A 30-plus point earner, the 23-year-old has showcased durability, versatility, and a complete 200-foot game. Mercer just completed the first year of his three-year, $12 million contract.
Fitzgerald Can't Afford A Misstep This Summer
With a head coach who has never missed the postseason, a core forward group, top four defensemen, and a goaltender in place, Fitzgerald can't afford to make mistakes this offseason.
Goaltending could become a question after the 2025-26 season, with Markstrom's contract expiring. Next season seems like a big opportunity for the team to take another step and transition from a team that makes the postseason to a team that can put together a playoff run.
Head coach Sheldon Keefe can only do so much with the roster given to him. All eyes will be on Fitzgerald to become aggressive and acquire the necessary players to help get his team one step closer to the organization's first Stanley Cup since 2003.
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