Devils preview: Hurdles await after surprisingly rapid rise

Things turned around for the Devils a little faster than most people thought. As general manager Ray Shero orchestrates a rebuilding process, the young team broke a five-year playoff drought last season before getting blown out in a five-game, first-round series by the powerhouse Lightning.

They also got a MVP season from Taylor Hall, the winger winning the Hart Trophy to cement the fact the 2016 trade with the Oilers that brought him to New Jersey in exchange for defenseman Adam Larsson was absolutely grand larceny by Shero. When the Devils won the lottery to get the No. 1-overall pick in the 2017 draft, Shero also seemed to make the right decision in taking Swiss-born center Nico Hischier, who was in the conversation for the Calder Trophy.

But now there are expectations for this team to back up its 97-point season, and still a lot of questions.

Offense

It was a very impressive season for Taylor Hall, who put up 39 goals and 93 points in 76 games in his second season in New Jersey. The offense still runs through the electric left winger, with Nico Hischier as the young facilitator in the middle and Kyle Palmieri as a dangerous goal-scorer on the right. It should be a help to get Marcus Johansson back after he missed all but 29 games (and three playoff games) with a concussion.

The hope is Jesper Bratt can continue to build on his somewhat surprising solid rookie season and Pavel Zacha can turn into a legit NHL center rather than a draft bust taken at No. 6 overall in 2015. Miles Wood finally got into training camp late after a contract stalemate, and the Devils could use another overachieving year from him and Blake Coleman. Travis Zajac and Brian Boyle remain a steadying presence down the middle.

Defense

Andy Greene is still the captain and the leader on the back end, but his ice time might be limited to more defensive roles with the emergence of Will Butcher and Mirco Mueller. Butcher surprised many when the Hobey Baker Award winner from the University of Denver chose to sign as a free agent with the Devils. But the supremely confident lefty had a great rookie season, putting up 39 assists, good for 17th in the league among defensemen and first among rookie defensemen. Mueller came over in a deal with the Sharks this summer and showed glimpses of his high-end talent despite battling through injuries that limited him to just 28 games.

The deal with the Ducks for Sami Vatanen has worked out, as well, with the need for a veteran presence on the back end. The jury is still out on Damon Severson — despite being in the second season of his six-year, $25 million deal — while Ben Lovejoy adds some leadership and depth on the right side.

Goaltending

There seems to now be an explanation why Cory Schneider’s performance had such an extreme drop-off in the past two seasons — he had been playing through a hip injury. He finally got the surgery he needed in May, but the five- to six-month recovery timeline kept him from playing in the preseason and from being ready for the season opener. Who knows what kind of form he’ll be in when he is ready to return?

In the meantime, Keith Kinkaid has been handed the reins and the Long Island native has shown at times to be capable. The team also re-signed veteran Eddie Lack to help Kinkaid with the early-season load.

Coaching

In his first job behind an NHL bench, John Hynes has received nothing but rave reviews. The stern and thoughtful coach has instituted a style that is defense-first but also allows his talent up front to play with creativity.

Coming through the U.S. Developmental program and then AHL Scranton-Wilkes Barre, Hynes was heralded as a great teacher of young players. But if the Devils want to take the next step and be real contenders in the Eastern Conference, Hynes is going to have to show that he’s more than just a developmental coach.

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Most important offensive player

Taylor Hall. The reigning league MVP is a threat to score on every shift, and with little depth up front, the Devils will rely on him heavily.

Most important defensive player

Will Butcher. The second-year lefty is going to be put in all situations and will play big minutes as long as he keeps playing like he did during his rookie year.

Most important rookie

John Quenneville. The 2014 first-round pick (No. 30 overall) stuck with the Devils out of training camp, and this might be his last chance to prove he belongs in the NHL.

Key coaching decision

Evaluating Cory Schneider. If the veteran goalie can still play at an elite level, that is huge for the Devils. If not, it could be difficult to sit him.

Prediction

Despite showing a ton of promise, it’s hard to put the Devils in the category of the East’s elite. There is likely going to be some regression from the young players as the league figures them out. If they can get some good goaltending, they can scratch and claw for a wild-card spot. It’s more likely they miss out on the postseason for the sixth time in the past seven years.