Reports: New Jersey Devils’ fortunes took a turn for the worst when they suffered major injuries and struggled to find a reliable goaltender.

The New Jersey Devils’ 2023–24 season was a letdown. They had a number of promising young players and were riding high after their first playoff series victory since 2012, so they were a legitimate title contender in the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League. But the Devils’ fortunes took a turn for the worst when they suffered major injuries and struggled to find a reliable goaltender. They were 10 points out of the playoffs after finishing seventh in the Metro division.

The Devils are listed by Fanduel Sportsbook as having the fourth-highest odds to win the Stanley Cup heading into the 2024-25 season. Only the Dallas Stars, Edmonton Oilers, and Florida Panthers have greater odds. The acquisition of Jacob Markstrom from the Calgary Flames in a trade on June 19th should have alleviated the Devils’ focus on goaltending. Markstrom had a rough go of it with the Flames’ struggling squad over the previous two years, going 23-23-2 and posting a meager.905 save percentage in his last season in Alberta.

With the exception of his final two seasons, Markstrom had a save percentage of.910 or higher in six of his prior seven. If he can go back to his old self and play well with veteran backup Jake Allen, the Devils will have a top-tier tandem in the league. Now that they have a more consistent goaltender, the Devils’ health is the major concern heading into 2024. Last year, Jack Hughes missed 20 games due to a slew of injuries. His shoulder surgery kept him out for the last four games, but he should be ready for fall training camp after a full recovery.

Defenseman Dougie Hamilton’s comeback might be equally significant. The team’s leading scorer on the blue line had a 62-game injury layoff after tearing his pectoral muscle in late November. The Devils are aiming to strengthen their defense by adding Brett Pesce and Brendan Dillon to the roster, joining Hamilton.