Setting the table for the New Jersey Devils' off-season

Whether it's landing a true No. 1 goaltender, or hiring a marquee coach, the Devils should be quite active this summer.

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The New Jersey Devils’ disappointing 2023-24 campaign finally came to a close Monday night against the New York Islanders.

The Devils dropped the game by a 4-1 scoreline. While some key players were missing, it really served as a microcosm of their season as a whole.

They fell behind the 8-ball early, allowing the game’s opening goal for the 57th time over 82 games (69.5%).

The power play struggled mightily. Getting into the offensive zone with possession was a struggle, let alone setting up and actually making something happen. The Devils generated only three shots and one high-danger chance, going 0-3 against a horrific Islanders penalty kill.

Goaltending was an issue as well. Jake Allen has largely played fantastic hockey with the Devils – and deserves a pass – but he had a tough night, conceding four times on just 19 shots.

Almost everything that plagued the Devils all season long reared its ugly head again on Monday, offering one last reminder to Tom Fitzgerald about the work in front of him this summer.

The core of the team is largely in place and I still feel very good about it. Fitzgerald has some surgery to do around it, though.

The top two items on the to-do list are rather obvious. Fitzgerald needs to get his hands on an undisputed No. 1 goaltender once and for all.

He also needs to hire a coach who can bring out the best in this talented core next year and beyond.

With the likes of Dean Evason, Jay Woodcroft, Craig Berube and Bruce Boudreau already available – and perhaps other notables soon to join the coaching pool – there is a lot of quality to choose from.

Outside of that, the Devils could use another quality middle-6 player and some additional depth up front. They also need to figure out if they can get Jonas Siegenthaler back on track or if another reliable defender has to be pursued.

Adding some more jam also seems to be a priority for Fitzgerald, who felt the team was pushed around a little too much throughout the year.

There is plenty to do but Fitzgerald certainly has the assets required to make things happen.

The Devils should have well over $20 million in cap space with Dawson Mercer being the only player on the roster due for a healthy raise.

They have plenty of draft capital with their 1st round pick in place each year moving forward. Not to mention, the Devils have two 3rds this year, two 5ths this year, two 2nds in 2025, and so forth.

I would be hesitant to part with this year’s pick – I will spend plenty of time on that in the coming months – but it’s a marquee asset in the war chest if Fitzgerald feels he needs it.

As disappointing as this season was, the Devils still have a lot of high-end talent on their roster and the cap space/futures to build around it nicely.

With the right moves, there is no reason this team can’t consistently contend next season and beyond.

It’s going to be a fun off-season in New Jersey. I hope you’ll stick with me for what should be an exciting ride.