April 13, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; New Jersey Devils center Nico Hischier (13 years old) watches the first quarter of the game against the Philadelphia Flyers at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images The 2023-24 season will be one of disappointment for both the New Jersey Devils and Buffalo Sabres.
However, after respective offseasons of significant change, both teams are looking to start the 2024-25 season on a positive note when they take on the first of two games of the 2024 NHL Global Series on Friday in Prague, Czech Republic. A match for the Czech Republic.
The Devils ranked 23rd in the NHL with 81 points last season, a sharp drop from 2022-23 when they scored 112 points and ranked third in the league. That season, they got off to a 16-3-0 start, including a 13-game winning streak, and made the playoffs for the second time in 11 years.
“It's critical for us to get off to a good start,” New Jersey general manager Tom Fitzgerald told NHL.com of the upcoming season. “…These 13 games have helped cushion the loss. ball period (December, 1-7-1) because you’re still playing with casino money.”
Fitzgerald worked hard this summer to get his team back on track. He added goaltender Jacob Markstrom from the Calgary Flames and added free-agent defensemen Brett Pace and Brenden Dillon, one of the top bluelines on the market.
Sheldon Keefe was hired to replace interim head coach Travis Green, who was hired after Lindy Ruff was hired on March 4. Replacement after dismissal.
“We know what to do,” Devils captain Nico Hischier said. “We know how to get into a rhythm quickly. We just have to do it professionally. No excuses.”
Meanwhile, Love is now behind the bench for the Sabers. He was responsible for leading the team back to the playoffs for the first time since 2011, when he was the last Buffalo coach to do so.
After years of a seemingly never-ending rebuild, hope emerged when Buffalo fell one point behind the Florida Panthers for a second Eastern Conference wild card in the 2022-23 season. However, inconsistent performance in the 2023-24 season caused the team to drop seven points, extending the team's playoff drought to an NHL-record 13 seasons.
General manager Kevyn Adams hired Ruff six days after firing Don Granato. Adams and the players discussed the need and desire for accountability, which is part of the structure Love brought to the table.
The Sabers bought out the final three years of Jeff Skinner's contract and revamped their bottom six to add depth and make the team tougher to play against. Adams acquired Ryan McLeod from the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for highly regarded prospect Matt Savoy. He traded Baker Marenstein and signed Jason Zucker, Sam Rafferty and Nicolas Aub-Kubel.
Sabers players quickly embraced Love's system.
“Just looking at this team and how we've played in the preseason, the mentality we've had going into all these games, I think it's phenomenal,” Buffalo forward Alex Tuch said. “We're doing it right. We need to play the way we need to win some games.”
They'll be looking to bounce back after Tach, Tach Thompson and Dylan Cozens declined offensively last season. Buffalo also hopes forwards JJ Peterka and Jack Quinn, defenseman Owen Power and goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen will continue to develop. Lukonen ascended to the No. 1 spot last season and signed a five-year contract extension in the offseason.
They will do it all under the leadership of new captain Rasmus Dahlin, who was appointed on September 26.
“His presence and the way people feed off his energy…it's fun to watch, honestly,” Rafferty said.
–Scene-level media