Will the Addition of P.K. Subban Make the New Jersey Devils a Contender Again?
Devils Stanley Cup odds keep improving now sitting at +2600. Don’t look now but with the explosive PK Subban, and the unreal Taylor Hall, the Devils are a dark horse to hoist the Cup in 2020.
Perennial basement dwellers in the Eastern Conference, the Devils finished last season in 15th place with a record of 31-41-10. It was an ugly year on the Jersey shore. The aforementioned Hall’s knee injury almost single-handedly derailed the Devils’ season, as the all-world winger exploded for 37 points in 33 games prior to getting hurt and was on pace for a another 90-point season. Presuming he returns from injury for the start of training camp in the fall, Hall should be ready to make another run at the Hart trophy, and lead his Devils squad deep into the 2020 playoffs.
The new-look Devils could surprise in 2018-19. The year has been fantastic for the Devils so far as after a transformative off-season haul, New Jersey looks as though they are ready to contend right now. After winning the draft lottery and taking prodigy Jack Hughes first overall, trading for All-world defenseman P.K. Subban, signing Wayne Simmonds in free agency, and swinging a deal for the dissatisfied Nikita Gusev from Detroit, sports bettors have taken notice.
The Devils betting odds have shifted drastically since they were released, going from over +5000 on some sportsbooks, down to +2600. At that price they are a very deep sleeper for NHL bettors this season. Even so, this Devils team will most definitely be a playoff contender in 2020. Once they’re in the tournament, anyone can win it. The quest to lift Lord Stanley’s cup is no longer an impossible task in Jersey.
New Jersey currently sits behind the Washington Capitals (+350) and Pittsburgh Penguins (+410) in betting odds to win the Metropolitan division. Ripping the division from the grasp of those superpowers has been a nearly impossible task for the past decade. However, all of a sudden, the Devils boast nearly as much talent and superstar firepower as the Caps and Pens. Left winger Taylor Hall may still be a step below the altar of Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin, but his breakout Hart Trophy winning season two years ago has solidified his status as a hockey superstar. New Jersey’s odds sit at just +500 to win the Metro. If you don’t like the Devils chances of dethroning hockey’s titans, the over/under on the Devils point total for the 2019-20 season sits at just 88.5. With the addition of so much talent this summer, bettors should feel very confident in taking the over.
Hockey in New Jersey has steadily improved since John Tynes took over as head coach in 2015, barring last season’s ugly showing. Thriving to return to the days of Martin Brodeur and Scott Stevens, General Manager Ray Shero has significantly enhanced the amount of talent at this club. Never shy to make a move, Shero has recently collected Hall, Will Butcher, Jesper Bratt, Kyle Palmieri, Sami Vatanen, Subban, Nico Hischier, and of course, top pick Hughes. Shero was instrumental as GM in Pittsburgh, instilling a winning culture, while bringing in a great group of veterans and prospects to help build a Penguins dynasty. He’s up to his old tricks in Jersey, and has already started the Devils down the same path. This Devils team could easily make some noise in 2020. With a few more years of experience for its prospects, and further veteran help being brought in, this squad looks set to contend for years to come. Finally.
