This has been one of the biggest offseasons in recent Devils history, one when they not only improved their team dramatically but also created a legit buzz about hockey in Newark.
They nabbed the first-overall pick through the lottery for the second time in three years and took American wunderkind Jack Hughes. General manager Ray Shero then traded for bombastic defenseman P.K. Subban and Russian winger Nikita Gusev and signed fan favorite Wayne Simmonds.
Coach John Hynes is entering his fifth season behind the bench, making him the longest-tenured coach of any major pro team in the New York area.