This offseason, the question hovering over everything the Devils have done — or in most cases, haven’t done — has been “Can they return to the playoffs?” New Jersey’s run to the playoffs in the 2017-18 season was a surprise for fans and prognosticators alike, and on the heels of any surprise season, particularly in the NHL, analysis often revolves around figuring out if the surprise team was a flash in the pan. The consensus building in the national media and analytical circles seems to be leaning toward the Devils taking a step back, though here at AAtJ, CJ has pushed back a little bit, at least on the notion that the 2017-18 team was particularly lucky.
If the Devils Were to Miss the Playoffs This Season, What Would It Mean for the Rebuild?
