The New Jersey Devils barely qualified for the playoffs for the first time in five years this past season. They were carried into the playoffs on the shoulders of Hart Memorial Trophy winner Taylor Hall, and the late-season play of Keith Kinkaid.
After narrowly making the playoffs, the Devils decided to let all of their pending free agents leave in the offseason. John Moore left for Boston, Michael Grabner is on his way to Arizona, Patrick Maroon went home to St. Louis, and Brian Gibbons departed for Anaheim.