NHL Power Rankings Week One: Capitals, Lightning, Predators, And Ducks Are Favorites

Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

NHL Power Rankings: #28 – New Jersey Devils

The New Jersey Devils have long needed a rebuild. That wasn’t going to happen under the old management. The new management, led by General Manager Ray Shero, has embraced the rebuild. That’s going to help the Devils in the long run.

STRENGTHS: Cory Schneider is an elite goaltender no matter how you slice it. How great is Schneider? One could argue he kept them from potentially getting Connor McDavid. The Devils have a better blue line than people think. Adam Larsson and Andy Greene should form a strong first pairing. Adam Henrique is a very solid forward and so is Mike Cammalleri. Pavel Zacha is going to be an extremely good player one day. That day might even be this season.

WEAKNESSES: The Devils are going to struggle mightily to score goals. Once you get past Cammalleri, Henrique, and Kyle Palmieri, they don’t have any other guys that they can rely on for scoring. Their prospect system is all but barren. The rebuild has just begun.

OUTLOOK: You know what would significantly speed up their rebuild? Auston Matthews or any other elite forward prospect. A bad finish should give them a great chance at getting one.

Next: #27