"They’re better than Islanders for sure" "No playoffs": NHL fans react to New Jersey Devils' projected roster for upcoming 2024-25 season

The NHL has released the New Jersey Devils' projected lineup for the 2024-25 season, sparking fan reactions. Since the June 28 NHL Draft is already done, many contracts have been signed in free agency and other offseason moves are close to finalization.

NHL.com is reviewing team preparations for the upcoming season, which starts on October 4.

The website shared the New Jersey Devils' projected roster on X, prompting fan responses. The lineup includes:

Forwards:

• Timo Meier - Nico Hischier - Jesper Bratt
• Ondrej Palat - Jack Hughes - Dawson Mercer
• Stefan Noesen - Erik Haula - Tomas Tatar
• Paul Cotter - Curtis Lazar - Nathan Bastian

Defense:

• Jonas Siegenthaler - Dougie Hamilton
• Luke Hughes - Brett Pesce
• Brenden Dillon - Simon German

Goalies:

• Jacob Markstrom
• Jake Allen

Fans hopped into the comment section to share their opinions on the projected New Jersey Devils lineup.

"They’ll make the playoffs. They’re better than the Islanders for sure," one fan said.

"No playoffs," another fan said, expressing disbelief in their playoff chances.

"I hope they can overcome the fall they had at mid-season last year. They were a top team in the east before that drought," a fan said.

Here are some more reactions from fans on X:

"Nemec on the third D line?? While Sieg's on the first?????? switch those and its a bunch better," a fan remarked.

"All this hype for another year of missing the playoffs and being dominated by the Rangers," one fan said.

"That is a very good lineup. However, I keep hearing that Pesce would likely play against the top lines. The question is, is Luke the best defenseman to be paired with Pesce? Maybe Dillon should be paired with Pesce…," one fan wondered.

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New Jersey Devils' moves before the 2024-25 NHL season

The New Jersey Devils made several important moves this offseason:

Jacob Markstrom, G: Acquired from the Calgary Flames on June 19. Markstrom, 34, had a 2.78 goals-against average and a .905 save percentage last season.

Brett Pesce, D: Signed a six-year contract on July 1. Pesce, 29, had 13 points last season with the Carolina Hurricanes.

Brenden Dillon, D: Signed a three-year deal on July 1. Dillon, 33, scored 20 points last season with the Winnipeg Jets.

Stefan Noesen, F: Signed a three-year contract on July 1. Noesen, 31, had a career-high 37 points with the Hurricanes.

Tomas Tatar, F: Returned on a one-year contract. Tatar, 33, had 24 points last season with the Colorado Avalanche and Seattle Kraken.

Paul Cotter, F: Acquired from the Vegas Golden Knights on June 29. Cotter, 24, had 25 points last season and won the Stanley Cup with Vegas.

Johnathan Kovacevic, D: Acquired from the Montreal Canadiens on June 30. Kovacevic, 27, had 13 points and was a plus-11 last season.

Sheldon Keefe, Coach: Replaced Travis Green on May 23. Keefe was previously with the Toronto Maple Leafs.