The 2022-23 version of the New Jersey Devils will always have a place in the hearts of its fans after setting the NHL record for the biggest turnaround and the team record for wins and points. With the salary cap remaining flat and the need to lock up the team’s core long-term at a reasonable cost, several players from the team left either via trade or free agency. Here is a look at how each is doing in their new places at this point of the season.
Damon Severson
With the drafting of Luke Hughes, Simon Nemec, Seamus Casey, and Shakir Mukhamadullin, it was clear that Damon Severson’s days were numbered in New Jersey. Not because of his play, which was actually stellar last season, but because of the huge salary and significant term he could command on the open market. General manager Tom Fitzgerald did right by Severson in keeping him at the deadline and allowing him to be a part of the success after years of spearheading lackluster teams. Severson, in turn, did right by Fitzgerald in allowing him to recoup a draft pick to send him to the Columbus Blue Jackets in a sign-and-trade before the commencement of free agency.
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It is strange seeing Severson in blue and red, and even stranger to see him wear 78. Through five games, he is a plus-four and has two points while averaging just above 19 minutes a game. As with his time at the Devils, he has been used on both the power play and penalty kill units. Also, like his time in New Jersey, his play has not been without controversy. Severson was benched for a defensive zone mistake that ended up leading to a goal. The Hockey Writers Blue Jackets reporter Mark Scheig had this to say about Severson’s transition:
“Severson is off to a bit of a slow start, as evidenced by being benched for the third period against Detroit. He’s still learning the system and his new teammates. He has the right attitude about the (benching) and is ready to move past it.” He spent two games paired with Adam Boqvist and three with Zach Werenski. When matched with Werenski, the pair has allowed zero goals in 33 minutes at even strength.
Severson will make his return to face the Devils on Black Friday, Nov. 24, 2023, at 3:00 p.m.
Miles Wood
There is no disputing Miles Wood‘s toughness, character, or pure speed. His play with reckless abandon was always greeted with cheers at the Prudential Center. That play, though, likely factored into his departure from New Jersey. With Wood missing almost the entire 2021-22 season due to hip surgery, the Devils seemed unwilling to meet his demands for significant term last offseason, and he tested the free agent waters. The Colorado Avalanche, looking to upgrade the speed on their third line, were willing to take a risk with Wood and signed him to a six-year contract that will run until he turns 33.
Wood scored a goal for the Avalanche on opening night and has been kept off the scoresheet since. The Hockey Writers Avalanche reporters, Kerry Collins and Marko Zlomislic, report that Wood is still adjusting to his new linemates but that he has given the team solid minutes on the penalty kill, something he was not used much for in his later New Jersey years. He has been featured on a line with former Devil Tomas Tatar and former Devils fan Ross Colton. The line brings a change of pace not had by Colorado last season.
Miles Wood returns to the Prudential Center for the first time on Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024, at 7:30 p.m.
Yegor Sharangovich
Yegor Sharangovich remains in red and white, but it is now tinged with yellow rather than black. The enigmatic, talented Belarusian dazzled Devils fans with his blistering shot, versatility, and penalty-killing prowess but often faded into the background if he did not find the scoresheet. Concerned about the cost of keeping him long-term, the Devils acted quickly and traded the pending restricted free agent to the Calgary Flames in exchange for veteran scorer Tyler Toffoli. Toffoli was a perfect fit for what the Devils needed in their top six and has thus far been helping to get the best out of Jack Hughes.
Sharangovich got off to a slow start in Calgary but has started to come on as of late. The Hockey Writers Calgary Flames reporter Rupert McDonald indicated that Sharangovich started the season much in the way he finished for New Jersey: by not standing out. He has also yet to gain time on the power play. There was surprise from the writers that Sharangovich has not landed on a line alongside Jonathan Huberdeau, but it seems the Flames are still experimenting with their combinations. The Flames list him at center and have played him both at center and the wing. Through six games, he has two points and is averaging 13 minutes per game of ice time.
Sharangovich will return to The Rock on Thursday, Feb. 8, 2024, at 7:00 p.m.
Ryan Graves
The Devils acquired Ryan Graves in the summer of 2021 looking to bolster their defense corps with a big, athletic defenseman who could play the left side. Graves grew into the perfect foil for John Marino, and the duo became one of the best shutdown pairs in the league, both at even strength and on the penalty kill. Unfortunately for Graves’ future in New Jersey, the emergence of Kevin Bahl and Luke Hughes did not leave any long-term room for him on the roster, and he set out to test the free agency waters.
Graves inked a six-year contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins to bolster a blue line that lacked speed and size. So far, at even strength, he has been paired mostly with Kris Letang. Because he is often on the ice against the other team’s top lines, his numbers can be skewed, but he seems to be mostly acquitting himself well so far in Pittsburgh. In five games, he has two points and 12 blocked shots. His eight giveaways, several within the defensive zone, have drawn the ire of fans and his coaching staff alike. As Devils fans learned with Graves, there will be plays that are confounding, but for the most part, he is a solid two-way contributor.
Related: The Three Biggest Issues Facing the Devils After the First Week
Devils fans will have to wait until Tuesday, March 19, 2024, until they can see Graves’ return to The Prudential Center.
Mackenzie Blackwood
There was a time when Mackenzie Blackwood seemed destined to inherit the legacy of Martin Brodeur. There was talk of him possibly being considered as Team Canada’s starting goaltender for the 2022 Olympic Games. Unfortunately for both Blackwood and the Devils, the dream scenario never materialized. Over his final three seasons with the Devils, Blackwood suffered from a litany of injuries that would force him to miss time just as he was rounding into form. He often showed flashes of brilliance, then was beset by costly errors. The emergence of Akira Schmid last season led to Blackwood being scratched throughout the playoffs, and both parties decided it was time for a change of scenery. As the deadline for restricted free agency qualifying offers loomed, the Devils traded Blackwood to San Jose.
It appears that change has done Mackenzie good, as his opening games in San Jose have been stellar. The Hockey Writers Sharks beat reporter, William Espy, was effusive in his praise for Blackwood’s first two starts. “Blackwood has been incredible so far. (Game two’s) stats don’t really reflect how well he played, as the entire team seemed to just run out of gas late in the game. He made Sharks franchise history already, setting the record for most saves in a debut and through two games.” Seems thus far San Jose has a focused, healthy Blackwood looking to reach his potential. In just three starts, he has already made 116 saves and posted a .906 save percentage.
Devils fans can see Blackwood, and former Devils forward Fabian Zetterlund, return to Newark on Friday, Dec. 1, 2023, at 7:00 p.m.
Tomas Tatar
Coming off perhaps his best season as a pro, many expected the Devils to try to retain Tomas Tatar. The winger was an essential element to the team’s 5-on-5 successes in the 2022-23 season. After signing with Colorado just before the start of training camp, Tatar lamented that he wished to stay in New Jersey but likely overplayed his hand seeking a long-term deal and turning down New Jersey’s offer of a one-year deal to stay. Once New Jersey had acquired Toffoli and Tomas Nosek, there was no longer any space for Tatar, and he signed a one-year prove-it deal with the Avalanche.
In his time with Colorado, he has been paired with other newcomers, Ross Colton and Miles Wood. While acclimating to the new system, Tatar has been his usually speedy, two-way forward, producing an expected goals for percentage of over 52 at even strength. He’s also starting to be used on the penalty kill, something the Devils did not ask him to do last season.
Much of the issue with Tatar has come down to his lack of playoff production. Last season, he scored one of the biggest playoff goals of the season in Game 7 against the New York Rangers but was otherwise not impactful in ways he was in the regular season. He has been a part of two teams that have made it to the Stanley Cup Final, with each team choosing to scratch him as the playoff runs went deeper. This Avalanche team has their eyes toward another Stanley Cup, and it will be interesting to see whether they place their faith in Tatar when it matters.
Tatar will return to face the Devils alongside Miles Wood on Feb. 6, 2024, at 7:30.
The biggest challenge for the Devils so far has been the lost experience on the blue line. With the quality of players they lost over the offseason, it is no wonder that they have experienced some challenges early. Devils fans should be sure to be in their seats early on the aforementioned return dates, as there will likely be tributes to all of these players upon their return.
