2023 Devils had the biggest turnaround in NHL history, +49 points. Best record in franchise history

[AfroThunder396]

Last year the New Jersey Devils finished 27-46-9 with 63 points and a -59 goal differential. They finished 28th overall and won the draft lottery, getting the 2nd overall pick (Simon Nemec).

This year, the Devils finished 52-22-8 with 112 points, the most wins (previously 51 - 2008-09) and most points (previously 111 - 2000-01) in franchise history. They finish this season with the 3rd best record in the league, only 1 point behind Carolina for 2nd.

They finish with a +65 goal differential, a whopping +124 goal differential swing from last season.

Their improvement of +49 standings points in one season is the biggest single-season turnaround in NHL history (since the 82 game season). The record was previously shared by the 2017-18 Avalanche and 2006-07 Penguins, both of them had a +47 point turnaround from their previous year.

They Devils have 3 Stanley Cups, 5 Stanley Cup Finals appearances, and 9 Division titles - this 2023 team of young budding talent just outperformed all of those teams.

GM Tom Fitzgerald needs to be the frontrunner for GM of the Year. The way he's transformed this roster since 2020 is pretty remarkable. Draft, trade, free agency, and the hiring of Lindy Ruff (which was largely laughed upon at the time).

 

[Stickpucker]

As a Canes fan they clearly don't need Nemec...they should just waive him.

 

[Mirinho]

Last year the New Jersey Devils finished 27-46-9 with 63 points and a -59 goal differential. They finished 28th overall and won the draft lottery, getting the 2nd overall pick (Simon Nemec).

This year, the Devils finished 52-22-8 with 112 points, the most wins (previously 51 - 2008-09) and most points (previously 111 - 2000-01) in franchise history. They finish this season with the 3rd best record in the league, only 1 point behind Carolina for 2nd.

Their improvement of +49 standings points in one season is the biggest single-season turnaround in NHL history. The record was previously shared by the 2017-18 Avalanche and 2006-07 Penguins, both of them had a +47 point turnaround from their previous year.

They Devils have 3 Stanley Cups, 5 Stanley Cup Finals appearances, and 9 Division titles - this 2023 team of young budding talent just outperformed all of those teams.

GM Tom Fitzgerald needs to be the frontrunner for GM of the Year. The way he's transformed this roster since 2020 is pretty remarkable. Draft, trade, free agency, and the hiring of Lindy Ruff (which was largely laughed upon at the time).

And all that as one the most youngest teams

 

[Uncle Scrooge]

I guess a blind squirrel finds a nut every now and then, glad I stuck to my guns about the Devils for this year.

"You do realize this point swing never happens" was one of the usual arguments against them last summer.

 

[HBK27]

Their improvement of +49 standings points in one season is the biggest single-season turnaround in NHL history. The record was previously shared by the 2017-18 Avalanche and 2006-07 Penguins, both of them had a +47 point turnaround from their previous year.

That's some good company to be in, considering what those franchises have done since then.

What a way to end it as well and set the record - coming back from a 4-1 deficit with this OT winner.

 

[Discipline Daddy]

On the one hand, I'm terrified of playing against New Jersey for the next several years. On the other hand, kudos is deserved. They got themselves over the hump and will be dangerous. It is my opinion that almost all the other contenders played the short game this year, going all in at a cost to their long-term prospects. New Jersey and Carolina both did not, and I think both teams will be good for a long time. As a Canes fan, I'm scared to play against Jersey as they are a younger team than we are and they have their most important pieces already locked in.

 

[LightningStrikes]

They have an exciting young team. Good to see it’s finally all coming together for them!

 

[rogking65]

Last year the New Jersey Devils finished 27-46-9 with 63 points and a -59 goal differential. They finished 28th overall and won the draft lottery, getting the 2nd overall pick (Simon Nemec).

This year, the Devils finished 52-22-8 with 112 points, the most wins (previously 51 - 2008-09) and most points (previously 111 - 2000-01) in franchise history. They finish this season with the 3rd best record in the league, only 1 point behind Carolina for 2nd.

Their improvement of +49 standings points in one season is the biggest single-season turnaround in NHL history. The record was previously shared by the 2017-18 Avalanche and 2006-07 Penguins, both of them had a +47 point turnaround from their previous year.

They Devils have 3 Stanley Cups, 5 Stanley Cup Finals appearances, and 9 Division titles - this 2023 team of young budding talent just outperformed all of those teams.

GM Tom Fitzgerald needs to be the frontrunner for GM of the Year. The way he's transformed this roster since 2020 is pretty remarkable. Draft, trade, free agency, and the hiring of Lindy Ruff (which was largely laughed upon at the time).

first overall would be winning the lottery

 

[Section 104]

I thought I saw something on the NHL network that it was the 3rd largest turnaround in NHL history. Does not matter much. Still, a Great Leap Forward and they are fun to watch.

 

[ijuka]

That's some good company to be in, considering what those franchises have done since then.

What a way to end it as well and set the record - coming back from a 4-1 deficit with this OT winner.

How is NHL still unable to record videos without them being blurry in the beginning? I can literally do that on my pc in 4k quality using completely free open source tools in two clicks. How can it be possible?

I'd be ashamed of uploading something like this to my twitter with 100 followers but for some reason NHL has no problems with doing this to their website multi million dollar website. Maybe they should hire me if it's such a challenge.

 

[Classic Devil]

How is NHL still unable to record videos without them being blurry in the beginning? I can literally do that on my pc in 4k quality using completely free open source tools in two clicks. How can it be possible?

I'd be ashamed of uploading something like this to my twitter with 100 followers but for some reason NHL has no problems with doing this to their website multi million dollar website. Maybe they should hire me if it's such a challenge.

The blur in the still might be intentional. It gives the impression of movement and speed.

 

[AfroThunder396]

first overall would be winning the lottery

There are two lottery drawings, one for 1st overall and one for 2nd overall. The Devils won the lottery for 2nd overall. Otherwise they would have picked 5th overall.

 

[mphmiles]

New Jersey was a fairly predictable turnaround team this season. (I don't think anyone expected they'd be this good, though- I thought they'd maybe make the playoffs as a 6-7 seed)

They were actually a pretty good 5v5 team last season, they just had horrendous goaltending- the worst in the league. To add to that, their core was still really young and improving. They have an embarrassment of riches in terms of young talent and are going to be contending for a long time.

 

[Jersey Fresh]

The blur in the still might be intentional. It gives the impression of movement and speed.

He’s right though, you can’t watch almost any game highlights on the NHL site or app without blurry video. It’s unconscionable. I always have to go to YouTube.

 

[Ben Matlock]

It’s the ”curse” of Erik Haula.

 

[SheldonJPlankton]

The modern NHL era is sure full of NHL teams setting unexpected NHL and franchise records and otherwise accomplishing oddities.

Good for NJ.

 

[Devils731]

I thought I saw something on the NHL network that it was the 3rd largest turnaround in NHL history. Does not matter much. Still, a Great Leap Forward and they are fun to watch.

Largest in an 82 game season.

The Sharks were +57, I think, in the early 90s but that was an 84 game schedule so you need the 82 game caveat.

 

[BruinsBtn]

That's the PK Subban effect.

 

[Nocashstyle]

Like a lot of Devils fans said last year, just need to get “league average goaltending” and they are a good team.

 

[Killer Orca]

Devils are a fun young team to watch. Scary part Nemec and Hughes are waiting to join the party soon. Good luck in playoffs.

 

[biturbo19]

Honestly, it felt like they were really poised for this last year. Their goaltending was absolutely pathetic and made a huge difference to their fortunes. Getting even just decent, stable, average goaltending has obviously made up a huge part of that differential.


Their defence has also completely stabilized. Which is interesting because it might be about to get radically overhauled over the summer. But for whatever reason...bringing in Marino has fit perfectly, and put everyone else in exactly the right situations and roles to transform the unit.


That, and Jack Hughes being healthier along with Bratt continue to take those steps to stardom.

They were the team on the cusp that felt most poised to take that sort of leap though.