A little less than a month ago, I wrote a piece discussing how the New Jersey Devils could still try to save the 2025-26 season. How if they could go on another run or two of games where they could string together a large number of wins akin to their early season eight game win streak, just maybe there was still a shot for this group, and for this season.

It’s roughly three weeks later, and things are looking a whole lot worse. The negativity has only (rightfully) amplified; Jack Hughes’ comments certainly didn’t help.

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While a reset is at the very least in order, I’m just not sure it’s enough at this point. At the very least, ownership needs to start making some moves with changes to management. Hockey management, much like an on ice product, isn’t always perfect, but I think any good will that had been built by the current regime has been lost with the way this season has played out. Whether it truly was a failure to get Quinn Hughes, hurt feelings from failing to move players with contract clauses, or general incompetence (the real answer is probably a combination of factors) the Devils under no circumstances should be THIS bad.

What’s even more maddening is there are things that SHOULD have changed before this season that did not. And the fact that those changes did not occur means that there is some level of favoritism or cronyism within the management team that should result in a purge coming from ownership. Once that purge occurs, a coaching change is most certainly to follow, if that does not happen at some point within what remains of the season. If Sheldon Keefe’s tone after Tuesday’s game is indicative of anything, it’s that he knows he’s probably not long for sticking around at his position.

Even if these changes all get made (and I’m doubtful that they will), it’s not guaranteed that the Devils players bounce back and suddenly become an effective team again. Heck, some would argue this group has never truly been an effective team, and that’s what’s at the heart of this discussion today: what if management decides that this group isn’t going to get it done and they decide to start all over again?

On paper, it makes some sense. Nico Hischier has only one season left on his current deal, and while he’s due a raise, he’s going to be 29 years old and probably exiting his prime years. Timo Meier is already arguably beyond said prime. Half of the defense is on the wrong side of 30, and even the ones in that group who can actually defend and break up opposing rushes (Brett Pesce) are starting to be complained about. Jack Hughes may find his name in discussions, as he’s one of the few Devils without trade protection and I can’t imagine his attitude is making him popular right now. There are certainly other names that Devils fans wouldn’t mind hearing their names mentioned in trade discussions.

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But where does this set the team and the fans? Do we wind up right smack back in the middle of the 2010s where things looked unbelievably bleak and the hope was to get a high draft selection and build a new core? If that’s the case, then I think the whole drafting department needs to be cleared out as well, since their previous results have had significant influence on the current on ice product. If not those drafting the players, then at least the ones developing them need to go, as there have been a lot more misses than hit. Just look at Utica’s record for at least a level of proof there.

I’m not going to close out by saying that the Devils need to start a rebuild again, or even that I want them to rebuild gain. I’m just trying to be realistic and say that the option needs to at least be on the table right now. For a group that was supposed to be elevating themselves and each other and making progress off of that 2023 postseason run, they’ve done nothing but be mediocre since. While the core players certainly need to own part of that blame, I can’t put all of the weight on them either, because it seems management has made boneheaded move after boneheaded move to try and move the team forward while only actually setting them back.

Things need to change in New Jersey – because right now, this is ugly, this isn’t fun and the future looks bleak.

What are your thoughts on the Devils’ current state of affairs as they play their final game before the Olympic break? Do you think management needs to change? Should this trigger another rebuild of the team? Is a scouting overhaul more important? Can this current player group be salvaged? Leave any and all comments below and thanks as always for reading!