August is already halfway through, which means the start of the NHL season is just around the corner. As we wait for the puck to drop, it’s always fun to look back and see how much can change in a decade.
Back in 2015, the New Jersey Devils looked like a completely different team. The roster featured names like Jaromir Jagr, Mike Cammalleri, and Adam Henrique. Around the league, Jamie Benn led in scoring, and Connor McDavid was still just a highly touted prospect.
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For New Jersey, that season brought in Jordin Tootoo and Blake Pietila, who signed a two-year contract. Vojtech Mozik, an undrafted free agent, made seven appearances, while Joseph Blandisi made his debut as a rookie.
Adam Henrique led the Devils in points with 43, while Cammalleri paced the team in goals with 27. In net, Cory Schneider put together an outstanding year, ranking fourth in the NHL for goals saved above expected (17.60) and posting a stellar .924 save percentage.
Leadership came from captain Andy Greene, with Michael Cammalleri, Patrik Elias, and Henrique serving as alternates. Behind the bench, John Hynes was in his first year as head coach, while Ray Shero held the general manager role, assisted by Tom Fitzgerald, who would later take over as GM himself.
Despite their efforts, the Devils were still firmly in a rebuild. After making the Stanley Cup Final in 2012, the team missed the playoffs again in 2015 and wouldn’t return until 2017-18. That year, New Jersey finished 7th in the Metropolitan Division with a 38-36-8 record, selling at the deadline and struggling to find consistency month after month.
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The most memorable moment came on April 10, 2016, when Patrik Elias skated in his final game. Fans chanted “one more year” as he left the ice, though he officially announced his retirement in March 2017. Elias remains one of the most respected players in franchise history, even during those tough rebuilding years.
Fast forward ten years, and the picture couldn’t be more different. The Devils are now considered a legitimate Stanley Cup contender, far removed from the uncertainty of that 2015-16 season.
Looking back, it’s clear that the struggles of that rebuilding era laid the foundation for the Devils we see today.