Bad news for New Jersey Devils already to start the season

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Ryan
September 12, 2022 (4:18 PM)

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It was an interesting offseason for the New Jersey Devils. For a few years now and having multiple first overall picks, the New Jersey Devils finally stated that after last season they want to start contending for the playoffs.

The Devils even had the 2nd overall pick in the draft, in which they made public that it could be available if someone was able to offer a play that could help them win now, but no trade was ever made and the Devils selected Simon Nemec with the 2nd overall pick.

The Devils did improve their team this offseason though, they made a trade with the Washington Capitals to bring in goaltender Vitek Vanecek, they signed two-time Stanley Cup champion, Ondrej Palat, they traded away former top 10 pick Pavel Zacha, for veteran Erik Haula, and traded young defencemen Ty Smith, for the defensive defenceman John Marino.

Add in the development of all their young players, the Devils look to be in good shape to start next season.

Unfortunately for them though, they were hit with some bad news. Starting goaltender Jonathan Bernier is not expected to be ready to start the season.

A source told me Jonathan Bernier «definitely won't be ready for the start of the season.»#NJDevils https://t.co/e0N5KzyW7y� Ryan Novozinsky (@ryannovo62) September 8, 2022

The Devils did acquire Vanecek, so it will be Blackwood and Vanecek battling it out for the starting position to begin the year, but if they want to be a playoff contender this year, they will need Bernier healthy and playing.