In my New Jersey Devils 2024-25 season preview we'll look at why sportsbooks are so sure the Devils will bounce back in a big way like making Jersey one of the favorites to win the Stanley Cup.
New Jersey Devils' 2024 Offseason Acquisitions:
- Traded for Jacob Markstrom
- Signed Tomas Tatar to a one-year $1.8 million contract
- Hired Sheldon Keefe as the new Head Coach
New Jersey Devils' 2024 Offseason Departures:
- Akira Schmidt & Alexander Holtz were traded to the Vegas Golden Knights
- Kevin Bahl traded to the Calgary Flames
Sportsbook Believe New Jersey Devils Will Bounce Back in 2024-25
The Devils begin with the hope that a key acquisition and a clean bill of health, combined with a new head coach, will see them have the same success they saw in 22-23. Sportsbooks share that sentiment by putting the Devils' points total for the regular season at 101.5 points (20 more points than in 23-24), the best odds to make the playoffs in the Metropolitan Division at -410, and the third-best odds to win the Cup at +1100.
| Market | Odds |
|---|---|
| Points Total | OVER 101.5 (-113) UNDER 101.5 (-113) |
| Make/Miss Playoffs | To Make Playoffs (-410) To Miss Playoffs (+290) |
| Stanley Cup Odds | +1100 |
Odds as of September 13
Can the Devils meet these lofty expectations?
By acquiring Jacob Markstrom, the Devils acquired a goalie who stopped nearly 14 goals above expected last season per MoneyPuck. That was the ninth-most in the NHL. The five goalies who played for Jersey last year combined for 0.01 goals saved above expected. Markstrom is a massive upgrade. Remember, New Jersey finished with the league's third-worst save percentage at 0.886. That horrible shot-stopping (or lack thereof) is why the Devils sank so low.
Dougie Hamilton is healthy once again. The blueliner only played 20 games last year scoring 16 points. A pace of 66 points over a full year. That would have made him the ninth-highest-scoring defenseman in the league. Oddsmakers like his chances to be as good as ever giving him +3600 odds to win this year's Norris Trophy.
When Hamilton was healthy last year, the Devils held a 0.500 record at 10-10SU. They were 28-34SU (45%) without Hamilton. Getting him back and healthy is a big win.
Don’t underestimate what the return of Dougie Hamilton will mean to the New Jersey Devils.
— Vinnie Parise (@VinnieParise) August 9, 2024
All of the forwards will benefit from his return. He allows the offense to take another step. pic.twitter.com/yTweWXvWE8
Not only does Hamilton return healthy, but so does Jack Hughes. The Devils center was a beast last year with 74 points in 62 games, a pace of 98 points had he not missed 20 games.
Having Hamilton and Hughes for a full season and now Markstrom between the pipes will propel the Devils up the standings.
Keep in mind the Devils get to play in a weak Metropolitan Divison. They'll face the depleted Columbus Blue Jackets three times and the equally poor Philadelphia Flyers four times. Not to mention they play the Penguins four times and I can guarantee you Pittsburgh won't be good this year.
The books believe New Jersey could be some 20 points better this year with that 101.5 points total line and I'm having a hard time disagreeing with sportsbooks thanks to the addition they made and the players they're getting back healthy.
New Jersey Devils Stanley Cup Odds
The books' confidence in the Devils goes as far as the Stanley Cup odds. New Jersey has the third-best odds to lift the Stanley Cup at +1100.
As I've said, I'm sure the Devils will be better but I disagree with vaulting them to the top of the Cup odds board. The Devils have only been to the playoffs twice in 12 years and have won a single playoff round.
And don't forget that new head coach Sheldon Keefe holds a dismal 16-21SU record (43%) in the playoffs with an arguably more talented Toronto Maple Leafs team. He's never done well in the playoffs. I won't run and bet that that will be different this time.
New Jersey Devils Awards Odds
Books are so sure Markstrom will have a positive impact on the Devils, that they're giving him the sixth-best odds to win the Vezina Trophy in 2024-25 at +1100.
| Goalie | Odds |
|---|---|
| Connor Hellebuyck | +600 |
| Jeremy Swayman | +600 |
| Igor Shesterkin | +600 |
| Ilya Sorokin | +900 |
| Thatcher Demko | +1000 |
| Jacob Markstrom | +1100 |
Odds as of September 13
Markstrom stopped 13.7 goals above expected for a poor Calgary Flames side last year. Put Marky's shot-stopping abilities on a team that held the 12th-highest offense last year and Markstrom will put up the goalie stats and wins to challenge for the Vezina.
Individual award love goes beyond Markstrom in the Devil's locker room, with Jack Hughes having the fourth-best odds to win the Hart Trophy at +1100, Dougie Hamilton and Luke Hughes at +3600 odds to win the Norris, while new head coach Sheldon Keefe is the favorite to win the Jack Adams Award at +700.
| Award | Player | Odds |
|---|---|---|
| Hart Trophy | Jack Hughes | +1100 |
| Norris Trophy | Luke Hughes Dougie Hamilton | +3600 |
| Jack Adams Trophy | Sheldon Keefe | +700 |
Odds as of September 13
Show me a good goalie and I'll show you a good coach. For that reason, I love Keefe's odds. I've already shared how Markstrom was good last year and could be exactly what the Devils need between the pipes. Keefe never had the privilege of having a goalie of Markstrom's caliber but still holds a career 0.655% win percentage in the league.
That type of winning percentage paced out over a single NHL season would put the Devils at 109 points. Not only would that hit the OVER on the points total but you're looking at a near 30-point improvement from last season. That type of turnaround would guarantee him the Jack Adams. So long as Markstrom can still stop pucks.
