It’s been a frustrating season for the New Jersey Devils - no way around that. They’ve underperformed, underdelivered, and right now, they’re sitting near the bottom of the NHL standings.
But if you’ve been watching Olympic hockey this week, you might’ve done a double take. That’s Jack Hughes flying around the ice for Team USA.
That’s Simon Nemec looking like a future star for Slovakia. That’s Timo Meier lighting the lamp for Switzerland.
And suddenly, things don’t look quite so bleak.
Let’s be clear: this doesn’t erase what’s happened in New Jersey this season. But it does shine a light on something that’s been easy to overlook - the Devils have talent.
Legitimate, high-end talent. The issue isn’t the pieces.
It’s how those pieces have been used.
Simon Nemec Is Showing Exactly Who He Can Be
If you’ve caught any of Slovakia’s games, you’ve seen Simon Nemec playing with poise and confidence. He’s not just holding his own - he’s driving play from the back end. Whether it’s quarterbacking the power play or defending in transition, Nemec is showing exactly why he was a top draft pick.
He’s being used the right way: given space to create, paired with a stay-at-home partner to cover defensively, and trusted in big moments. The Slovaks are letting him be the dynamic, puck-moving defenseman he’s meant to be.
And guess what? It’s working - Slovakia is in a position to win Group B over powerhouses like Sweden and Finland.
The Devils should take note. Nemec isn’t a depth piece to shelter - he’s a weapon to unleash.
Think a younger P.K. Subban, with smoother edges.
The potential is there. Now it’s about putting him in a position to succeed.
Jack Hughes Is Thriving - Even On Team USA’s Fourth Line
Jack Hughes is technically skating on the fourth line for Team USA. But don’t let the label fool you - he’s been electric.
The difference? He’s playing with linemates who complement his game.
Guys like Brock Nelson and Vincent Trocheck - smart, skilled, two-way forwards who do the dirty work and let Hughes cook.
That’s what the Devils have to figure out. Hughes doesn’t need flash around him - he needs balance.
Jesper Bratt is a talented winger, no question, but he’s not the guy to unlock Hughes’ full potential. The Devils need to find linemates who can read the game the way Hughes does, who can create space and finish chances.
Because when Hughes has the right support, he doesn’t just look like a star. He looks like a franchise cornerstone.
Timo Meier Is Boosting His Trade Value - Or Making His Case to Stay
Then there’s Timo Meier, who’s doing exactly what he was brought in to do - score goals. He’s already found the back of the net twice for Switzerland, and he’s doing it in style. Meier’s game has always been about power and finishing ability, and in the Olympic setting, he’s showing why teams covet that kind of player.
For the Devils, this creates a bit of a crossroads. If they’re looking to move on from Meier, this is the window.
His value is trending up, and there’s always a market for scoring wingers with playoff experience. The contract - with a full no-move clause and five-plus years left - is a hurdle, but not an insurmountable one if the right team comes calling.
On the flip side, this could also be a reminder of what Meier can bring when he’s in the right system. He’s a top-six forward who can tilt a game. If the Devils can find the right fit for him in their forward group, there’s still a path forward with Meier in New Jersey.
The Devils Don’t Need a Rebuild - They Need a Reset
It’s tempting, in a season like this, to talk about blowing it up. But the Olympics are telling a different story.
Seven Devils players are representing their countries, and most of them are making an impact. That doesn’t happen by accident.
This roster has talent - the kind you build around, not tear down.
The key now is to build smarter. That means finding the right complementary players for Hughes and Hischier.
That means surrounding Nemec with the kind of partners who let him thrive. And above all, it means implementing a system that plays to the strengths of this group - especially on the defensive side, where the Devils have struggled mightily this year.
This season may have slipped away, but the big picture hasn’t changed. The Devils still have a core worth believing in. The Olympic break just made that a little harder to ignore.