In a recent survey, conducted by The Athletic (a subscription-based service), which garnered nearly 10,000 responses, the New Jersey Devils slipped six positions from last season’s rankings, from first to seventh in terms of confidence in their team’s front office.
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In addition to their overall team ranking, each team was given a grade. The Devils received an A- as an overall team grade broken down into seven categories.
The highest grade that they received was an A in Draft and Develop. However, that was from the public, from the fan base they were given a C+.
This is particularly surprising given the Devils’ successful drafting and development of key players, including Jack Hughes and Nico Hischier.
From the perspective of the fan base, the Devils were awarded a B grade overall. The highest-rated category was Trading, which is not unexpected given the team’s strategic acquisitions, such as secondary scoring and a starting goalie, through trades.
Despite this drop, falling to seventh overall from first in the NHL (as seen in the tweet above), it remains a commendable achievement. The Devils still hold a top-ten ranking, demonstrating that their approach is well-received by the fans.
While the drop in confidence may be attributed to their failure to make the playoffs last season, the Devils are expected to compete for the top seed in the Metro Division this season. This should likely elevate their overall ranking and grade.
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