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Home , Colorado Rockies (NHL), Cory Schneider, Evgeni Malkin, Johan Hedberg, Kirk Muller, Kyle Palmieri

New Jersey Devils 2019-20 Preview

NEW JERSEY DEVILS LOOK-AHEAD After holding the first overall draft selection for the third time in franchise history, the Devils enter 2019-20 looking to return to the after a one-season absence. Top pick Jack Hughes joins (2017) and , selected by the in 1979, as the only players to be chosen first overall by the franchise. Hughes is expected to join a new-look Devils team that also welcomes P.K. Subban, Wayne Simmonds and 2017-18 Kontinental Hockey League MVP Nikita Gusev.

SEASON-OPENING STATS * In 2018-19, became the fourth player in NHL history to post multiple goals in each of his team’s first three games to begin a season. Overall, he scored his team’s opening in four straight games to start the year – an NHL first – to help the Devils start a season 4- 0-0 for the fourth time in franchise history and first since 1995-96.

OFFENSIVE OUTLOOK * One season removed from his Hart Trophy campaign, aims to regain form and become the first Devils/Rockies/Scouts player to reach the 90- benchmark on multiple occasions (2017-18: 39-54—93 in 76 GP).

* Since making his NHL debut in 2008-09, six-time 20-goal scorer Wayne Simmonds ranks eighth among all skaters with 94 power-play goals – with three other current members of the ahead of him on that list (Alex Ovechkin: 188, : 109 & : 101).

* Should P.K. Subban return to his career-high form that saw him post 15-45—60 in 2014-15 (82 GP), he would match the highest point total by a defenseman in his first season with the franchise (: 22-38—60 in 1977-78).

New Jersey Devils 2019-20 Season Preview

THE FUTURE IS NOW * Jack Hughes will be 18 for the entire 2019-20 regular season. Only three 18-year-olds have eclipsed the 20-point mark in a season for the franchise: (12-27—39 in 1984-85), Nico Hischier (8-17—25 in 2017-18) and Paul Gagne (15-9—24 in 1980-81). Gagne holds the single-season franchise record for most goals by an 18-year-old.

* Only 10 teenagers have posted at least 30 points in a season for the franchise, with Muller (17-37—54 in 1984-85) and Hischier (20-32—52 in 2017-18) holding the top two spots. Teammate Jesper Bratt (13-22—35 in 2017-18) also is among that group of 10 teenagers.

* Nico Hischier, 20, needs one point to hit 100 in his NHL career (37-62—99 in 151 GP). Only 11 players have accumulated 100 NHL points in 160 or fewer games with the franchise, with the last to do so on Jan. 13, 2001 (25-77—102 in 124 GP).

BETWEEN THE PIPES * , whose career record of 167-153-56 (396 GP), had a 2.46 goals-against average and .921 save percentage after the 2019 NHL All-Star Game (17 GP). Schneider (298 GP, 112 W) is approaching (302 GP, 118 W) for second place in franchise history in both games and wins among , behind (1,259 GP, 688 W).

FIRST IMPRESSIONS A look at how players have fared historically in their debut game/season with the franchise:

First game with the Devils/Scouts/Rockies. . . SKATERS Most goals: 3 – Sylvain Turgeon (Oct. 5, 1989) Most assists: 3 – 3 players; most recent: Will Butcher (Oct. 7, 2017) Most points: 4 – Doug Gilmour (Feb. 26, 1997)

DEFENSEMEN Most goals: 1 – 7 players; most recent: Josef Boumedienne (Oct. 6, 2001) Most assists: 3 – Will Butcher (Oct. 7, 2017) Most points: 3 – Will Butcher (Oct. 7, 2017)

GOALTENDERS Most saves: 48 – Bill Oleschuk (Jan. 23, 1976) : none

First season with the Devils/Scouts/Rockies. . . SKATERS Most goals: 30 – 4 players; most recent: Kyle Palmieri (2015-16) Most assists: 51 – Scott Gomez (1999-00) Most points: 70 – Scott Gomez (1999-00)

DEFENSEMEN Most goals: 22 – Barry Beck (1977-78) Most assists: 42 – (1991-92) Most points: 60 – Barry Beck (1977-78)

New Jersey Devils 2019-20 Season Preview

GOALTENDERS Most wins: 16 – Cory Schneider (2013-14) Most : 3 – Cory Schneider (2013-14) and (2010-11)