decent looking team with a very good future outlook.

I say they are one top d pair left d man and one top 6 winger away from being a true contender. Add a top pair left d and graves and sieg move down one slot and same for a 1st or 2nd line winger and this team would be a problem.

They have some very nice d prospects as well. They are in a great spot.

Top-4 LD: Luke Hughes
Top-6 W: Alexander Holtz

(Neither in lineup above).

Definitely. Hence why I said they have some nice D prospects. But I believe Hughes is going to college this year. So he is not relevant this year (Maybe for the end of the season though).

Holtz has a good shot at making the team.

I was just specifically talking about being competitive this year and what they would need to add. They should only do it if it makes sense though. Otherwise hold pat. They are in a great spot.

They also need a true 1A. Vanecek is a solid tandem goalie but not really a starter at this point

Fair! Between him and Blackwood they have the possibility of figuring it out though.

The hope is that Blackwood is fully recovered and shows what we saw before his injuries and covid

For this year, Graves and Siegenthaler should be good. Our problem was really goaltending last year. Especially once we got to Gillies and Hammond. And I think the offense will score plenty. Even with average goaltending, we’d be in playoff hunt.

^ this.

Our biggest need is better play in net. Confidence in Blackwood is very, very low. And he probably has shortest leash in NHL as his Devils career is in borrowed time.