Things have not gone according to plan for the New Jersey Devils as nearly every notable player on the roster has been on the injury list at least once.
Even with a healthy lineup, this is not the same team that put together the first 110+ point season in franchise history a year ago. Inconsistent goaltending, horrendous defensive play, and a lack of resolve from head coach Lindy Ruff have all contributed to this rocky season for New Jersey.
In times of uncertainty, it’s easy to give in to the pressure of the circumstances and fall apart. However, there is another solution, and that’s to embrace the chaos and intensify it.
By now, we’re all aware of the reputation of a certain Corey Perry. The 38-year-old forward has an uncanny ability to find a way to be the problem. In a year full of problems for the New Jersey Devils, perhaps it’s time to start fighting fire with fire.
Signing Corey Perry might be a good idea for the New Jersey Devils
Regardless of our personal opinions regarding the veteran skater, we can’t ignore the fact that New Jersey is on the brink of total collapse given their extensive injury report.
Desperate times tend to demand desperate measures and we wouldn’t be having this conversation were this not the case for the Devils.
Alas, here we are. As it currently stands, ‘Jersey can go in one of two directions, each with their respective snowball effects.
The first of which, is to stay the course with their current group and hope that they can manage without their stars, relying upon an even younger and more inexperienced lineup than they already had.
While this is the “safest” bet of the two, it reflects a defeatist attitude. One that suggests the front office is throwing in the towel and taking a dive with the hopes of landing a solid pick in the draft. However, general manager Tom Fitzgerald isn’t one to give in like this.
Therefore, the second option is to not only embrace the chaos but to amplify it to the extreme. Signing free agent and certified bad guy, Corey Perry, to a one-year veteran’s minimum contract could be the hit that knocks the door off the hinges.
In a year seemingly destined to end in frustration over what could have been, the Devils can introduce chaos to the NHL by signing the one player no team would touch in Perry.
If this team is going to fall off the edge of the Earth in the 2023-24 NHL season, why not take the rest of the league with them? After all, we’re not talking about the Kansas City Scouts, nor are we talking about the Colorado Rockies. We’re talking about the New Jersey Devils.