Hockey analytical writing hasn’t been around long enough to develop rich traditions.

But trying to talk yourself out of being optimistic about the New Jersey Devils may be the first. Whether it’s the 2019 acquisition of P.K. Subban and Nikita Gusev, the prospect of a Jack Hughes-Nico Hischier duo backed by Corey Crawford in 2020, or the signings of Dougie Hamilton and Tomas Tatar in 2021, New Jersey has kept on looking like it’s about to turn the corner without actually doing so.

With Ondrej Palat and John Marino in the mix, plus the possibility of healthy seasons from star players, there was more reason than ever to think that the team might actually turn things around this year. But that nagging “here we go again” feeling was unshakeable. A few games into the season, it was vindicated: fan