2 Players Entering Final Season With New Jersey Devils

The New Jersey Devils had a tough 2023-24 season, but are primed to bounce back in a big way. The team made some great changes and should generally stay the same through next offseason due to the contracts on the books, but there will be a couple players who will be playing their final season in New Jersey.

Jake Allen

Jake Allen was brought in last season at the deadline to add some much-needed experience and stable goaltending. He did that as a tandem goalie, but with Jacob Markstrom in town, he will slide to the backup role where he should be able to thrive. Allen isn't exactly at the peak of his career anymore at 34 years old and the team is going to need to make room for Nico Daws to serve as the backup by the start of next season. Whether Allen does well or not, he is in the final season with the Devils.

Tomas Tatar

Tomas Tatar didn't perform well away from the Devils last season. In the two seasons prior he was a solid contributor, putting up 15 goals and 30 points followed by 20 goals and 48 points. Last season, which was split between the Colorado Avalanche and Seattle Kraken, Tatar only scored nine goals and 24 points. He is back with the Devils on a cheaper contract to play in a third/fourth line role. Paul Cotter is going to challenge the veteran for playing time on the left wing and probably take over that spot in the lineup by the end of the year. Unless Tatar really impresses and returns to his form from two seasons ago, I think it is a one-and-done for him in New Jersey this time around as the team has Stanley Cup aspirations.