1. Will the fans show up? According to ESPN, the NHL league average was 16,486. The NBA finished with a record high 17,757 for the third consecutive season, according to The NBA. The New Jersey Devils clocked in at 14,176… in the bottom five of the league, not great news for a team owner who has just spent countless hours building and moving the team from the swamp (Meadowlands) to the city (downtown Newark). By the way, it also cost over $375 million. No worries of course.

2. Can the Devils of New Jersey return to Stanley Cup form? As seen in 2002-2003, 1999-2000, or even 1994-1995… This year is definitely more of a rebuilding one since losing key players to free agency, but the team concept is still there and will have to prove itself come opening night in October.

3. Will new Head Coach Brent Sutter remain past this season? This is definitely one of the major issues floating around this off season. Rumor has it that Sutter is a keeper. I sure hope so.

4. Can The Devils replace the key losses suffered during free agency? Gomez and Rafalski were definitely talented players leaving gaps in their offensive and defensive combinations.

5. Will the New Jersey Devils finally adjust to the current style of play? Commissioner Gary Bettman eliminated the defensive neutral zone trap used by the Devils in their three Stanley Cup Trophy seasons. Thanks a lot Bettman. You are a superb representative of the NHL. Ratings are at all-time high. Right? Haha. The Stanley Cup finals broke records for futility in network television. Fans are attending games, no doubt, but you fail to attract the TV contracts signed by the MLB, NBA, and NFL. Either way, the Devils have yet to win a trophy since 2002-2003. Fans are impatient, are the players?

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