The New Jersey Devils are running out of time, and the calendar is no longer on their side. With the NHL Trade Freeze approaching and the Olympic break set to pause league play for weeks, the organization is entering a moment that will expose every flaw in its planning. This is the portion of the season where direction matters, and right now, the Devils lack it.
This is not simply about a rough stretch in the standings. It is about a front office that has repeatedly leaned on internal optimism while burning through valuable years of a talented core.