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EDINA, Minn. — Erik Haula believes the moves the New Jersey Devils made this offseason are enough for them to get back to the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

“The Devils forward praised ‘Fitzy’ (General Manager Tom Fitzgerald) on Wednesday at Da Beauty League for his excellent handling of areas needing improvement,” he said, referring to the 4-on-4 summer league that hosts NHL and collegiate players connected to Minnesota. “Everything begins from there. Both myself and the rest of the team are eager to kick off in a few weeks.”

New Jersey (38-39-5), coming off a seventh-place finish in the Metropolitan Division and missing the playoffs for the 10th time in 12 seasons, made its biggest offseason splash by acquiring goalie Jacob Markstrom in a trade with the Calgary Flames on June 19 for defenseman Kevin Bahl and a first-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft.

Markstrom went 23-23-2 with a 2.78 goals-against average, .905 save percentage and two shutouts in 48 starts last season. Since 2019-20, the 34-year-old is fourth in the NHL in games played (256), tied with Tristan Jarry of the Pittsburgh Penguins for fourth in shutouts (17), and ranks sixth in saves (6,594), shots against (7,256) and wins (128).

Last season, the Devils employed five goalies and conceded 3.43 goals per game. This was on par with the Montreal Canadiens and Ottawa Senators, making it the fifth-highest in the NHL.

“Haula stated, “Acquiring ‘Marky’ was a significant move. We really needed that, someone reliable at the back who we can trust night after night. He’s a proven professional. Adding ‘Jakey’ (Jake Allen, who we traded for with Montreal on March 8) to the mix creates a strong duo.”

After trading Bahl and then sending defenseman John Marino to the Utah Hockey Club on June 29 with a fifth-round pick in the 2025 draft for a second-round pick in 2024 and 2025, the Devils bolstered their blue line on July 1 by signing Brett Pesce to a six-year, $33 million contract ($5.5 million average annual value) and Brenden Dillon to a three-year, $12 million contract ($4 million AAV).

Last season, 29-year-old Pesce scored 13 points (three goals, 10 assists) in 70 regular-season games for the Carolina Hurricanes. He also had one assist in two playoff games. Dillon, 33, scored 20 points (eight goals, 12 assists) in 77 regular-season games for the Winnipeg Jets, along with three assists in three playoff games.

New Jersey also brought back forwards Stefan Noesen (three-year, $8.25 million contract on July 1; $2.75 million AAV) and Tomas Tatar (one-year, $1.8 million contract on July 2), who each played for the Devils previously.

Noesen, aged 31, amassed 37 points (14 goals, 23 assists) in 81 regular-season games last season for the Carolina, and added four goals in 11 playoff games. He was previously with New Jersey between 2016 and 2019. Tatar, who is 33, played for the Devils from 2021 to 2023 and managed to get 24 points (nine goals, 15 assists) in the 70 regular-season games last season for the Colorado Avalanche and Seattle Kraken.

However, the biggest factor up front for the Devils this season could be the health of Jack Hughes. The 23-year-old center was sidelined twice last season for a total of 16 games with an upper-body injury before missing the final four games because of shoulder surgery. Hughes, who finished second on the Devils with 74 points (27 goals 47 assists) in 62 games, behind forward Jesper Bratt (83 points; 27 goals, 56 assists in 82 games), is expected to be at training camp.

“Hughes has limitless potential,” Haula stated. “He’s undoubtedly among the elite players in the League when it comes to puck handling and poses a significant threat during the rush. With him and a few others who have resolved some issues, reaching their peak condition, we are fully prepared to take on the competition,” he continued.

Haula is excited about the prospect of new coach Sheldon Keefe leading New Jersey back to the playoffs. Keefe was appointed on May 23 to succeed interim coach Travis Green, who had stepped in for the dismissed Lindy Ruff on March 4. At 43, Keefe was let go as coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs on May 9, after five seasons. His record during his tenure was 212-97-40 in 349 regular-season games, and 16-21 in 37 playoff games.

“We have high aspirations,” said Haula. “Our goals are set, but everything starts from Day One, and we’ll proceed from that point. Securing a strong start and fostering positive feelings about our team is crucial to steer it in the right direction. With a new coach and a mix of new and familiar faces, I’m confident we can achieve this.”