It seems like every player is dealing with some sort of injury by the time the playoffs roll around, and for the New Jersey Devils things were no different. Today, the team announced that three of their key players had suffered injuries and required surgery. Taylor Hall underwent surgery to repair torn ligaments in his left hand, and is expected to be ready for training camp. Cory Schneider faces a five month recovery after needing surgery to repair torn cartilage in his left hip. Patrick Maroon underwent surgery to repair a herniated disc in his back, and will resume skating before training camp.
The fact that Hall was playing a big chunk of the season with a torn ligament in his hand makes his year all the more impressive. The superstar winger is a finalist for the Hart Trophy as league MVP after recording 93 points in 76 games and dragging the Devils into the playoffs. Though it ended quickly for them against the Tampa Bay Lightning, the team looks poised to take another step next season.
To do that, they’ll need Schneider to return healthy and on form to start the year. Though Keith Kinkaid is under contract for another season, Schneider is still the goaltender earning $6MM and needs to reclaim his place as the primary starter. After two consecutive sub-par seasons, perhaps his Vezina-caliber netminding is a thing of the past. The Devils certainly hope not as he remains signed through the 2021-22 season.
Maroon is the most interesting case of the three, as he’s scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent this summer. If his injury is as serious as it sounds, he may face a tough time earning a contract on the open market. The big winger was acquired by the Devils at the trade deadline and fit in quite well, scoring 13 points in the final 17 games to finish with 43 on the season. That was a career-high, despite his goal total dropping to just 17.
If Maroon wishes to re-sign with the Devils they likely would have the best idea of his medical situation. If he’s looking to go elsewhere, a long-term deal might be hard to find. While he is still an effective player, but now facing back surgery and the start of his thirties, a decline could be in order.