The Devils are basically set up like the 2009-10 or 10-11 Penguins.
Missing the playoffs even with the Hughes, Hischer and Hamilton injuries is frankly unbelievable given the discounts they are getting from their stars.
It's honestly embarrassing and that core should be ashamed that they let it happen. I was embarrassed by the Pens missing the playoffs last year with an (even then) old core.
I can't imagine prime Crosby and Malkin missing the playoffs. But the Devils are about to do just that with their core having played in a significant amount of the games this year.
The Devils injuries shouldn't have derailed them this badly imo. Hamilton for the year is pretty bad but Hughes and Hischier have played in most of the games and Bratt has been healthy. The rest of their team has been relatively healthy.
That said imagine that Devils team wins the lottery somehow? Be pretty scary to see a core of Hughes, Bratt, Hischier, Celebrini, Timo.
As for the Pens...I've made my peace with their possibilities. At this point any finish is fine for them. If they win too much and have to give up their pick, fine. At least that means next year's is protected if(when) Sullivan leads the Pens to another missed playoffs. If they finish in the top 10 and keep the pick, then at least whoever they pick is that much closer to the team rather than having to wait til next year to make another first round selection. If by some miracle they pull .700 hockey out of their ass and make the playoffs, then that would also be cool because despite my desire to see Sully gone playoff hockey is always fun and I'm never going to take that for granted knowing that we may be in for a decade without it soon (if not already there).
Bring on whatever I guess. I've gone over all the scenarios in my head and I can live with any of them.