Episode Details

Over the course of this episode, Zach Berman provides a candid and, at times, brutally honest ranking of the last eleven seasons of New Jersey Devils hockey, measured on a scale from most to least enjoyable. He opens with a touch of sarcasm, warning fans not to expect positivity given the team's recent struggles. Despite noting the franchise’s overall miserable stretch—featuring only two lottery wins, three weeks of playoff appearances, and a single series win—Zach Berman walks listeners through each season’s highs and lows. He highlights the clear high points: the 2022-23 season stands out as the most enjoyable, featuring franchise records, a memorable playoff series win over the rival Rangers, and a remarkable 13-game win streak. The next-best years include 2017-18, which saw Taylor Hall’s Hart Trophy campaign and an unexpected playoff berth, and the 2024-25 season, which started strongly but collapsed after key injuries and disappointing trades. Each enjoyable year is painted as a fleeting “flash in the pan,” with optimism quickly giving way to frustration. The middle stretch of the decade reflects seasons that ranged from forgettable to painfully frustrating. Zach Berman notes that seasons like 2020-21 provided brief distraction from the pandemic and occasional memorable moments, but also featured long losing streaks and little real hope. He recalls other unremarkable years, marked by little roster movement, injuries, or lackluster performances, with some seasons notable solely for yielding high draft picks like Jack Hughes or Taylor Hall. Ultimately, Zach Berman spares no criticism for the worst seasons, especially the one currently unfolding (2025-26). He deems it the most miserable in franchise history, citing early promise followed by collapse due to injuries, management failures, and off-ice controversies. The episode closes with a sense of exasperation—and a hint that major organizational changes are needed—with a promise to discuss potential coaching and management replacements in a future episode. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.