By Chris Ryan | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Before the Devils hit the ice on Saturday for the first time in 2018-19, it's time to get bold. Who's going to lead the team in scoring? Which players will emerge for big seasons? Will the team struggle?

First, read three of NJ.com's bold predictions for the Devils, followed by some other bold predictions made by fans as the team gets set to open the season.

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Joe Skipper | AP Photo

Kyle Palmieri leads the team in goals

Taylor Hall ran away with the scoring title for the Devils last season, which included a 39-24 advantage in goals over Kyle Palmieri, who finished second on the team. In 2018-19, those positions are flipped. Aided by a fully healthy season and a strong line with Hall and Nico Hischier, Palmieri will reach the 30-goal mark for the second time in his career to lead the team.

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Bruce Bennett | Getty Images

Will Butcher, Steven Santini both play their way into bigger roles

When the Devils line up on Saturday, defenseman Will Butcher will be skating in the third pairing, while fellow blue liner Steven Santini will likely be a healthy scratch. As the season goes on, both will find themselves in bigger roles.

Butcher will play his way into a top-four role, where he'll get closer to 20 minutes per game, and he will be trusted with tougher defensive matchups. Santini will force his way into the lineup and stay there as an everyday player.

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Gerry Broome | AP Photo

The Devils break 100 points

A lot of projections have the Devils taking a step back from their 97-point campaign, which earned them the second wild card and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference in 2017-18. Instead, I'll say they take a step forward to break 100 points. Doing so could push them into the top three in the Metropolitan Division.

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I think @hallsy09 is 1 of 5 players in the NHL this year to top the century mark in points. Bold, but not completely unrealistic especially if Nico takes another step up in his development this year — Keith Kavanaugh (@kingkeith99) October 5, 2018

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my prediction, devils finish with at most 86 points, miss playoffs, zacha tops out at about 25 points and looks to be a bust, devils struggle offensively having only 1 line that can score. defense struggles too. — Biostockfan (@biostockfan) October 5, 2018

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Bold prediction: Toronto trades Jake Gardiner to NJD, knowing they won’t be able to retain him past 18-19. After the season, NJD re-sign Gardiner and buyout the last year of Greene’s contract. — NoHo Hank (@doctor_perk) October 4, 2018

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Palmieri is the early point leader in season before eventually getting edged out by Hall but finished second with 68 points to Halls 83 — KBran (@Kbran6767) October 5, 2018

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Cory will carryover his playoff play and be a top five goalie in SV%, will be a Vezina consideration (dispite his injury), and will win 30+ games for the first time in his career. — Scott R (@SkooterMcGaven) October 5, 2018

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Chris Ryan | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

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Devils make another big trade during the season and bring in another top defenseman — Victor DeFilippo (@victor_defilipp) October 4, 2018

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Prediction: Zacha, Palmieri, Hall, Hischier, all get 20 plus goals, the Devils make the playoffs, the Cory and Keith tandem keep goals down this season — Michael (@NJerseyans) October 4, 2018

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My bold prediction is that @MilesWood44 scores 25 goals this year. More ice time and some time on PP1, I think this can definitely happen. — Ed (@Stromboli88) October 4, 2018

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Devils 2018-19 season preview | Expectations, biggest questions, breakout candidate

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Zacha hits 50 points — Matt (@NJDMakeMeDrink) October 5, 2018

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Bold prediction: Joey Anderson, not McLeod or Speers or Seney, is the first AHL call-up. — J.D. (@JHurley14) October 4, 2018

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We trade for a team leading defenceman who helps Vatenen and Butcher get to there full potential causing us to make a good cup run — Skiztastic🔜RaleighMajors! (@Skiztastic1) October 4, 2018

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Bold prediction?

Devils are on the bubble at the trade deadline, so Shero opts to be a seller.

Johansson, Boyle and Lovejoy are all dealt.

Young players come up to fill their shoes and the injection of youth energy helps them skirt into the playoffs. — John Dawkins (@JDsays2much) October 5, 2018

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Devils will avg 3 goals a game this yr — Really want a #adidashockey hoodie (@yalazala67) October 5, 2018

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Miles wood outscores Nico — Trent Zywicki (@trent_zywicki) October 5, 2018

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They’ll have 3 30 goal scorers for the first time since 2012.



Hall

Nico

Palmeiri — HBK NJD (@hbknjd) October 5, 2018

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My bold prediction is Vatanen is bumped down to the second pairing so this defense has some actual depth. Greene and Santini top pairing — Brandon Scalea (@brandonscalea) October 4, 2018

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Chris Ryan | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

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Paved Zacha breaks out big time and puts up 55 points to finish 4th in team scoring. Nico breaks 60 points and Hall scores 40. — Thrillho (@parkhurstcards) October 4, 2018

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Kinkaid starts 2x as many games as Cory — Nate (@the_schillest) October 5, 2018

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60 points for Zacha. — Gino (@Total_NV) October 5, 2018

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Bold: for 2nd year in a row, Devils qualify for playoffs the playoffs the last week of the season



Question: does Mojo get extended before Xmas, after Xmas but before end of season, or does he test UFA market? — Roger Maalouf (@rogniche) October 4, 2018

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Devs miss the playoffs but land Jack Hughes — Day Drinkin' Don (@beekay414) October 5, 2018

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Bold prediction: one of Boyle/Zajac becomes a healthy scratch and then moved at the deadline.



Quenneville goes for 15-10-25. MacLeod and Anderson end the year on the big club. Bratt spends time in Binghamton. — Jeff Carbone (@carbone_jeff) October 5, 2018

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Butcher is top-3 on the team in points — John Sebastiani (@afrothunder396) October 5, 2018

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I see Some team needing a depth defenseman due to injuries and Shero trades Lovejoy for a 6th round pick. — Jay Rothstein (@JayRothstein11) October 4, 2018

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30 goals for Wood — John C (@general_devs89) October 5, 2018

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Pavel Zacha the devils next 50 pt player. Damon Severson traded by the deadline — Kyle Runko (@runkokyle7) October 5, 2018

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Two bold predictions: Schneider comes back more comfortable post surgery and posts a 2.27 GAA. And whether due to injury or poor play, Joey Anderson gets 30+ games with the big club. — Matt mccrohan (@matt_mccrohan) October 4, 2018

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I predict Nico hits 70+ points and mojo has a career year putting up 60+. — Ryan (@ryanhockey88) October 4, 2018

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MORE DEVILS COVERAGE

• Devils place Jesper Bratt on IR, sign Drew Stafford | What it means

• What to expect from Devils' John Quenneville; Sleeper player for 2018-19? | Mailbag

• Meet the 2018-19 Devils | Who made final roster? Who were the final cuts?

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WHERE TO REACH ME

Chris Ryan may be reached at cryan@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @ChrisRyan_NJ. Find NJ.com Devils on Facebook.