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NEWARK, N.J. — The New Jersey Devils are solely in the future away from boarding a airplane and heading to Europe to open their 2024-25 season towards the Buffalo Sabres in Prague, Czechia.
After an off day on Saturday, the membership can have one ultimate follow at RWJBarnabas Well being Hockey Home earlier than waiting for the common season.
Head coach Sheldon Keefe has had his work reduce out for him. He spent the previous week instructing his staff a brand new system and studying in regards to the gamers who will ultimately make up his roster.
Related: How Sheldon Keefe’s Family Impacted His Decision to Join the Devils
Kristy Flannery of The Hockey Information is emptying her pocket book and sharing some fast ideas and observations from her previous week in Newark.
Studying Programs & Discovering Chemistry Takes Time
Taking part within the 2024 NHL World Collection has a couple of disadvantages for the Devils. Keefe had one week and 4 preseason video games to implement a brand new system and combine new gamers into his lineup.
There has not been sufficient time, and the staff’s lack of chemistry has been evident of their preseason video games. The staff’s anticipated third line of Ondrej Palat, Erik Haula, and Stefan Noesen solely performed one recreation collectively attributable to Haula coping with an sickness. Star ahead Jack Hughes additionally solely appeared in a single recreation. All of the items have not solely linked for New Jersey, however some issues take time and reps.
Mr. Congeniality: Johnathan Kovacevic
Basic supervisor Tom Fitzgerald stated it was a bonus that the gamers he introduced on this summer time had a popularity for being nice staff gamers and nice individuals. One participant who has caught the eye of his teammates is Johnathan Kovacevic.
“(He is) only a happy-go-lucky, straightforward approachable man,” defenseman Brenden Dillon stated of Kovacevic. “I believe we have numerous good individuals on this locker room, Johnny being one in every of them.”
“Kovacevic comes right here, and also you meet him and hang around a couple of days; he’s the perfect man,” defenseman Nick DeSimone added.
Related: Kovacevic Looks to Bring His Physicality and Hard Defensive Game to Devils Blue Line
When The Hockey Information informed Kovacevic how extremely his teammates have spoken about him, he could not assist however smile.
“That is good to know,” Kovacevic stated with fun. “I will hold doing my factor.”
On the ice, the depth defenseman has carried out exceptionally nicely and has been one of many Devils’ most constant defensemen all through the shortened preseason.
The Potential of the Cotter – Lazar – Bastian Line
For coaching camp, Keefe put Paul Cotter, Curtis Lazar, and Nathan Batian collectively, and the trio is already proving how essential they are going to be this season. It has the makings of an impactful fourth line that may be harking back to the BMW Line.
Regardless of solely being every week, the trio have already acquired reward from their head coach.
“These guys have been working so extremely arduous and are mentioning the extent of the group,” Keefe stated.
Assessing Casey’s First Camp
Seamus Casey, 20, is experiencing his first NHL coaching camp after signing his entry-level contract on Might 6, 2024. The younger defenseman made his preseason debut towards the Montreal Canadiens and didn’t essentially stand out within the follow teams and scrimmages till that recreation.
Nonetheless, in his video games towards the Canadiens and Washington Capitals, Casey took benefit of his alternative a lot that he made a case for himself to be on the staff airplane to Europe.
After a slower begin to camp, Casey showcased sturdy skating and poise. Whether or not he makes the opening night time roster or begins the season within the American Hockey League, he has set a strong basis for his first season as a professional.
Related: Devils’ Rookie Seamus Casey Ready to Be a Pro
Gamers Reward Keefe for Open Communication
One widespread theme among the many gamers the previous week is that Keefe is a wonderful communicator.
“He’s direct,” Cotter stated. “He is very direct with what he desires and what he expects. (…) I believe it’s superior being underneath a coach like that. He expresses that if a participant desires to speak to him, he’s greater than welcome to return in and chat.”
It isn’t a shock that communication was on the prime of Fitzgerald’s guidelines when discovering a head coach, as he beforehand stated, “Destructive suggestions, optimistic suggestions, fixed suggestions. The gamers crave it. They need it. Speaking upwards, speaking with administration, speaking with our managing companions.”
The Devils will play two video games in Prague towards the Sabres, with the primary one scheduled for Oct. 4.
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