The New Jersey Devils‘ blue line continued to vary this summer time, and since their 2023 playoff look, solely three defensemen stay: Dougie Hamilton, Jonas Siegenthaler, and Luke Hughes.
Homegrown expertise, free-agent signings, and commerce acquisitions are among the many gamers anticipated to make up the opposite half of the Devils’ protection in 2024-25.
Rookie Simon Nemec made his NHL debut in Dec. 2023 and stayed in New Jersey for the rest of the season, showing in 60 video games. Many count on the 2022 second-overall decide to proceed his play within the NHL this season as a part of the third pair.
This previous summer time, common supervisor Tom Fitzgerald added expertise and grit within the types of Brett Pesce, 29, and Brenden Dillon, 33.
Earlier than the beginning of coaching camp, NHL.com predicted the next defensive pairs.
Siegenthaler – Hamilton
Hughes – Pesce
Dillon – Nemec
Moreover, in June, Fitzgerald acquired Johnathan Kovacevic from the Montreal Canadiens and, over the summer time, referenced him as his seventh defenseman.
It appeared New Jersey would enter the season with a a lot improved blue line and depth that may get the crew off to the sturdy begin it wanted, however in fact, not the whole lot goes in line with plan.
Accidents Result in Alternatives
Forward of coaching camp, the Devils introduced Hughes could be sidelined with a shoulder harm and listed Pesce as week-to-week as he continues to get better from an harm he sustained final season.
#NEWS: The New Jersey Devils introduced as we speak that defenseman Luke Hughes suffered a left shoulder harm earlier this month throughout low season coaching. Upon examination by New Jersey’s medical workers, it was decided that he won’t require surgical procedure.
Hughes’ restoration time is… pic.twitter.com/i5OJlnxG2Q
— New Jersey Devils (@NJDevils) September 12, 2024
It created a gap for the Devils’ depth defensemen, who spent the previous week attempting to benefit from the alternatives that accompany accidents.
“I believe anytime you see guys go down otherwise you’re at camp, you need to make an impression,” Colton White stated. “Yearly, there are guys seeking to battle for jobs, and I am a type of guys. All you want is a chance, and make the perfect of that.”
White joins Kovacevic, Nick DeSimone, and Seamus Caey because the blueliners seeking to punch their ticket onto the crew airplane to Prague, Czechia, to kick off the 2024-25 season.
Santeri Hatakka could be on this combine however is at the moment being evaluated for an harm.
Defensemen Making an Impression on Keefe
After the membership’s third preseason sport on Sept. 25, The Hockey Information requested head coach Sheldon Keefe if he felt his depth defensemen have been benefiting from their alternatives. In his response, he referenced a number of gamers, together with Casey, White, Hatakka, and Kovacevic.
Related: How Sheldon Keefe’s Family Impacted His Decision to Join the Devils
“Casey (is) an instance of a man who that is his first go round right here, and he’s getting higher and higher,” Keefe stated. “Clearly, I knew he was coming in and knew his skills and what he had completed in school, however it’s a complete completely different beast whenever you get out right here. As a coach, you watch, and also you’re studying. You’re on the lookout for guys to leap out at you and on the lookout for guys to proceed to make progress and enhance. He has completed that.
“I have a look at Colton White. He has completed a very good job as effectively from the start of camp,” Keefe continued. “Clearly, Hatakka was proper there within the combine.”
Kovacevic has been paired with Siegenthaler all through camp. When discussing the pair, Keefe stated, “With Pesce being out of the combination, it was a simple choice to offer Kovacevic that chance.”
Balancing Being a Good Teammate and Preventing For Their Spot
Coaching camp is an fascinating time for the gamers. With the depth that accompanies camp, gamers should stability being a very good teammate and being aggressive and preventing for a spot within the lineup.
“For me, if I’m centered on what different guys are doing, I’m not going play effectively,” Kovacevic stated. “I’ve discovered one of the best ways to do it’s to deal with your self and be a very good teammate to everybody. Be a very good man and cheer them on. Their success doesn’t imply that you’ll fail. I believe that could be a little bit of a false impression.”
DeSimone signed his contract with New Jersey on June 24. Days later, he sat again and watched his crew purchase Kovacevic and, in fact, signal Jakub Zboril to an expert tryout in September.
“It occurs all over the place,” DeSimone stated. “Each crew is attempting to get depth, particularly a crew like this. Clearly, we now have a really excessive objective to go far (this season). It isn’t one thing that you’ve any management over, so it’s not actually value even overthinking or fascinated with.”
Mar 26, 2024; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; New Jersey Devils goaltender Jake Allen (34) celebrates the win with defenseman Nick DeSimone (57) towards the Toronto Maple Leafs on the finish of the third interval at Scotiabank Area&interval; Necessary Credit score: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports activities
Regardless of competing for a similar spots on the blue line, the fellows get alongside off the ice.
“Kovacevic comes right here, and also you meet him and hang around a few days, and he’s the perfect man. (We have) gotten alongside nice to date,” DeSimone stated. “While you like your teammates, it makes life loads higher. Coming to the rink, it’s enjoyable and it makes everyone higher competition-wise and makes the crew higher.”
Keefe Gives Perception Into Choice-Making
On Sunday, the Devils will board a airplane to Europe, and Keefe might want to resolve which defensemen will make the journey. On Friday, The Hockey Information requested the pinnacle coach if his choice is predicated on the gamers who greatest matches a selected position or if he was on the lookout for the perfect of that specific participant.
“It is an fascinating time of 12 months for these type of issues. There was a time the place you kind of search for the perfect participant that’s going to slot in for what you are on the lookout for, and what the position is and what the road is,” Keefe stated. “It’s extra difficult than that nowadays. Numerous it’s due to the wage cap. There are issues that we now have talked about and stated, ‘Nicely that has implications for the lineup and the roster, and that isn’t actually doable for us to begin the season.’
“It’s difficult a little bit bit with Pesce and Luke Hughes’ state of affairs and the way that impacts our wage cap,” Keefe continued. “Something that we resolve (about) the group that we carry to Prague and the group that we play in sport one, there are going to be changes. We’re going to want greater than that, so we do not make remaining choices, simply making choices for that day. I am seeking to study as a lot as I can about our whole group, and when alternatives come and the wage cap permits, we’ll make the suitable choices.”
The Devils will play their remaining preseason sport earlier than choices are made on which gamers will take part within the NHL World Collection on Friday night time towards the New York Islanders. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 P.M.
Related: Devils Q&A: Curtis Lazar Talks About Life in New Jersey
Related: 13 Rapid-Fire Questions With Devils’ Captain Nico Hischier
