Devils getting set to begin anew in Prague

Posted on October 2, 2024 by hasan4978

We’re now approximately almost two days away from the official beginning of hockey season – at least for the Devils and Sabres – and while I don’t remember there being any official roster announcement, you can pretty much tell what the final roster will or should be based on the twenty-six players who traveled to Prague. I assume there’s a bigger taxi squad because of the nature of this being an overseas trip and being next to impossible to ‘call anyone up’ if guys get injured this week. If you were going to boil this down to the likely 23-man roster for the home opener next week it likely wouldn’t include third goalie Nico Daws, either Nolan Foote or Shane Bowers on the fifth line, and either Colton White or Nick DeSimone on the fourth pairing.

Among the rest, there really are no surprises although at least there’s promising news per GM Tom Fitzgerald’s latest update on the status of Brett Pesce, indicating he would likely be ready for the home opener next Thursday. He didn’t make the trip overseas to focus on his rehab but at least he should be in the lineup when the team returns to the States, unlike Luke Hughes – who Fitz indicated was still approximately 5-7 weeks away. Hughes’ absence has at least opened the door for rookie preseason standout Seamus Casey to get a long look to begin the season.

Might as well segue into the defense portion of the season preview – it’s certainly a vastly different defense than the one we ended last season with given the additions of Casey, Brenden Dillon in free agency, Jonathan Kovacevic in trade and the return to action of Dougie Hamilton after missing the majority of the 2023-24 season with a torn pectoral muscle. Dillon should add some size and physical presence we’ve clearly lacked on the blueline for years. Kovacevic is also a big boy but is probably more of a stay-at-home type who analytics seem to have pegged as a good buy-low opportunity. Pesce is also a stay-at-home type who should help on the PK once he settles in the lineup. Casey will hopefully add more of the speed and quickness we will miss without Luke early in the season.

Not counting Dougie, our only returning starters from last year are Jonas Siegenthaler (who hopefully will rebound from a poor year) and second-year standout Simon Nemec, who should take on more responsibility in all phases of the game. Clearly though, Dougie’s the man to watch and the one we most need this year. For all our other issues last season – and god knows I’ve harped on them all – it’s not an accident the power play looked toothless last year once he went on the shelf, and the offense as a whole suffered. You can’t take a 22-goal, 74-point defenseman out of the lineup and not feel any impact, and the domino effect of his loss probably didn’t help everyone else who was still here. After all, where would the Devils have been in the 2023 playoffs without inarguably the most important goal of that postseason, with the team down 2-0 in their first-round series with the Rangers?

Of course, even an improved defense won’t matter as much if the goaltending doesn’t also improve. Other than 2022-23 where we got miraculous surges from Vitek Vanecek in the regular season and Akira Schmid in the playoffs, the goaltending throughout Fitz’s tenure has been consistently poor and/or injury prone, to be blunt. Both Vitek and Schmid imploded last year, and other than a brief spurt by Daws the Devils never really found any consistent goaltending from anywhere until it was too late. Sadly, last year has been more the norm in between the pipes than the exception.

Clearly feeling the heat after a disappointing 2023-24, Fitz overhauled the goaltending position up and down the roster. After bringing in Jake Allen via trade late last season to be a short-term backup, he finally reeled in long-rumored target Jacob Markstrom to be the primary goaltender for the next two seasons. Vanecek was offloaded late last season, followed by Schmid in the offseason as the organization – at least in the nearer term – is probably hoping for one of Daws or fellow AHL goalie Isaac Poulter to take the reins after the current vets leave. For now though, obviously Markstrom’s the man to watch and there’ll be pressure on him to produce.

Sidenote: I get a kick out of Cory being the one doing analysis of this trade on the NHL Network (the irony not being lost on me that the last truly reliable long-term goalie the Devils had was Cory himself, before his own injuries), and his comments were more than fair although clearly Fitz wanted a stopgap and not an expensive solution to begin with. For better or worse, they do believe in the young goalies in their system long-term and hope to have cheaper solutions going forward, not just with Daws or Poulter but also potentially with both kids they drafted this year, who granted are a ways off themselves. Clearly those two will get the first crack at the backup job next year when Allen’s contract runs out and perhaps more when Markstrom’s deal is up in two years. All that said – if Markstrom doesn’t produce now, Fitz isn’t gonna be the one potentially reaping the benefits of whatever Daws or Poulter give the organization going forward.

In theory, the forwards were always going to be the spot that had the least turnover this offseason with all the remaking Fitz was doing on the blueline, in net – and also with the coaching, which I’ll get to in a moment. That doesn’t mean there were no changes up front though. With the necessitated exile of Mike McLeod midway though last season, dealing off Tyler Toffoli at the deadline and binning off Alex Holtz this offseason, there were at least a couple of spots available for newcomers. He brought back former Devils Stefan Noesen and Tomas Tatar to be role players in the top nine and brought in Paul Cotter from Vegas to solidify the fourth line, if not play higher in the lineup. Clearly Fitz’s comments after trading for the latter indicate he might be looked at in that capacity but until I actually see it, I’ll just consider it over the top hype. For the moment, at least it seems like he’s a good locker room guy if nothing else.

Unlike with imports who’ve never played here, you pretty much know what you’re getting from Tatar (only a year removed from being a nice little role player on the Devils’ 2022-23 record-setting team) and Noesen – who was a feel good reclamation story on the Devils’ surprise 2017-2018 playoff team before bouncing around the league a while, then resurfacing in Carolina the last two years where he solidified his place back in the NHL as a solid bottom six player. You also know what you’re getting from guys like Curtis Lazar and Nathan Bastian, though the latter clearly isn’t the physical force he used to be and perhaps it’s time for a younger, cheaper option there. Maybe a guy like Nolan Foote finally emerges? His career’s been a bit derailed by injuries but hopefully he stays healthy long enough to get a real shot this time around. He’s likely to start the season as the 13th forward with Kurtis MacDermid also hanging around for goon/locker room purposes. Camp tryout Kevin Labanc might also factor into the final roster when it’s all said and done, but without a deal he wasn’t taken overseas.

Overall, we do need more from our back six this year than we got last year, and that includes returning guys like Ondrej Palat and Erik Haula, particularly Palat who struggled last year on the ice with just eleven goals and 31 points in 71 games and in a season where the team looked like they needed more leadership, those two should have been a big part of providing that and seemingly weren’t. Fitz also clearly tried to remake the back six around the edges, getting rid of guys like Holtz who didn’t fit that mold for Cotter who does fit his vision of a back six with more grit.

All that said, the season’s ultimately going to hinge a lot more on our key four forwards up front plus hopefully a return to form from Dawson Mercer, who suffered an odd junior slump last year. People usually call struggling in the second year of your career a sophomore slump, but in Mercer’s case his sophomore year he put up 27 goals and 56 points with a +22, before plummeting to 33 points and a -26 last year in his de facto junior season. With his RFA contract situation out of the way, that could help facilitate a bounceback to something closer to his first two seasons, when he looked like a potential core piece going forward.

While Mercer having a personal resurgence could be a key to an overall team resurgence, they’re clearly going to need their big four up front to stay healthy and produce. After a first full season in New Jersey where he was injured and out of position on the third line, hopefully Timo Meier plays like a fish back in water this season. Health shouldn’t be an issue for the moment, and he’s back on the right side in the top six where he should be. Even with all of that, you saw some signs of the old Timo resurfacing in New Jersey late last season, mostly after Toffoli’s trade opened up a RW spot in the top six that Timo could slide back into.

Health is also key for our two franchise centers…Jack Hughes was playing hurt (and seemingly distracted) last year – though he still put up 74 points in 62 games during his so-called off year. While fellow former #1 overall pivot Nico Hischier has for the most part managed to avoid the injury bug lately, he’s also missed his share of games in the past and doesn’t exactly shy away from contact so to a degree you’d like to see him pick his spots better…but of course he wouldn’t be Nico if he did. Maybe Nico can take some heart from fellow core piece Jesper Bratt, who’s played in all 82 games the last two seasons while improving his numbers every year – including 83 points last year – and bulking up enough to not completely shy away from contact.

Finally, we get to arguably the biggest change of all this season – the coaching staff. Out are both Lindy Ruff and Travis Green, who’ve both landed on their feet getting other jobs, the former we’ll see in two days as he’s returned to the Sabres’ bench with his career seemingly coming full circle. Whatever you may think of both men, changes were clearly needed after the team stagnated and went backwards last season. New coach Sheldon Keefe brings a proven track record of getting the most out of his roster and winning in Toronto, albeit almost entirely in the regular season. It’s still early in his career so time will tell if he’s the next Bruce Boudreau or if he and the Devils both take that next step in the postseason together. At least Keefe should bring some more structure to the team on the ice, as it seemed like the previous system here was either too complicated or too flawed to ever work long-term, especially after teams figured us out following our breakout 2022-23.

Early returns aren’t overly promising after the team concluded a sloppy 1-5 preseason – with the only win coming when Utica played Hartford in our next to last preseason game with the Rangers on Monday. Not that preseason record means jack after last year when we went undefeated in the exhibition season, but it does seem like there’s a long way to go in terms of team chemistry with the new system. That, combined with our defensive injuries in camp could lead to a rocky start.

Beyond that, I’m not really making any predictions on this season. I hope we’re at least back in the playoffs, by virtue of talent we should at least be in the playoff hunt more this year than we were last year but if that doesn’t pan out, then likely even more changes will be made this offseason that could be even more seismic than this offseason’s bucket list of changes were. It would be nice not to go 0-2 overseas though, especially in a potential troll moment against our fired coach. That’s my micro concern…my macro concern being at least let’s see a team that competes on a more game-to-game basis with discipline and organization, which we clearly did not see last year. Hopefully Friday will be the start of putting to bed all wounds from one of the most disappointing seasons in franchise history and moving forward.

In case you were wondering about the times for the first two games, Friday’s opener will be at 1 PM EST, and Saturday’s second game will be 10 AM EST (as if it were overseas soccer!). Both games should be on the NHL Network if you have that. If not, then I guess you’re stuck with Devils Network Radio – not that being compelled to listen to Matt and Chico is a bad thing though!

https://www.nhl.com/devils/team/devils-hockey-network

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Vesey To Miss Time Due To Injury

Posted on September 30, 2024 by Derek

A day later, the news on Rangers forward Jimmy Vesey isn’t good. According to coach Peter Laviolette, he’ll miss some time due to the lower-body injury he suffered during Sunday’s practice.

With Vesey expected to be out a few weeks, that opens the door for Adam Edstrom. The 23-year-old forward has played well in the preseason. He’s scored twice and added an assist. His unique combination of size and skating makes him a likely candidate to start the season with the New York Rangers. He got into 11 games last season scoring a pair of goals.

If Laviolette decides to play Edstrom when the season opens on Oct. 9 at the Pittsburgh Penguins, he’d be featured on the fourth line. Jonny Brodzinski is the other option who’ll be on the roster. The veteran is a solid depth forward who can take faceoffs if needed. By adding Sam Carrick, he’ll play the center position and take most of the draws. They also have Matt Rempe, who also can shift to center and fill in on faceoffs.

Blueshirts Lineup at Practice

At today’s morning skate, the Blueshirts had an interesting lineup at practice. It included Brodzinski with Carrick and Rempe on the checking line. K’Andre Miller was paired with Adam Fox. Zac Jones worked with Jacob Trouba. Chad Ruhwedel was with Braden Schneider.

As Vince Mercogliano of USA Today noted, none of the players will play in tonight’s preseason match versus the New Jersey Devils. Considering that the Devils have their big squad over in Europe for the 2024 NHL Global Series, it makes sense. They’ll field a different lineup for the first of back-to-back exhibition games against the Devils B squad.

Edstrom will take part in Monday night’s game. He’ll be joined by Brennan Othmann, Brett Berard, Victor Mancini, Connor Mackey, and Jonathan Quick. It’ll be a very inexperienced roster for the first game against the Devils. Blake Hillman and Blade Jenkins were recalled from the Hartford Wolf Pack on PTOs. Expect them to both be in the lineup.

As far as the lineup the team practiced with, it could be similar to what they use for the first game of the 2024-25 season. Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider will start with Reilly Smith. Vincent Trocheck will center the top scoring line that boasts top scorer Artemi Panarin and Alexis Lafreniere. Filip Chytil has looked good so far in camp. He’s expected to center Will Cuylle and Kaapo Kakko. Carrick and Rempe will be on the fourth line. The other spot depends on Laviolette. He has the experienced Brodzinski and the promising Edstrom.

Without Ryan Lindgren (upper-body), the blue line could have a similar look to open the season. Miller with Fox has been used before. It’s better than keeping him with Trouba. He needs a faster skating partner. Jones definitely qualifies. He might be the quickest defenseman they have. The way he can transition up the ice can help the less mobile Trouba at getting out of their zone. It remains to be seen if the coaching staff will have Ruhwedel in the lineup with Schneider. He’s serviceable. They’ll continue to take a look at Mancini and Mackey. Both are battling hard for a spot.

Kids Look to Leave Lasting Impression

With things wrapping up over the next week, it’s the last chance for the kids to leave a lasting impression. It was a year ago that Othmann gave the organization plenty to think about. He was the final player cut. It was better for his development to play for the Wolf Pack.

Now, the 21-year-old forward is hoping to crack the roster. But with the Rangers set on Kakko playing with Chytil and Cuylle, it doesn’t look realistic. Othmann is better off continuing to play a more defined role in Hartford. He still needs some work defensively. There’s no rush.

Berard also looks ticketed for Hartford. You notice his hustle during shifts. It looks like he needs to get stronger. He likely will be a better candidate to be called up to play on the fourth line. The energy he brings is noticeable. With it looking like the big club is set with Carrick, Rempe, Brodzinski, and Edstrom, expect Berard to begin his second pro season in the American Hockey League (AHL).

Of the young players that remain, Edstrom looks like he can lock up a spot. He’s done enough to stay. Especially with Vesey headed to the injured list.

Mancini is an intriguing player. For someone without much pro experience, he plays with poise. His skating and ability to play a challenging position are positives. If he doesn’t make the Opening Night roster, it won’t be for anything negative. They could send him down to get more seasoning. Mackey is a solid player who adds physicality. It’ll be interesting to see what the organization decides.

Dylan Garand is still with the Rangers. He should get into another game. If Quick is starting tonight, maybe Garand comes in at the halfway mark. Or perhaps Garand gets a look tomorrow night. He enters his third pro season. It’s important to remain patient when developing young goalies. Quick gives the Blueshirts insurance behind Igor Shesterkin. Garand is only 22. It’s an important year.

The Rangers have two straight games against the Devils this week. Then. They play their final exhibition this Friday, Oct. 4 against the New York Islanders. Afterward, the organization will have some decisions to make with the roster. We’ll see what happens.

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Laviolette Experiments with Power Play

Posted on September 29, 2024 by Derek

With no games over the weekend, the New York Rangers got back to work. One of the key areas of focus is the power play. A team strength last season due in large part to the vaunted top unit, it became a weakness against the Florida Panthers in a disappointing six-game series loss in the Eastern Conference Final.

They relied heavily on the five-man unit of Adam Fox, Chris Kreider, Artemi Panarin, Vincent Trocheck, and Mika Zibanejad. When they weren’t successful against the more aggressive Panthers’ penalty killing unit, it contributed to their downfall. In six games, they only scored one power-play goal. Instead, it was the Panthers who won the special teams battle by converting five times on the man-advantage. The Rangers had two shorthanded goals. But it wasn’t enough to make up for a power play that never was in sync.

One of the issues that again rared its ugly head was the lack of a second power play unit. While Rangers coach Peter Laviolette established a unit that featured Erik Gustafsson, Kaapo Kakko, Alexis Lafreniere, Jack Roslovic, and Alex Wennberg, they weren’t trusted enough. Part of the problem was that he stuck with the first unit due to its firepower. While understandable, they never adjusted to what the Panthers did. Despite a less than 100 percent Fox, who at times was replaced by Gustafsson, they got the bulk of the time. That left the second unit with little chance to make an impact.

Laviolette Considering Changes

With a little bit of a different roster, Laviolette is considering making changes to the power play. He decided to split up the top unit for a more balanced attack. That included splitting up Panarin and Zibanejad. Both are primary right-handed shooters who can light the lamp. In doing so, each unit had a different look.

On one unit, they had Zibanejad with Fox, Kreider, Filip Chytil, and Reilly Smith. If they decide to stick with it, it wouldn’t be so predictable. Chytil and Smith provide left-handed options. Previously, Kreider was the only lefty shooter. His job remains to camp out in front and tip shot passes past opposing goalies. He’s the best at it for a reason. Chytil would give the Blueshirts another shooter from the opposite side. Something to keep opponents honest. It would throw a different wrinkle.

The second unit (1B) would feature Panarin, Trocheck, Lafreniere, Kakko, and K’Andre Miller. If there’s a theme, it’s the idea to keep the top two lines together for the power play. There’s great chemistry between Lafreniere and Panarin. Along with Trocheck, they were the team’s most effective players at five-on-five. Keeping Lafreniere with his line mates would give him the opportunity to produce more up a man. He hasn’t gotten that chance before. Kakko remains a player the Blueshirts need to perform. He would also get some more time on the man-advantage. Miller isn’t a true quarterback. He doesn’t have the best shot. It remains to be seen if he’s the right fit.

Jones Should Get Power Play Time

If there’s one thing you can conclude from preseason, it’s that Zac Jones is capable of contributing on offense from the blue line. He tallied twice in a win over the Islanders last week. A very fast skater who shows confidence at jumping into the play, he looks like a player who should get power play time.

Unlike Miller, who at times looked shaky when used on the point last season, Jones makes quicker decisions in the offensive zone. He isn’t hesitant to fire the puck when he’s open. His game-breaking speed makes him an offensive threat. It makes better sense to have him man one of the power play units. That way Miller can focus on his defensive assignments at even strength. That also includes the penalty kill. An area he excels at due to his size, reach, and instincts. He already plays a lot of minutes. Adding power play time seems like overkill.

It’s also worth noting that Jones will likely play on the third pair. However, with Ryan Lindgren out to start the season, he could see increased duty. Considering that the Blueshirts should still have Fox, Miller, Jacob Trouba, and Braden Schneider, Jones’ minutes will be sheltered at five-on-five. It’s likely that Laviolette will prefer to keep Jones with Schneider. A player he’s familiar with. Especially with him entering his first full season.

If they manage Jones’ even strength minutes, that should give him enough time to be utilized on the power play. Even without Lindgren, Fox, Miller, Schneider, and Trouba will get most of the minutes while shorthanded. They’re more trusted defensively. Jones’ best asset is his speed and skill. That’s why he’s better suited for a role on the man-advantage.

Better Balance Could Pay Off

If the coaching staff decides to keep the power play units intact headed into next week’s season opener against the Pittsburgh Penguins, better balance could pay off. Opponents would no longer be able to key on one or two players. They’d have to prepare for two units that would pose threats. It would be a major difference from the past few seasons.

They even had Lafreniere on the left side and Panarin on the right side. That would take away the one-timer option. It remains to be seen if that’s how they’ll line up when the Rangers play. However, the different look should be considered a way to a way to keep opponents honest.

If they rolled with these two units, there aren’t many weaknesses. Each would have multiple scoring options. They both could be sent out without any hesitation. This would be a huge contrast to how reliant the Blueshirts were on the top unit. Opponents knew that if they could game plan and stop it, they were going to be successful. Having two units capable of contributing could make the Rangers more formidable. A scary proposition for opponents.

It’ll be interesting to see if Laviolette sticks with it long enough to find out what they’re capable of.

Vesey Leaves Practice with Injury

During Sunday’s practice, Jimmy Vesey went down. He limped off the ice back to the locker room. Without him, the fourth line featured Sam Carrick, Adam Edstrom, and Matt Rempe taking reps.

Laviolette indicated that it was a lower-body injury. He didn’t think it was that serious. Vesey was still being evaluated.

Vesey is expected to be penciled in the lineup on the checking line. If he misses any time, Edstrom is the most likely candidate to replace him. Jonny Brodzinski also remains a possibility.

Rangers and Devils Collide

On Monday night, the Hudson rivalry will be renewed. At least in exhibition. The Rangers will visit the New Jersey Devils in Newark. It’ll be the fourth of sixth preseason matches. The Devils will then visit Madison Square Garden on Tuesday night. Both games can be seen on MSG. Start time is 7 EST for each.

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Edstrom Remains in Rangers’ Camp

Posted on September 28, 2024 by Derek

It’s already been a week since training camp opened. Like most teams, the New York Rangers are starting to make some decisions with their roster. As they get down to the nitty-gritty, the organization has kept three prospects in for a further look.

One of those young players is Adam Edstrom. A 2019 sixth round pick, the 23-year-old from Sweden has continued to look capable of making the team. It was during last season that he was called up by the Blueshirts. In 11 games, Edstrom demonstrated the size and skating that make him intriguing. Listed at six-foot-seven, 234 pounds, he moves well for his stature. Along with Matt Rempe, they played together with Barclay Goodrow. The big line had some success due to their ability to get pucks in and forecheck.

After notching a pair of goals in his introduction to the NHL, Edstrom is back pushing for a roster spot. So far, he’s appeared in two of the Rangers’ three preseason games. It was against the Islanders that he scored the game decider late in regulation. He also set up a goal. In a 5-2 win over the Bruins on Thursday night, he was on late to seal things up with an empty netter. The coaching staff has shown confidence in him. He’s given them no reason not to.

With three games remaining in the preseason, he’ll get another chance to make a strong case to stay. He isn’t the only one that’s giving the organization something to consider.

Othmann Responds with Strong Showing

A day after critiquing his own performance against the Islanders, Brennan Othmann responded with a strong showing. In his third straight appearance, the 21-year-old 2021 first round pick scored his first goal of the preseason. He converted on a breakaway unassisted late in the second period.

Retrieving a loose puck in the neutral zone, Othmann broke in and beat Bruins goalie Brandon Bussi with a wrist shot high blocker. That gave the Blueshirts a 3-1 lead before the second expired.

In the third period, Othmann took an Adam Erne pass behind the net and found Jonny Brodzinski for a goal that made it 4-1. He finished the game with a goal and assist in 12:40 of ice time.

Mancini Sticking Around

Victor Mancini is sticking around. In his second exhibition game, he had a strong overall night. In fact, it was his defensive play that led directly to the Rangers’ fourth goal. On the opposite end, Mancini stopped a Bruin in front of his net with an active stick. That allowed things to develop.

In over 20 minutes, Mancini finished with two shots and two penalty minutes, while teamed with Zac Jones. It’s possible that the 22-year-old has put himself on the radar with two good showings. He doesn’t have a lot of pro experience. However, he looks really polished.

One thing is certain. With the Rangers placing defenseman Ben Harpur on waivers, along with forwards Jake Leschyshyn, and Alex Belzile, they’re still looking at Mancini for one of the remaining spots on the blue line. The competition will come from Connor Mackey, who has more experience. Chad Ruhwedel is signed as the extra defenseman. He did a nice job filling in for Jacob Trouba after he was acquired from the Pittsburgh Penguins last season.

In yesterday’s practice, Mancini lined up on the left side with Adam Fox. Coach Peter Laviolette indicated that it’s something they’re looking at. Mancini has played there before. K’Andre Miller was with Trouba. Jones worked with Braden Schneider. Mackey and Ruhwedel skated as the extra pair.

A Look Into Opening Night?

The forward group during Friday’s practice featured players that can be the starting lineup for Opening Night. Group A featured the projected lines some have speculated on.

The first line featured Reilly Smith with Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider. The second line consisted of Artemi Panarin, Vincent Trocheck, and Alexis Lafreniere. Filip Chytil was between Will Cuylle and Kaapo Kakko on the third unit. Sam Carrick was at center with Jimmy Vesey and Matt Rempe on the fourth line. Brodzinski and Othmann rotated in.

Without Ryan Lindgren (upper-body ), the defense might look similar for the first game on Oct. 9 at the Penguins. That’ll depend on how things go. It sounds like Mancini has the inside track at landing a starting role. It would be a good story to start the season.

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Devils’ worldwide preseason nears split before next week’s overseas openers

Posted on September 26, 2024 by hasan4978

As each year runs into the next it gets harder for me to get into preseason games – really of any sport. Whether it’s spring training in baseball where most of the games take place during the daytime, or NFL preseason which has been completely de-emphasized due to fewer preseason games and more emphasis on controlled scrimmages for your key players as opposed to playing them when fans are in the stands, I’ve just never gotten into the camp battles for the back end roster spots and first callups. NHL preseason to me is the closest of the three to the real thing, and in most cases you’ll at least have some knowledge of a majority of the players in the game with any roster spot having the potential to be a pivotal choice.

This year has a new element though, with the Devils’ overseas trip to Prague before their opening two games against the Sabres next Friday and Saturday it’s led to a bit of a condensed preseason – at least for the players who matter at the moment. Oh the Devils still have six games for sure, but instead of having the camp fodder and prospects play the early games in camp with the key players getting more of a tuneup late, it’s pretty much been reversed this year with the key players getting in the early preseason games since that’ll be their only action before the trip and there’ll be no preseason games overseas (I can’t fathom why, there was at least one the other time we started a season overseas in 2018), while camp fodder that won’t be a part of the trip will be playing in the last 2-3 games.

Admittedly I’ve watched exactly one period of the first three preseason games and will likely not watch that much of the last three, so if you’re coming here for a recap of those look elsewhere. Our team website has put up streams of the last couple of games – as well as all of the Prospects Challenge last week though, true junkie material right there. I did wind up going to the Prudential Center last night but found a spot on the street so I didn’t have to waste any money on the parking lot (which is now up to $15 at least, from $7 a few years ago hah). With free parking I felt less compelled to stay at last night’s game with the Caps beyond the first intermission, it was more of an in and out trip to get re-used to the drive and see if there was anything new in and around the Prudential Center – short answer seems to be not all that much. So I saw a goal from one of the newest Devils in Brendan Dillon and heard the goal horn, yippidie doo dah.

Thankfully I left before the roof fell in the last two periods in a 5-3 loss, dropping us to 0-3 in the preseason. Which is about as relevant as last year’s undefeated preseason was. For fans, we only care about three things from preseason – the stars’ health, any potential holdouts and what prospects make the team. At least the middle concern got alleviated when Dawson Mercer signed a three-year RFA deal a couple days into camp. I wasn’t truly worried about a holdout, but it was kind of annoying to have negotiations stretch into camp given the odd nature of it. Even the prospect battles don’t usually hold my attention (after all, there is a difference between guys lighting it up in the preseason and doing it when it counts) but this year there is at least one younger player turning heads who could matter, rookie defenseman Seamus Casey, a second-round pick in 2022 who played two seasons at Michigan – one with fellow alum Luke Hughes.

Ironically, Casey is only getting more of an opportunity than anticipated in camp because of Hughes injuring his shoulder during offseason workouts, and he’ll be likely to miss the first few weeks of the season. Also, recent FA signing Brett Pesce has just started skating from his leg injury late last season and he’ll also probably miss the first few games at least. With at least two potential spots to fill on the starting blueline early in the season, players like Casey and fellow rookie defenseman Santeri Hatakka (who played twelve games with the Devils late last season) along with offseason trade acquisition Johnathan Kovacevic are all looking at this camp as an opportunity to stake their claims for playing time.

Early on by all accounts, it seems as if Casey is the leader in the clubhouse to supplement a blueline with vets Dougie Hamilton, Jonas Siegenthaler and Dillon along with second-year young gun Simon Nemec. Especially with Hatakka’s own undisclosed injury sustained earlier this preseason, along with Casey’s strong performances in camp and his first couple of preseason games.

Ironically the rehab for Luke and Pesce takes away some of the intrigue over what coach Sheldon Keefe and GM Tom Fitzgerald might decide, if we had a fully healthy blueline odds are Casey would be this year’s Nemec – sent down to the AHL despite everyone knowing and feeling he was NHL ready because of a logjam. It looks like he’ll definitely get to play in the early season games overseas at this point and likely the actual home opener on October 10th as well. Maybe I’ll get more into the season by then enough to write a proper preview. Admittedly part of my ambivalence to hockey being around the corner is due to the Mets playing huge games this week (and hopefully beyond!) and the Jets actually being relevant for the moment.

Part of it is also my lingering annoyance over last season for the Devils being inarguably one of the most disappointing in franchise history. Where you want to rank last year in comparison to 1995-96 when the Devils missed the playoffs on the back of their first Cup, or 2010-11 which the best team a $60 million cap could buy for $65 million was a grand flop before bringing back Jacques Lemaire at least salvaged some pride in the team’s performance the second half of that season is irrelevant at this point. Now we’re in the show-me stage.

And the first three games couldn’t have been scheduled any worse if you were a Devils hater looking for an excuse to mock us…two games against Lindy Ruff’s Sabres overseas followed by the Leafs coming to town in the Sheldon Keefe invitational (since he just got fired by them months ago). While I’ll probably be able to actually watch both overseas games, I might have a prior commitment I can’t get out of for the home opener. Our second home game is also a weird one – a one PM Monday game against expansion Utah – I haven’t had Columbus Day or whatever it’s being called now off since I was in school, it’ll be interesting to see what kind of crowd that gets. Hopefully we won’t be 0-3 by then…I’d even take 1-2 tbh, a split with Buffalo and ideally no worse than a competitive loss to the Leafs with a blueline in flux trying to learn a new system with an odd camp.

I suppose once the entire preseason is over assuming there are no surprises among roster moves or choices, that’s when I’ll post again and attempt to do more of a season preview since I doubt I’ll be paying much attention to the rest of preseason. Although on second thought, I might watch a little of tomorrow’s game against the Islanders just to see what’s new with the MSG broadcasts this year apart from the obvious in Rachel Herzog replacing the beloved Erika Wachter as studio host. We know what’s different with the team itself by now (plenty) although having not really been dialed in for the last couple of months since free agency, seeing guys like Tomas Tatar and Stefan Noesen play last night was an ‘oh yeah, almost forgot he was back’ type of acid trip.

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Rangers’ Jones Opens Eyes In Preseason Win Over Islanders

Posted on September 25, 2024 by Derek

On Tuesday night, the Rangers played their second game of the preseason. After falling behind 3-0 due to a dismal second period, they came back to defeat the Islanders 6-4 at Madison Square Garden.

In his first appearance, Zac Jones opened eyes to highlight the win. He scored twice in the third period. That included a key goal to make it 4-3 with the goalie pulled. Following Alexis Lafreniere setting up Chris Kreider’s tying goal, Jones picked up his third point with a secondary assist on Adam Edstrom’s game-winner that came with 37.9 seconds left in regulation. Kreider added an empty netter to seal the victory.

Vying for a starting job on the blue line, Jones took a significant step last night. He logged 24:57 while paired up with Jacob Trouba. Rangers coach Peter Laviolette used him on both the power play and penalty kill. If Jones can play like that, he should be a lock for the sixth defenseman on the roster. His skating makes him a threat in transition. If there’s an area that can improve from last season, it’s having another defenseman who can jump into the rush. Jones’ speed is an asset. He should see power play time on the second unit – replacing Erik Gustafsson, who signed with the Red Wings.

Chytil Returns With a Bang

Early in the first period, Filip Chytil collided with Islanders defenseman Scott Mayfield at center ice. Mayfield’s knee caught Chytil’s leg, sending him to the ice in pain. It looked worse than it turned out. After being helped off the ice by teammates, Chytil returned to the bench with over three minutes remaining in the period. He took one shift and looked okay.

In the third, with the Rangers trailing the Islanders 4-1, Chytil scored a power-play goal to cut the deficit to two with over six minutes left. It was his second straight game that he connected on the man-advantage. He also lit the lamp against the Bruins on Sunday.

Most importantly, he was alright. Chytil remains a key player for the Blueshirts. They’re counting on him to produce on the third line. They can ill afford to lose him for a stretch. Center depth isn’t a team strength. While Sam Carrick or Jonny Brodzinski could fill in, they aren’t close to the skill level Chytil possesses. It would be a huge downgrade.

Coaches and teammates have to be breathing a sigh of relief. Chytil has looked good so far in camp. He still must do a better job at avoiding big hits. The Mayfield one was a hockey play. They came together. Fortunately, Chytil returned with a bang.

Lindgren Suffers an Upper-Body Injury

When Chytil was knocked down to the ice by Mayfield, Ryan Lindgren responded immediately. He challenged Mayfield to a fight. It didn’t go well. He took an uppercut at the conclusion of the bout that buckled him. For his part, he received 17 penalty minutes, including a two-minute minor for instigating and a misconduct.

Lindgren was supposed to return early in the second period. Instead, he remained in the locker room. Sam Rosen and Joe Micheletti reported that he wouldn’t be back. He suffered an upper-body injury.

A day later, the Rangers provided an update. Lindgren is expected to miss a few weeks due to the injury he sustained. That likely means he suffered a concussion. An unfortunate result of defending Chytil. The first pair defenseman made a decision that proved costly. It’s understandable why he fought Mayfield. He assumed the worst. You can’t fault him for stepping up for a prone teammate with an injury history. Unfortunately, he won’t start the season.

The Lindgren news opens the door for Ben Harpur and Connor Mackey to compete for a roster spot. Harpur was injured most of last season. Mackey played in one game for the Rangers. The 28-year-old veteran looked better than Harpur in the first two exhibitions. Harpur got turned around by Mat Barzal, who was denied by Igor Shesterkin.

With Lindgren out, it also means that Chad Ruhwedel should be in the Rangers’ lineup for the season opener versus the Penguins on Oct. 9. He’s a serviceable player who can step in when needed. Ruhwedel appeared in five games last season. That number should increase in 2024-25.

Laviolette also left the door open for Victor Mancini. He impressed in his first preseason game by recording a goal and assist last Sunday. It would be interesting to see if Mancini can follow up that performance with another one. The Rangers next play on Thursday against the Bruins.

That means there are four players vying for two spots. Ruhwedel should have the inside track on one. That leaves Mancini to compete with Harpur and Mackey for the other. At the very least, it looks like there’s enough depth on the back end to survive without Lindgren for the short-term.

Panarin Leaves with Lower-Body Injury

In the third period, Artemi Panarin left the game with a lower-body injury. Fortunately, it doesn’t sound serious. The news is better on Panarin.

Panarin didn’t participate in practice today. At least he should be ready for the regular season. If he’s good enough, the Rangers will likely try to get him in one more tuneup. Their final preseason game is on Oct. 4 against the Islanders. That should be enough time for him to recover.

Rangers Lines for This Afternoon

For this afternoon, the Rangers had these lines together.

The top line remains intact, with Reilly Smith penciled in on the right side. He played with Mika Zibanejad and Kreider last night. They’re expected to begin the season together.

Without Panarin, Jimmy Vesey slotted up. He will practice with Vincent Trocheck and Lafreniere, who has looked good so far. Once Panarin returns, the Blueshirts’ best scoring line will be reunited.

The third line remains the same. It’s Chytil working between Will Cuylle and Kaapo Kakko. They played together in the second half of last season. Kakko knows what his role is. For more on that, please refer to Jonny Lazarus’ piece on DailyFaceoff.com.

The fourth line is Jonny Brodzinski centering Edstrom and Matt Rempe. Edstrom was impressive scoring and setting up a goal against the Islanders. His size and strength is evident. If he continues to perform well, perhaps he can make the roster as an extra. However, that’ll depend on whether or not the Rangers can carry 23 players. It’s contingent on the salary cap.

Sam Carrick was brought in to replace Barclay Goodrow. When the season starts, it’s expected that he’ll anchor the checking line, and play on the penalty kill. Vesey will slide back down. Rempe has shown improvement so far due to his skating. He nearly set up Jake Leschyshyn for a goal on Tuesday night.

Kids On The Outside

If there was one thing that was noticeable, neither Brennan Othmann nor Brett Berard stood out. Berard showed some hustle on a couple of shifts, but had an issue clearing the zone. He isn’t the biggest player. That’s an area he’ll need to improve on.

Othmann got a chance to play with Chytil and Panarin. He admitted that he was a little bit nervous on the first few shifts. He also gave a tough assessment of himself.

It’s unlikely that Othmann will make the roster. What he can do is show improvement the next time he gets into a game. The Rangers have four left. The same applies to Berard. They can be reassigned to Hartford to continue their development. That’ll probably be better for them at this stage. There’s no reason to rush either.

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Victor Mancini impresses in first preseason game

Posted on September 23, 2024 by Derek

On the first day of autumn, the Rangers had their first exhibition game against the Bruins up in Boston. They defeated the Bruins 3-2.

A young prospect who impressed was defenseman Victor Mancini. He scored and set up a goal in the win. Originally a fifth round pick in the 2022 NHL Draft, the 22-year-old Mancini spent three years in college playing for the University of Nebraska-Omaha.

After registering four goals and six assists for 10 points in 40 games during 2023-24, he joined the Hartford Wolf Pack near the end of the season. He tallied three assists in seven games. During the Calder Cup Playoffs, he added three helpers in 10 games.

Mancini is listed at six-foot four, 215 pounds. In last night’s preseason match, the right defenseman showed the ability to get into transition and join the rush to create offense. With the Blueshirts trailing early in the first period, he took an Anton Blidh feed up top and beat Bruins goalie Brandon Bussi with a good wrist shot to tie the score.

In a game where the only starting defenseman was Braden Schneider, Mancini played a team high 23:06 for Rangers coach Peter Laviolette. He played with poise and skated well. Late in the first period, he helped set up Filip Chytil on the power play to make it 2-1. Will Cuylle found Chytil open in the right circle for his first of the preseason.

Throughout the contest, Mancini’s name was called often by Sam Rosen on MSG Network. He stood out for the right reasons. He was used in all facets, including the power play and penalty kill. The Rangers had to like what they saw from the Saginaw, Michigan native.

Mancini will enter his first pro season with the Wolf Pack. While there’s cause for optimism, it’s only one game. However, Garden faithful should get another look at Mancini before he gets reassigned. Seeing a younger face make an impression is exciting. That’s what these games are for. The organization knows what the established veterans can do. The regulars will get in a couple of games to prepare for the start of the season. They don’t need much more to get ready.

Chytil Looks Good

In the victory over the Bruins, Chytil looked good. A key to the season, the center must stay healthy. He played with Cuylle and Kaapo Kakko on Sunday night. They’re expected to be his regular line mates when things get rolline on Oct. 9 at Pittsburgh.

The 25-year-old Czech was flying during the match. He’s always possessed excellent speed and skating. Those are his best attributes. With the game tied in the first period, Chytil took a Cuylle pass and ripped a laser for a power-play goal. It was the kind of shot that makes him a scoring threat.

In 2022-23, he set a career high with 22 goals. If he can avoid the injury bug, there’s no reason he can’t improve on that total. He missed most of last season due to a concussion. The Blueshirts are counting on him to produce on the third line.

During the third period, Chytil used his speed to quickly gain the Bruins line and find Alex Belzile for a the game-winner. He had some other end to end rushes that opened some eyes. Most importantly, he absorbed some checks and bounced right back. He must do a better job at avoiding those hits. The next one could spell doom.

Othmann Makes His Presence Felt

A young player to keep an eye on is Brennan Othmann. The 21-year-old 2021 first round pick is looking to make the Opening Night roster. After coming close last year, he made his presence felt against the Bruins. Othmann had a couple of big open ice hits. An aggressive player who isn’t shy about throwing his weight around, he plays with an edge. He also likes to drive to the net.

At the conclusion of the second period, he dropped the gloves with Parker Wotherspoon. Othmann held on. In the third period, he got a scoring chance but was denied by Bruins netminder Michael DiPietro. He’ll need to bury those to give himself an opportunity to make the team.

Garand Gets Win in Relief

In the second half of the game, Dylan Garand came on in place of Louis Domingue (14 saves on 15 shots). He stopped 12 of 13 shots to get the win in relief.

A 2020 fourth round pick, the 22-year-old Garand has spent his first two pro seasons with the Wolf Pack. The Bruins tied the game in the second period when Trevor Kuntar was able to steer in a rebound past Garand. The puck banked off Patrick Brown right to Kuntar, who surprised Garand. He wasn’t set on the play. It was a fluky goal.

Despite that, Garand made some strong saves when the Bruins pressured. He held up well. With Jonathan Quick returning to back up Igor Shesterkin, Garand will have plenty of time to continue to develop in Hartford.

Rangers return to Garden

On Tuesday night, the Rangers return to the Garden. They’ll host the rival Islanders at 33rd and 7th. It’ll be a different lineup for the second of six preseason games.

Maybe we’ll see Brett Berard. He’s also competing for a spot up front. A tenacious player, he’ll be watched closely by Rangers brass. Berard won’t wow anyone. But he likes to outwork opponents. He projects as a bottom six player who can kill penalties.

Zac Jones probably will be in. He’s the frontrunner for sixth defenseman. With Matthew Robertson only playing over eight minutes last night, Jones remains a strong candidate to become a full-time player. It’s his job to lose.

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Rempe Stands Out in Practice

Posted on September 22, 2024 by Derek

On a beautiful Sunday in the Big Apple, the New York Rangers were back to work at team practice this morning.

There were some mini scrimmages on the ice. You had some healthy battles between players. That included Matt Rempe. The 22-year-old forward is looking to earn a starting job in training camp. After impressing coaches and teammates with his energy and enthusiasm last spring, Rempe still must prove himself. He wants to become a regular. Not just a highwire act.

Improved Skating Impresses Laviolette

During the off-season, Rempe worked hard on improving his skating. It was something he highlighted during his exit interview after the Rangers’ postseason elimination last June. He knew that a spot wouldn’t be given to him.

“My balance is way better on my skates.” Rempe told Remy Mastey in a piece that appeared in The Hockey News on Saturday, Sep. 21. ” I think my stride is a lot better. I’m carrying speed better. All my edgework, agility, all those types of stuff. We did a lot of single edgework and a lot of skating stuff, balance. My hands, I worked a lot on my stick handling to be able to protect pucks down low, make plays. I want to showcase that.”

In Matt Rempe’s Increased Speed Noticeable To Start Training Camp,” The Hockey News, Sep. 21, 2024.

It was during Sunday’s practice that Rempe stood out. He won some puck battles by utilizing his improved skating. That included getting the better of Adam Fox in front of the net. During a sequence, he stood in front of Igor Shesterkin. When play was over, Fox and Shesterkin each gave Rempe a slash. That earned him a penalty shot. He showed off a nice move which was stopped by Shesterkin.

So far, so good. Rangers coach Peter Laviolette likes what he sees.

“He came in excellent shape,” Laviolette told reporters. “He trained hard this summer. He trained hard on the ice, he trained hard off the ice. He tried to work on all aspects of his game to come back and give himself the best chance. There’s no question he is in very good shape.”

“I want to prove to be an every day player. That’s my goal,” Rempe said when asked what his specific goals are for the season. “I want to be a very effective bottom six player who’s gonna play every night. Be the most physical player on the ice and be great defensively. Chip in a few goals. And be a really hard line to play against and also bring the element of grit.”

If Rempe can bring all of that to the table, then he should become a more trusted player under Laviolette. At times, he didn’t use him during the postseason. That was mostly by design. However, it also was due to Rempe not being the best skater. That’s why he’s come in with something to prove.

Preseason Begins

At 5 PM, the Rangers will visit the Bruins in their first preseason game. On a busy football weekend, some players will be looking to turn some heads.

The camp roster has already been cut down to 48. Nobody of significance was sent down. There’ll be about a week for a few players to make an impression. Then, things will get interesting. Of note, Brett Berard and Brennan Othmann are looking to give the Blueshirts a reason to keep them around.

The first exhibition match can be seen on MSG Network.

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Reilly Smith gets the first crack on Rangers’ top line

Posted on September 21, 2024 by Derek

A new season means some new faces. While team president and general manager Chris Drury couldn’t make too many moves over summer due to the salary cap, he was able to add a quality player. In acquiring Reilly Smith from the Penguins in exchange for a 2027 second round pick and a fifth in 2025, Drury was able to get a proven top nine forward who should help improve the roster.

The 33-year-old right wing is a solid veteran who can play in all three zones. Best known for his time in Vegas where he helped lead the Golden Knights win a Stanley Cup, Smith is coming off a down season with the Pens. After posting four goals and 10 assists for 14 points in the 2023 postseason, he became a cap casualty – getting dealt to Pittsburgh for a 2024 third round pick. It just didn’t work out. Smith still finished with 13 goals, 27 assists, and 40 points in 76 games. However, his goals dropped from 26 to 13.

Smith to Play Key Role

It’s no secret that the top line struggled last season. Despite plenty of success that included winning the Presidents’ Trophy and coming within two games of reaching the Stanley Cup Finals, the Rangers never got consistent production from Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider at even strength. When the Panthers focused on shutting down Artemi Panarin last spring, that spelled doom. Neither player was able to produce at the level needed to advance.

Rangers coach Peter Laviolette tried different combinations. After Jack Roslovic fizzled against the Cats, he mixed and matched. Even Filip Chytil was used. Nothing materialized. With Kaapo Kakko still unable to establish himself on the first line, the Blueshirts decided to get Smith from the Penguins. While he isn’t going to blow anyone away, he knows how to play the game. A heady player who is a good complement on a scoring line, Smith will play a key role on Broadway.

At the start of training camp, Laviolette had Smith skating with Zibanejad and Kreider in practice. If they can find early chemistry, that should bode well. A good player at even strength who also excels defensively, Smith can be that steady presence for that line.

Good Shorthanded

Over his 13-year NHL career, Smith is a good shorthanded player. He’ll be featured on the penalty kill. An area he’s quite familiar with. It was with Vegas that he did his best work.

In six seasons as a Golden Knight, he scored 12 shorthanded goals. That included four in 2022-23, which tied him with Kreider for the second most in the league that season. The Rangers had a strong penalty killing unit in 2023-24. After subtracting key penalty killer Barclay Goodrow, they added a quality defensive forward in Smith, who can help replace what Goodrow brought shorthanded. He could find himself paired up with Vincent Trocheck while down a man.

Something To Prove

Entering his first year as a Blueshirt, Smith has something to prove. He wants to erase last season. Getting traded inside the division should serve as a motivator. The Rangers will see the Penguins on Opening Night. They’ll visit the Steel City on Oct. 9. Wouldn’t it be a great way to start if Smith scored against his former team?

In 2024-25, they’ll face the Pens four times. That includes Sidney Crosby paying a visit to Madison Square Garden on Dec. 6. The season series concludes with two big matchups in February. The Rangers will host the Penguins on Feb. 7. They’ll visit Pittsburgh on Feb. 23. Those dates are probably circled on Smith’s calendar.

One other factor is that Smith is in the final year of his contract. He is set to earn $5 million. In parting with two draft picks, the Rangers did it with the knowledge that the Penguins would pick up part of the remaining year. The cap charge is only $3.75 million. They saved $1.25 million. A big help for a team that spends to the ceiling.

Any time a player is playing for a contract, it usually can give them a boost. Smith knows that he has a good opportunity in the Big Apple. There’s a lot riding on the line. For the Blueshirts, it’s one last kick at the can with the current group. There’s a lot of pressure to end a Cup drought that’s lasted 30 years. For Smith, it’s the expectations. He needs to have a good season. His future depends on it. That’s why it has the potential to work out.

Chytil Reunited with Kakko

As expected, the pratice lines included a familiar duo. Chytil and Kakko together. It was during the 2022 playoffs that they worked well along with Alexis Lafreniere. The Kid Line was a factor in the Rangers’ run to the Conference Finals. Since then, Lafreniere has graduated to play with Artemi Panarin and Vincent Trocheck. He produced a career best season with 28 goals and 29 assists for 57 points.

Kakko needs a good season. He is on a one-year deal. It’s now or never for the former 2019 second overall pick. Having a player he knows well should benefit him. Chytil possesses the game-breaking speed. He and Kakko are effective on the forecheck. They’re likely to be penciled in with the gritty Will Cuylle to form a good third line. Health will play a role. They need both Chytil and Kakko to avoid the injury bug. How that line performs will be a key to the season.

Preseason Action in Boston

Believe it or not, the Rangers play their first preason game tomorrow in Boston against the Bruins. It’ll be a chance for the coaches to get a first look at some players. Several won’t be with the big club when the season starts. They’ll looking to make a good first impression.

Game time is 5 EST. MSG will air it.

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Devils re-sign Mercer

Posted on September 21, 2024 by Derek

On Friday, the Devils re-signed Dawson Mercer. They reached agreement on a three-year deal worth a $4 million cap hit through 2026-27.

A 2018 first round pick, Mercer has proven to be a versatile forward for the Devils. Originally drafted as a center, he’s also shifted over to play the right wing. A reliable player who can be used on the power play and penalty kill, the 22-year-old is featured in the top nine. He can play on any line.

Following a strong second season that saw him establish career highs in goals (27), assists (29), points (56), plus-minus (22), even strength points (24-20-44), and game-winning goals (6), Mercer struggled with consistency in 2023-24. A slow start didn’t help. He still finished last season with 20 goals with 16 coming at even strength. However, he only had 33 points and posted a disappointing minus-26 rating in 82 games.

Mercer is a key Devil who must rebound. The talent is there. A good skater with scoring instincts, he has the potential to become more consistent. He also is a player who can make the right read defensively. In his first three seasons, he has two shorthanded goals. He should continue to develop overall.

In what amounted to a busy summer, Devils team president and general manager Tom Fitzgerald made some good additions to a roster that missed the playoffs last season. That included overhauling both the blue line and net. They’re hoping that key defensemen Brett Pesce and Brenden Dillon can upgrade the defense. Jacob Markstrom is the new starting goalie. With Jake Allen backing up, it could be a good tandem.

The Devils also made some smart moves to solidify their forward depth. By adding the gritty Paul Cotter, they became tougher. If there was an area they lacked during a disappointing 2023-24, it was in that department. They were easy to play against. Cotter is a physical player who finishes checks and can chip in offensively. He should become a fan favorite.

Tomas Tatar returns after a year away. Known as Tuna, he fit in well on the 2022-23 roster. After struggling last season, Tatar is looking to bounce back in New Jersey. He had success in his first stint, scoring 20 goals and tallying 28 assists with a plus-41 rating. While there’s no guarantee for a repeat, he’ll be playing with players he’s familiar with. That should help.

Stefan Noesen is also in his second tour of duty with the red and black. A secondary scorer who likes to make a living in front of the net, he should be an asset on the second power play. He had good success with the Hurricanes the past two seasons. He should be good for double digits in goals and 30 points.

The Devils are taking a look at Kevin Labanc. A player who once put up 56 points (17-39-56) in San Jose, the Brooklyn native is looking for a fresh start. He didn’t fit into the Sharks’ rebuild. A shifty skater with playmaking capability, Labanc is someone to keep an eye on in training camp.

Preseason gets underway on Sunday night. The Devils host the Islanders tomorrow at 7 EST. It’ll be shown on MSGSN.

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