On today’s New Jersey Devils Daily, we get to hear about Nico Hischier’s journey to the number one pick from the horse’s mouth, the Devils make a first-of-its-kind partnership with the women’s hockey league and why John Quenneville and Joseph Blandisi didn’t make the cut.
Nico Hischier’s Player’s Tribune article was a fun read. It’s been a while since I read something from a player that I couldn’t put down. It shows the depth of this kid’s personality. He tells about the time he quit hockey (thank goodness he changed his mind). Nico also tells an interesting story about his first NHL game he saw live. He watched the Edmonton Oilers play the Ottawa Senators. Number four was the player he wanted to see the most. That player was Taylor Hall, who is now the star of his new team. It was a great read and recommended for all New Jersey Devils fans.
For the first time, an NHL team has partnered with a team in the National Women’s Hockey League. The Devils now have a partial ownership stake in the (now) Metropolitan Riveters. This is huge for a league trying to find its footing in the hockey market. This is especially huge seeing that the women’s team will get a ton of attention this Olympic year without NHL players attending South Korea. Dani Rylan, the founder of the NWHL, calls this move a “game-changer.” Seth Berkman with the New York Times does a good job giving this move justice, making it feel as big as it is.
The Devils and the Riveters Form a Hockey Partnership
Chris Ryan with NJ.com talks to head coach John Hynes about his decision to start the year without John Quenneville or Joseph Blandisi on the roster. Hynes says both guys played well in camp, but he wanted to get them time on the power play. With the team constructed as it is now, there was no time for them on special teams. Instead of limiting them to 5-on-5 play, which would amount to around 10 minutes per night, he wanted them to get more experience with all aspects on the AHL level. Hynes does end the conversation saying he thinks this is what’s best for the team.
John Hynes explains why Joseph Blandisi and John Quenneville missed final Devils cut
Ryan also wrote about Stefan Noesen making the opening night roster out the gate. Noesen came to the Devils after the team claimed him off waivers in January. At 24 years old, he got a late start to his career. Now, he gets to really show his skills on a team that’s mostly younger than him. Noesen worked on his skating during the offseason, and he credits that in helping him make the roster. He looks like he’s slated for a third line role with Adam Henrique and Jesper Bratt. If the preseason was any indication, that could be another scoring line.
How Stefan Noesen carved out role with the Devils
Leo Scaglione Jr. with the New York Hockey Journal talks about the season ahead for Nick Lappin. He didn’t make the roster out of camp, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t prepping for a bigger role. It’s a long read, but gives a great profile for a player trying to grind into a role with the big club.