New Jersey Devils Preseason Shows Signs of Progress And Promise

Coach Speak

"“We’re evaluating our players, working on all aspects of our game. If you’re going to play a game you’d rather win than lose, but at the end of the day, it doesn’t mean a lot when you start the season on day one. We just want to make sure we are playing the game the right way,” — Lindy Ruff following the Devils’ fourth preseason game."

Following the two preseason games (man it was good to be back in the building) that I attended, I thought Ruff gave some interesting answers regarding some of his players, and here are some of the most intriguing parts.

On Janne Kuokkanen:

"“He sees the ice really good, plays the game the right way, and he is a very reliable, dependable player that just works and doesn’t make a lot of big mistakes. We didn’t have a great second period tonight – didn’t manage the puck, odd-man rushes against, but the guy who’s hardly ever involved in that, is Janne. He makes the right decision almost every time he’s on the ice, and he’s hard on himself when he does make a bad decision.”"

I don’t know why, but I think Kuokkanen is poised for a big season. Kind of reminds me of a Sergei Brylin-type player, someone who can play up and down the lineup in any role and does it well. But with more skill. Last season the flying Finn had 25 points (8g-17a) in 50 games. Perhaps this season we see 45-50 points in 82 games.

On young players and players on PTOs:

"“Some players we didn’t know exactly what they were going to bring and if you look at (Alexander) Holtz, Mercer, (Ryan) Jankowski, (Jimmy) Vesey – it’s going to make our decisions tough. They’ve competed hard and fit in with the way we play. I’ve liked what they’ve brought (to the team), we have some decisions to make.”"

Obviously, Holtz has already been sent to Utica, which is the right move I believe at this time. He wasn’t going to get top minutes in New Jersey, which he will get in the AHL, which is best for his development. Jankowski had a decent camp I thought, but Mercer’s upside was too much to keep away from New Jersey this season. He looked like he belonged. Worst case he spends some time in Utica throughout the season, and they can shift Zacha back to center in New Jersey while he’s gone. Vesey seems like a nice replacement for what Nate Bastian’s role was last season – someone to play alongside Mike McLeod on the energy, checking line.

On Hamilton:

"“He makes the game look really simple, he gets pucks to the net. I don’t think our guys understand that (yet), is all he is looking for is to get the puck to the net for a redirection. I think the other defensemen on our squad can learn from him and the way he plays, what he does with the puck. Nothing he does is…sparkling, but it’s so simple and effective. He just makes it look so easy.” –Ruff after the first preseason game."

Let’s keep it real: Hamilton gives the Devils something they haven’t had in a long, long time – a bonafide number one defenseman who will provide offense, play in all situations, and is a minutes muncher. (I wanna say the last one was Brian Rafalski, but I guess an argument could be made for Marek Zidlicky too). Just his mere presence will create so many opportunities for his teammates, as Ruff alluded to in his comments. From his pressers, it’s been clear that Hamilton is an easy-going guy, comfortable in his own skin, and wants to win. He chose New Jersey to play with Jack Hughes, Nico Hischier, Mercer, Smith and whoever else is along for the ride over the next half-decade.