Stefan Noesen on Devils current evaluation, his changing role, and improved offense

One of the biggest surprises this season has been the contributions from Stefan Noesen. He's a completely different player compared to the first time that we saw him in a Devils uniform (2017-2019). He currently has 55 hits (second on the team), nine goals (second), seven assists (fifth), 16 points (fourth), and three power-play goals (tied for second). Pucks & Pitchforks was with the Devils during their three-game stint in Florida and spoke exclusively with Noesen after a morning skate.

Question: You're about 20 games into your second stint with New Jersey. How have things been going from your perspective?

Noesen: It's been going good. [We're] just working on building our team chemistry and kind of getting the winning culture back into this locker room. So far, it's been going pretty good.

Q: What were some of your expectations heading into the season? Obviously, the Devils brought you back for a reason.

Noesen: We want to reestablish what winning means here. I think they [the Devils] hit a little bit of a low last year. And they brought in some older guys to help button that up a little bit. The expectations are to make the playoffs and to be a playoff contender. We have [another] step to that tonight [Thursday, November 14th] here in Florida after a day off. [We] just played them before. So, looking forward to that.

Q: You saw some success with the Carolina Hurricanes, and you talked about making the playoffs. How do you try to transition that experience from Carolina to New Jersey to basically be a mentor to the younger guys?

Noesen: It's learning how guys operate and how guys tick. What makes one person successful one way, is totally different for the next guy. So, just bringing life experience, playoff experience, and things [like that] in general to the locker room can help throughout your day-to-day. Also, plays that I see are sometimes different than what other guys see. [I try to help them] eliminate some of those mistakes. Being able to do that creates winning hockey over and over again, and I think you see that.

Q: We talked about aggression, and that was one of the big focal points for Tom Fitzgerald heading into the offseason. Is that important to your game knowing that you have your teammates' back?

Noesen: Yeah, it's just part of the game, right? It's a team sport. It's not an individual sport. Once we start caring a little bit more about the other guy next to us, [that's] when we can be more successful. We're building towards that when we bring in a guy like Brenden Dillon, who's obviously as tough as they come. [He'll be the first one to say] as long as you're comfortable on the ice, you know that means he's doing his job. I'm not quite that [type of] presence, but what I try to do is provide that comfort for my teammates whenever need be. I just try to be a presence on the ice and make sure that people aren't going to take advantage [of them].

Q: How satisfied are you guys with where you're currently at?

Noesen: I mean, you're never fully satisfied, right? It's a long season, and we're building our house right now. You have to build the foundation, and we're starting to do that. [We're] building the blocks here and not looking to hit our peak until the end of the season going into the playoffs. But you gotta build layer by layer. So far, we've done a pretty good job and we just got to keep on working.

Q: You're now on the line with Nico Hischier. How does it feel to be entrusted by Sheldon Keefe to be on the "Captain Line" and help lead the way?

Noesen: Yeah, the thing that we talked about with me coming here is that I might be used in every line situation. My game doesn't change. My game is a hard nose. I'm not going to change who I am. I'm not the "skill guy"; I'm the "go-getter guy." So, they just want to add a little bit more physicalness on that line, get Timo, and let those guys hang on to the puck a little bit more. So far, it's been good. We'll see what happens and go from there.

Q: You've been a huge catalyst on the power play. What's been clicking for you on the man advantage?

Noesen: It's the same thing why I got brought in here. Just [to] be that net-front guy, play that little style down low, get pucks back for our guys, and let them kind of do their thing. It's just being able to make that next play and make those guys trust me.