If you’d told me last week that the New Jersey Devils‘ players have teeth, I wouldn’t have believed you.
No, not because of the typical hockey player stereotype, painting them as toothless oafs. Instead, because they’ve had nothing to smile about for a long time amid struggles and off-ice drama.
Last night displayed the kind of hockey the Devils can play. Now, it’s just about finding that game consistently.
After all, they’re just four points out of playoff position.
In the links, more on the Devils’ party in Minnesota and the revenge their recently scratched star defenseman extracted.
Elsewhere, it’s not going well on Broadway, and it might be time to consider selling, Philly trade scenarios, and Evgeni Malkin’s future.
Let’s do that hockey.
Devils Trade Rumors & News
New Jersey Hockey Now: The Devils weren’t supposed to win this game! The hockey gods interfered! In Quinn Hughes’ new home against the Minnesota Wild, the Devils broke out for five goals. Because, of course, they did. More inside on how Jack and Luke Hughes won the latest Hughes Bowl.
It was a solid win for the Devils in desperate need of anything to go their way. Dougie Hamilton got his revenge on New Jersey for sitting him as a healthy scratch two games ago, and Nico Hischier carried the Devils to victory. Five-plus observations inside on the 5-2 sin against the Wild.
📺 Devils Rink Report: Shayna Goldman of The Athletic and the Too Many Men podcast joined me on the Devils Rink Report Friday to discuss the Devils’ core and whether they need to shake things up and move a major piece or not.
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NHL Trade Talk, News, & National Hockey Now
Forever Blueshirts: Ex-New York Rangers Kaapo Kakko and Ryan Lindgren returned to Madison Square Garden for the first time since being moved to the Seattle Kraken. They reminisced on “a lot of good times” in the building.
The Athletic ($): Staying on Broadway, Mike Sullivan didn’t sugarcoat anything. He knows that Alexis Lafreniere needs to be better, and he said so amid dropping him in the lineup.
More Athletic ($): The Rangers fell below .500 last night, and seem to be going in the wrong direction yet again. It’s more likely they’re sellers than they are buyers. Here are some Rangers trade tiers by Peter Baugh and Vincent Mercagliano. Could Alexis Lafreniere finally be on the move?
Pittsburgh Hockey Now: On the future for Evgeni Malkin, Dan Kingerski says he should continue to play amid newfound success, and the Pittsburgh Penguins have options with him.
Philly Hockey Now: Reportedly, the Philadelphia Flyers are willing to trade right-hand defenseman, Rasmus Ristolainen. Will James breaks down five destinations the Philly defenseman could land.
