We got a lot to unpack, folks. And I’m not referring to the backseat of my car, which I still haven’t unpacked from my summer calling minor league baseball in Minnesota. Rather, we’re talking New Jersey Devils training camp. Day 1 is in the books, and we’ve got plenty to discuss—The good, the bad, and the Luke.
FIRST LINE DADONOV?
Evgeni Dadonov’s first foray in a Devils uniform landed him on the top line of the first session alongside Jack Hughes and Jesper Bratt, and the three seemed to click over the course of the session. Both Hughes and Bratt had high praise for their new teammate, with Bratt noting, “He’s such a smart player. Me and Jack were just watching him do his thing out there-really exciting player to play with.”
TOP-SIX MERCER?
The other major takeaway from the on-ice action was in session two, where Dawson Mercer joined that group’s top line of Nico Hischier and Timo Meier. It’s going to be an incredibly pivotal year for Mercer, who is looking to re-find his form from the 2022-23 season. Now why was Mercer slated in what, today, would be considered a top-six role? Well, that is because of…
INJURY UPDATES
In terms of injuries, none of the updates were surprising (Johnathan Kovacevic’s knee injury is going to keep him out long-term) save for one—Stefan Noesen will be missing several weeks after re-aggravating a groin injury that he suffered towards the end of last season. Noesen going down opens up some “opportunities” (as GM Tom Fitzgerald put them) for a few guys to step into that role, one of whom could be…
WHO ORDERED GRITS?
Russian import and 2019 Devils draft selection Arseni Gritsyuk made his first impressions on New Jersey brass today, on the right wing with Juho Lammikko centering and Paul Cotter on the left. Gritsyuk was “bigger and thicker than I expected” per Fitzgerald, while Keefe was impressed by his release in today’s action. Could Cotter-Lammikko-Gritsyuk be a potential fourth line in game action? We shall see.
PRESSER NOTES
Tom Fitzgerald is still grinding away with Luke Hughes and his camp to lock up the RFA defenseman to what he hopes to be a long-term-deal.
Fitzgerald also noted that despite having “a hair over six million in cap”, that he’s figured out a way to extend Luke Hughes “without trade or LTIR”. Definitely the most eye-opening quote of the day.
Also eye-opening? Fitzgerald stated that he’s talking a potential extension with goaltender Jacob Markstrom.
With that, Day One of camp is in the books! We’ll be back with coverage starting at 10 AM tomorrow!
