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Many thanks to those who submitted questions. I couldn’t get to all of them, but perhaps we’ll do a part two.
We have plenty to get to here, including Dougie Hamilton’s health, the potential of a Dawson Mercer trade, early trade deadline candidates, a Taylor Hall reunion, and more.
Let’s dive in.
How worried should we be about Dougie (Hamilton) and his recovery? Seems like they added extra (defensemen) just in case. — @Singsy24 via
There’s no denying that Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald did his very best to add as much depth on the blue line as possible.
However, it’s my understanding that has a lot more to do with last year’s depth in general, as opposed to Dougie Hamilton’s health. Yes, the Devils’ overall play, especially on the man advantage, took a nose dive once he was out of the lineup. But that had more to do with Fitzgerald banking on a few guys such as Kevin Bahl and John Marino playing higher in the lineup than they should have been. Plus, relying on two rookie defensemen in Luke Hughes and Simon Nemec as much as they didn’t help.
That’s not to say Hughes and Nemec weren’t good. They played as well as they could have, although rookie mistakes were to be expected. There’s little doubt the Devils’ blue line lacked adequate veteran presence on the ice last season.
Further, Hamilton was set to join the Devils in the 2024 playoffs had they claimed a spot. He was going to be cleared to play then, and with the extra time off in the summer, it’s expected that he’s 100% healthy.
Suffice to say, I wouldn’t be all that worried about Hamilton’s health. He should be good to go.
Who do you think will surprise in camp that makes the team and beats out a veteran? — @lawlzitscasey via
This is a great question.
I say that because I firmly believe Fitzgerald’s days of betting on the unknown are over. If he has the opportunity to roster a proven veteran over someone who isn’t as proven, he will.
However, there are no guarantees with anything, right?
Some players could come to camp out of shape, injuries could occur, or someone could just really shine the spotlight on themselves and steal a roster spot clean.
It’ll surprise absolutely no one to hear me say I believe Santeri Hatakka has a chance.
REQUIRED READING: Exclusive — Santeri Hatakka Wants Full-Time NHL Role With Devils
It’s expected that Nick DeSimone and Johnathan Kovecevic occupy the seventh and eighth defenseman roles. However, both of them are right-handed. Perhaps Sheldon Keefe wants to keep a left-hand shot on board and with Kovacevic also being on a two-way deal, you could see him battling Hatakka in training camp.
And if Jonas Siegenthaler’s struggles last season continue in the fall, could Hatakka perhaps even steal a spot from him?
There is the added layer regarding Nemec and his potential injury. Currently, Nemec is heading to Newark for further testing on an upper-body injury he suffered in an Olympic Qualifier game playing for Team Slovakia. If he misses any kind of time, Hatakka could slide right in.
Beyond that, I’m intrigued by what Seamus Casey can do. He falls under the “too small” narrative, yet has overcome that obstacle time after time.
Up front, I suspect Nolan Foote will be extra motivated to make some noise. Can he steal a spot on the fourth line? Perhaps from Nathan Bastian?
Throw Brian Halonen’s name in that mix, too.
If the Devils don’t extend Dawson Mercer, could he get traded? — @99Sportsmania via
Never say never, but I don’t see Dawson Mercer going anywhere.
I know time is ticking and fans are getting anxious, but Mercer doesn’t have a whole lot in his negotiating corner at the moment. Yes, he hasn’t missed a game in three seasons — including playoffs. However, he had a down year last season, and he had no arbitration rights this summer. I’m not all that worried this doesn’t get done, and my hunch say’s it’s a bridge.
As far as I know, all scenarios are on the table for Mercer. Long-term and bridge deals are both options that have been discussed, but what I believe the stalemate is between Mercer’s camp and the Devils is money in both scenarios.
Regardless, the Devils hold Mercer to a high standard. Fitzgerald has been turning down trade offers for months, and I don’t see that changing. Mercer’s part of the solution moving forward, and for good reason. He’s a Swiss-army knife who play well in all three zones, and possesses 30-goal potential at the ripe age of 22 years old.
There’s a reason why teams have shown interest in him, and the Devils have turned them away.
In the event the devils realize they do need another forward, who’s a guy who may be a good bet on a deadline acquisition. Maybe somebody with one year left of team control? — @SeanMaffia via
We haven’t even dropped the puck, and we’re already talking trade deadline acquisitions. I love it.
That’s certainly an indication, too, that Devils fans believe they’ll firmly be in the playoff mix this season — which means they’ll be buyers at the deadline.
I, for one, think that belief is completely justified. So, let’s take a look into the crystal ball, shall we?
We already know Fitzgerald isn’t afraid to make a big move at the trade deadline. He acquired Timo Meier two deadlines ago, and then proceeded to ink him long-term.
Perhaps, the Devils won’t get another star-level forward at the deadline without their first-round pick — eliminating the possibility of someone like Mitch Marner. But, they do have three second-round picks in hand and a decent pool of prospects to work with.
Who doesn’t love a good reunion, right? Perhaps, Taylor Hall comes back, flourishes on the wing with Connor Bedard, but the Chicago Blackhawks are still well out of the playoff hunt and are looking for futures. Even if he’s just a rental, a Hall reunion would be super fun, and it somewhat makes sense to see the former MVP return where he earned it.
And if the Devils are looking someone with a little more finish, perhaps they go back to the well in Calgary and inquire on Andrei Kuzmenko.
Other names that intrigue me are Carter Verhaeghe and Sam Bennett, but there’s no reason to believe the reigning champions — the Florida Panthers — will be sellers.
Do you truly believe the Devils are a top 2-3 team in the Metropolitan Division this season? — @_JeffreyRoth via
Look, a lot of us had the same excited feeling about the Devils going into the 2023-24 season. But, look what happened.
However, although it’s the same excitement, it feels like the Devils are coming back looking a little more like their 2022-23 selves.
The veteran presence on the blue line is back with Brett Pesce and Brenden Dillon. Stefan Noesen and Paul Cotter make for pesky, forechecking presences. The goaltending is in the best shape it’s been in since perhaps the Cory Schneider days, and the Devils’ top players all had a long summer to rest, recover, and come to camp completely healthy.
Looking at the rest of the Metropolitan Division, who — on paper — looks better than New Jersey? The Carolina Hurricanes took significant hits. I’m not writing them off, but I think the Devils are the deeper team. The Pittsburgh Penguins? Rutger McGroarty was a good add, but I’m not buying in on them. What are the Washington Capitals? They’re a true wild card. And the New York Islanders remain middling.
I anticipate the Philadelphia Flyers will be annoying to play against because, John Tortorella. However, I don’t think they’re better than the Devils.
And Columbus is expected to remain toward the bottom of the division.
In my eyes, the race for the Metropolitan Division is between the Devils and their rival, the New York Rangers. Although the Blueshirts were relatively quiet this summer, they’re still a well constructed team with elite talent.
So, yes. I believe the Devils are a top-two team in the Metro.
Any rumors of a uniform adjustment in the Devils future? @BillErdek via
Sorry, Bill, but the uniforms are staying.
When Fanatics took over for Adidas as the NHL’s jersey provider, one of the deals in the partnership was to keep most of the uniforms relatively the same.
Some teams, such as the Anaheim Ducks and Los Angeles Kings, had been well into their rebrands, and they were grandfathered in. However, most others made little to no changes.
Therefore, the homes, roads, and black alternates are all returning with little to no changes.
I would like to see some variation of the 2024 Stadium Series jersey return, however. Those were fun. Maybe in 2025-26.
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