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As the summer goes on, hockey news doesn’t always break like it does during the season and during the draft/free agency period in the offseason. However, time continues to move forward until we New Jersey Devils As each season approaches, there is usually some analysis or speculation about rookies who may be close to NHL readiness or have shown some talent that is worth a closer look. While the closer look part still applies to many young players during training camp and preseason, I don’t think we will see the usual speculation about unexpected players making the roster.
Now I think that’s true this summer for two reasons: First, there simply isn’t space. With Dawson Mercer and Nolan Foote still under contract until the start of the 2024-25 season, the Devils According to Puckpedia (RIP CapFriendly) There are already 22 players signed. Once the RFA combination is signed, the Devils will still have to waive or release a player in order to have a compliant 23-man roster for opening night. The second part is that while the Devils still have a lot of talent, no one is viewed as a true deciding factor at this point. There are definitely players who have the potential to be good, even great NHL players, but no one is ready to step up and be a comfortable every-night player right now.
Now, maybe some of you will think this is a bad thing; the Devils have plucked the brightest stars from their rookie class, and last season was terrible. Well, yes and no. The Devils’ best young players are now NHL players, but to say that guys like Luke Hughes and Simon Nemec have peaked is ridiculous. Both players showed quality last season as rookies; with more experience, coaching, and some of the rookie nerves gone, they will continue to trend upward. The Devils also have a much-improved roster on paper, so the demands on some of their youngest players will be reduced, allowing them to play under less pressure and hopefully produce more results as a result. The main club will be fine.
Now speaking of those rookies, what is the biggest benefit of not having to add any more rookies once the season begins? The answer is that it allows them to play in games that are appropriate for their developmental level. Recently signed players like Seamus Casey, Mikael Diotte, and Josh Filmon will start games in a less intense league and get the playing time they need to continue to hone their skills. That way, when the Devils eventually need them in the starting lineup, they will be able to play a more complete game and learn how to adapt their skills to the NHL level, rather than trying to do both at the same time.
The Devils have struggled with developing players for some time now. Not many players have made it to the main club through the Devils minor league system. Part of this could be due to the rebuild in the mid-2010s, which caused some of the team’s most talented rookies to forgo the AHL. Part of this, of course, lies with management and coaches; in some cases, the players themselves. Not having to rush players will certainly help in the future as well. The Devils are trying to compete at the NHL level right now; in order to get another long window of competition, as they did through much of the late 90s/2000s, they need to make sure not to rush any of the rookies they intend to keep. Not having to fill out the roster at the start of the 2024-25 season is a step in the right direction for that philosophy.
In the end, I will miss being able to write an article speculating whether a particular rookie might make the starting lineup. At the same time, I am glad I won’t be writing such articles because it means the Devils have a more complete NHL team and the rookies will continue to grow in the right environment for them. The name of the game is long-term success, and providing the right environment for rookies to develop is part of that.
What are your thoughts on the Devils’ lack of space to add to the starting lineup: Do you think it’s best for long-term success? Are you happy that the Devils’ 2024-25 roster seems largely set? Do you disagree and think there’s a player who could outperform the rest and make the lineup? If so, who do you think will be pushed into the lineup, both in the AHL and in the press room? Please leave any comments below, and as always, thanks for reading!
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