With the 2024-25 season nearly formally underway, the New Jersey Devils are getting into a brand new period of black and crimson. Below new head coach Sheldon Keefe, the staff will search to succeed in new heights and make it to the highest of the Metropolitan Division. There may be an countless quantity of excessive hopes and pleasure for what the staff will appear to be this season, particularly after a particularly productive offseason. Now that they’ve acquired a high-quality beginning goalie and seasoned defensemen, it seems= the staff is headed in a optimistic path. Preseason begins this Sunday, Sept. 22, the place the Devils will tackle the New York Islanders on the Prudential Middle.
Nonetheless, a full-circle comeback begins with coaching camp, with veterans starting preparations this week for the upcoming season. A complete of 68 gamers will hit the ice on behalf of the Devils and the roster is stuffed with new and previous faces alike. Amongst these acquainted faces is Tomas Tatar, who was welcomed again to New Jersey with open arms. Followers are excited to see what the staff will appear to be with their roster practically at peak well being, which is able to hopefully flourish below Keefe’s new management. One noticeable absence from coaching camp is Luke Hughes, who will miss six to eight weeks recovering from a shoulder harm. Which means, there will probably be some roster gaps for Keefe to fill as coaching camp continues.
Earlier this week, common supervisor (GM) Tom Fitzgerald introduced defenseman Andy Welinski and ahead Kevin Labanc will be a part of the staff on Skilled Tryout Contracts (PTOs). These unsigned veterans could have the chance to show themselves and earn a spot on the Devils’ roster in time for the season opener in Prague, Czechia. Welinski has performed 46 NHL video games throughout three seasons, whereas Labanc has skated in 478 all through eight seasons. Collectively, they are going to be a part of the likes of Nico Hischier, Jesper Bratt, and Jonas Siegenthaler, together with a lot of the rookie camp members.
Can Welinski Keep within the NHL?
At 31 years previous, Welinski has solely performed on the NHL degree for the Anaheim Geese. In 2011, he was drafted 83rd total, however didn’t signal an entry-level contract with the Geese till 2016. From 2012 to 2016 he performed for the College of Minnesota Duluth, recording 77 factors throughout 4 seasons. After his school hockey profession, he joined the Geese’ American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the San Diego Gulls. The next season, he made his NHL debut in opposition to the Carolina Hurricanes, and spent the following two campaigns being referred to as as much as Anaheim as vital.Â
Associated: 3 New Jersey Devils Place Battles to Watch in Coaching Camp
In 2019, Welinski signed with the Philadelphia Flyers, however solely performed with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms within the AHL. After a short reunion with the Geese, he frolicked with the Calgary Flames, New York Rangers, Chicago Blackhawks, St. Louis Blues, and Iowa Wild. All through his AHL profession, he has offered a gentle presence on the blue line, scoring 42 targets and including 110 assists in 319 video games. His defensive skills may gain advantage the Devils’ group. Nevertheless, the query stays: Can Welinski earn a roster spot on the conclusion of coaching camp, or will he spend the season elsewhere?
Labanc & Meier: An Unlikely Duo
Labanc is a tried-and-true NHL veteran, who has been part of the San Jose Sharks group because the staff drafted him 171st total in 2014. In his early profession, he performed with the U.S. Nationwide Crew Growth Program and later joined the Ontario Hockey League. He was drafted by the Barrie Colts in 2011, recording 269 factors in simply three seasons. Following back-to-back 100-plus level seasons, Labanc acquired the Jim Mahon and Leo Lalonde Memorial Trophies. Just like Welinski, Labanc signed his entry-level contract in 2016, however frolicked with the Sharks’ AHL staff in the course of the 2016-17 season. Throughout eight seasons, he contributed 82 targets and 143 assists for the Sharks.
One Satan specifically is pleased about Labanc’s participation in coaching camp. Timo Meier shaped a friendship with Labanc throughout his rookie season and the 2 of them frolicked collectively within the AHL with the San Jose Barracuda. In a manner, Labanc is heading again to his roots by becoming a member of the Devils, since he performed pee-wee hockey with the Devils’ minor league and in addition performed junior hockey for the New Jersey Rockets. Labanc will compete for a spot within the Devils’ lineup and seeks to affix the second NHL staff of his profession. Signing Labanc must be considered, since having a veteran right-wing presence might turn out to be useful because the season progresses.
One Extra Deal With the Devils
Within the midst of coaching camp, there was nonetheless one main difficulty that had not been resolved: Dawson Mercer. Regardless of ongoing contract negotiations over the summer time, the 22-year-old remained an restricted free agent and missed the primary day of coaching camp. On Sept. 20, Mercer lastly signed a three-year, $12 million contract, with a $4 million cap hit. This was a crucial transfer for the group previous to the start of the season. Mercer stays an necessary piece of the staff’s younger core and has performed in all 82 video games for three-consecutive seasons. Likewise, the Tatar-Hischier-Mercer line was among the finest within the league two seasons in the past. In actual fact, this specific combo ranked second within the NHL for anticipated targets share (xG%). If reunited, this line might change the trajectory of the Devils’ season, offering level manufacturing and effectivity that the staff lacked final season. All in all, the Devils are on monitor to bounce again this season, and a profitable coaching camp is an important first step for the last word comeback.
