Good morning Devils fans. This week the Devils began to synthesize the youth prospect groups with the main roster players returning from summer break for warmups and meetings. This is a really exciting time of the preseason as we see this year’s roster take shape.
Per multiple sources, the lines they rolled out earlier in the week we as follows:
Group A: Bratt-J .Hughes-Toffoli Nosek-McLeod-Lazar Willman-Engaras-Thompson
Bahl-Miller Smith-Foote Vukojevic-Gambardella
Vanecek Brennan
Group B: Meier-Hischier-Holtz Filmon-Dowling-Halonen Parent-Schmeltzer-Crisuolo Squires
L. Hughes-Marino Wotherspoon-Nemec Misyul-Felix
Schmid Poulter
Group C: Palat-Haula-Mercer Foote-Tierny-Clarke Willman-Engras-Thompson
Siegs-Dougie Hatakka-Vilen Russo
Kallgren Kinkaid Brodeur
There will of course be tweaking here and there as the team tries out different combinations to find untapped chemistry between players. A few storylines to keep in mind:
1. A Full Camp for New Players to Gel
Over the summer, the Devils had a balanced approach to their roster building. While keeping core pieces and resigning Meier and Bratt, they also brought in Toffoli, Miller, Nosek, and Tierney to name a few. Combining that with the first Devils camp for Lazar and Meier and now we can see what kind of team can play out this season. Some of the line shuffling from last season may be avoided with more proven data from this preseason camp.
2. Holtz Turning Heads in Camp
The past few years, many questions have been raised regarding the future of winger Alexander Holtz. He’s done well for himself in Utica but has struggled to find a place for himself in Newark. This year, the team may be putting him in the deep end of the pool. The top line for Group B has him with Meier and Hischier. If the former first rounder can impress, he may earn a place for himself there. Multiple sources, including Devils reporter Amanda Stein, have noted Holtz has shown up to the camp with a leaner frame and a dramatically improved skating speed. This reminds of a few seasons ago when Jack Hughes showed up to camp with a more built frame, leading to better physical stamina against checking that year.
3. The Battle for the Fourth Line
Assuming the best happens for Holtz, this is most likely what the top 9 will look like:
Bratt-J .Hughes-Toffoli Meier-Hischier-Holtz Palat-Haula-Mercer
This means there will be severe competition to fill out the 4th line. Assuming nothing comes of the Team Canada investigation, McCleod will probably center it. Bastian, once fully healthy, can take the right side. The left side could be some combo of Nosek, Lazar, Foote, or Clarke. Don’t be surprised if the Devils keep Clarke around as a utility scratch player. He did well for himself in the Prospect Tournament and has done incredibly well at the AHL level.
4. Defense Doesn’t Leave Much for Surprises
Based on the defensive groups, the Devils will run pairs including Bahl, Miller, Hamilton, Sieganthaler, and Luke Hughes. I’ve made the argument in previous articles that Simon Nemec deserves to be in the conversation for this team. If Miller struggles or someone gets hurt, he should immediately leapfrog Smith to become part of the blueline core.
5. Vitek Vanacek Warming Hearts
Outside of the rink, the Devils had some fun team building behind the scenes. Vanacek filmed himself giving homemade friendship bracelets to his teammates, old and new. I don’t know why, but I found this kind of heartwarming, particularly Toffoli’s reaction. You can find the video below:
I am deceased. 😂 https://t.co/fdACPItxId
— Amanda Stein (@amandacstein) September 21, 2023
As we wrap up the article, a quick note should be made regarding the contract and future of HC Lindy Ruff. After last season, the team and coach exercised their option for an additional with talks beginning regarding a longer extension. If the Devils see the success this year that they had last season, most likely Lindy will be leading the bench for the 24-25 season.
What are your thoughts? Any prospects not focused on this article you can see making the roster? Should we have Lindy back next season? Who else wants a Vanacek friendship bracelet?
Leave your thoughts and comments below. Raise Hell,
-Josh Biringer