Sam Woo: Devils Media Day and Training Camp

Very curious to see Tatar and what he can contribute.

Also curious to see Nolan Foote, Mercer and Holtz - who makes it and sticks?

Everyone wants to see Holtz, Mercer and Foote, myself included. But, the opportunity in Utica to play top line minutes in all situations is hard to pass up in my opinion. Great developmental opportunity. There’s plenty to fill the NHL roster for this season without playing these kids in limited roles. Injuries happen too...

This was very insightful and riveting

Everyone wants to see Holtz, Mercer and Foote, myself included. But, the opportunity in Utica to play top line minutes in all situations is hard to pass up in my opinion. Great developmental opportunity. There’s plenty to fill the NHL roster for this season without playing these kids in limited roles. Injuries happen too...
- Banana_Hammock

No doubt, and I have spoken about the fact we don't need to rush anyone. I am curious but would like to see Foote here to develop his big body game for when we really need him.

Id much rather see Mercer and Holtz light it up and be all stars in Utica for sure.

This isn't based off of much, but Holtz being in his first season on the different ice (which he's mentioned as being a big adjustment in the few games last year), and Mercer just being in his 2nd year.. I'd imagine both could struggle in the NHL, especially if ZACHA is their center. This year isn't a waste if they're not with us, but would be a waste if they play and manage even 10g, 20a each.. and look like Hughes in his rookie season. Learn and adjust and develop against comparable competition so you don't feel like a dope and get stifled out there.

We can't forget we're really still developing half our team lol- Bratt, Hischier, Hughes, Sharangovich, Kuokkanen, McLeod, Boqvist, Smith, even lovely Zacha. Those guys should be the focus this year.. lets get them to mostly 100% before throwing in rookies for them to worry about while they have enough to focus on with their own play.

TOO MANY BLOGS

This isn't based off of much, but Holtz being in his first season on the different ice (which he's mentioned as being a big adjustment in the few games last year), and Mercer just being in his 2nd year.. I'd imagine both could struggle in the NHL, especially if ZACHA is their center. This year isn't a waste if they're not with us, but would be a waste if they play and manage even 10g, 20a each.. and look like Hughes in his rookie season. Learn and adjust and develop against comparable competition so you don't feel like a dope and get stifled out there.

We can't forget we're really still developing half our team lol- Bratt, Hischier, Hughes, Sharangovich, Kuokkanen, McLeod, Boqvist, Smith, even lovely Zacha. Those guys should be the focus this year.. lets get them to mostly 100% before throwing in rookies for them to worry about while they have enough to focus on with their own play.
- MartysBetter88

Too much developing not enough veteran grit

OK lets stir the pot. Let the kids learn to win down in Utica, and then bring them up. Cheers! We are not going anywhere this year, develop and build.

This isn't based off of much, but Holtz being in his first season on the different ice (which he's mentioned as being a big adjustment in the few games last year), and Mercer just being in his 2nd year.. I'd imagine both could struggle in the NHL, especially if ZACHA is their center. This year isn't a waste if they're not with us, but would be a waste if they play and manage even 10g, 20a each.. and look like Hughes in his rookie season. Learn and adjust and develop against comparable competition so you don't feel like a dope and get stifled out there.

We can't forget we're really still developing half our team lol- Bratt, Hischier, Hughes, Sharangovich, Kuokkanen, McLeod, Boqvist, Smith, even lovely Zacha. Those guys should be the focus this year.. lets get them to mostly 100% before throwing in rookies for them to worry about while they have enough to focus on with their own play.
- MartysBetter88

Mercer should have no problem with the pace of the NHL. He's incredibly smart, has a great stick, and a non-stop motor. That alone should make him an effective third liner. Mercer has excelled in every environment he's played in so far. If he's one of the 12 best forwards on the team he'll do fine.

OK lets stir the pot. Let the kids learn to win down in Utica, and then bring them up. Cheers! We are not going anywhere this year, develop and build.
- redmonsters

The AHL doesn't have some kind of development multiplier though, if you are an NHL caliber player you'd be better off developing against NHL caliber competition.

Listening to Ruff’s pressers, it’s hard to not like the guy really. He says the right things. He did mention Zacha is a center but needs to be ready to play wing too.

The AHL doesn't have some kind of development multiplier though, if you are an NHL caliber player you'd be better off developing against NHL caliber competition.
- rmdevil313

I get your point, but disagree depending if they are top nine or fourth line. See no need to rush any Dmen this year.

I get your point, but disagree depending if they are top nine or fourth line. See no need to rush any Dmen this year.
- redmonsters

I don't think they will put any of the top forward prospects on the 4th line

Thompson is a possibility for 4th line but he isn't on the level of Foote mercer or holtz

Hopefully Bahl will get top D mins in Utica but he did look decent for the few games he played and if he is used as a shutdown Dman 3rd pair with PK responsibility may not be terrible

Group A at camp lines

Johnsson-Hischier-Bratt

Vesey-McLeod-Thompson

Greer-Schnarr-Zetterlund (Gauthier)

Smith-Severson

Okhotiuk-Reilly (Groleau)

I am sure the top line will change during camp but interesting to see johnsson up there unless they hope he has a rebound year

That 4th line could be the 4th line in regular season if vesey impresses and wood plays on 3rd line

Per Corey Masisak on the unvaccinated player, "Its a prominent player on the New Jersey roster, not someone who is a prospect or ticketed for Utica." He continued, "Devils upper brass expected this player to be vaccinated before training camp started, but he changed his mind."

Per Corey Masisak on the unvaccinated player, "Its a prominent player on the New Jersey roster, not someone who is a prospect or ticketed for Utica." He continued, "Devils upper brass expected this player to be vaccinated before training camp started, but he changed his mind."
- vlongo4419

The only person on the camp roster who I didn't see in any of the practice lines was Tyler Wotherspoon who is at camp on a PTO

The only person on the camp roster who I didn't see in any of the practice lines was Tyler Wotherspoon who is at camp on a PTO
- dmarsden2988

He was on the ice. Everybody on the camp roster was on the ice, including whoever the unvaxed roster player. Its comfirmed now that its a roster player.

Ive seen people speculating based on twitter/ig follows and likes, but I'll wait for it to get confirmed. If it's who everybody is speculating then I'll be pretty disappointed, because hes clearly a huge part of the team

He was on the ice. Everybody on the camp roster was on the ice, including whoever the unvaxed roster player. Its comfirmed now that its a roster player.

Ive seen people speculating based on twitter/ig follows and likes, but I'll wait for it to get confirmed. If it's who everybody is speculating then I'll be pretty disappointed, because hes clearly a huge part of the team
- vlongo4419

Rumors that I saw is that blackwood isn't vaccinated.

After his spell of Covid I am a little surprised

The AHL doesn't have some kind of development multiplier though, if you are an NHL caliber player you'd be better off developing against NHL caliber competition.
- rmdevil313

The AHL is now really specifically a developmental league for the NHL. That's why every NHL team has an AHL affiliate. So that's a major part of their mission. NHL teams are trying to win NHL games. Besides playing more minutes in the AHL, prospects will be playing against mostly similarly aged players. This is helpful as newer prospects are still filling out and building up muscle.

In every level of USA hockey players are put on teams based on age and ability. Players develop best when playing against similar skill levels, ages and sizes. Getting you bell rung constantly by NHL men isn't really a great learning situations.

For the few super gifted, sure they can make the jump to the NHL. Probably still isn't best for them.

Just saw the stats from the scrimmage

Vesey 1 goal 2 assists
Gauthier goal
Thompson goal
Zetterlund goal

Mercer scored for team red

Players on PTO outscoring the devil's already

Doomed

Rumors that I saw is that blackwood isn't vaccinated.

After his spell of Covid I am a little surprised
- dmarsden2988

It's also moronic because that means he just can't play on trips to Canada so he's actively hurting the team by doing this. (frank)ing idiots get paid millions of dollars and can't bring themselves to get vaccinated.

I get your point, but disagree depending if they are top nine or fourth line. See no need to rush any Dmen this year.
- redmonsters

I do agree with you there, role does matter, but its very easy to find ice time for a player like Mercer because he is so versatile.

The AHL is now really specifically a developmental league for the NHL. That's why every NHL team has an AHL affiliate. So that's a major part of their mission. NHL teams are trying to win NHL games. Besides playing more minutes in the AHL, prospects will be playing against mostly similarly aged players. This is helpful as newer prospects are still filling out and building up muscle.

In every level of USA hockey players are put on teams based on age and ability. Players develop best when playing against similar skill levels, ages and sizes. Getting you bell rung constantly by NHL men isn't really a great learning situations.

For the few super gifted, sure they can make the jump to the NHL. Probably still isn't best for them.
- Queenie_5_hole

So if a 19 year old proves he's good enough for the NHL, then that would be the best place for him to develop then no?

TEAM B

Kuokkanen-Zacha-Holtz

Wood-Mercer-Clarke

Talvitie-Jankowski-DeLeo

Gambardella

Siegenthaler-Subban

White-Bahl

Wotherspoon

Bernier and Schmid in net

Team C

Sharangovich-Hughes-Tatar

Foote-Boqvist-Studenic

Stillman-Schmelzer-Flynn

Graves-Hamilton

Vukojevic-Jaros

Russo

Blackwood and Wedgewood in net

Meanwhile, Team A is practicing prior to the scrimmage.