Yahoo Sports With Devils Preparing for Training Camp, Here's What Happened Over The Summer
New Jersey Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald did not mince words when he addressed the media during his end-of-season availability on Apr. 18.
"We don't want this to happen again. We do have a lot of talent on this team, extraordinary amount of talent. We are a fast team when we think and play quick. The maturity of this team has to continue to grow, and that's everyone."
Despite their surprising success in the 2022-23 season, Fitzgerald understands there is another step his club needs to take.
"There's another level that we have to get to, and I'm not just talking about on the ice," he continued. "I'm talking about off the ice, too. Leading the way off the ice. Doing things in the weight room is as important as the extra stuff you do on the ice, whether it's D drills, faceoffs for centers, or wall play for wingers. It's all-encompassing. We've got to get there."
Fitzgerald wasted little time addressing his roster, starting with his depth pieces.
In the weeks following the conclusion of the 2023-24 season, the club re-signed forwards Shane Bowers, Ryan Schmelzer, Max Willman, Nathan Legare, Samuel Laberge, Brian Halonen, and Kurtis MacDermid.
The Devils also signed goaltender Jakub Malek and defenseman Seamus Casey to entry-level contracts.
On May 23, Sheldon Keefe was announced as the new head coach of the Devils.
"Finding the right coach to lead this team was our top priority, and Sheldon impressed us during every step of the interview process," Devils' Managing Partner David Blitzer said. "He shares in our goal to unlock the full potential of this roster and deliver a fourth Stanley Cup to our fans."
Once Fitzgerald had solved his problem behind the bench, he continued to add to his roster by making five significant trades in June.
Acquired forward Adam Beckman from the Minnesota Wild in exchange for forward Graeme Clarke.
Acquired goaltender Jacob Markstrom from the Calgary Flames in exchange for defenseman Kevin Bahl and New Jersey's first-round selection in the 2025 NHL Draft (top-10 protected).
Acquired forward Paul Cotter and a 2025 third-round pick from the Vegas Golden Knights for forward Alexander Holtz and goaltender Akira Schmid.
Acquired defenseman Johnathan Kovacevic from the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for a 2026 fourth-round pick.
Acquired a second-round pick in the 2024 NHL Draft (goaltender Mikhail Yegorov) and a second-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft in exchange for defenseman John Marino and a fifth-round pick in the 2024 NHL Draft.
The first of July marked the start of free agency, and Fitzgerald got to work to get the following players under contract.
Signed defenseman Brett Pesce to a six-year contract.
Signed defenseman Brenden Dillon to a three-year contract.
Signed forward Stefan Noesen to a three-year contract.
Signed defenseman Colton White to a two-year, two-way contract.
Signed forward Mike Hardman to a two-year, two-way contract.
Signed forward Tomas Tatar to a one-year contract.
The club additionally signed prospect Cam Squires to his three-year entry-level contract in July. The 19-year-old completed his third year in the QMJHL last season with the Cape Breton Eagles, where he led the team with 72 points (33 goals, 39 assists).
Newark, NJ July 11, 2023 -- Forward, Cam Squires the second pick the Devils took in this year s draft, participates in the NJ Devils 2023 Development Camp for young players and coaches at their RWJ Health Hockey House practice facility in Newark. The camp runs through Friday.
The Devils secured their goaltending tandem with the Markstrom acquisition, finally obtaining a bonafide starter to share the net with veteran Jake Allen.
With Markstrom and Allen protecting the goal in New Jersey, the Devils' remaining young goaltenders can focus on their development in the American Hockey League (AHL) or ECHL. The Devils have Nico Daws (23), Isaac Poulter (22), Tyler Brennan (20), and Malek (22) all in the pipeline, with Malek spending next season overseas.
The blue line was expected to change after 2023-24, and during the 2024 NHL Draft, New Jersey sent Marino to Utah. The 27-year-old regressed after a successful 2022-23 season and was quickly replaced by Pesce, who will be a top-four defenseman in New Jersey.
Fitzgerald made sure to have defensive depth, and in addition to acquiring Kovacevic, the club brought back Nick DeSimone on a one-year, one-way contract and restricted free agent (RFA) Santeri Hatakka on a one-year, two-way contract.
Up front, the Devils needed to address their depth. After parting ways with Tomas Nosek and Chris Tierney, the Devils signed Noesen and acquired Cotter.
While the trade for Cotter was criticized, as Vegas acquired two young players with an upside, the Canton, Michigan native plays a game that Fitzgerald wanted to add to his lineup.
"Adding a guy like Paul Cotter, who we believe has upside and has a little bit of Miles Wood in him, he can skate, he's physical. The pieces and the identity that we were looking for," Fitzgerald said.
During a media availability over the summer, Fitzgerald shared that the plan is to start the season with Nico Hischier, Jack Hughes, Erik Haula, and Curtis Lazar down the middle. On the wing, interchangeable players, including Ondrej Palat, Dawson Mercer, and Tatar, can play first, second, or third-line minutes.
NHL.com has projected the below Devils lineup to begin the 2024-25 season.
Timo Meier - Nico Hischier - Jesper Bratt
Ondrej Palat - Jack Hughes - Dawson Mercer
Stefan Noesen - Erik Haula - Tomas Tatar
Paul Cotter - Curtis Lazar - Nathan Bastian
Jonas Siegenthaler - Dougie Hamilton
Luke Hughes - Brett Pesce
Brenden Dillon - Simon Nemec
Jacob Markstrom
Jake Allen
Mar 24, 2024; Elmont, New York, USA; New Jersey Devils celebrate the goal by New Jersey Devils right wing Timo Meier (28) against the New York Islanders during the second period at UBS Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Schneidler-USA TODAY Sports
As previously mentioned, Fitzgerald addressed his blue line depth. Offensively, one of the club's options will be Nolan Foote, 23, who was re-signed to a one-year, two-way contract on Aug. 12.
Mercer, a restricted free agent, remains unsigned at the time of publication. In The Hockey News' last communication with his agent, Pat Brisson, we were told, "We have had many conversations, and we will continue to speak here this week. That's pretty much all I can say publicly."
Related: Devils & Dawson Mercer's Agent Continuing Contract Conversations
As head coach, Keefe decided to retain the Devils coaching staff from last season, including Ryan McGill, Chris Taylor, Sergei Brylin, and Dave Rogalski. The one addition Keefe made was naming Jeremy Colliton as an assistant.
Fitzgerald handed Keefe a roster that should be competitive in 2024-25. New Jersey has stable goaltending, an improved blue line, and a well-rounded forward group.
Multiple Devils players have expressed their disappointment over last season, and Keefe knows that he has taken over a highly motivated group that loves playing in the Garden State.
"The players are passionate about being in New Jersey," Fitzgerald said. "They know we play in front of a passionate fanbase that craves a winner. And they deserve that. That's not being overlooked. Our fanbase has been extremely patient."
The Devils will open the season on Oct. 4 against the Buffalo Sabres in Prague, Czechia, as part of the 2024 NHL Global Series. Keefe will make his Prudential Center debut at his team's home opener on Oct. 10 against his former club, the Toronto Maple Leafs.
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