'I Want To Be Ready For It': Devils' Defenseman Showing Willingness To Defend Teammates

After the New Jersey Devils acquired towering defenseman Johnathan Kovacevic, he conducted his introductory media availability and spoke about bringing his physicality and hard defensive play to his new team.

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"I want to play a hard, reliable game and be someone that the team can depend on back there," he said in July.

Through training camp and the first 21 games of the 2024-25 season, the 27-year-old has been more than reliable being partnered with Jonas Siegenthaler.

He has logged the second-most ice time among defensemen behind Dougie Hamilton. Additionally, he has solidified himself as a top-four blueliner when most expected him to be the seventh defenseman.

Still, there has always been one area of his game he was looking to improve upon.

"I think one thing that I am adding is more of a physical edge to my game," he said in July.

Fast forward to the end of November.

After a long practice in Newark, Kovacevic remained on the ice with teammate Kurtis MacDermid, who gave him some pointers on fighting.

"I asked him to show me a few things, so I feel more prepared," Kovacevic told The Hockey News on Wednesday.

MacDermid has been involved in three fights this season and has built an eight-year career as an intimidating physical presence who can defend his teammates when needed.

Kovacevic is no stranger to dropping the gloves and has done so eight times throughout his professional hockey career, including once this season against Ben Chiarot of the Detroit Red Wings.

For a long time, the Devils were considered by many to be a soft team, with opposing players taking runs at their stars, including Nico Hischier and Jack Hughes. If you need an example, look no further than last few season's matchups against the Florida Panthers.

This season, the Devils have played a much more physical style of hockey, going beyond MacDermid. A few players, including Kovacevic, Stefan Noesen, and Brenden Dillon, are contributing.

At 6-foot-5, 223 pounds, Kovacevic has a size advantage many don't have, and it is not a bad thing to take a few pointers from one of the league's best fighters.

The former Montreal Canadien has easily been the biggest surprise out of training camp. Over the past two months, he impressed general manager Tom Fitzgerald and head coach Sheldon Keefe and began winning the fanbase over.

And he is earning even more points with the fans because of his willingness to defend the guys in his locker room.

"You never know," Kovacevic said. "Sometimes you have to stand up for your teammates or whatever (it may be). I want to be ready for it."

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