'We're Never Going To Back Down': Tight Knit Devils Continue To Be There For One Another

Not too long ago, articles were written about New Jersey Devils players needing to stand up for each other.

General manager Tom Fitzgerald addressed that issue by signing defenseman Brenden Dillon and forward Stefan Noesen and acquiring Johnathan Kovacevic and Paul Cotter in the summer of 2024.

Through the first 39 games of the 2024-25 campaign, teammates have jumped to each other's defense and have not been afraid to get into a post-whistle scrum or two.

Against the Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday night, Devils forward Erik Haula hit opposing defenseman Dmitry Orlov in the third period.

A massive scrum broke out with Jesperi Kotkaniemi, Martin Necas, Jalen Chatfield, and Andrei Svechnikov zeroing in on New Jersey's veteran.

Cotter and Dawson Mercer immediately skated over to even things out, as did Dillon, who was shaking his gloves off as he neared the mob of players.

As Chatfield and Necas were down on the ice with Mercer, Dougie Hamilton skated to pull the Hurricanes players off the youngster.

Once Orlov was back on his skates, he grabbed Cotter, but Dillon was there in case things escalated further.

"We are a tight group, man," Dillon said after Saturday's game. "We are going to stick up for one another. You know that going into any altercation four other guys are going to be there. It is a fast game out there. There is physicality. There are hits. There are fights. There is stuff after the whistle. The good thing for us was there were four guys in white that were there to stand up, and we are never going to back down."

That is only one of a few examples of players being engaged on the ice this season.

Against the St. Louis Blues earlier in December, Brayden Schenn and Jake Neighbours went after Devils defenseman Jonas Siegenthaler. Without hesitation, Noesen skated over, putting himself between his teammate and the two forwards.

In November, 27-year-old Kovacevic worked with teammate Kurtis MacDermid on fighting techniques after a long practice in Newark.

"Sometimes you have to stand up for your teammates or whatever (it may be)," he said. "I want to be ready for it."

Just like blocking a shot, defending your teammates is a choice, one the Devils have continually made this season.

Credit to Fitzgerald, who brought in the right players to protect his young stars and help build a strong camaraderie in the locker room.

Make sure you bookmark THN's New Jersey Devils site for THN's latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more.

Related: Devils Q&A: 4 Random Questions With Stefan Noesen

The Mental Side of the Game: Devils Players & Mental Skills Coach Andy Swärd Take You Behind the Scenes

EXCLUSIVE: Q&A With MSG Networks Host & Analyst Rachel Herzog

Hischier’s Manager Patrick Fischer: 'He’s Driven to Succeed, but Not Easily Satisfied'