New Jersey Devils & Related Hockey Links for 6/2/25
Here are your links for today:
Devils Links
Arseni Gritsyuk on coming to New Jersey:
Arseniy Gritsyuk on joining #NJDevils next season:
“Nobody has set a defined role for me yet. I’ll arrive and prove my worth. That’s how it works.” https://t.co/VLviQqPAYl
— Amanda Stein (@amandacstein) May 31, 2025
“The New Jersey Devils are in a position where they’re going to need meaningful contributions from players on low-value deals. Rather than looking outward, say, in free agency or the trade market, to acquire those contracts, they may have a few solutions on the inside.” [Infernal Access ($)]
“When the New Jersey Devils had their struggles this season, it typically wasn’t for a lack of defense. According to Natural Stat Trick, their 220 goals allowed (2.68 per game) ranked fifth-best in the NHL. On many occasions, it bailed them out of some pretty rough offensive showings. Of course, much of that success can be alluded to an improved defensive core – one that’s laden with steady and reliable veterans. But forwards also play an important part of a team’s defense; star forwards Jack Hughes and Timo Meier both saw tremendous improvement in that category, as did most forwards in head coach Sheldon Keefe’s first season.” [The Hockey Writers]
“Forget looking for a third-line center externally. The Devils have (Dawson) Mercer for that. It gives them superb center depth, especially if Cody Glass signs on to skate in a fourth-line role. The Devils could have one of the better center cores in the league, should they decide to give Mercer the opportunity. Fill out the wings with scorers, sprinkle in a checker or two, and it could be the recipe Keefe and Co. need to take the next step forward.” [New Jersey Hockey Now]
Jesper Bratt on what shaped him: “You get small things from both parents. I think I got my patience and calmness from my mom. To be patient and (understand) you don’t always have to be the loudest and have the craziest emotions all the time – you can be a little more of a calm person and thoughtful. With my dad, it was just to try to be positive and be the hardest working guy in the room every day.” [The Hockey News]
Hockey Links
Some pre-Stanley Cup Final reading: [Daily Faceoff] [ESPN] [Sportsnet] [NHL.com]
Now there’s an impressive stat:
This is just wild
In his career, Connor McDavid has more multi-point games in the #StanleyCup Playoffs than he does games where he gets one point or less!
The #StanleyCup Final begins Wednesday, June 4 between the @FlaPanthers and @EdmontonOilers at 8p ET on @NHL_On_TNT,… pic.twitter.com/LrNQari11d
— NHL (@NHL) June 1, 2025
Some bad news if you were hoping for a Kyle Palmieri reunion:
Long Island native Kyle Palmieri has signed a new two-year deal with the Islanders ✍️ pic.twitter.com/V92vor8Idc
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 30, 2025
The Denver Gazette is publishing a three-part investigative series on health after hockey for NHL players. This first part looks at the life and death of Colorado Avalanche enforcer Chris Simon: [The Denver Gazette]
“There comes a point in every great team’s trajectory at which they’re hit with the career-altering realization that, well, the regular season doesn’t mean squat. The Presidents’ Trophy is worthless. Seeding is meaningless. Home-ice advantage is not a big deal. All that matters is the playoffs — getting there and getting there as healthy as you possibly can. And yes, sometimes that means coasting for long stretches of games. Of weeks. Of months, even. Sometimes that means some half-hearted efforts against lesser teams. Sometimes that means losing streaks and standings drops.” [The Athletic ($)]
Feel free to discuss these and any other hockey-related stories in the comments below.