Here are your links for today:
Devils Links
“Detailing why puck retrievals and zone exits are two incredibly underrated pieces of the puzzle and delving into how Sunny Mehta has improved the New Jersey Devils in that facet of the game.” [Devils’ Advocates]
A look around the Metropolitan Division identifying one potential Achilles heel weakness for each team: [Infernal Access ($)]
“(Luke Evangelista is) coming off a very solid season with the Predators, totaling 56 points in 81 games and posting terrific underlying
metrics. Let’s see where Evangelista fits in the Devils’ lineup, why the top six is the most likely bet, and what may come next for GM Sunny Mehta.” [Devils on the Rush ($)]
“After the Summer of Sunny, the New Jersey Devils have plenty of options for their third-line center role. With training camp just around the corner, someone will need to claim it. Jack Hughes and Nico Hischier are —obviously — not in this fight. The Devils’ third-line center job is up for grabs with Evan Rodrigues, Cody Glass, and Nick Bjugstad in the fight. Amadeus Lombardi is a long shot if camp gets loud. However, it’s more likely that only one of the veterans should open the season in that seat.” [New Jersey Hockey Now]
“The former New Jersey captain (Andy Greene) played more than 1,000 NHL games, spent 14 seasons with the Devils and helped lead the franchise to the 2012 Stanley Cup Finals. Now an advisor in the team’s hockey operations department, Greene has watched the organization assemble a roster he believes is even more talented than the one that came within two victories of winning the Stanley Cup.” [NJ.com]
Hockey Links
Assessing the Connor Hellebuyck trade request: “The optimist’s view is to believe the Winnipegs of the league can continue to pivot in these situations and come out ahead, the way the Jets did when forced to move on from Patrik Laine, Jacob Trouba and others in the past. Smart management teams, even in small markets, find a way. The pessimist’s view? Everything is moving the wrong way for teams such as Winnipeg — and this may just be the beginning.” [The Athletic ($)]
Zeev Buium gets an eight-year deal:
“A total of 11 first-round picks from 2026 have signed ELCs this summer. A few of them, such as New York Islanders’ Malte Gustafsson, are set to return to their European-based clubs. But which ones will jump right to the NHL?” [Daily Faceoff]
Feel free to discuss these and any other hockey-related stories in the comments below.
