Saturday, August 6, 2016

Fan event planned for the Shore

Devils alumni Ken Daneyko, Bryce Salvador and Bruce Driver will participapte in a fan event on the Jersey Shore on Aug. 20, starting at noon.

The Devils' inaugural Beach Bash Down the Shore at Jenkinson's Beach & Boardwalk at Point Pleasant Beach will feature music, activities, games, prizes and the Devils' alumni.

Tickets for the event can be purchased at NewJerseyDevils.com/beachbash. Additional information on the day is also available at the web site.

Tuesday, August 2, 2016

Devils will send squad to Sabres' prospect tournament

The Devils announced today they will send a squad to the Prospects Challenge in Buffalo, Sept. 16-19 at Harbor Center.

The round-robin tournament, hosted by the Sabres, will also include a team of Bruins' prospects. Tickets for the games are $10 and can be purchased through the Sabres' team web site.

The full schedule is below...

Thursday, July 28, 2016

Devils sign D Gormley

The Devils made a move to bolster their organization defense depth today by agreeing to a deal with former first-rounder Brandon Gormley, 24, who was in the Avalanche organization last season and has also played for the Coyotes.

The 6-foot-2, 196-pound Gormley agreed to a one-year, two-way deal worth $650,000 at the NHL level.

Selected 13th overall in the 2010 NHL Draff by the Coyotes, Gormley has two goals, three assists and 20 penalty minutes in 58 career regular-season games for the Coyotes and Avalanche, including an assist in 26 games for the Avalanche last season as he split time between Colorado and San Antonio (AHL).

Gormley has yet to remain in the NHL for a full season.

Friday, July 22, 2016

Farnham signs with Canadiens

Bobby Farnham's stint with the Devils lasted one season.

The Canadiens today announced they had signed the 27-year-old right wing from North Andover, Mass., who Devils GM Ray Shero had brought over from his previous organization, the Pittsburgh Penguins.

The scrappy Farnham, 5-foot-10, 188 pounds, had eight goals, two assists and 92 penalty minutes in 50 games last season.

Farnham took to Twitter to express his gratitude for his one season in New Jersey.

"Thank you to the NJDevils and their fans for an unbelievable season. Classy organization and great support from their fans at The Rock!" Farnham tweeted.

General Fanager reported Farnham's deal with the Canadiens is a one-year, two-way deal worth $575,000 at the NHL level and $300,000 at the AHL level, with $350,000 guaranteed.

Thursday, July 21, 2016

Devils get one NBC/NBCSN game

NBC Sports released its NHL broadcast schedule for the upcoming season and the Devils are scheduled to air nationally once, on Dec. 29 against the Capitals at Washington at 7 p.m.

Of course, NBC can boast that all U.S. NHL teams will be shown at least once.

Overall, there will be 106 regular-season games broadcast - 14 on NBC and 92 on NBCSN - the most since NBC Sports acquired the NHL's U.S. television rights for the 2005-06 season.

The complete schedule can be found below...

Thursday, July 21, 2016

Palmieri, Hynes react to Palmieri's Team USA selection

On Wednesday, USA Hockey added Devils right wing Kyle Palmieri, 25, of Montvale, to the Team USA roster for the World Cup of Hockey, Sept. 17-Oct. 1 in Toronto, as a replacement for the Lightning's Ryan Callahan, expected to be out until at least November after undergoing right hip surgery in June.

Both Palmieri and Devils coach John Hynes, who will serve as an assistant to Team USA coach John Tortorella, shared their thoughts on Palmieri's selection to The Record via text message.

"It was definitely a big surprise," Palmieri said. "I had heard Callahan was having surgery and would miss the World Cup but there were still a lot of great hockey players that were eligible to fill the spot. It's an incredible honor for me and I am really looking forward to representing my country on the international stage."

Hynes said he was contacted by USA Hockey prior to Palmieri's selection and was "asked about him as a person, his character and how coachable he is."

Obviously, Hynes gave a glowing report.

"Kyle is a character person and player," Hynes said. "He is a high compete level player that plays the game with speed and pace. He is hard on the puck and a difficult player to play against . He is a goal scorer that finds ways to score in all situations."

Palmieri's selection does necessitate an alteration to his typical offseason training timeline.

"As far as training goes, it obviously expedites things as far as when I need to be game ready," Palmieri said. "It shortened everything by a full month so now my on-ice workouts will start ramping up in order to be ready to play on the international stage come the first week of September."

Training camps for the World Cup will start to open on Sept. 4 and Team USA will play Team Canada on Sept. 9 in Columbus to start it's pre-tournament schedule of three "preseason" games.

Wednesday, July 20, 2016

Palmieri named to Team USA for World Cup

The Devils now have two players set to participate in the World Cup of Hockey, Sept. 17-Oct. 1 in Toronto.

Kyle Palmieri, of Montvale, who recently agreed to a new five-year, $23.25 million deal, was named today to Team USA as a replacement for the injured Ryan Callahan of the Lightning.

Palmieri initially left New Jersey as a teen-ager to join the U.S. National Team Development Program in Ann Arbor, Mich. and has represented the U.S. in both the World Junior Championships (2010, 2011) and the World Championships (2012). He was part of a gold medal-winning team in 2010.

In his first season with the Devils, Palmieri, 25, set career highs with 30 goals and 27 assists in 82 games to lead the team in scoring.

"Kyle brings an all-around game that we're confident will fit nicely with the framework we're looking to build," Team USA general manager Dean Lombardi told USA Hockey's website. "He's coming off an outstanding year in New Jersey and will play an important role with our team."

Goalie Cory Schneider was previously selected for Team USA.

Devils coach John Hynes will serve as an assistant to Team USA coach John Tortorella.

The complete Team USA roster: G - Ben Bishop (Lightning), Jonathan Quick (Kings), Cory Schneider (Devils); D - Dustin Byfuglien (Jets), John Carlson (Capitals), Erik Johnson (Avalanche), Jack Johnson (Blue Jackets), Ryan McDonagh (Rangers), Matt Niskanen (Capitals), Ryan Suter (Wild); F - Justin Abdelkader (Red Wings), David Backes (Bruins), Brandon Dubinsky (Blue Jackets), Patrick Kane (Blackhawks), Ryan Kesler (Ducks), T.J. Oshie (Capitals), Max Pacioretty (Canadiens), Kyle Palmieri (Devils), Zach Parise (Wild), Joe Pavelski (Sharks), Derek Stepan (Rangers), James van Riemsdyk (Maple Leafs), Blake Wheeler (Jets).

Van Riemsdyk (Middletown) and Carlson (Colonia) are also from New Jersey.

Monday, July 18, 2016

Scarlett agrees to new deal

Restricted free agent defenseman Reece Scarlett, 23, has agreed to a one-year, two-way deal worth $600,000 at the NHL level, the Devils announced today.

Scarlett had been extended a qualifying offer with the requisite 10 percent raise after earning $600,000 last season. However, that QO expired on Friday, though the Devils retained his rights.

Scarlett had four goals, 22 assists and 64 penalty minutes in 60 games for Albany (AHL) last season and is expected to compete for a spot with the Devils out of training camp.

Scarlett's signing leaves center Reid Boucher as the remaining RFA for GM Ray Shero to lock up with a new deal. Boucher, who also had been extended a now-expired QO, earned $742,500 last season.

Saturday, July 16, 2016

Wrapping up Devils' development camp with notes on Blackwood, Wood, Cockerill, Dudek, Savage

With the Devils’ prospect development camp now concluded, here’s a collection of items that were left over in my notebook…

****

First off, as noted earlier, assistant general manager Tom Fitzgerald said the plan is for goalie Mackenzie Blackwood, 19, a second round pick in 2015, to turn pro this season. Blackwood turns 20 on Dec. 9, so he would be eligible to play for Albany (AHL) this season.

Earlier this week, obviously before Fitzgerald revealed what the Devils were thinking, Blackwood, too, was hoping to play pro hockey rather than return to junior hockey with Barrie (Ontario Hockey League), where he went 28-13-0 with a 2.72 goals-against average and a .921 save percentage, the latter which tied for the OHL lead. Blackwood was the OHL’s goalie of the year.

“I want to turn pro this year,” the 6-foot-4, 215-pound Blackwood said. “That’s my goal but I have a lot of work to do. (But) if you play well enough, if you perform, there’s an opportunity there.”

This was Blackwood’s second development camp with the Devils.

Saturday, July 16, 2016

White beats Red, 4-3, in scrimmage; First-rounder McLeod exits after absorbing hard hit

The Devils’ prospect development camp – not evaluation camp, as assistant GM Tom Fitzgerald emphasized – came to a conclusion today with the Red and White Scrimmage.

The White squad, led by Nathan Bastian’s two goals and a goal and an assist from J.D. Dudek, won 4-3 despite defenseman Scott Savage scoring twice for Red.

Michael McLeod, the 12^th overall pick in last month’s NHL draft, scored the scrimmage’s first goal and was having an excellent game before absorbing a hard hit at the White blue line in the second (of two) period. McLeod skated directly to the Red bench and angrily slammed the bench door behind him as he received attention from the medical staff. It appeared McLeod was having his neck/shoulder region looked at on the bench. But McLeod quickly retreated to his squad’s dressing room and did not return. I did not see him in the dressing room later when the media entered.

“He’ll be fine,” Albany (AHL) coach Rick Kowalsky said. “I think he just took that hit. It was just precautionary, get him out.”

“It’s a development camp, it’s not an evaluation camp and that’s two different things,” added Fitzgerald. “(But) it was tough not to notice our first-rounder this year, the speed, the tenacity on pucks. It was fun to watch.”

Saturday, July 16, 2016

Red and White scrimmage rosters

Here are the rosters for today's Red and White Scrimmage, which will conclude the five-day Devils prospect development camp here at Barnabas Heath Hockey House at Prudential Center.

As has been the case all week, forwards Pavel Zacha (hip pointer) and Joe Blandisi (ankles, non injury) will not participate. Neither will John Quenneville, who did not skate on Friday, either. The Devils say it's a minor tweak so this precautionary.

Red: G - 65 Matt Morris, 70 Mackenzie Blackwood; D - 34 Steven Santini, 68 Colton White, 71 Zach Berzolla, 77 Marc Biega, 78 Scott Savage; F - 41 Michael McLeod, 47 John Quenneville, 48 Nick  Lappin, 52 Brandon Baddock, 54 Ryan Kuawinski, 57 Jan Mandat, 62 Chris Shero, 66 Austin Cangelosi 74 Blake Speers

White - G 55 Ken Appleby, 60 Evan Cormier; D - 33 Yahann Auvitu, 61 Joshau Jacobs, 72 Gavin Bayreuther, 73 Luke McInnis, 76 Garret Cockerill; F - 40 Blake Coleman, 42 Nathan Bastian, 44 Miles Wood, 45 Brandon Gignac, 49 Joey Anderson, 58 Kevin Rooney, 59 J.D. Dudek, 63 Jesper Bratt, 67 Brett Seney

Updates afterward. Assistant GM Tom Fitzgerald and Albany (AHL) coach Rick Kowalsky, rewarded with a contract extension today after being the league's coach of the year, may address media after scrimmage.

Friday, July 15, 2016

Zacha knew he wouldn't skate at prospect camp, expects to be ready for training camp

Pavel Zacha, the 19-year-old Czech who was the sixth overall pick in the 2015 draft, is not participating on-ice at this week's Devils' prospect development camp.

A hip pointer issue is keeping him off the ice but Zacha said he came to New Jersey knowing that would be the case. However, once he returns to the Czech Republic following camp, which concludes with a Red and White scrimmage on Saturday, Zacha said he expects to be skating within a week and a half.

Zacha also said he would be ready for the start of September's training camp.

"I'm feeling much better," said Zacha, who made his NHL debut in the Devils' season finale, with two assists before finishing the AHL season with Albany and playing in five playoff games (one goal, two assists) before being sidelined.

"The doctor told me I should be fine in a week so it'll be good because I already feel much better than I did when I came here."

Thursday, July 14, 2016

Ridgewood's Morris making most of camp tryout

The following is from today's Record (http://www.northjersey.com/sports)...

This is still quite far away from fulfilling Matt Morris’ childhood dream of following Marty Brodeur’s career path – “I pretty much wanted to be him” – but getting a tryout opportunity at Devils’ prospect development camp is a pretty decent first step for the Ridgewood native.

   “I’m a lifelong Devils fan and it’s exciting to be here,” said Morris, 23, entering his senior season at Maine. “When I found out I was coming here, I couldn’t believe it. Then I was like, ‘Wow, I’m in the Devils’ locker room.’”

   But this is much more than a fan boy experience for Morris. He more than held his own in Wednesday’s round-robin, three-on-three tournament, backstopping Team Brodeur (naturally) to the championship matchup against Team Stevens.

Wednesday, July 13, 2016

McLeod scores shootout winner in three on three tournament

The bronze-colored trophy sat in the middle of the ice at Barnabas Health Hockey House at Prudential Center as, below the blue lines at both ends, three on three action transpired.

It was Day 2 of the Devils’ prospect development camp and the camp roster was divided into four squads – Team Brodeur, Team Stevens, Team Niedermayer and Team Daneyko – for round-robin action.

Team Stevens wound up defeating Team  Brodeur in a shootout, with 12^th overall pick last month Michael McLeod scoring the decisive shootout goal past Maine goalie Matt Morris of Ridgewood, in on a tryout (and more on him in Thursday’s Record, tease.)

“I think when you break the ice down like that, a small area, you see guys have to make plays in tight and under a lot of pressure,” Albany (AHL) coach Rick Kowalsky said. “You can certainly see skilled plays made. How some guys can escape that pressure and then the intensity of it because they were short shifts. And then the competitiveness of it, you have something on the line every day in everything we do. The guys certainly had fun with it and I thought it was a good day.”

Wednesday, July 13, 2016

Blandisi's ankles swollen but not injured

Joe Blandisi did not participate in today's three-on-three tournament at the Devils' prospect development camp (won by Team Stevens on first-round pick Michael McLeod's shootout winner) and will not skate this week because of what the team listed  as a right ankle issue.

Actually, Blandisi is not injured. But he won't be skating at all this week and likely not until his new, custom-made skates arrive, probably on July 23.

The 21-year-old center, who had five goals and 12 assists in 41 games for the Devils last season, is dealing with swelling on both ankles, which prevents him from putting on his current skates.

Blandisi said it's from the wear-and-tear of the long season.

"I don't fit in the skates," Blandisi said. "There's no injury at all...It's weird. The doctor said there's nothingg he can do about it because it's not injured.

"It kept growing during the season but I couldn't feel it until I took time off," Blandisi added. "Then I tried but I couldn't get back into my skates."

Wednesday, July 13, 2016

Three-on-three rosters; McLeod calls it "crazy" he and Bastian could be NHL teammates, too

Today's activity at the second day of the Devils' prospect development camp is a three-on-three tournament, with tickets available for the 10 a.m. faceoff on the team's web site.

Here are the rosters for the four squads:

Team Brodeur: G: Matt Morris; D: Steven Santini, Gavin Bayreuther; F: John Quenneville, Ryan Kujawinski, J.D. Dudek Chris Shero, Brett Seney

Team Daneyko: G: Ken Appleby; D: Colton White, Zach Berzolla, Garrett Cockerill; F: Miles Wood, Jan Mandat, Jesper Pratt,  Austin Cangelosi

Team Niedermayer: G: Evan Cormier; D Yohann Auvitu, Marc Biega; F: Nathan Bastian, Nick Lappin, Brandon Baddock, Kevin Rooney,  Blake Speers

Team Stevens: G: Mackenzie Blackwood; D: Joshua Jacobs, Luke McInnis, Scott Savage; F: Blake Coleman, Michael McLeod, Brandon Gignac, Joey Anderson

As expected, forwards Pavel Zacha (hip pointer) and Joseph Blandisi (right ankle) are not participating. Neither skated on Tuesday in the camp's opening sessions.

*****

Top Devils’ draft choices Michael McLeod and Nathan Bastian were in separate dressing rooms on Tuesday, in separate practice groups on the first day of the prospect development camp at Barnabas Health Hockey House at Prudential Center.

But the Devils can obviously envision what the two junior hockey teammates may one day do together in the NHL.

“I think it’s a good thing,” Bastian said of being separated from his buddy, at least for one day. “We can meet new guys.”

The Devils selected McLeod 12^th overall at last month’s NHL Draft at Buffalo, N.Y. On the draft’s second day, with McLeod sitting in the stands with Bastian and his friends and family, the Devils picked Bastian 41^st overall.

The third member of their line with Mississauga (Ontario Hockey League), Alex Nylander, was picked eighth overall by the Sabres.

“It’s crazy,” said the 6-foot-2, 188-pound McLeod, who had 21 goals and 40 assists in 57 games last season and displayed his well-above-average skating speed during Tuesday’s drills. “Me and Nate are really good friends. It’s pretty easy to play with him. He doesn’t make a lot of mistakes. He makes the simple plays.”

Tuesday, July 12, 2016

A Q and A session with Rick Kowalsky

Albany (AHL) coach Rick Kowalsky, check that, AHL coach of the year Rick Kowalsky, is leading the Devils' on-ice coaching at the team's prospect development camp, which opened today at Barnabas Health Hockey House at Prudential Center.

After today's two on-ice sessions, Kowalsky met with the media to answer questions on a variety of subjects.

Q: What does talent on ice at camp portend for the Devils?

A: I think you can see there’s a wealth of talent out there. It’s tough not to evaluate but I think it’s important that we’ve got to be patient because there’s guys at different levels of their development out there. You have kids that are drafted that are probably pretty nervous. You have guys that have played for me that look established. You have a couple of guys that have played some games in the NHL. You’ve got to be careful and not try and really put everyone on the same level. I think you have to look at each kid individually. This is more just to get to know them, certainly on the ice but a little more off the ice and for them to be educated about what the expectations are from us and just get to know them as people and them get to know us, really. You can see some of the talent of this year’s picks. For me, those are really guys – obviously the free agents – but this year’s picks, it’s always exciting to see the first time on the ice.

Q: What type of player did he see in Pavel Zacha at Albany during the AHL playoffs?

A: Smart, two way. I certainly see him as a two-way guy. I wish we could have had him a little longer, it certainly would have helped us. It just looked like he was getting comfortable. But he came in and we really didn’t know where he was going to fit in. We obviously had a pretty good team at the time. We eased him into the lineup, which I think was a good situation for him. It didn’t take long for him to impress. He probably would have been slotted going into that second round against Toronto, he probably would have worked his way right up to our second-line center position but, unfortunately we lost him (to injury). But he certainly has skill, can shoot the skill. But I think he’s improved. Again, just a short sample size for me – last year’s development camp and training camp and that’s, as an 18-year-old, I think he matured quite a bit in his play away from the puck. I think he was voted the best penalty killer in the Western Conference in the OHL, which is a huge accolade. I think he’s going to be a complete player, a 200-foot player. He looks even bigger than when we drafted him, which is a good thing. We saw a little glimpse of what he can do in the American League. Hopefully he can carry it into training camp this year.

Tuesday, July 12, 2016

Devils name Ryane Clowe as an assistant coach

The Devils today named former player Ryane Clowe, forced from the game because of concussion issues and still only 33, as an assistant coach to bench boss John Hynes. Clowe joins Geoff Ward, Alain Nasreddine and goalie coach Chris Terreri on Hynes’ staff.

Clowe was on the ice as an instructor today as the Devils opened their five-day prospect development camp at The Rock’s practice rink.

Clowe signed a five-year, $24.25 million deal with the Devils – leaving the Rangers, who had acquired him as a late-season rental from the Sharks – prior to the 2013-14 season. But injuries limited Clowe to 43 games with the Devils that season and just 13 in 2014-15. He spent last season as a part-time coaching “rover” in Hynes’ first season with the team.

Tuesday, July 12, 2016

Second group on the ice; Shero's son looking to set his own course

The second group is on the ice here at The Rock's practice rink.

Pavel  Zacha (hip pointer) is not skating today as the Devils are being cautious with him. Would probably consider him day to day at this point but not sure if they'd put him in a three-on-three scrimmage on Wednesday if he's not on the ice today.

The sarme might be true of Joe Blandisi (right ankle), who also did participate in the on-ice sessions today.

Second group is:

Goalies: Ken Appleby, Evan Cormier

Defensemen: Yohann Auvitu, Gavin Bayreuther, Garret Cockerill, Joshua Jacobs, Luke McInnis

Forwards: Joey Anderson, Nathan Bastian, Jesper Bratt, Blake Coleman, J.D. Dudek,  Brandon Gignac, Kevin Rooney, Brett Seney, Miles Wood

****

The groups end with a shootout competition and, in the first group, Chris Shero, the son of GM Ray Shero, won it for his team, which brought great cheers from the ice.

Shero, 20, has completed his freshman season at Boston College and said it's been a pretty easy transition to become ar Devils' fan instead of rooting for the Penguins, the team that formerly employed his father.

"I think this has been a good opportunity for me so far," Chris Shero said. "It's a privilege to come here. The big thing is  make my own pathway with what I am. It's good being here."

The younger Shero said being at camp will bring confidence to is game.

As for switching allegiances after growing up in Pittsburgh, "It's not that hard. The Penguins played the Devils all the time so I was pretty familiar with the team. It's a great opportunity for us."

Tuesday, July 12, 2016

Devils' prospect development camp underway

The first day of the five day Devils' prospect camp is underway and the first group, which includes Michael McLeod, this year's 12th overall pick, and defenseman Steven Santini, who played in the Devils' season finale, started promptly at 2:10 p.m.

Today is apparently devoted to drills  while there will be  a three-on-three tournament on Wednesday and a full scrimmage on Saturday. Wednesday and Saturday's sessions are open to the public with tickets available on the Devils' team web site.

Today, Thursday (off-ice workouts) and Friday are closed to the public.

The first group is:

Goalies: Mackenzie Blackwood, Matt Morris (a tryout from Ridgewood currently playing college hockey at Maine).

Defensemen: Zach Berzolla,  Marc Biega, Steven  Santini, Scott Savage, Colton White

Forwards: Brandon Baddock, Austin Cangelosi, Ryan Kujawinski, Nick Lappin, Jan Mandat, Michael McLeod, John Quenneville, Chris Shero (GM Ray Shero's son, at camp on a tryout), Blake Speers.

So far, Savage beat Blackwood with a rising wrist shot in a two-on-none drill and, in the same drill McLeod, skating to his left, shot back the other away and beat Morris over his glove.

The second group is scheduled to go on ice at 3:15 p.m.

More updates later...