A Ripening Mango | 10 TAKEAWAYS

How it is already November, I just don't know. But it's been fun so far and the Devils are really starting to forge their identity, especially in the absence of Jack Hughes. We're almost at the 10-game mark, a benchmark where you can really evaluate the work of your team, what are their trends, what's working, what's not. Yesterday we hopped on a plane and took off for California. When we get back we'll officially be at the 10-game mark.
This week in 10 Takeaways I dug deep into finding out who was in that bear costume at the Halloween party, I reveal a video that proves Dougie does indeed know how to Dougie, and provide a mea culpa on doubting the team's ability to stop the force that is Sidney Crosby.
All that and more ahead in 10 Takeaways, presented by Ticketmaster.

1.
Dougie Hamilton is as serious as they come when a microphone is in front of him. Lots of guys in the NHL are like that. And although I'm always up for an extraordinary soundbite, having done this job long enough you just know who will give one to you and who won't. I respect players either way, that's their prerogative. But here's the thing; a lot of those guys can be so different away from the microphones and cameras; and Dougie Hamilton is one of them.
He's all business when he needs to be, but also probably one of the bigger goofballs on the team. It's something working inside a team, as opposed to external media, that I get to see on a regular basis, and am sometimes on the receiving end as well. Look no further than the win in Pittsburgh and Dougie getting in behind Andreas Johnsson during his MSG interview.
Tweet from @NJDevils: Dougie creepin. 🤣 pic.twitter.com/FRLpmNYHcg

2.

What may get lost in all the seriousness is Dougie being up for just about anything. Like embracing his name and how one sometimes needs to be taught how to Dougie.

3.

Speaking of Andreas Johnsson, aka 'Mango,' I just keep going back to training camp and his ability and comfort in expressing his disappointment in his season last year. He wanted to prove that was an anomaly, not what his play had become.
Whatever he's done to get to that point, it's working. He's already one goal away from reaching his total last season; he has four in the first seven games of the year, he had five in 50 last season. He's also just five points away from last year's season total.
Tweet from @NJDevils: Johnsson on a roll. pic.twitter.com/Z4nZFcKguS

4.

We love Dawson Mercer for his sweetness, his tenacity, and the flowing hair with the "I'm just happy to be here smile," but I think that's also why his opponents are starting to take notice early in the season.
If there is some sort of gathering in front of an opponent's net, you can be sure that Dawson is in the middle of it, often with a much larger opponent pulling at him. The smile never leaves his face, how irritating that must be. And couple that with his ability to put the puck in the net, to make plays and use his speed to his advantage, I can see why he's become a thorn in an opponent's side.

5.

Head over to NHL.com and Mercer's name is up there in rookie scoring. Points? There he is in a third-place tie with five, just four off the lead (9). Goals? He's tied for second with three, one off from the co-leaders Lucas Raymond (DET) and Tanner Jeannot (NSH) who each have four.
Tweet from @NJDevils: IT'S THE #MERCERFORCALDER REVENGE TOUR. pic.twitter.com/ChdTYFoy4Z

6.

I've heard it four times so far this season, and have been asked on multiple occasions but I keep forgetting to figure it out. I promise after the next Devils win (hopefully tonight!) I'll be able to provide you with the Devils win song.
It's a good one too! Catchy!

7.

It was three wins in his first three starts for Devils netminder Jonathan Bernier. That start put him in the Devils record books (a book dominated by Martin Brodeur), becoming just the second goaltender in franchise history to win his first three games with the club. And if we're being ultra-specific, he's the only one that has done it with New Jersey.
Goaltender Al Smith won his first three games back in 1980, but at the time the franchise was the Colorado Rockies.

8.

Of course, the Devils were the team that was going to welcome Penguins captain Sidney Crosby to the 2021-22 NHL season. Now, I had reason to be nervous… when missing six or more games, Crosby has returned to the lineup and scored at least a goal in four of his last five appearances. He had a four-point night for the Penguins in his previous return, prior to facing the Devils, so there was definitely reason to be concerned.
But maybe I should have had more faith in the Devils. Because Crosby was a complete non-factor for the Penguins, finishing without a point and minus-3 on the night. Not to mention being the one who hauled down Jesper Bratt to award the Devils forward with a penalty shot, which he would convert on as the game-winner.
Tweet from @NJDevils: Looks like Bratt dressed up as a game-winner for Halloween. pic.twitter.com/NoRvnp1UgH
Lesson learned.

9.

It was Jimmy Vesey in the bear costume at the team Halloween costume party.

10.

Ryan Schmelzer is no stranger to being a leader of a hockey team. He's done it at every level he's played. He was captain of his Ontario Junior Hockey League team, captain at Canisius in NCAA hockey and now you can add captain of an AHL team to the list. Earlier this week the four-year veteran of AHL play with New Jersey's affiliates was named captain of the Utica Comets.
Along with Schmelzer, forwards Brian Flynn and Joe Gambardella were named the team's alternate captains.