Youth Blog2568x1444

There's always a learning curve when it comes to a player's first year in the NHL. Between the on-ice and off-ice differences of playing in the league, it's a lot for a young player to handle, let alone excel. In a shortened season with games practically every other day, the core of young players on New Jersey's roster are thrown into the fire from the start.
"I think when you look at it, any game in the NHL, no matter who you're playing, it's hard to win," said forward Kyle Palmieri on the intensity of playing in the league as a new player. "I think at the end of the day it comes down to putting ourselves in a position to win hockey games."
"We were in a position to win a hockey game and we didn't come through in the third period," Palmieri continued about the team's shootout loss to Boston on Tuesday following a blown third-period lead. "I think that's all stuff that you kind of learn as you go."

The Devils rookies aren't backing down. In fact, they are succeeding and learning on the fly. Forward Janne Kuokkanen is one of the top scoring rookies in the NHL with 16 points (5G-11A). Rookie forward Yegor Sharangovich is tied for sixth in goals out of all NHL rookies with seven. Forward Michael McLeod continues to break the lineup this season and is producing offensively. These young players are fighting for lineup spots and getting them.
"If you look at Sharangovich and Kuokkanen and even what Mike McLeod has brought to us…(they) have used the speed and physically and have been able to win the 5-on-5 battles. So that's a big part of it," said Devils head coach Lindy Ruff on why some of these young players have made the lineup over returning players.
Another young player finding success through it all is defenseman Ty Smith. The 21-year-old is third in scoring out of all rookies in the NHL, and leads all rookies in assists with 17. His performance links his name to the Calder Memorial Trophy, while he provides defensive stability with his play in the back end.
"I feel like he's gotten more comfortable for sure, on and off the ice," said goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood on Smith's growth since his debut earlier this season. "He makes a lot of smart plays, he's going to continue to develop and learn the NHL game more and more the more he plays. But for now I think he's done a great job."