SUMMER IN JERSEY
With various levels of COVID-19 restrictions throughout the world, more players are opting to stay in New Jersey for at least the start of the offseason to get some training in. Andreas Johnsson, Pavel Zacha, and Mackenzie Blackwood are three players who shared they would remain in the Garden State for at least part of the offseason during their final media availabilities.
"I'll be spending a lot of time in Jersey this year, I don't think I'm going to be going back home just for the lockdown reasons," Blackwood said. "I'll be training down here this year and that should be exciting and good for me … it'll be good to be around here and spend time with the trainers and staff here."
Zacha and Johnsson both plan to start their summers in New Jersey before heading off to continue training elsewhere. Zacha plans on returning to Boston for another summer while Johnsson plans on going home to Sweden.
AWARD SEASON
On May 10, the Professional Hockey Writers Association announced their team nominees for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy, to be presented at the 2021 NHL Awards. The award is given annually to the NHL player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to ice hockey. Devils goaltender Scott Wedgewood is the Devils nominee this season.
"It kind of took me for a little bit of shock just not even thinking about it. A couple of my friends wrote in my DMs and texts like 'congrats' right before the Philly game and I was like, 'I've played a game before man, I've started hockey games, you don't need to congratulate me,'" Wedgewood said about when he first found out he was nominated. "But then obviously kind of figured out what it was for. But (it's) a huge honor.
"To be nominated for anything in the National Hockey League is so exciting and best of luck to everybody that's involved … it's very humbling for myself and my family."
JACK'S LITTLE BRO
As the 2021 NHL Draft approaches, a familiar last name will be on full-display.
Luke Hughes
, Jack's younger brother, is eligible to be drafted to one of the league's 32 teams. The 17 year-old defenseman is 6-foot-2, 176 pounds. Luke recently finished his first season at the University of Michigan.
The Devils might have an opportunity to add a second Hughes brother to their franchise during the draft, and for older brother Jack, that's an ideal situation.
"I would think that if he's (available) I would want us to take him," Hughes said. "I'd love to have him in New Jersey, but if it doesn't work out, it doesn't work out … I'd love to have him here but I mean it is what it is, and it's going to happen how it happens."
When asked if the 2019 first-overall pick had advice for his brother entering his draft, Jack said no advice was needed:
"He did the work, he put the work in his game, and his game is good. All he has to do is sit back and relax and wait to hear his name get called."
