PODCAST: TSN Analyst and Scout Craig Button joins the podcast

For past podcast episodes, go to NewJerseyDevils.com/podcast
For this episode of the Speak of the Devils podcast, Craig Button, a TSN Analyst and Scout joins podcast hosts Chris Wescott and Amanda Stein. Button is viewed as one of the top prospect reporters in North America and has a long history covering the NHL and the NHL Draft.
The biggest news out of the Devils organization this off-season was hiring Lindy Ruff as Head Coach and promoting Tom Fitzgerald to General Manager. Button gave his opinion on the moves for the club.
"Lindy is a wonderful guy and a great sense of humor, and he's an intense competitor and his record speaks for itself," said Button. "I am a huge Tom Fitzgerald fan, just a huge fan and like I declare it…Not only do I think he's deserving to be a general manager in the league, I think he's been deserving for a number of years when you look at everything that he's done."

PAST DEVILS PODCASTS
SPEAK OF THE DEVILS PODCAST
TSN's Craig Button discusses 2020 NHL Draft propsects
Former Devil Jamie Langenbrunner talks about his playing days
NHL.com's Mike Morreale discusses the 2020 Draft and prospects
Former Devils player Brian Gionta discusses playing days
Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald talks about promotion from Interim GM
Devils New Head Coach Lindy Ruff discusses his hiring
Binghamton Head Coach Mark Dennehy discusses off-season
1995 Cup Team Reflects on 25-year Anniversary
Hughes and Hischier look back on their Draft years
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Episode 11 - Gomez on life in Alaska and past Devils Cup wins
Episode 10 - Marshall on playing against the Devils in 2000 and for them in 2003 Cup wins
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Episode 8 - Severson on life in Kelowna during the quarantine
Episode 7 - Merkley and Schnarr on living together after arriving in the Hall trade
Episode 6 - Bastian and McLeod on their friendship and leaps in their on-ice game in 2019-20
Episode 5 - Mermis on keeping busy during the Pause
Episode 4 - Chico on live in Minnesota during the break in action
Episode 3 - Devils President Jake Reynolds on staying busy during the Pause and community involvement
Episode 2 - Carrick on his new podcast and more
Episode 1 - Welcome to the Pausecast
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Button also discussed how players like Travis Zajac, Kyle Palmieri and P.K. Subban are role models for the younger Devils team.
"That ability to provide, not just good solid play that can ease some of the demands on the player journey game, but also can be really good role models," said Button. "To be a good role model you need to be a contributing player, so Travis, P.K., Kyle Palmieri I think they all qualify in that regard."
As the top scout for TSN and an analyst, Button also talked about the upcoming 2020 NHL Draft and who Devils fans should look out for.
"Cole Perfetti, a brilliant left winger, so I'm going to give you some comparable. Cole Perfetti reminds me of Artemi Panarin. Lucas Raymond, the Swedish winger, he reminds me of Mitch Marner. Then you have Alexander Holtz who reminds me a lot of Filip Forsberg. Jack Quinn, who I think is the best goal scorer in this draft reminds me of David Pastrnak," explained Button. "But those are the players that I think it comes down to for the New Jersey Devils at [pick] seven."
"I think that they would benefit from drafting one of those four wingers."
Button also gave some insight on how the Devils will decide who to pick especially with a deep draft and a lot of great prospects this year.
"It's not an easy decision. It's about 'ok, what does this player offer? How does he play with these players? Where can we put them in the lineup? What does this player, what's their timeline for development?' But they're all first line players, all exceptional hockey stints, and all, they're different types of players, but all high quality that are going to be able to play with Jack Hughes or Nico Hischier."