MORNING SKATE RECAP
PRAGUE, Czechia – The Devils held an optional morning skate in Prague’s O2 Arena ahead of playing the Buffalo Sabres in the opening contest of the Global Series.
Center Jack Hughes did not participate in the session. Neither did head coach Sheldon Keefe, who watched the players from the bench and runway.
Since it was an optional skate, the team didn’t do line rushes. But this is how the group looked in the previous two days of practice…
Meier – Hughes – Bratt
Tatar – Hischier – Mercer
Palat – Haula – Noesen
Bastian – Lazar – Cotter
Dillon – Hamilton
Siegenthaler – Kovacevic
Casey – Nemec
DeSimone – White
Rookie Debut
Hughes let the secret slip Thursday that defenseman Seamus Casey will be making his NHL debut tonight in the Global Series.
“Ever since you pick up a hockey stick for the first time this is what you work for. I’m really excited,” Casey, 20, said. “I’m going to try to treat it like just another hockey game. But I know once I get out there it’s going to feel pretty crazy.”
The Devils’ 2022 second-round pick (46th overall) has impressed in training camp.
“I still have to come out and bring it and just play my game. That was the message, just play your game,” Casey said. “You don’t have to be anyone else. Some rookies it’s tough to settle down and play simple. That’s all I have to do, just play my game.”
Readiness
The Devils had a unique training camp situation. The club had three practices and then played four games in six nights before heading to Prague. The Devils tried to cram in a lot of work in that time while dealing with some tough injury circumstances.
“We had the four games in six nights, we could only use certain guys in certain situations,” Keefe said. “We had the situation with Jack and Timo (Meier) and (Simon) Nemec coming off surgeries and injuries.”
Since then, the Devils have held four practices, including three in Prague, and are as ready as they can possibly be for the game.
“We had all these different things that we were dealing with and in a short amount of time trying to bring the group together early on,” Keefe said. “Those things worked against us in that regard, but we’ve had ample time to get things cleaned up and get ready to go.
“I think we’re in a good place. We’ll see when the puck drops.”
Camp Surprise
Keefe was asked which player has surprised him the most during his first training camp as head coach of the Devils. He said Jesper Bratt is the one that stands out.
“You have a perception of him as a player. Of course, he’s an elite player and does great things on the ice. But how he conducts himself on a daily basis is beyond impressive. He’s a true professional in every regard in terms of taking care of his body, in terms of being prepared, in terms of learning and growing and challenging himself.”
