FEATURE: Devils Young Defenders Have Growth Mindset

Two future pillars of the Devils' blueline dipped their toes into the NHL waters this season, one more than the other. And while both flashed the tools and potential to become impact players for New Jersey, they are the first to admit the product is unfinished.
"I thought it went pretty well," Kevin Bahl said. "I think the biggest thing was coming up and just winning some games. I thought that was really important to do. I thought it was (good to) gain some experience, (which is) huge, and to learn from that and know what I have got to work on this summer."
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The towering defender, acquired in 2019 from the Arizona Coyotes as the main piece of the Taylor Hall trade, played just seven games for the Devils to close out the season, but he learned a lot about himself and how the game should be played at this level. That has sparked growth in the 20-year-old's eyes.
"I have (grown), for sure," he said. "It's just going out there and making mistakes and just figuring out what you've got to work on. It's definitely good to do that and figure out what guys are good at and what you've got to work at to counter that kind of thing. I was just really happy to get called up and I thought it was a really good learning experience."
Even just seven games can provide a mini masterclass in what the NHL is all about.

"I think there is definitely a huge leap in terms of the hockey IQ and skill that players have at this level," he said. "So I thought that was really huge to come up and just learn all that and especially get a big chance here to get called up and just play some games. I thought that was really good. Obviously, I showed confidence."
One lesson learned for Bahl was that he can't always rely on his physical tools to save the day. Although the 6-foot-6 defenseman's long reach has been touted as a strength, relying too much on it can turn the advantage into a disadvantage.
"It kind of gave me a bit of extra time and space," Bahl said, "and it made it easier for me. So I'd not be as tight with my gaps here and with my angling. I think the biggest thing for me that I learned this year was to use my feet, to get up to players instead of just relying on my stick, which I tended to do coming in here. I think a big thing I learned is just to always get that extra step up to get a better gap."

Gaps, reading, breakouts, skills, and skating are the areas of Bahl's game he wishes to hone this summer when training.
"There are some big strides I can make there, but I think it will all start to fall together."
Bahl's initial defensive partner was Ty Smith. The Devils' 2018 first-round selection's NHL debut had been a much-anticipated event and he did not disappoint in his first year.
"I think he's a very easy guy to play with, especially being so poised," said Bahl. "So, I was excited to go out there and play with him and it was just a good experience."
Smith finished his season 10th in rookie scoring with 23 points, first among defensemen by a nine-point margin. And while injuries dealt the end of his year a blow, Smith still took plenty of lessons out of his 48 appearances.
"It was exciting that I was able to play here full-time and to continue to grow and develop throughout the year," Smith said. "Overall, it was pretty positive year for me personally, but we need to start to win some games next year."
Winning games as a team will start to become a frequent happening whenever young players like Smith begin to take leaps instead of steps. But it's safe to say Smith, 21, showed this season he's fully capable of doing that.
"I expect a lot of myself," he said. "I expected to be an impact guy as soon as I could. So I think I kind of started to do that as the year went on."
He did, but the great ones don't stop at "good." If they did, they would never reach "great," and Smith is not the kind of athlete to settle or take shortcuts. Much like Bahl, this summer is all about getting better.
"I'm a younger guy, so (I have) lots of things I can improve on," he said. "My shot, I think I can continue to work out, getting it off quick and shooting a little harder. Obviously, physical strength. I think that's similar for everyone. I think I need to continue to work at being more explosive and adding to my skating, just trying to be a little more explosive and have more pop in my stride."
Both Bahl and Smith acknowledged their roles in being key pieces to an extremely young core.
"It's pretty exciting to be a part of that young core that's starting to be built," said Smith. "I'm definitely excited to see what the future holds."
For both players, the immediate future holds putting in work.
"I think the biggest message is keep on getting better," said Bahl. "I mean, it's a long road ahead."