Lazar Brings Depth, Experience to Devils | THREE THINGS

Forward Curtis Lazar is the newest member of the New Jersey Devils after the franchise acquired the NHL veteran from the Vancouver Canucks for a 2024 fourth-round draft pick. Lazar brings depth to the Devils forward group, more physicality, and a hard work ethic. For the 28-year-old, the opportunity to join the Devils is exciting as Lazar wants to help the Devils win.
"I can't wait to meet the guys, get used to their systems and what not, and then just start playing," Lazar shared in his media availability shortly after the trade. "I want to win and there's no better place to do so."

1. Scouting Report

So what can you expect from Lazar on the ice?
"(The defensive structure) that's kind of the area I hoping I'm able to help out in. Lock things down in our own end and then let those creative guys just go to work. Inject some energy here and there but this team they are where they are in the standings for a reason so I don't want to mess around too much just kind of fit in where I need to be," said Lazar. "I was a first-round pick way back in the day that had offensive potential I guess and that kind of didn't come true so to stay in the league I had to find something I was good at and that's being strong defensively, killing penalties, taking face-offs, and just kind of getting that rhythm of the momentum swings, what can I do to change the flow of a game, and be a good teammate. That's the area I love, the role that I am, and I wouldn't change it for anything."

As the Devils looked to bolster the forward group and bring some grit and physicality with the trade deadline, New Jersey's newest addition does both. He also brings in some playoff experience as Lazar has 24 games of post-season hockey under his belt, which will help the Devils in their first return to the playoffs since 2018.
"It's a completely different beast in itself. It's hard to describe it because until you actually get into a game then that's when you kind of realize and sit back and are like holy cow this is hockey. Every puck battle is magnified, every face-off, every pass, everything just has so much on the line," Lazar shared. "Just keep that even keel, and that's where your dressing room gets tested as well. How close are you guys, can you rely on each other to do the job. That's the beauty of sport, that's the beauty of the NHL and what makes it one of the hardest trophies to win. I'll try to shed some light on that, but like I said, this team has been doing their thing and it's just a matter of continuing that and up on the stage when the time comes."

2. Reunited and It Feels So Good

Whether it's Dougie Hamilton, Damon Severson, or Erik Haula, Lazar is already very familiar with several of his new teammates which has made this trade even more exciting for the whole Lazar family.
"I play with Damon Severson in the summer, Erik Haula our wives are best friends so (the Haula family) were crying happy tears this morning, I played with Dougie Hamilton in Calgary. Ultimately I played with Quinn (in Vancouver) so I now I get to know Jack and get some more dirt on the Hughes family will be fun as well," Lazar joked.

Lazar also played for Devils assistant coach Chris Taylor while he was in the Sabres franchise and had high praise for Taylor with helping his career.
"Chris Taylor was a big part of my development in Rochester. I owe a lot of my rejuvenating of my career to him. There's still some stuff that I do to this day that he introduced me to," Lazar said about the Devils assistant coach. "I was in a pretty good mindset (in Rochester) but what he got out of me was just never be content, every day's an opportunity to work on yourself, improve your game and that really helped me."
When Lazar joins the Devils in the next few days, expect plenty of hugs and smiles as he quickly adjusts to the Devils with plenty of familiar faces in the room.

3. Already Ready to Rock the Rock

Lazar has had plenty of experience playing as a visitor at Prudential Center, including this season on Feb. 6. When discussing joining the Devils franchise, the forward had plenty of great things to say about Devils fans and the energy they bring to games.
"You can see the excitement as well, (Vancouver) was out there just after the bye week and the building was rocking there," said Lazar. "It was so loud, people were so passionate, you kind of get that excitement that the Devils are something special … as a player you want nothing more to play these games for real and for keeps and we're going to get that chance pretty soon."
Want to see Lazar, Meier, and the Devils in action? Tickets are still available for future games on
NewJerseyDevils.com/tickets
.