TRAINING CAMP: Fitzgerald Focuses on Youth at Camp

Throughout his time with the Devils' franchise in various front-office roles, Devils Executive Vice President and General Manager Tom Fitzgerald has developed young talent, built a strong farm system, and brought in several high-end prospects via trade for the NHL club. The results are evident at the team's training camp ahead of the 2020-2021 season.
Players competing for roster spots include promising prospects and developing talent from the AHL. These players have a shot at making the team as Fitzgerald and the Devils are using this camp to assess their readiness.
"[They're] going to get an opportunity to see what they can do. If they don't get an opportunity [you'll] never know what you have underneath the hood, right? These guys are going to get that opportunity," said Fitzgerald.

After the first few on-ice sessions of camp, Fitzgerald is encouraged by what he's seen on the ice, especially when it comes to the energy of the players.
"I think the energy, the enthusiasm, the passion that the players have been playing with, practicing with," said Fitzgerald. "Lindy's putting through the paces, it's up-tempo, it's exhausting but when the kids come off, they're all smiles. Hockey's back for them…The enthusiasm, excitement that they're all showing, the pace, it's been fun to watch."
One player who is on Fitzgerald's radar is Nick Merkley. The Devils acquired Merkley in a December 2019 trade with the Arizona Coyotes and the right-wing played four games for New Jersey last season. Merkley knows that consistency, especially in the defensive zone, is important to show this camp.
"I think just doing those little things is going to get me to that next level," said Merkley. "Detail in the d-zone. I think once I have the puck I can make those plays, but just those little details in the d-zone, being in the right spot at the right time. Creating offensively, getting in on pucks, hounding pucks, I've been like a pit bull out there. And just getting on their [defense]."
Merkley is one of the few names that Fitzgerald mentioned he was looking out for this camp.
"I'm excited to see Kuokkanen. I didn't have a chance to watch him play either in Binghamton or the one game he got here. I'm excited to see what he has/ He's got good size, he thinks the game really well, he gets around the ice, he's good around the net. Nolan Foote, the same thing. It's an opportunity to watch him play. He was a big part of that trade last deadline. Jesper Boqvist, you know we've sen some time in the middle of the ice right now, I think it's great for his versatility. But he's going to get a chance to play some wing and try to take advantage of some opportunities with some openings."
"Nate Bastian, big body, hard, physical, you know, things that you do need in your lineup. Mike McCloud- does he slide over to the wing? Can he give you that speed? He's got great size, he's tenacious, dog on a bone. Again, those particular players are going to have an opportunity to make our team, and that's what excites us as an organization. We talked about our young players coming and you know, some of them will get an opportunity to be here now."
A returning player who has stood out to Fitzgerald is 2019 Devils' first-overall draft pick, Jack Hughes. Hughes spent the extended off-season packing on muscle ahead of his second season for New Jersey.
"You're seeing the growth in his speed, in maturity, both physically, mentally," said Fitzgerald Hughes. "We see a big leap in his strength and conditioning, his testing was fantastic."
So what does the General Manager expect out of Hughes after his strong offseason and recent improvements?
"My expectations are him to take another step. To improve on the ice, what he learned from last year and apply it this year with being a second-year player. He is getting stronger, and he's only going to continue to get stronger," Fitzgerald said.
In addition to having the right pieces on the ice and in the pipeline, Fitzgerald knows the importance of having the right coach to develop the young talent in the Devils franchise.
"It's extremely important, and you know Lindy's personality is just bright," said Fitzgerald on Ruff. "I just think he's approachable and I don't think there's one player, particularly any young players who feel they can't approach Lindy. And I know part of his agenda every day is to talk to young players, whether it's for 30 seconds, 40 seconds, a minute, it doesn't matter. To make them know that they're important and make them feel comfortable."
Fitzgerald, a former player himself, discussed how coaches instilling confidence and trust in their players has an impact.
"When a player feels at ease, and trust me on this, you feel lighter, you feel better, you feel strong, you feel more skilled, you feel faster," Fitzgerald said. "Knowing that coaches actually recognize you and you give yourself the best chance to be the best player you possibly can, and I think Lindy has that ability to pull that out of all these young players. His history shows that and that's a big reason why he's here."
What will the combination of young promising talent, a coach known to bring out the best from young players, and a long off-season of training bring the Devils this year? Fitzgerald is confident this team will find wins and success this season all while developing players and continuing the rebuild of the team.
"We're building through the draft, we're building through young players, we're building through development, and the fan base should be extremely excited about what's coming down the pipeline here," Fitzgerald said. "In the meantime, this team is going to be very competitive. We're going to compete every single night."