Some phrases or lines only make sense in the hockey world. In sports, it’s “Going about their business,” something rarely stated about people in other workforces. In hockey, having “Hockey sense” is a thing but in football, smart players don’t have “Football sense” or something similar. Then there’s calling a team or a player a “Wagon,” which is presumably short for bandwagon. Good luck using that phrase to describe a local restaurant. A “Wagon” is what the New Jersey Devils feel like to begin this season.
New Jersey lost their first game of the season and haven’t lost since. Their 4-3 overtime win over the Colorado Avalanche was their eighth in a row and gave them a three-point cushion in the Metropolitan Division. The wagon is where we begin this week’s observations.
The Starting Lineup:
- Why this version of the Devils is different.
- The Boston Bruins, Brad Marchand, and coming to peace with the trade.
- How Gary Bettman must change the rules to avoid a gambling disaster.
- AHL goaltending & other AHL notes.
- Quick Hits: Lightning, Senators, Penguins & more.
The Devils burst on the scene in the 2022-23 season. Since then, they’ve had a similar script. They look exciting and are fun to watch in the regular season. Then the playoffs roll around, and they aren’t good enough to be a team like the Carolina Hurricanes (who eliminated them in 2023 and 2025). This season looks different, at least early on, and it’s fascinating to see how the small differences have turned this team into a Cup-caliber group.
Why This Version of the Devils Feels Different
The Devils are all-in on their core. Jack Hughes, Nico Hischier, Timo Meier, and now Luke Hughes are all locked into long-term deals. The Devils didn’t overhaul their roster or make any significant changes. It’s why there are multiple factors contributing to a great season.
It starts with the core, which is a year older and more mature. One scout noted how Hughes looks bigger and has become a complete player. Yes, he’s always been a great skater with plenty of skill. This season, he’s proving he can play a heavier game and make an impact regardless of the situation. The same is true about Hischier and Meier, two forwards who add size to the lineup but are notably using their physicality to take over games.
Meier was acquired at the 2023 trade deadline but is finally finding his footing in the top six, and it shows this season. The Devils acquired him to be a power forward on the wing, and while his stats don’t stand out (three goals and five assists), his presence and offensive zone pressure are felt. According to NHL Edge, his 22 shots on goal put him in the 85th percentile, and his skating, notably in distance, is above league average. All this to say, Meier is playing above his weight this season.
A follow-up on Hughes is the timeline. Aside from being 24 and in his prime, this season comes after the Four Nations Faceoff, and with the 2026 Olympics around the corner. It’s not a coincidence that his struggles on the international stage played a part in how he’s adapted his game (another scout mentioned something similar about Adam Fox, who wants to prove he belongs on the Olympic team and can do so with a strong season). Hughes knows how to take the hits, and even when the game gets heavy, he can still deliver, which is something the Devils will need come playoff time.
Devils Depth
Another key for the Devils is the depth in the forward unit. With Dawson Mercer scoring three goals and five assists through nine games, Arseny Gritsyuk adding two goals and four assists, and Connor Brown scoring five goals, the Devils have a forward unit that can come at teams in waves. They can roll out three or even four lines every night that can score, which wasn’t the case in each of the past three seasons. In the big picture, a Cup-winning team will typically have three lines that can score. It’s what the Florida Panthers had in the past two seasons and the Tampa Bay Lightning had in 2020 and 2021. This team isn’t a top-heavy group, and it’s stood out through nine games.
The Devils are typically a team that falls apart when they are hit with injuries. This season, it hasn’t been the case. Part of that is because the star players are healthy but the other factor is the depth. Evgenii Dadonov can miss a few weeks, and the offense doesn’t miss a beat. Johnathan Kovacevic starts the season out on the injured list, and the defense is unfazed with Simon Nemec emerging as a regular. Jacob Markstrom missed time, and the strong play by Jake Allen in the net allowed it to go unnoticed.
The depth and roster build also speak to the offseason the Devils had. Their general manager (GM), Tom Fitzgerald, went on a heater. The Brown signing highlights the haul as he’s a third-line forward who does it all (it’s worth noting that multiple teams were in on him for that reason). Likewise, the Luke Hughes signing is paying off as the young defenseman is picking up where he left off from last season despite a limited offseason or preseason with the Devils.
Add everything up, and the Devils are one of the best teams in the NHL. The question is whether they are good enough. It’s early in the season, and they’ll wait things out before making a big move (or any move) but the assumption is that one is coming. One Devils writer noted how they need a replacement for Ondrej Palat, or more accurately, another winger who can do what he can’t, which is be a reliable part of the top six.
It’s also possible that Mercer’s strong play keeps him in the top six and allows Fitzgerald to target another third-line center, someone like Jean-Gabriel Pageau or Nazem Kadri. The way the Devils are playing at the moment suggests they don’t need to make a move but ultimately, they’ll have a need at the deadline and will address it.
The Devils are starting to look at the big picture. The contention window is now, especially with Hughes and Hischier in their prime years. They’ll be a great team all season. They must become a team that can beat the Hurricanes in a playoff series. If they go on a run, they need a group that can compete with the Panthers. The bottom line is that the Devils must be ready for the playoffs and have a roster that reflects that. So far, they look like they have that, and it’s why there are only good vibes in New Jersey (parts of the state, that is).
Bruins & Marchand Coming to Peace With Trade
The big moment of the week was Brad Marchand’s return to Boston. It was his first game back since the Boston Bruins traded him, and like many franchise icons who return to the team they spent most of their careers with, it was an emotional return. Marchand tried to fight back tears as he sat on the Panthers bench while the video tribute was played at TD Garden, and then tried to beat his former team (his two assists fueled a 4-3 win).
Before the game, he spoke to the ESPN panel about his departure. He gave a thoughtful answer about how things unraveled in Boston and could have been different. At the same time, the move to the Panthers ended up rejuvenating his career, and it’s why he looks back and has no regrets (winning a Cup in the process helped).
Marchand has no regrets. What about the Bruins? Should they have done anything different? If they found a way to sign Marchand and allow him to finish his career with them, would they be better off in the long run? The short answer to all of this is no. A trade was the best move for all sides involved.
The Bruins were one of the worst teams in the Eastern Conference last season, even before their fire sale at the trade deadline. Through 10 games, they are 4-6 and at the bottom of the Atlantic Division. The Bruins needed a reset, and trading Marchand does that. Yes, he’s looked great with the Panthers but if he stays, he doesn’t move the needle (they are a better team but not a playoff team per se and certainly not a Cup contender).
The problem from the Bruins’ perspective was their approach. They delayed the trade until the last minute, quite literally, since the news came in after the 3:00 PM deadline. This was bad on two fronts. It lowered Marchand’s value and, worse, they played the waiting game with a franchise icon, which is not how a team respects a player like Marchand.
Both sides could have done things differently. That said, the Tuesday game showed how both sides have come to peace with the decision. Marchand is still an icon in Boston and someone the fans will embrace every time he returns (until he scores, that is. Then they’ll boo him). Likewise, the move reinvigorated Marchand’s career and, oddly, made him a well-liked player in the hockey world, something nobody saw coming a few years back. He’s become hockey’s version of George Foreman or Alex Rodriguez, someone who everyone hated but as they got older or changed roles, everyone started to like.
Bettman Must Avoid A Gambling Disaster
The big story in sports this week was the gambling scandal that shook up the NBA. Multiple arrests were made, and a few household names in the basketball world will never play or coach in the league again.
This has every league and commissioner on high alert. The NBA’s scandal isn’t the first time the games were fixed in sports, and it certainly won’t be the last time either. With gambling legalized and normalized in recent years across the country and sports betting becoming a staple for fans, it’s paramount for the leagues to draw a line and make sure those who are playing the games aren’t fixing them.
On Friday’s episode of 32 Thoughts, Gary Bettman was interviewed and noted how the NHL isn’t as worried as the other leagues. He cited the integrity of the players and their competitive nature but also mentioned how the props are hard to fix, considering how hockey is unpredictable (and an individual has minimal control over the outcome). Unfortunately, players have enough control to fix a prop bet, and it’s easy to see how.
Take a goaltender, for example, who has an Over/Under on 25 saves for the game. That goaltender, especially if they are dealing with a lingering injury beforehand, can remove themself from the game after the first period, and the Under will cover. Likewise, a player with a low total for shots on goal can take a few aggressive shots, even from bad angles, to cover the Over. The shots might look ridiculous at the time or questionable but will go unnoticed by most fans. Conversely, a player can allow the Under to cover by not shooting the puck all night or by dropping the gloves early in the game to receive a game misconduct (which would also cover on goals, assists, and point props).
Recipe for trouble
It’s this behavior that got Terry Rosier and Joey Porter in trouble as they removed themselves from games early. Likewise, Emmanuel Clase, a prominent pitcher in baseball, threw a terrible pitch well outside of the strike zone that allowed bettors to cash in on the outcome of the pitch (it was called a ball for those wondering). In hockey, a player can have what looks like a bad or unusual game that goes unnoticed (until all the bets are cashed in on all the betting apps and subsequently flagged by the FBI, that is).
This isn’t even the biggest problem Bettman has in terms of gambling. His issue involves the teams and how they operate. Teams are vague about injuries.
Moreover, they don’t disclose their lineups, often until a few minutes before the puck is dropped. If someone has inside information on a player being unavailable or which goaltender is starting before anyone else, they can send that information to give a bettor a tip. Moreover, if someone has a lead on an injury that a team is covering up, they can give people an advantage on a line or even a future wager (the Aleksander Barkov injury, for example, moved a few futures involving the Panthers).
Can’t allow gambling without transparency
The NHL keeps information tight to the vest and lacks transparency with the public, particularly when it comes to injuries. Think about how many times an injury is first reported as “day-to-day” and becomes “week-to-week” or how often a player is listed as out with an “upper-body” or “lower-body” injury, forcing the public to guess on the timeline.
It’s understandable to see why teams operate this way. They don’t want the opposition to know what a player is battling and put a target on them. The problem is that this creates a barrier that, even with all the secrecy, gets breached, especially by gamblers who have the resources to obtain such knowledge. It’s why the league must take a different approach to avoid a potential disaster.
The NFL, for example, required teams to list injuries a few days before each game, and disclosing them can result in fines or penalties. The NFL fined one of its head coaches this season for violating concussion protocol, which shows how much control it places in the medical staff and takes away from the teams. Sure, the league operates on a different schedule but they make sure the fans know which players are active, limited, or out of the lineup. The NHL must take a similar approach, even if it’s an unpopular one among the teams.
Goaltending is Hot in the AHL & Other AHL Notes
On Friday, there were six shutouts in the American Hockey League. It’s easy to look at that as a runoff or an oddity with minimal implications. That night was just one of the many this season when goaltenders took over games and were the best players on the ice.
Goaltending is up around the league to start the season. 15 qualified goaltenders have a save percentage over .920, and 10 have a goals-against average under 2.00, including three rookies. Syracuse Crunch veteran Brandon Halverson and Colorado Eagles rookie Isak Posch already have two shutouts, while Sergei Murashov already looks like an NHL-caliber player.
The resurgence in goaltending is happening despite early-season struggles from Clay Stevenson and Dylan Garand. Both are young but have established themselves as two of the best in the league, with a strong chance of making it to the NHL someday. The assumption is that they will bounce back and also put together great seasons.
It’s hard to tell if this trend will continue. That said, it’s worth keeping an eye on. Goaltending was an issue in previous seasons and the AHL, where poor play in the net stands out. It’s possible that this trend is fueled by a lack of skill or by a change in style where teams are playing a more physical and defensive brand of hockey. However, it’s interesting to see the position have an early resurgence and possibly become the strength for half of the teams in the AHL.
Other AHL Notes
The Providence Bruins, Grand Rapids Griffins, and Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins are undefeated. The 6-0 Bruins head to Pennsylvania on Wednesday to face the 7-0 Penguins in an early-season game that might have a playoff feel to it. Both teams have elite prospects throughout their rosters, even with Ville Koivunen getting called up to the Pittsburgh Penguins, and the matchup should deliver.
The Griffins, by the way, are allowing only 1.80 goals per game. They’ve played great across the board but have two standout goaltenders with Sebastian Cossa and rookie Michal Prostava off to strong starts. So, maybe Detroit Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman has a goaltender for the future after all.
The Hershey Bears are off to a slow start, and it’s troubling since they played five of their first six games at home. They are 2-3-1 and at the bottom of the Atlantic Division. That said, this is a rebuilding year for the Bears with many of the players from the Calder Cup runs no longer on the roster and a new coach in Derek King behind the bench. So, give them time, and they’ll once again be one of the best teams in the AHL soon enough.
The Texas Stars made it to the Western Conference Final last season and were one of the best teams in the league. They are 0-5-1 through six games. That’s what happens when a great coach leaves for the NHL team, and the Dallas Stars deplete the farm system as they try to make a run at the Stanley Cup.
The Belleville Senators played the Toronto Marlies on Sunday afternoon. The game was delayed by a fire alarm that forced the fans to evacuate the arena. It’s a reminder that in this league, craziness is just around the corner.
Quick Hits: Lightning, Senators, Penguins, NHL Nostalgia & More
Every year, there’s a segment of hockey fans who pick against the Lightning and believe that the decline is coming. The shoe (or skate) will drop eventually, and a team that’s contended for years will fall apart. Every season, the Lightning prove everyone wrong by putting together strong seasons and making the playoffs.
They got off to a slow start, losing six of their first seven games and only earning four points in that span. The defense particularly looked like a mess, allowing 18 goals in their first four games and 3.11 goals per game through nine games (their last two games were much-needed rebounds defensively, where they allowed only three goals and one in consecutive wins).
The issues are concerning, considering the defense is older and slower than previous iterations. It’s easy to forget that Victor Hedman is 34 and not the same skater he used to be (the same applies to Ryan McDonagh, who is 36). Likewise, the Lightning built a bigger and more physical team in recent years at the cost of skating, and it’s showing to start the season.
Presumably, they’ll figure things out and these concerns won’t be issues in a few months (at 3-4-2, it looks like they are turning a corner). However, this Lightning team doesn’t look like the same Eastern Conference juggernaut fans have gotten used to over the years.
Standouts: For the wrong — and right — reasons
The Lightning are standing out for the wrong reasons. Then, there are teams flying under the radar in the first month.
- The Penguins were expected to be one of the worst teams in the NHL. They are 6-2-1 and have the second-best record in the Metropolitan Division. Justin Brazeau adding a spark on offense and Ryan Shea stepping up on defense have helped. However, the goaltending has also made a difference, with Tristan Jarry finding his footing and Arturs Silovs stepping up as well.
- The Ottawa Senators got off to a slow start but have two wins in a row and are starting to climb the standings. One scout noted how they are finding their footing and have enough talent to make up for the Brady Tkachuk injury.
- This was a week of hat tricks, young stars dominating games, and even a mix of both. Macklin Celebrini and Logan Cooley both had hat tricks, and it’s a sign that the league is in good hands for the future, with young stars already taking over games.
- The Toronto Maple Leafs picked a good time to struggle. With the Toronto Blue Jays in the World Series for the first time in over three decades, they have ice a junior hockey team, and it would go unnoticed (although some might joke about their recent performances looking like a junior hockey team was wearing Leafs jerseys).
- Utah has a seven-game winning streak, and it’s propelled them into first place in the Central Division. They’ve made strides toward contention in recent years. Now, the question is if they make a big move to get over the hump. With a young core that’s still developing, the assumption is they wait things out but if their owner Ryan Smith has proven anything, he won’t cut corners to get this team to the contention conversation.
- The NHL got a bit nostalgic this week. The Carolina Hurricanes played the Colorado Avalanche, or more accurately, the Hartford Whalers faced the Quebec Nordiques (with both teams wearing the throwback jerseys). The two thoughts are one: how cool it is, and two, why doesn’t the league do this more often? Looking ahead, if the NHL expands and Portland gets a team, the Seattle Kraken know what must be done (anything short of a Rosebuds vs Metropolitans game is a disappointment).
The past week ended up becoming an action-packed one. The best way to follow up a week like that is with a normal schedule of NHL games. With this in mind, enjoy the Monday night slate featuring (checks notes) two games!!
