Meier rejoins the team, Brennan signs entry-level contract, and more updates as the team continues to prepare for Game 1.
Meier rejoins the team, Brennan signs entry-level contract, and more updates as the team continues to prepare for Game 1.
NEWARK, N.J. -- The New Jersey Devils hit the ice at RWJBarnabas Health Hockey House on Monday, April 17 after having a day off on Sunday.
Timo Meier rejoined the team after dealing with food poisoning over the weekend. While practice began at RWJBarnabas Health Hockey, the team transitioned to the main ice at Prudential Center where they spent one final afternoon fine-tuning their details before Game 1 tomorrow, April 18.
Devils Practice Lines:
Tomas Tatar - Nico Hischier - Dawson Mercer
Ondrej Palat - Jack Hughes - Jesper Bratt
Timo Meier - Erik Haula - Jesper Boqvist
Miles Wood - Michael McLeod - Nathan Bastian (Curtis Lazar/Yegor Sharangovich)
Jonas Siegenthaler - Dougie Hamilton
Ryan Graves - John Marino
Kevin Bahl - Damon Severson
Luke Hughes - Brendan Smith
"We're a Bunch of Rebels"
One of the storylines surrounding this matchup is how the inexperienced Devils will handle the experienced New York Rangers. After practice, head coach Lindy Ruff referred to his team as a bunch of rebels.
"Obviously, a lot of our guys haven't been inside a (postseason) game," said Ruff of his team's experience. "I think the advantage goes to (the Rangers) right off the bat because a lot of their guys have lived it and been there. But for the most part, we're a bunch of rebels, young rebels ready to go."
The Devils have 10 players who will be getting their first taste of playoff hockey tomorrow.
Forwards: Nathan Bastian, Jesper Boqvist, Jack Hughes, Michael McLeod, Dawson Mercer, and Yegor Sharangovich.
Defensemen: Kevin Bahl and Luke Hughes
Goaltenders: Mackenzie Blackwood and Akria Schmid
Tyler Brennan Signs Entry-Level Contract
On April 16, general manager Tom Fitzgerald announced that goaltender Tyler Brennan signed his three-year, entry-level contract, starting with the 2023-24 season.
The 19-year-old was the team's 102nd overall selection at the 2022 NHL Entry Draft and was the third goaltender to be selected. The 19-year-old played in the Western Hockey League (WHL) for the Prince George Cougars for the past few seasons.
According to the team's press release, Brennan earned a career-high 21 wins in the 2022-23 season and helped his team clinch consecutive playoff appearances.