Nick DeSimone's Devils Dash Has Been A Quick Adjustment

In an intermission interview with MSGN host Erika Wachter, Nick DeSimone discusses his life since being claimed by the New Jersey Devils and his familiarity with his new teammates.

On Jan. 24, the Calgary Flames placed Nick DeSimone on waivers.

The 29-year-old had nothing to do but wait to see if he would be claimed by another NHL team or report to the Flames American Hockey League team, the Calgary Wranglers.

Eventually, the defenseman received the phone call he was waiting for and was notified the New Jersey Devils claimed him.

His next stop was Tampa, Florida, to join his new teammates.

"It's been a crazy couple of days," DeSimone said to MSGN host Erika Wachter during the second intermission of the Devils Saturday night game. "(It was) kind of a mad scramble to pack; my fiancé took the brunt of that. I took a red eye, got to Tampa on Friday, and practiced this morning. It's been a crazy couple of days." 

It always makes the transition to a new team easier when there is familiarity with teammates, and thankfully, DeSimone has some history with the players in New Jersey.

"I was in San Jose with Timo (Meier) for a little bit and (Tyler) Toffoli in Calgary last year," he said to Wachter. "I met (my teammates) briefly yesterday and spent a little time today. That's about it." 

While his new teammates enjoy a little fun in the sun - John Marino, Nathan Bastian, Curtis Lazar, and Tyler Toffoli are enjoying the US Virgin Islands - DeSimone has a different-looking All-Star Break.

He told Wachter that he would come back a couple days early to get settled in New Jersey, which includes finding a place and figuring out the lay of the land. 

On Sunday morning, the Devils re-assigned defensemen Daniil Misyul and Santeri Hatakka to their AHL team, the Utica Comets.

That leaves nine defensemen on the team's roster on the NHL Media Site, with Dougie Hamilton, Jonas Siegenthaler, and Brendan Smith on injured reserve.

It is unclear if DeSimone will make his Devils debut when they return to action on Feb. 6. Still, it is clear that general manager Tom Fitzgerald added insurance to his blue line with a little more professional hockey experience than Misyul or Hatakka. 

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