The one major takeaway from the Boston Bruins' Game 7 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs.
While your favorite New Jersey Devils players are representing their country at the IIHF Men's World Championship or attending a local Morgan Wallen concert, general manager Tom Fitzgerald has been getting a head start on his offseason checklist.
He recently inked Kurtis MacDermid to a three-year contract, re-signed several depth players, and has been interviewing potential head coach candidates.
Changes are expected, and hockey fans in New Jersey are already putting together their offseason wish lists. To no surprise, Martin Necas, Anthony Duclair, and Brady Tkachuk are high on those lists because fans want players who consistently contribute on the ice, whether scoring goals or racking up assists. The types of contributions that appear on a player's stat card.
One thing to remember during free agency is that New Jersey has a talented core in place. The next step is to bring in players to support that core and fill in other less flashy but necessary roles, whether on or off the ice.
During his end-of-season media availability, Fitzgerald discussed his team's current state and what his club needs.
"There's another level that we have to get to, and I'm not just talking about on the ice," he said. "I'm talking about off the ice, too. Leading the way off the ice. Doing things in the weight room is as important as the extra stuff you do on the ice, whether it's D drills, faceoffs for centers, or wall play for wingers. It's all-encompassing. We've got to get there."
That specific type of leadership and those qualities might not necessarily come from the captain or the team's star players. A perfect example is the Boston Bruins' recent Game 7 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs in Round 1 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
The pressure was on the Bruins entering a pivotal Game 7 as the club could become the first team in NBA, NHL, and MLB history to blow 3-1 series leads in back-to-back seasons.
Veteran defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk only saw 10 minutes of ice time in Game 7. He did not score the series-clinching goal or get credited with an assist, but according to his teammates, he played a vital role in their Game 7 victory.
"We were together (Friday) night, it's not a secret," Brad Marchand told Eric Russo of Bruins.com. "We watched video, we met as a group and (Kevin Shattenkirk) gave the group an incredible speech that really allowed us to kind of settle down and understand where we're at and how we had to play and what we needed to believe to get the job done."
"I think (Shattenkirk) did an amazing job," Pat Maroon added. "...I think the biggest thing he touched on was you don't have regrets when you go and lay down your head after the game…believing in yourself and the guy beside you and just the group…he did an amazing job, and it touched a lot of people."
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Xo1LL38B5o[/embed]
The 35-year-old defenseman finished the 2023-24 season with six goals and 24 points. Shattenkirk was by no means Boston's flashy offseason signing, but he served a purpose and made an impact on his teammates when it counted the most.
If it was not for Marchand and his teammates speaking to reporters about Shattenkirk's speech, no one would have known his influence. During the free agent frenzy, it is important to remember that not every player signed is expected to collect 30 points. There is value beyond the scoresheet, and sometimes, no one can see it except for their teammates and coaches.
A general manager must ask the question: Do they have a team or a club?
Players with qualities like Shattenkirk help bring a team together and bring those cliche intangibles that general managers and coaches seek out.
After hearing all of Fitzgerald's comments from his end-of-season availability about commitment and wanting "hockey players" and not just "guys that play hockey," fans should not be surprised if the Devils re-sign Brendan Smith or sign another Shattenkirk-type player who can help guide New Jersey's core and play a vital role in helping a club become a team.