Internal competition is a phrase that most hockey fans associate with training camp in September. It is rarely publicly heard in March when teams are in the hunt for the playoffs.
Yet on March 7, New Jersey Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald acquired forwards Cody Glass and Daniel Sprong ahead of the NHL Trade Deadline and spoke about internal competition.
"If guys are not at the top of the game, we have guys who can come in and play," Fitzgerald said.
The first regular in New Jersey's lineup to be taken out of the lineup post-trade deadline was 25-year-old Paul Cotter. A few games later, head coach Sheldon Keefe took veteran Erik Haula out of the lineup.
"It is Haula's turn to sit out and give an opportunity for Sprong to get in. That's really it," Keefe said. "As I alluded to, there will be some of that, as there has been, down the stretch here. We have guys that can come in and out of our lineup and not be disruptive for us and keep moving forward and moving ahead. I think that makes our group stronger."
Before the team's current two-game road trip, The Hockey News sat with depth forward Curtis Lazar to get his perspective on the renewed competition.
"You can take it two ways if you end up being that guy taken out," he said. "You can be upset, angry, think the whole world is against you and whatnot, or you can use it as a chance to watch a game from a different perspective. Start that dialog with the coaches and get a little bit more work in practice, so when you do get that next chance, you are ready. That competition is healthy. Everyone wants to see each other succeed, and it is great to have. The deadline has passed, and all that outside noise is now behind us. We know what we are working towards."
Glass has made an immediate impact since coming to New Jersey, earning four points (two goals, two assists) in four games. He has bolstered the team's third line and has not come out of the lineup since making his Devils debut.
"Some guys come (to a new team with) renewed purpose and are inspired by a new opportunity," Keefe said. "I think that is our case right now. You look at Glass in particular; he arrived at our team at a time when Jack Hughes was removed. So, there is lots of opportunity for him to play more, be confident with the puck, and do some things that come naturally to him."
"The guys that we (brought in) all offer something," Lazar said. "I think we have seen that through the small body of work already. It has been great. They fit in seamlessly, and we are all pushing here. We know what we are working towards, and they are fitting in great.
"You got to push for ice time," he continued. "I think for everyone, you want to earn what you get. You don't hate a guy or wish ill will on them. Everyone is trying to do a job here, and collectively, the more numbers you have, the better it feels."
With Keefe and his staff still figuring out where to utilize his newest forwards best, there is an expectation that other regulars could find themselves on the outside looking in. What is important to note is that not every player will come out of the lineup due to their performance. It will be situational.
"We have got Glass and Sprong, two new guys that I don't know exactly how to use them or how they best fit into our group," Keefe explained. "Wanting to try some different things. Just having the extra bodies, all of a sudden, you can't take your spot for granted. There are guys that are there to replace you if you slip or deviate."
Depth scoring was a concern that Fitzgerald mentioned back in December. Adding two more forwards provides a little extra fire for individual players to be at their best, which will only help the team as the playoff push intensifies.
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