‘We Need More From Other People’: Devils GM Discusses Next Obstacle His Team Must Overcome
New Jersey Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald met with the media Monday before the team's flight to St. Louis.
Nov 12, 2024; Sunrise, Florida, USA; New Jersey Devils head coach Sheldon Keefe watches from the bench against the Florida Panthers during the third period at Amerant Bank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images - ‘We Need More From Other People’: Devils GM Discusses Next Obstacle His Team Must OvercomeThe vibes are overall high around the New Jersey Devils through the first 33 games of the 2024-25 season.
The club owns a record of 20-10-3, second place in the Metropolitan Division behind the Washington Capitals.
As expected, Jesper Bratt, Jack Hughes, and Nico Hischier lead the offensive charge, with Bratt earning a team-leading 41 points in 33 games.
All three players are part of the team's first power play unit and make up the team's top six. Entering Tuesday night's game against the St. Louis Blues, Bratt is on a three-game point streak, and Hughes has points in his last two games.
In the Devils' last victory over the Chicago Blackhawks, the team's top six forwards combined for eight points, but as general manager Tom Fitzgerald and head coach Sheldon Keefe know, a team can't depend on one or two lines to contribute offensively.
"If our power play doesn't score, if one of our top lines doesn't score, we need more from other people quite honestly contributing wise, without naming any names," Fitzgerald said on Monday. "When the first line, second line doesn't score a goal, and the power play doesn't score, we don't score. We need guys to step up and start producing.
"There's a reason we have been shut out five times," he continued.
Four shutouts occurred in November against the Calgary Flames, San Jose Sharks, and Tampa Bay Lightning. Their latest was a little over a week ago against the Colorado Avalanche.
Some of New Jersey's depth forwards are experiencing a goal drought. After a red-hot start, Paul Cotter has not scored in 14 games. Erik Haula's last goal came on Nov. 25, and through 29 games, Tatar has three goals.
There were games this season where depth scoring carried the team, like on Oct. 12 against the Washington Capitals, but the secondary scoring has lacked consistency. Injuries have also been a factor as the team remains without Curtis Lazar, and Nathan Bastian missed time with a broken jaw.
"It comes in waves," Fitzgerald said. "It really does. You will see certain guys jump on the wave and ride that as long as they can."
Understanding the need for some players to step up and contribute more offensively, the general manager is still content with his team's 2024-25 campaign start.
"I love where we are at," Fitzgerald said. "The way we are playing without the puck. Defending first. Limiting teams, especially coming through the neutral zone. In the past, it felt like we were Swiss cheese. Allowing teams to come through and gaining entry. Now, we're very demanding of playing the right way in the neutral zone. Forechecking harder. We are not one-and-done as we used to be, and we still have that quick-attack mentality.
"It has been good."
A team will always need to overcome a challenge or obstacle over the course of an 82-game season. The good news for New Jersey is that they put themselves in a great position through 33 games, and Fitzgerald has shown he is not afraid to make a move to improve his roster and provide the depth the club might need for a playoff appearance.
The Devils are on the road this week, playing the St. Louis Blues on Tuesday and the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday.
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