Curtis Lazar, Jonas Siegenthaler, and Erik Haula talk about what new players bring to the locker room and the process of integrating into a new team.
Curtis Lazar, Jonas Siegenthaler, and Erik Haula talk about what new players bring to the locker room and the process of integrating into a new team.
New Jersey Devils forward Curtis Lazar is no stranger to acclimating himself into a new organization. At 28 years old, he is on his sixth NHL team, so when I asked him if it's difficult for a player to integrate himself into a new locker room, he laughed and said I asked the right guy.
"You want to be true to yourself," he said. "It goes back to the way that your parents raise you and the golden rule in life: you want to treat others the way you want to be treated. If you're someone who likes to joke around and have fun, then be yourself. You have to think the team's investing in you, and there's always a reason for it."
As the team prepares for their 2023-24 season opener on Oct. 12, three players are finding themselves acclimating to a new group. Tyler Toffoli, Tomas Nosek, and Colin Miller were all acquired this summer and are only a few weeks into their respective Devils career.
Besides their skill on the ice, what can the addition of a new player bring into the locker room? Lazar and defenseman Jonas Siegenthaler weigh in.
"If you're on the team over and over again and don't get that result, you think, what's that missing piece," said Lazar. "From a morale standpoint, you bring someone in, and it's a new perspective."
"It always brings some energy. We are all different guys, and I think we're doing a pretty good job bringing in good characters," said Siegenthaler. "This year, we brought in some good people again."
The Devils have experienced an overhaul to their roster over the past couple of seasons and have integrated several new faces into the organization, including Brendan Smith, Erik Haula, Ondrej Palat, and Luke Hughes. Whether it's a rookie or veteran, there is that adjustment period when training camp opens.
"The first couple of days, it's a little feeling out process," said Lazar. "As soon as you get out on the road or have a night, (teammates) will pick you up, go for dinner, and you get to talk about things besides the game, so it is pretty easy."
"I know for myself last year, it's such an easy group to get along with because they're so young and fun," he continued.
Last season, newcomers Smith and Haula became two of the team's vocal leaders. Lazar explained that players don't want to enter a new locker room "guns a blazing, running your mouth and bossing guys around."
Last season, Haula echoed this statement in an exclusive interview.
"You can't lead without having the respect of your peers," he said. "I think that's the first step to it. You start working on it, and then it kind of comes naturally."
Not only is Fitzgerald acquiring players who complement his young core on the ice, but he is also adding the right personalities. The general manager is sticking to his word and is building a team that seemingly enjoys playing for each other. The organization recently held its annual team-building event, which will help the players continue to grow as a group as they prepare for the 2023-24 season.