The 2024-25 season was my fourth as a credentialed sports writer covering the New Jersey Devils, and one thing I am constantly reminded of is that perspective is everything.
A hockey fan, reporter, player, and coach can watch the same game, and after 60 minutes, each could have a different takeaway.
Understanding how critical that individual perspective is, I asked two New Jersey forwards which teammate impressed them the most this season, whether it was their on-ice performance or how they handled themselves in the locker room.
On Thursday, I grabbed Curtis Lazar and Paul Cotter separately. Both began their responses with the same name: Johnathan Kovacevic.
"I would say Kovacevic," Cotter said. "I guess we have kind of had similar paths in terms of never really having a giant role. He came out of the gates this year. There were times when I thought, okay, he was going to be out of the lineup, and then he forced himself to always be a regular. Then (you realize) he is a high-impact player for us."
"I think one guy off the hop is Kovacevic," Lazar shared. "Very hard defender, but I think just seeing his inner confidence and belief in himself to really pick up the role and be a great defenseman. I think he was kind of slated as that seventh defenseman coming into camp, (earned) a spot, and gets an unbelievable extension because of it. It is well deserved. He is a vital part of this team."
In addition to his on-ice play, Cotter spoke about Kovacevic's general outlook.
"His attitude towards all of it is really great," he continued. "Honestly, for me, it is just a constant reminder that everything is good. He has really impressed me."
Kovacevic's infectious personality was something players spoke about back in September, during training camp.
Through 81 games, the blueliner earned a career-high 17 points. Along with Jonas Siegenthaler, the duo was one of the best defensive pairs in the league. The 27-year-old even took some fighting tips from Kurtis MacDermid, so he would be able to defend his teammates if need be.
Just like last season, Lazar did not stop at Kovacevic.
He boasted about Luke Hughes' ability and the jump that he has taken in his defensive game.
"He is still so young, too," he said. "The sky is the limit."
Throughout the season, Lazar has spoken highly of Jesper Bratt and how valuable he has been to the team. It was fitting that he concluded his response to this question by praising the Swede.
"Bratt never gets the respect that he deserves in this league," he said. "Everyone always talks about Jack Hughes, as they should, but I think Bratt is a premier player in this league. When Jack went down, Bratt stepped up his game. He goes about his business, the records he is breaking, and whatnot, and is a very valuable part of this hockey team. I am glad that he had the spotlight for a little bit. He is an incredible talent, and I think he is one of the most underrated players in the league."
In addition to the two responses I received, MSG Networks play-by-play announcer Bill Spaulding asked goaltender Jake Allen if there was a teammate who stood out to him since coming to New Jersey.
"I know it is going to sound cliche, but seeing Jack from the outside, versus seeing Jack on the inside, I think last year, even when I was here for a little bit of time, I think my eyes really opened up to him," he shared. "He is a young, skilled player. Obviously, he has got all the talent in the world, but to actually see how much he cares is a different set of circumstances. You really see internally how much he actually cares. You guys don't get to see that on the outside. Obviously, you see it on the inside, but it is a big deal, and the Devils are a big deal to him. I think I really appreciated that."
The locker room is a sacred place in hockey, and while the media has access, plenty goes on behind the scenes that will remain private amongst the team. It is the reason you need this perspective because it is easy to judge what you see on the ice, but in hockey, there is sometimes so much more to a player and their worth to a team than their stat line.
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