New Jersey Has A Deep Offense Throughout my studies of journalism, I can confidently say investigative journalism was never something that interested me, as it has been decades since I wanted to be a member of Mystery Inc. with Scooby Doo. These days, I am much more content asking questions over a Raclette dinner surrounded by the Swiss Alps or sitting in a locker room talking with a hockey player dripping sweat after a hard practice, whichever opportunity presents itself. A few weeks into the season, I chatted with New Jersey Devils [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-jersey-devils/game-day/gotta-see-it-devils-jacob-markstrom-makes-unbelievable-save-in-milestone-start] rookie defenseman Seamus Casey. I asked the then-20-year-old who the prankster was on the team, not realizing what I was about to get myself into. With a laugh, he carefully looked around the room and provided three names: Paul Cotter [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-jersey-devils/players/devils-paul-cotter-making-early-impact-on-coaching-staff-teammates-fans], Stefan Noesen, and Nathan Bastian [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-jersey-devils/players/new-jersey-devils-nate-bastian-jack-hughes-luke-hughes]. "Those guys are just hilarious," Casey said. "If a prank were to be pulled, you would want them pulling it. ...They are not missing." Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjEwNjc2ODQ5ODg4NDcwODY1/nhl--new-jersey-devils-at-florida-panthers-.jpg] Lucky for me, days later, I did a one-on-one interview with Bastian and asked him about his new title. "Prankster? I'm not a prankster," he said. An investigation was clearly on the horizon, and in the spirit of transparency, below is a transcription of my conversation with the 6-foot-4 winger. The Hockey News: If you're not, then, in your mind, who is the prankster in the room? Bastian: Jonas Siegenthaler. He is a big prankster. THN: No. Bastian: Yeah! THN: No, he's not. Bastian: He is the biggest. Honestly! THN: Wait, he has pulled them before? Bastian: I mean, to me, he has. He is the biggest jokester. THN: Really? Bastian: I'm not kidding! He is the funniest guy on the team. THN: ...Siegenthaler? Bastian: I swear. I'm not kidding! Ask Nico (Hischier) the same question. Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MTk4MzY3MTI4Njc4NTczNjE0/nhl--stanley-cup-playoffs-new-jersey-devils-at-carolina-hurricanes.jpg] As days turned into weeks and weeks turned into months, I reignited my investigation, and Curtis Lazar [https://t.co/aQ2nZxOFVg] became my next witness. "It is not really that we got a bunch of pranksters," he said. "It is more that Seamus was an easy target." Excellent point from the veteran. I can now confirm that no player in the Devils' locker room is at the caliber of known NHL prankster Marc-André Fleury [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/latest-news/crosby-fleury-exchange-epic-pranks-during-weekend-in-raleigh-for-what-may-be-the-final-time]. "We are not that level yet, but we will see," Lazar said with a smile. "Every day is a new opportunity." While he agreed that Noesen is a good choice because he usually has his hand in everything and that Cotter is pretty funny, the wheels started turning when I revealed what his linemate said about the Swiss defenseman. "I like that a lot, actually," Lazar said as he leaned back in his stall with a satisfied look on his face. "Yeah, you are never safe with him. "Siegenthaler, he is low-key and undercover; I will give him that." It sounds like I really need to talk to New Jersey's captain. With my husband's suggestion, I have decided to turn my investigation into a mini-series as I continue to take you along with me. The next segment will be out soon! Leave a comment below telling me if you are shocked that Siegenthaler is (at this time) the team prankster. Make sure you bookmark THN's New Jersey Devils site [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-jersey-devils/] for THN's latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. The Mental Side of the Game: Devils Players & Mental Skills Coach Andy Swärd Take You Behind the Scenes [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-jersey-devils/players/new-jersey-devils-jesper-bratt-alexander-holtz-nico-hischier-andy-sward] EXCLUSIVE: Q&A With MSG Networks Host & Analyst Rachel Herzog [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-jersey-devils/latest-news/exclusive-q-a-with-msg-networks-host-analyst-rachel-herzog-new-jersey-devils] Hischier’s Manager Patrick Fischer: 'He’s Driven to Succeed, but Not Easily Satisfied [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-jersey-devils/features/hischiers-manager-patrick-fischer-hes-driven-to-succeed-but-not-easily-satisfied]' [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-jersey-devils/features/hischiers-manager-patrick-fischer-hes-driven-to-succeed-but-not-easily-satisfied] S [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-jersey-devils/game-day/seamus-casey-scores-first-nhl-goal-in-new-jersey-devils-global-series-finale]eamus Casey Scores First NHL Goal In Devils Global Series Finale [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-jersey-devils/game-day/seamus-casey-scores-first-nhl-goal-in-new-jersey-devils-global-series-finale]
