10 Takeaways: Getting to Know You

The impressive start to Ty Smith's NHL career continued this past week, chasing down an NHL defenseman record. But this week, we learned more about Ty off the ice, particularly through the eyes of his roommate, Jack Hughes. Truth be told, it sounds like he's a dream roommate and Jack has lucked out.
I also caught up with Mark Recchi and he shared a great story about the first time he and Jack spoke on the phone. There's a couple of 'behind the scenes'' moments this week, so I hope you enjoy this edition of Ten Takeaways.

1. Ty Smith Chasing Records

Chasing records is probably an over-exaggeration, really because he'll never put himself before the team, or feel comfortable talking about it.
But Ty Smith has started his NHL career, just five games young, with points in every single appearance. Only once in NHL history, has a defenseman started their career with points in their first six games. If he has a point tonight versus the Flyers, he'd tie Marek Zidlicky for the record six games, which he accomplished during the 2003-04 season.
The last rookie defenseman to record points in five straight games to start his career was Cale Makar of Colorado in 2019.

2. Cooking and Cleaning

Smith revealed on Sunday night that he and Jack Hughes are living together this season. Then, a day later, Hughes gave us a glimpse into home-life with Ty.
When asked how rooming together is, Jack confidently admitted that Ty does the cooking and the cleaning. Not a bad deal for Hughes.

3. Meeting for the First Time

Here's the first time the two met.

Ty, who lives in British Columbia during the off-season was at the Vancouver draft when the Devils selected Jack with the first overall selection.

4. Keep the Cheque

Matt Loughlin and I had a chance to catch up with Jesper Bratt over Zoom while he is quarantining. The whole conversation will be available next week on the Speak of the Devils Podcast.
But I did enjoy this one story: Bratt joked that he should already tell his apartment building to keep the security deposit. He's so anxious to get back on the ice with his teammates he's been practicing his stickhandling on his hardwood floors.
While we didn't see them ourselves, he said it's already no use asking for the deposit back, he knows after this quarantine period they'll be destroyed.
(Just a note here, he said all this in jest. But I still appreciate the story!)

5. First Impressions

I loved this story from Mark Recchi earlier this week.
When he was hired as assistant coach Recchi reached out to Jack Hughes, knowing they'd be working together and forging an important relationship.
Recchi watched footage of Jack from last season, just to get a taste. And then picked up the phone to call Jack.
Recchi said the first thing Jack said was "Ohh, you'll see a different player than that this year."
Boy, was Jack right.

6. What's His Name?

Apparently, Ty Smith has a new nickname in the locker room. Damon Severson let that one slip, but he held his tongue enough to not divulge the actual name. All he would offer is that Ty isn't too into it, but it's been fun for everyone else. =
I'll have to see if I can get someone to spill the beans.

7. Long and Winding Road

It was great to see Scott Wedgewood's first win this season. Especially nearly three years since he had last played an NHL game. Talk about a journeyman, and the irony of literally coming back to where it all started for him, in New Jersey.
Eleven years after being drafted by New Jersey in the third round, with a stop playing at the NHL level with Arizona after he was traded by the Devils, and then minor-league stops with the Ontario Reign, Rochester Americans, and Syracuse Crunch.
"It's just it's made me kind of understand what I do and how I do it and just to use that as your strength," Wedgewood said after the win. "I think now just kind of taking up more net, presenting myself a little bit bigger and just being a lot more patient."
Wedgewood's 2-0 shutout win over the Islanders was his first victory at the NHL level since February 13th, 2018.

8. Lindy Ruff One Away from 1500

Tonight, when the Devils play their game against the Flyers, Lindy Ruff will be behind the bench as head coach for a 1499th NHL game.
Asked what he remembers from Game One, all those years ago.
"I don't think I can really recall it, but I can guarantee you I was nervous."
He added it felt familiar to a young player stepping into an NHL game for the first time, two things which Lindy has done. "I had the butterflies, I had the nerves. I was confident in what I thought I could get a team to do and how to play, and I had a lot to learn. I knew that from Day One."

9. The Evolution

What's made Ruff be able to coach in this league for all those games? Understanding the evolution of the coaching position.
"I think that coaching is an evolution of players, of systems, of what you think would work with a team. I can say this, I was heavily criticized for defensive play at one point, I was heavily criticized because we were too offensive, and you know I think it's about striking a balance. Finding out what way your team is built, how they're built, and using your team to its strengths. And that's really what I'm trying to do here."

10. The Other Guys

Binghamton is in the house! The Devils AHL affiliate opened their training camp this week, getting ready for an early-February kick-off to their season.
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