10 TAKEAWAYS: Kicking Off A Unique Season

Well, now it feels like the new season is finally here!
I'm back bringing you your Ten Takeaways from the past week and I'm so excited to get it going. Every Tuesday I'll give you a rundown of important notes, observations, and even sometimes a snippet into a behind-the-scene moment from the 2020-21 New Jersey Devils hockey season.
This week was an introduction to the new NHL season, new Devils players, and just plain excitement to finally all be back together preparing for a new, unique season.
I look forward to bringing these to you all season long, so without further ado, here are my 10 Takeaways from the last week:

1. Enjoy the Ride

No matter how you slice it, it's going to be a different type of NHL season. Both within the team and as fans enjoying the games. And it's just that thought that sparked the creation of the Devils training camp moto, which will likely carry through to the season.
It was Connor Carrick who introduced us to 'eNJoy the Ride' when he stepped in front of the microphone on Media Day wearing the new shirt with the motto stretched right across his chest.
Tweet from @NJDevils: Enjoy the ride.#NJDevils | @PlymouthRock pic.twitter.com/lY566bWHRJ
So what does "eNJoy the Ride" mean?
"I like it, it's the fact that this isn't a normal year," Lindy Ruff said, giving credit to the players coming up with the concept. "And we're looking at a schedule where you can't spend too much time on what just happened, but what's going to happen next. So if we lose a game we got to move on, be ready for the next game. And we really have to enjoy where we're at. Whether that's a practice day, whether it's the game the next night, let's enjoy it and move on."

2. Nico Hoping to be Ready

It unfortunately is the reality of the situation. Nico Hischier has not been a part of the Devils training camp, recovering from a leg injury that happened in early December when a teammate in Switzerland fell on his foot while training.
But Nico remains in good spirits.
"I'll 100 percent do what I can with the trainers and staff to be ready for Game 1," Hischier said during Media Day. "Obviously working out all these months and skating, it kind of happened at bad timing, but that could be worse, too. It's nothing serious, didn't need surgery. I'm trying to stay positive and do what I can do to be ready for Game 1."
Also, of note from Nico's only meeting with the media?
He's started to learn how to properly cook over the last few months, stepping into the kitchen. And he says it was 'nothing crazy', but then went on to say he tried his hand at a cordon bleu and "it came out pretty good".
Is Cordon Bleu 'nothing crazy?'

3. Jack Picks Up Pucks

Yes, we're all very excited to see what Jack Hughes will be able to do in his second year. He's put on 14 lbs of muscle in his time off, spending time back home in Michigan, waiting for the new season.

But just because his name carries some weight, doesn't mean he's not up for the rookie treatment. After Monday's practice session at training camp, I spotted Jack, along with Jesper Boqvist as part of the puck collecting crew once practice had finished. A task reserved for the young guys on the team. Boqvist and Hughes collected at one end, while Merkley, Smith, Sharangovich, and McLeod were collecting at the other.

4. Nick Merkley Is Here

With a short training camp and jumping right into the NHL season, now is the time to make an impression, especially for the young players. Nick Merkley is certainly one of them, making his presence known during the first camp game played over the weekend.
Nick had two goals in the game, and then another during the shootout practice, the most of any player on the roster. He was noticeable at all times, and clearly developing some chemistry with Travis Zajac, who has been centering the line with Merkley and Janne Kuokkanen. Merkley only got in four games with the Devils towards the end of last season, but even then people began to take notice of his two points (one goal, one assist) in his quick stint in New Jersey.
Tweet from @NJDevils: Merkley has the moves. 😮📺: https://t.co/3ezNPetvO9#NJDevils | @PlymouthRock pic.twitter.com/hPp1qVPadd
He also hasn't been off the ice as long as some other players have been, waiting for the season to finally start. In late August Merkley packed his bags and went to Finland to play with Assat on loan and was one of the team's best performers. In fact, he hasn't played in Finland for several weeks now and he remains in the Top 5 in scoring on the Assat team. He had 13 points in 19 games.

5. I Stretch, You Stretch

Every coach has their own style while running a practice, and Lindy Ruff has changed up the way practice finishes. Over the course of my career covering NHL teams, I've seen many do this before, but I hadn't seen it on a regular basis here in New Jersey.

To end the practice, the team gathers at center ice to stretch together in a circle. In the middle of the circle is often a player chosen for some particular reason, perhaps it's their birthday, a newcomer or had a big night the night before. It now seems to be a part of the Devils practice routine on a regular basis. A couple of guys who have been selected so far are Nick Merkley, after the camp game and his three goals, and newcomers Dmitry Kulikov and Andreas Johnsson.

6. Devils on the World Stage

The World Junior tournament has to be my favorite hockey tournament there is, outside of the NHL-lead Olympics. The most immense pressure on the shoulders of teenagers, players who have to come together from different leagues in a matter of a few short weeks and get it all to work.
It's always been a part of my holiday time traditions.
This year was extra special with so many Devils prospects competing, not to mention all three first-round picks from this past draft. And now we're set up for two prospects going head-to-head in the gold medal game. That would be Dawson Mercer ('20) for Canada and Patrick Moynihan ('19).
Tweet from @NJDevils: 🇨🇦 vs. 🇺🇸Mercer vs. Moynihan#NJDevils | #WorldJuniors https://t.co/pdMGWjS0p8
Another two prospects, Shakir Mukhamadullin and Arseni Gritsyuk will play in the bronze medal game, so who is really the big winner here? New Jersey Devils fans getting to watch their prospects blossom in the elite tournament.
I'll admit you might not want to ask me who I'm cheering for in the final. I've embraced Jersey as my new home, but Canada is where I'll always be from!

7. Welcome Binghamton to Town

It won't only be the New Jersey Devils roaming around Newark this upcoming season, but the Binghamton Devils as well. On Monday, the AHL released its plan for the upcoming 2020-21 hockey year. Several teams in the American League will relocate to their NHL cities for one season only, to accommodate teams through the coronavirus pandemic and the restrictions.
Mark Dennehy and his team will be based out of Newark, playing their games on the NHL team's practice rink at RWJ Barnabas Health Hockey House.
"This decision was made in the best business interests of Binghamton while allowing the organization to continue to develop its prospects," Jake Reynolds, President, New Jersey Devils said in a statement. "Being based out of New Jersey also allows consistency with testing, monitoring, and training to be in-line with our protocols on the NHL level. All of these factors influenced the move to minimize concerns and allow the organization to have a team this year."
The Devils will play in a new 'North Division' along with the Hershey Bears (WAS), Lehigh Valley Phantoms (PHI), Rochester Americans (BUF), Syracuse Crunch (TBL), Utica Comets (VAN), and Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins (PIT).
The AHL season starts on February 5th.

8. Devil's in the … Details

I'm certainly partial, but I can't think of a harder working content team than the one we have here in New Jersey. Some of us are in front of the camera, others behind it that you might not know by face, but whose work you get to enjoy each and every day. I bring up this group of talented people because there's a new project the content team is so excited about.
Yesterday the njd.TV production, presented by Investors Bank was launched as we bring you the documentary series 'Details'. The series will give you a behind-the-scenes look at the unique season the Devils are about to embark on and you'll gain access to never-before-seen footage of the inner workings of the team.

9. Update on Jesper Bratt

One player noticeably missing from Devils training camp is winger Jesper Bratt. The restricted free agent and general manager Tom Fitzgerald continue to work towards a new contract for the 22-year-old. It's clear he is seen as a key part of the Devils future, hearing his name included by Lindy Ruff when it comes to players not currently on the ice with the team, headlined by Hischier. Tom Fitzgerald has also keyed in on Bratt as a member of the Devils future.
"It's just communication, trying to find that common ground of how to come to a deal that both sides see value in," Fitzgerald said. "But like Mackenzie, with Jesper, we see him being a big part of our future."
Bratt ended last season with a career-high 16 goals. In the final 39 games of 2019-20, Bratt picked up 12 goals and 13 assists.
"We believe Jesper Bratt is going to be part of our team," Fitzgerald said. "When that is, I don't know. I'd like it to be sooner rather than later. I'm sure he does, too.

10. Thank You

And finally, we kick off this new NHL season by offering our thanks. Thank you to all the front-line workers, essential workers and all those who have kept us safe through these last arduous months. It seems nearly impossible to know how to truly thank these wonderful people who have our communities so much, extending themselves and putting themselves at risk to care for us. Any kind of gesture seems like it isn't enough, but we try and do our part.
For our friends at RWJ Barnabas, the Devils team left messages of thanks on the back of the company logo that will be placed in the ice for the upcoming season. Have a look for yourselves.