PODCAST: Mike Morreale of NHL.com joins the podcast

For past podcast episodes, go to NewJerseyDevils.com/podcast
For this episode of the Speak of the Devils podcast, Mike Morreale from NHL.com joined podcast hosts Chris Wescott and Amanda Stein. Morreale has worked for NHL.com since 2008 and primarily covers the Devils, the NHL Draft, and prospects.
Morreale is currently covering one series in the NHL playoffs in addition to his work covering the prospects that make up the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. According to Morreale, this year's Draft will be filled with solid prospects.
"This draft is bountiful, there's a lot of good prospects here," said Morreale. "This is one of the best that I could remember covering in quite some time."

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SPEAK OF THE DEVILS PODCAST
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Episode 3 - Devils President Jake Reynolds on staying busy during the Pause and community involvement
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The Devils will pick 7th overall and have potential for another one or two picks in the first round depending on where some conditional picks fall. Morreale says he believes the Devils should use their first pick at number seven on a forward.
"They'll have an opportunity to get someone to rebuild at the wings," said Morreale. "Obviously they need someone to play with Nico, with Jack. And in that regard when I look at what this draft board could give or could bring to the Devils, two Swedish players off the top of my head, come to mind."
Morreale believes Alexander Holtz or Lucas Raymond could be good fits for the Devils. Morreale likes the foundation Holtz has as a player.
"A left shot center, real good foundation, goes about 6-foot 192 pounds, a strong skater who can get a hard accurate shot off from anywhere in the offensive zone."
When it comes to Raymond, Morreale believes he could be a difference maker especially with special teams.
"Raymond has that great wrist shot, a good nose for the net, tremendous asset on the power play and the penalty kill. This kid is a shorthanded goal waiting to happen every time he's on the ice with the man disadvantage," said Morreale.
In addition to his discussion on the Draft, Morreale also discussed the Devils recent hire of Lindy Ruff as the franchise's new Head Coach.
"I think Lindy Ruff is a fantastic hire," said Morreale. "Lindy's the type of coach who wants to use skills possessed by his players to own the puck, building a team that can dominate by way of speed and possession."
Ruff is known for helping players like Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn tap into their offensive power and Morreale discussed how that experience will benefit the Devils.
"With guys like Nico Hischier and Jack Hughes, those tow need to get going offensively a little bit," explained Morreale. "I think that Lindy can maybe help a Nico Hischier, help a Jack Hughes get to the levels where they want to be."
"Lindy Ruff is the type of coach that can enter a locker room, command the respect, the players know what he's all about."