NEWARK, NJ - "I like our d-core," said Devils defenseman Jonas Siegenthaler.
While Devils fans will have to wait to see big ticket free agent acquisition Dougie Hamilton in action, Siegenthaler will be a part of a d-grouping tonight looking to show they have improved over the off-season.
The additions of Ryan Graves and Hamilton, as well as Siegenthaler himself coming back for a fresh start with the club, and another year of development for Ty Smith, among other storylines, has the players in the locker room thinking they can be pretty darn good defensively this year.
"We're pretty solid," said Siegenthaler. "It's probably, I would say, one one of the best (d-cores) in the league and now it's all about putting it in the game and proving it."
RETURN TO DC
Siegenthaler will be heading home to D.C., where he played the first three seasons of his career before being traded to New Jersey last season.
"I'm excited to start the pre-season and play my first game," he said. "Yes, it's kind of special to go back to Washington. I haven't been there for a while and I'm looking forward to playing them tonight. I think we're well prepared. And I think the whole group is excited."
UNLEASH THE HOLTZ
Alexander Holtz will get a chance to show off the skill that made New Jersey select him seventh overall in the 2020 NHL Draft. The young sniper is playing alongside Yegor Sharangovich and Jack Hughes in tonight's pre-season game.
As for what he wants to show specifically, Holtz says it's all about the hard work.
"Mainly my work ethic," he said. "I want to compete every shift out there today… I'm going to give my best ever shifts and hope I show them what I can do out there."
Head Coach Lindy Ruff says he's been impressed with Holtz so far in his young career.
"Holtz, he's got a great shot, a great release," said Ruff. "I think he's a player that when I watched him last year, and then after he left after the season and playing some games in American League, he understood that there are areas he needed to to improve in and I think he has."
-- Chris Wescott, NewJerseyDevils.com
