MORNING SKATE RECAP
NEWARK, NJ. - The Devils held an optional morning skate ahead of hosting the Los Angeles Kings at the Prudential Center.
Head coach Sheldon Keefe met with the media after the skate. He noted that Jake Allen will start in goal for the team.
On Allen still being involved despite not playing as much
He’s tremendous on so many levels. He’s poised. He’s experienced, his perspective is very, very good. He’s seen it all and process things at a very high level and keep things in perspective for himself, his teammates, our team, the coaching staff. Any time you ask him questions he’s pretty dialed in and gives you honest truth in feedback. That’s really important. That comes from the experience he has. I put (Jacob) Markstrom in the same boat. To have two veteran guys like that is a great benefit for us.
On Anze Kopitar
You don’t appreciate him the way anyone who coaches him or played against him in a playoff series would. The thing that stands out to me is what coaches love in all players is consistency. The longevity of his career, he’s been the same player. Reliable, solid defensively yet poised, skilled offensively, a difference maker, big and strong, a very versatile player. There’s no coincidence he’s won Stanley Cups and late in his career has continued to be a solid player on a good team. They’re making a hard push right now, he’s certainly a leader for them.
On Kopitar and Hischier comparison
The way I just described Kopitar is the type of player we have in Nico. I think someone he should aspire to have the type of career and play the type of game that he does. The demeanor of both, I think there are parallels for sure. Those are the types of players that you want to have and that’s why you lean on them as much as you do.
On Nemec’s game
Consistency in his play. We’ve liked what he’s done offensively all season. That will always be the way his game leans, as it should because he has great abilities that way. The biggest area of focus will be on his game defensively. To make sure that things are on the positive side of the ledger in terms of what he’s contributing to the game. That will always be the challenge. He’s done a nice job. He’s got a pretty substantial lead in terms of minutes played on everybody since we’ve come back from the Olympics. He’s No. 1 on our team. That’s a sign that he’s taking steps and what he can provide for us. Some of those things pay off offensively. With added minutes comes added responsibility defensively. Matchups will get tougher. You’ll play against better players. You’ll play with more fatigue. All those things as minutes go up. Sometimes it’s gone well, sometimes it hasn’t. It’s not just for him, it’s for Luke (Hughes) as well. They’re younger guys. They’re taking steps in their game. Their offensive-leaning players, but there’s still a responsibility when you play that much to take care of the game defensively. That’s what we’re trying to manage.
On encouraging offense but teaching defense
When it’s time to defend, it’s time to defend. That’s really it. It’s not that they’re taking unnecessary risk or chances. It’s just the foundation for any young defenseman. When it’s time to defend in a 1-on-1 battle, or box our around the net front or close and take away space, you’ve got to commit to that. Some is a decision and mindset. Some of it is a skillset that has to continue to be developed. As you get guys that have been dominant all of their life offensively, they don’t have to spend a lot of time on that area of the game. And that’s usually the part of the game that requires the most attention when they get to the NHL. They’re continuing to get better. They’ve both taken great steps. Nemec in particular.
