KEEFE AVAILABILITY RECAP
NEWARK, NJ - For the Devils’ young players, the opportunity to make an impression starts immediately.
Anton Silaev and Seamus Casey are among those in the lineup for this afternoon’s preseason opener against the New York Islanders at Prudential Center. With a shortened training camp leaving less time for evaluation, head coach Sheldon Keefe wants players competing for jobs to make every opportunity count.
Keefe said the condensed schedule has accelerated the process of bringing the NHL group together, including getting into special teams work at Saturday’s practice. But he believes the biggest challenge falls on the players trying to earn their place.
“There’s just not as much time to make decisions,” Keefe said.
The lineup brings together players at different stages of that process.
“Some guys are here to gain some experience, some guys are pushing for the roster, some are preparing for the regular season in the NHL, and some are pushing for call-ups coming out of the AHL,” Keefe said.
SILAEV GETS HIS OPPORTUNITY
Silaev will get an early opportunity to show the coaching staff how his game translates to the NHL preseason, skating alongside Vladislav Kolyachonok.
The young defenseman already has two rookie games behind him, something Keefe believes should help him enter Sunday’s matchup with a little more familiarity and game readiness.
“You just want to give him an opportunity to play, get right to it,” Keefe said.
Silaev’s experience playing professionally in Russia also provides a foundation as he adjusts to his new surroundings. For Keefe, Sunday offers a chance to see him put that experience to work with the Devils.
“He’s coming from a very good professional league over in Russia,” Keefe said. “It’s a good chance for us to evaluate him here in our environment.”
CASEY’S CALLING CARD
Casey will be paired with Ethan Edwards, with Keefe encouraging the young defenseman to trust the skill that allows him to make a difference with the puck.
Asked about Casey’s opportunity coming off an injury, Keefe said he wants him to play confidently and consistently give the coaching staff reasons to notice him.
“Keep showing up on the clips, keep making plays, keep getting noticed with the opportunities that you get,” Keefe said.
Casey’s development will include continued work on his defensive game, but Keefe wants that growth to come alongside the offensive instincts that make him effective.
“As he continues to mature as a young defenseman, he’s going to improve in the areas we want him to improve on with his defensive play and such,” Keefe said. “But his calling card is how he can impact the offense. So, go out and be confident and free and make some plays.”
TODAY'S EXPECTED LINEUP
David Rittich is scheduled to play the full game in goal, with Jakub Malek also dressing.
Up front, Amadeus Lombardi will skate on the left side of Cody Glass and Connor Brown, continuing the combination used during the opening days of camp.
Lenni Hämeenaho will line up alongside Riley Tufte and Colin White, while Matyas Melovsky centers Ben Steeves and Xavier Parent. Shane Lachance and Cam Squires flank Ryan Schmelzer.
Brenden Dillon and Declan Chisholm round out the defense pairings.
Looking ahead, Keefe anticipates both Jake Allen and Nico Daws seeing action in the next preseason game, with each potentially getting a full game later in the schedule.
Forwards
Lombardi - Glass - Brown
Tufte - White - Hämeenaho
Steeves - Melovsky - Parent
Lachance - Schmelzer - Squires
Defence
Dillon - Chisholm
Edwards - Casey
Silaev - Kolyachonok
Goaltenders
Rittich
Malek
