The New Jersey Devils will have some decisions to make this Monday before the 5 p.m. roster deadline. When they traveled to Europe to play in the Global Series, the Devils were allowed to bring a few extra players and did not need a 23-man roster. Now that they are returning to start the season on October 10th against the Toronto Maple Leafs, they will need to get down to 23 players. However, do not expect Seamus Casey to be left off the roster for the home opener.
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Casey made such an impact during the preseason that the Devils had no choice but to bring him to Czechia for the two games against the Buffalo Sabres. He played in both games and did not look out of place. Casey averaged around 13 minutes of ice time, including leading one of the Devils’ two power-play units. What was more impressive, with the Devils trailing 1-0 in Game 2 against the Sabres, was that he used his skill and skating ability to record his first NHL goal.
SEAMUS CASEY ?
His first NHL goal in just his second NHL game! #NHLGlobalSeries
??: @NHLNetwork
??: @Sportsnet or stream on Sportsnet+ ➡️ https://t.co/4KjbdjVctF pic.twitter.com/SVidpVSCWZ— NHL (@NHL) October 5, 2024
With the Devils on the power play, he used a quick toe drag similar to Cale Makar to get the Buffalo defender out of the shooting lane and rip one past Devon Levi. Not only was it his first NHL goal, but his first NHL point as well.
The second-round pick (46th overall) from the 2022 NHL Draft has shown his ability to be the puck-moving defenseman the Devils have needed for a long time. Playing college hockey the last couple of seasons at Michigan helped his development, but for a player who was pegged for the AHL this season, he has put in the work to stick around. And with the injury to Luke Hughes, Casey knew it was his time to step up.
“This has been and incredible way to start, I just want to keep going wherever that may be,” Casey said post-game. “This is what my goal was, to try to come into camp, make the team and see where it went from there and just play my game.”
With Seamus Casey’s play, the Devils will have some questions to answer, mainly on the defensive side of the puck. This is an excellent problem to have. Not to mention Johnathan Kovacevic‘s play. He was brought in as a depth defenseman and will certainly stick around. So, where do the Devils go from here?
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According to PuckPedia.com, both Brett Pesce and Luke Hughes are on IR. The question is whether Pesce is healthy enough for the home opener. They will determine what they do with him. Pesce is still recovering from foot surgery and has been skating in Newark. There is an expectation that Pesce is close to returning to play. Luke Hughes will not be ready for another five to seven weeks with his left shoulder injury.
According to PuckPedia.com, Shane Bowers, Colton White, Topias Vilen, Adam Beckman, Josh Filmon, and Nolan Foote are the players in question listed as non-rostered. The most likely outcome for most of these players will be the minors for the October 10th opener. Even with Santeri Hatakka hurt, he was listed as non-rostered. He will likely begin the year on IR in the AHL, too.
Sheldon Keefe Keeping New Jersey Devils Defensively Accountable
But when everyone is healthy on defense, the Devils will have some decisions to make. If Seamus Casey continues to play at this high a level, it will give the Devils options on defense. We know Dougie Hamilton, Jonas Siegenthaler, and Brenden Dillon are maintains. Where does Nick DeSimone fit in the mix? However, if the team is rolling, how do they break up the combinations they have right now?
But it does give head coach Sheldon Keefe the option to rest his young defensemen, Hughes, Simon Nemec, and Casey, later in the season. One thing is clear: Seamus Casey is sticking with the Devils for the long term.
