MORNING SKATE RECAP
KANATA, ON – The Devils held an non-compulsory morning skate at Canadian Tire Centre in Kanata. Forwards Nico Hischier, Timo Meier and Jesper Bratt – all of whom missed Monday’s observe session – had been on the ice.
Hischier was given the day without work however Meier and Bratt got upkeep days. In accordance with head coach Sheldon Keefe, each Meier and Bratt are “good to go.”
The non-compulsory skate was nicely attended. Apart from Hischier, Bratt and Meier, the Devils additionally had Ondrej Palat, Dawson Mercer, Dougie Hamilton, Brenden Dillon, Paul Cotter, Cody Glass, Angus Crookshank, Juho Lammikko, Colton White, Dennis Cholowski and Jake Allen.
Keefe met with the media following the non-compulsory skate. Right here’s what he needed to say…
On Arseny Gritsyuk’s defensive sport:
I believe he’s carried out an excellent job. He’s been fairly constant. I believe with loads of first-year gamers, you possibly can see that the demand of the schedule can take a little bit wind out of his sails at completely different instances. You possibly can see that. He doesn’t have the identical sort of bounce offensively and defensively, and the pop in his stride. Total, he’s been a man that when he’s on the ice he’s driving issues in a optimistic course for our staff. A part of that’s he doesn’t make loads of errors defensively. He has the pace and energy to get into spots to win puck battles or deny the center of the ice. He continues to be an actual strong participant for us. Early within the season he was flying, and lot of issues had been occurring. We’ve needed to handle a few of his minutes and ensuring on the off days he’s caring for himself as a result of it’s quite a bit, particularly whenever you’re coming by that for the primary time.
On getting a powerful begin:
Typically it’s arduous when there’s one other staff on the ice. They’re attempting to perform the identical factor. The Columbus sport we had final week was an ideal indication of how we wish to begin a sport. In an ideal world the place you possibly can draw it up, that’s it. It’s arduous to duplicate that. The opposite staff is enjoying too they usually’re going to make it tougher for you. That’s the mindset. We wish to begin quick on a regular basis. On the identical time it’s a must to acknowledge that it’s a 60-minute sport and it’s a must to be in step with it. We ended up dropping that Columbus sport after getting a 2-0 lead and establishing our sport. All of that’s actually essential. It’s having the resilience to be good for 60 minutes. It’s simpler to be good for 60 for those who’re good within the first 5.
On Hamilton displaying extra offensive pop:
He’s attacked much more, shot the puck much more. We’re encouraging him to take action. He’s leaping in. The one he rips off the bar the opposite sport is classic Dougie when it comes to attacking, coming downhill, having some area to assault, taking it and ripping it. That might have been a game-altering second for that puck to fall for us. Good indicators from Dougie in that approach. He additionally had some pictures from distance that he’s attending to the online. These may also help us create extra as nicely.
On Dawson Mercer:
I believe Dawson has been good. His numbers have been good. That tempo has dropped off right here of late, however he continues to be a man that does all the pieces for us. He’s carried out an excellent job in the course of the ice. Despite the fact that we and he feels he’s higher on the wing, however he’s carried out an excellent job for us in the course of the ice after we actually need it. Defensively he’s been good. Energy play, penalty, he’s been a powerful contributor for us. He’s carried out loads of issues nicely. By 30 video games right here now, you’re feeling good with what he’s introduced forth and may construct on the remainder of the way in which.
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