Tom Fitzgerald Talks About The Offseason Moves Made by The Devils…Did He Achieve His Goals?

Tom Fitzgerald Talks About The Offseason Moves Made by The Devils…Did He Achieve His Goals?

Tom Fitzgerald spoke to the media and he discussed the off season so far for the New Jersey Devils was it a home run or did they miss a few pieces we have a lot to break down in today’s episode of Locked on Devils buckle up everybody you’re locked on Devils your daily podcast on the New Jersey Devils part of the locked on podcast Network your team every day hi this is Bryce Salvador and you’re locked on devil TR Matthew scor oh St stepped up nailed got the what a shot the Devils win the Stanley C all righty now what is up New Jersey welcome back to the locked on lils podcast here on lockon network I’m your host Scot hockey plub play announcer Del R pucks and pitchforks and also parttime credential Mia member Trey Matthews happy 4th of July to all those who celebrate and what better way to kick off your holiday than to be here with me talking All Things New Jersey Devils honestly I think I could come up with a few other ideas but you’re here now why don’t you stay a while in all seriousness this is my ninth episode in the past 10 days and even on a holiday the grind does not end because the New Jersey Devils continue to make moves and Tom feral recently spoke to the media as he talked about some of the changes that the Devils made whether it was via trade or free agency he gave some updates on injuries he talked about the future of the team his confidence moving forward basically there was a lot that Tom feryal discussed during his recent press conference it lasted for about 30 minutes and I want to play a few of his Clips throughout the episode and share my thoughts on the matter because Fitzgerald talked about a lot of things that I’ve talked about on this show and he sort of agreed with my mindset in terms of the success of free agency what did the Devils truly need and where the Devils go from here like I said he talked about all sorts of things I can’t touch on every single topic but just to give you guys a speedrun as to some things that you might be curious about when it comes to injuries douge Hamilton 100% Jack Hughes and Teo Meer they are on Pace to join the team come training camp cap spacewise the devils are done I think their main focus is to resign Dawson Mercer feral did say that Mercer is a part of the future plan and he basically said that Mercer’s agent and himself put the negotiations on pause because other things took priority but I think we can expect Dawson Mercer to return to the devil’s roster this upcoming season and he is satis ified with the Jacob markstrom trade because he had to think about this from an investment standpoint and he didn’t want to sacrifice too much and it seemed like he really wanted to hold on to that 10th overall pick and when contemplating who to draft he said that he ultimately settled with Anton salave because that guy is like six foot seven he skates really well and he might be an absolute gem for the Devils down the road and while was at development Camp it’ll be another two years before he actually suits up in a game for the Devils but like I’ve said in a prior episode that actually fits the window for New Jersey so some of their other young defensemen can develop like Luke Hughes shimo nemit Sant haa Sheamus Casey give those guys some time to find their footing in the NHL and then once salive is ready to come over to the states and participate in an NHL game I think those previous young defensemen that I mentioned their games are going to elevate in more ways than one all right in the first segment we’re gonna talk about the changes that the Devils made whether it was via trade or free agency then in the second segment we’ll focus on the current Devils roster Fitzgerald touched on the top six and also the playoffs and then in the third and final segment Fitzgerald said something rather interesting in terms of New Jersey being a hot destination for players because a few years ago the Devils were rebuilding and no one really wanted to come to New Jersey which made things rather difficult for the Devils to attract a bigname player I remember a couple summers ago I thought the Devils would land unrestricted free agent Johnny goodro but that didn’t come into fruition I know there’s some other narrative surrounding that matter but just giving you example that sometimes when it comes to bigname free agents or just bigname players in general New Jersey was never really at the top of anyone’s list but that changed in summer 2021 when a certain defenseman decided to sign a long-term deal and we’ll talk about that momentarily but first I want to play the sound bite that Fitzgerald discussed during his press conference in which he touched on his bucket list and did he check off all those boxes take a listen you know we had a punch list uh we wanted to go through at the end of the year when I last time I saw you guys and um and I probably was you could tell I was adamant on what kind of changes I wanted to make and um I believe we did that you know starting with you know a new coach goenda D you know revamping the defense um looking for for our bottom six to look a little bit different than vanilla I think I used before um yeah we we we’ve checked those boxes for sure and added more depth you know that’s what we wanted to do all right let’s recap he said he was looking for a coach check he got Sheldon Keefe I think that was a good hire he was looking for a goalie check Jacob markstrom more defensive depth and harder defenseman he got Brendan Dylan very physical player and Brett pesy not really the most physical guy but he certainly adds more depth and Jonathan kovich he’s pretty solid and we’ll see what happens with Sheamus Casey but he’s gonna have to start off in the AHL before he gets consistent reps at the NHL level and he also touched on the bottom six and said it was a little too vanilla and that’s why he added players like Paul cter and Stephen n two guys who can throw their weight around Cotter needs to work on being a little more consistent and then n he is the developed his game a lot the past few seasons and it was really impressive to see his growth and development because here’s a guy just a few years ago was in the AHL and he was racking up big numbers and he had to wait a while before he got his shot with the Hurricanes he took the most out of it and now he signed a three-year deal to return to New Jersey and he also touched on the markstrom discount like I said trades are an investment and I think Fitzgerald made the smart invest going for marstrom so that way he didn’t have to sacrifice too much this is something that I’ve been talking about in recent episodes The Devils did what they were supposed to do during free agency I know a lot of people wanted the Devils to go after some bigname players primarily offensive players we’ll talk more about that in the second segment because fiter also touched on that but all of the complaints that people had just this past season for devils have been fixed they needed a better goalie okay they get Jacob markstrom they needed a better Coach Sheldon Keefe while he never made it past the second round in Toronto the core for saw a lot of offensive success and the Maple Leaves had what three straight seasons in which they finished with a 100 plus points and I think shell and Keefe played a big role in that and the defense has also revamped now the Devils have more defensive minded defensemen and it can kind of balance out a little bit more similar to what happened during the 2022 2023 season because I said the Devils missed the production of Damon Severson and Ryan Graves and as for the bottom six we know that the roster kind of went down a little bit when Michael McLoud had to take his quotequote leave of absence and McLoud was a pretty decent two-way player great in the faceoffs and that sort of Shook Up The Devils a little bit and and there goes a key depth asset now you replace that with n and Carter and similar to what my buddy Jersey Joe would say the Devils added more Sasquatches and they added a lot more size I think there’s only a few players on the devil’s roster that are under six feet it was clear that the point of emphasis for New Jersey this off season was to add more physicality and to also just shake things up a little bit more and they didn’t need to go after a big offensive player because they have plenty of offense that was not the issue and Fitzy touched on that but for this offseason in particular I think Fitzgerald checked off all the boxes and he fixed all the glaring issues that the Devils had this past season would it be nice if they added Brady kachuck would it be nice if they added who else like Stephen Stam Co or Jonathan marcheso maybe even a Martin NIS sure but at the same time are those needs or are those wants because I think the Devils fixed their needs once again goal tending more defensive depth grittier defenseman and also just getting more size and scoring production on their bottom six and we’ll see where Tomas chatar slides into it feral did say that he might see Tatar paired alongside Dawson Mercer and niik heer because those three saw great success a couple seasons ago but he said that’s up to Sheldon Keith but I think the main thing for Tatar is that he has to replace the scoring production of Alexander Holtz and I know Tatar is capable of doing so if he has the right line mates and I think this system will work into tatar’s favor all right we’re gonna talk more about the current Devils momentarily but before we continue let me tell you about game time I’ve actually used the game time app before to purchase myself some MLB and NBA tickets priority last minute deals save up to 60% off buying last minute for sports concerts comedy theater and more Flash Deals save even more with exclusive inapp deals on select seats ahead of the game or event Zone deals save even more when you choose a section and let game time choose the seats all in pricing toggling this feature shows the toll upfront with no surprise fees at checkouts the lowest price guarantee or game time will credit you 110% of the difference game time ticket coverage your purchase is covered with the most flexible customer service policy in ticketing industry download the game time app create an account and use code locked on NHL for $20 off your first purchase terms apply again create an account and redeem code locked on NHL for $20 off download game time today last minute tickets lowest price guaranteed all right like I said in the previous segment there were all sorts of rumors and speculations whether there was truth to it or not that the Devils were pursuing a a big name player because Fitzgerald said he wanted to go big game hunting and basically a lot of people’s imaginations roam free people were saying that the Devils could get Brady kachuck and I said that’s not realistic or right before the draft reports were saying that the Devils were open to training away their 10th overall pick for Martin NES or once free agency Begins the Devils will talk to Jonathan maraso and Steven stos but sheral talked about the top six for the devils and here’s what he had to say I think when you look at top six um I think we have plenty top six players uh and I also think we’ve got enough complimentary top six players that can play with true top six guys and I’m not sure how many teams in the league actually have six top six guys right um so you know the Thomas the ti trade was a a player that very familiar with we know he’s played really well with top six guys on our team um so it just gives us more flexibility uh but when your phone rings like we talked earlier from Top true top six players and um you listen to them because they identified you as a team that they they think they would really fit um and then it’s a matter of working out the details of a contract I went through my punch list with you what was the one thing I didn’t talk about I wasn’t worried about offense with this group group we’ve got enough offense here uh with that being said you know a guy like Dawson Merc is going to get an opportunity to to continue to grow and and explode hopefully uh in that and then it’s by committee you’re hoping the tatars and the cters and and the N are all chipping in in that you know 15 goal to make up a goal difference but the end of the day Jack Nico teimo BRD uh more from Pat offensively um we feel we we’ll we’ll continue to get the key thing I want to highlight is that the Devils have a lot of top six options scoring was not their issue Jack Hughes jeser brat Nico heser teimo Meyer Dawson Mercer and I guess Fitzy through Andre palot into the mix but he said that Andre palot needs to have better scoring production and I think a lot of people including myself can agree with that I think Eric Holla was also an underrated scorer and Thomas Shar he was fantastic with the devils a couple seasons ago like I alluded to in segment one but the thing is like the devil’s offense is already taken care of for the most part they didn’t need to go after some of the players that I just listed because they already have some of those assets I think the key thing for some of those players that I just listed is that they have to stay healthy that’s the big thing can Jack Hughes stay healthy can niiko heser stay healthy we know that jesser brat he’s going to suit up in most if not all the games and I’ll I’ll throw in dou Hamilton into the mix as well even though he’s a defenseman douge Hamilton is capable of racking up the points and he has a wicked good Clapper offense not the issue for devils and that’s what Fitzgerald touched on and going back to what I said in segment one the Devils did a good job in terms of filling necessities and not really going after a want let me just ask you this what be cool to have stamp go marcheso NES or kachuck yes absolutely but think of it from this perspective do they need those players or do they just want those players because I know people were saying that Brady kachuck he’s a good scorer but he’s also very physical I think you could get physicality at a much cheaper clip if you ask me but that’s just my personal opinion I agree with Fitzy top six scoring in general not an issue for a Dev and then Fitzy also touched on the playoffs and how he expects this team toch together come the start of the Season Take a listen we’re just trying to take one step at a time you know playoffs is here but we need to get there first and um you every game’s a a a playoff game you know that should be our mentality to be ready for the playoffs um at the end of the day we got to get there first you know we have to get there we have to play the the right way we have to be committed we have to be connected and we have to be highly competitive um first and foremost we have to follow directions when it comes to systems we have to be trustworthy for one another um and I think now that we’ve created a more mature team um I think the the the older voices will help guide the younger guys uh to really the right way to play and I think last year um in hindsight will be the Silver Lining with these these guys um because they’re hungry our young players are hungry and they realize that they’re not getting younger they’re getting older and now is the time so we start with you know not put the cart for the horse have a great Camp great start of the season and just worry about today versus worrying about tomorrow tomorrow will take care of itself meaning the playoffs if we play the right way I see the jokes all the time Sheldon Keith being a former head coach for the Toronto Maple leaves and people are saying like the devils are never going to make it past the first round the devils are only going to see regular season success yada yada yada look if the Devils make it to the first round then they already did better compared to last year just saying because last year they missed the playoffs totally now they get back to the playoffs and if they make it past the first round and Beyond everything else is just great gravy the goal for the Devils this season is to get back to the playoffs and I’m not saying like that’s their ceiling I’m just saying right now similar to what Fitzgerald said you got to take it game by game you got to take your time with it and you need to get to the playoffs first before you see what’s left in the future but speaking of which we’ve been talking about the current assets on the devil’s roster we’ve been talking about how much potential they have but Fitzgerald said something that I think caught the devil’s discourse by storm in which he said that New Jersey is now a hot ticket in the NHL the Devils have been attracting a lot of key free agents and also trade targets and players that are willing to wave their no movement clause or no trade clause whatever the case might be in order to play with New Jersey their two goalies wave their respective no trade Clauses in order to be dealt to New Jersey Jake Allen and Jacob marstrom and Fitzy touched on that a little bit take a listen I think it started a few years back when you know douge Hamilton picked us and Andre pet picked us um we’ve drafted well uh you know when you’re drafting a Jack Hughes and an nikoi and a jper brat and then the team of Myers want to join that type of group um it’s nice it’s a nice feeling that New Jersey is a destiny for top players when your phone rings from Agents on July 1st of top players in the league um you know you’re building something here and you’re building a place where players want to come because they see they see a chance and opportunity to win the culture in New Jersey is changing in my opinion and I think it centers back to douge Hamilton and this is one of the reasons why I can’t stand people who slander douge Hamilton because without douge Hamilton there is no free agency like this without dou Hamilton there is no team oire there is no bigname asset wanting to come play for New Jersey it doesn’t happen because the Devils were struggling to attract big name players but one guy changed that a few years ago and that was douge Hamilton Hamilton had already established himself in the NHL at one point he had a legitimate chance of possibly possibly winning the Norris we knew that douge Hamilton was a very good player and he was one of the top free agents in summer 2021 and he signed a multi-year contract to play with the devils and that sort of rushed the rebuild because now the Devils have a bigname established player on the roster who was an All-Star and once again always had his name in the running for the Norr Trophy and douge Hamilton is a very good offensive minded defenseman and after that after the 2021 2022 season the Devils were linked to some bigname players albeit they didn’t get them but they still got like someone like Andre pilot who had already won two Stanley CBS Eric kala who’s been in the league for a while and let me tell you guys something Eric kala has only missed the playoffs twice in his career 2019 with the Vegas gold Knights due to injury and just this past season with the Devils he only plays on playoff caliber rosters team o Meyer being dealt to New Jersey Jake Allen and Jacob markstrom waving their no trade Clauses to be dealt to New Jersey douge Hamilton is not only just like great when it comes to playing he’s also great when it comes to marketing because I saw that he was at development camp and he and Kur Lazar did a funny skit uh revealing the devil’s schedule honestly I don’t really care for things like that I don’t really think I don’t really think too much of of schedule reveals I think it’s a bit much but I must say I had a chuckle here or there when I saw Curtis Lazar and douge Hamilton that Dynamic just revealing parts of the schedule for the Devils saying they couldn’t that Ohio couldn’t even get it right on the M then they made a joke about New York voting the best pizza based in New Jersey or that the Statue of Liberty is based in New Jersey whatever the case might be it was just it was just funny and entertaining douge Hamilton is a gem he’s a character and I will accept no douge Hamilton slander and I think we should be more appreciative as to what he’s done for the devils and I think fitsy now sees that the culture has shifted for the Devils similar to what Brendan Dylan told me a couple days ago let me know what you guys think what did you think about free agency so far for Devils what did you think of sherald’s answers I’m curious to hear your thoughts leave a comment down below if you’re watching on YouTube if you’re listening on podcast streaming service hit me up on my personal xpage app at trat 4 or the show’s xpage app at lockon Devils as for episode that’s all the time I have for you continue to stay safe have a wonderful day New Jersey go Devils I’ll catch you guys next episode thanks for listening once again

Tom Fitzgerald recently held a press conference to talk about the offseason moves made by the New Jersey Devils. He seemed to be satisfied with some of the roster changes. Especially since it fixes some necessities for New Jersey. Based on the available cap space, it seems like the Devils are done making moves for now. Their primary focus is to re-sign Dawson Mercer.

Interview soundbite: Tom Fitzgerald (Courtesy of the New Jersey Devils)

Follow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms…
🎧 https://link.chtbl.com/LODevils?sid=YouTube

Locked On NHL League-Wide: Every Team, Fantasy, Prospects & More
🎧 https://linktr.ee/LockedOnNHL

Subscribe to Locked On Devils!
Follow me on the “X” app: @treymatt4
Follow the show on the “X” app: @LockedOnDevils
Listen to Locked On Devils: https://linktr.ee/LockedOnDevils

Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!

eBay Motors: For parts that fit, head to eBay Motors and look for the green check. Stay in the game with eBay Guaranteed Fit at eBayMotos.com. Let’s ride. eBay Guaranteed Fit only available to US customers. Eligible items only. Exclusions apply.

Policygenius: Check life insurance off your to do list in no time with Policygenius. Head to policygenius.com/lockedonnhl to get your free life insurance quotes and see how much you could save.

Ultimate Hockey GM: Ever dreamed of becoming an NHL GM and managing your hockey franchise? Well now you can with Ultimate Hockey GM. It’s completely free and Locked On listeners get a 100% free boost to their franchise when using the promo LOCKEDONNHL in the game store. To download the game just visit hockeygm.app or look it up on the app stores. Ultimate Hockey GM – Start your dynasty today!

Gametime: Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNHL for $20 off your first purchase.

FanDuel: FanDuel, America’s Number One Sportsbook. Right now, NEW customers get ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY DOLLARS in BONUS BETS with any winning GUARENTEED That’s A HUNDRED AND FIFTY BUCKS – win or lose! Visit FanDuel.com/LOCKEDON to get started.

FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

Thumbnail credit: NHL

#NewJerseyDevils #Devils #NHL #TomFitzgerald #FreeAgency #Trades