Final Devils Development Camp Recap: Daniil Orlov, Samu Salminen, Charlie Leddy, & Kevin Dineen
the third and final development Camp breakdown and we still have a few more prospects to discuss lots to talk about 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 Devils with trade Matthews scores oh Steven stepped up nailed brur got the pck what a shot the Devils win the stanle all righty now what is up New Jersey welcome back to the locked on no podcast here on locked on network I’m your host College hockey club play announcer Del R puug pitchforks and also parttime credential me member Trey Matthews the third and final part of my development Camp series and we have a few more more prospects to break down as some of you might already know to close out development Camp the prospects put on a three onree tournament in front of the season ticket holders I had the pleasure of covering development Camp last year in person it was a lot of fun however it was a little hard to break down because of course the game is going to be a little rusty or it’s going to be a little slow however you want to describe it is because these are prospects going head-to-head and they only had a few days to build chemistry with one another and this is just like an over glorified practice if we’re being completely honest but once again not to diminish development camp and its significance it gives prospects a chance to get their feet wet in terms of the NHL lifestyle and I can’t really talk about the three on- Three Tournament because I wasn’t really there however there are some prospects that can talk about it and that’s what we’re going to discuss in today’s episode will also hear from Kevin Denine I spoke fondly of Kevin Denine in Prior episodes I remember a couple years ago when people were really pushing for Lindy Ru to be fired at the end of the 2022 season uh I said maybe Kevin Denine could be an option that was so long ago and people were like no let’s not keep it in house let’s find somewhere else but digressing a little bit let’s get back to rounding off development Camp the first Prospect I want to talk about Joseph Stanis law AKA Jersey Joe texted me last year and was alerting me saying keep an eye out for this particular Prospect as we all know Jersey Joe is high on certain prospects and he covers them for draft Pro Hockey check out some of his work he’s also a colleague of mine over at pucks and pitchforks but who is this prospect that Jersey Joe was telling me to keep my eye out for denil orov a left-handed defenseman from Russia standing 6’1 weighing 196 PBS The Scouting Report according to Elite prospects the best part of his game was his defensive footwork in Closeouts he’s smooth he’s purely a defensive defenseman who can make OneTouch rims to teammates this past season while playing in the KHL he appeared in 60 games he had two goals five assists for a grand total of seven points he appeared in five playoff games and he also had a couple stints for the vhl and M shell orov was drafted in the fourth round in the 2022 draft and here’s what he had to say shortly after the three Onre tournament during development Camp most of last season you were in the KHL what did you learn about that experience yeah it was uh cool experience I have uh bad moments in my game I have uh good moments in my game but I learning and learning every day something uh with uh good players I was played in my team uh maybe you know ialch it was play uh New Jersey Lil but I mean uh I have not good season I uh want to be better in next what do you want to improve improve uh I mean my mentality uh I want to go to next level in my skating in my hands and my vision uh to eyes and uh I want to go to next level in my mentality uh it’s uh for me uh very very GL main what did you learn about how to be a professional athlete in the KHL and in in this G actually I learning uh every day uh something uh for me uh I have uh for me English is very difficult uh language but I learn in him uh I learn in communication with players uh with staff uh uh learning compete and uh maybe something on I uh uh coach staff uh every day uh talking with me in my skate in my shoot and uh I mean it this what’s next what are you planning where are you planning to play next season next season in KL spartac Moscow I hope I uh be I will be working in every day so my dream in play playing NHL still got a couple more prospects to break down but before we continue let me tell you about game time I’ve actually used the game time app for to purchase myself some MLB and NBA tickets save up to 60% off buying last minute for sports concerts comedy theater and more with priority flash deal 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 let game time choose the seats all in pricing toling this spe future shows the 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he’s every bit the credible shooting threat without the puck as he is with it he stands 6 fo2 weighs 185 pounds he plays center and left wing he was drafted in 2021 in the third round and he hails from Finland we all know that the Devils love their finish players like I said he’s committed to play at the University of Denver however he last played for Yukon appearing in 35 games seven goals 10 assists for a grand total of 17 points we’ll see how he fares with the reigning national champions but without further Ado here’s what Sal minan had to say to the media shortly after the three Onre tournament so you’ve played in college hockey a couple years there how has that increased the level of your game that experience uh just like of course for the European player when you come to North America like the ring is different like the hockey is different like it forced you to make like changes in your game and last two years like taught me really well in some areas like some different things how to like get into the pro level and what are the like main things that I probably missed before coming uh coming here in like when I played the juniors in Europe and stuff so it’s like it’s I think it’s like good for my own develop development I like for like I recommend it for a lot of guys who uh young guys from the Europe so it it gives you like different perspectives and stuff but it’s good what’s the biggest changes you felt with the game or with how you played in that game uh of course the game is way faster though like we because the ring is smaller we play way more like next to boards you don’t have that much time you need to like use your empty space way better like of course the defense play like it happens everywhere it’s not only just like at dzone it’s it’s for check new on everything’s back checking like it’s it happens a lot often kind of when you look at your development over the past couple of years where do you think the specific things you want to focus on are this season what are the things you’re working on this offseason oh I’ve going to new place where a great culture and uh lot of great players for every spot just like get myself like worse wor aity for to play every kind of roles and to help team with an uh not only offense just the defense and play just a kill penalties and stuff like that just just get myself to be uh ready to like consistently like work on hard and like be kind of like Relentless mind this a new group here at development camp this year what did you think at the compete level what did you think of just being able to play against these players oh it was unbelievable I think there’s unbelievable balance between like hard work and we had really fun here like lot of fed players who work hard and like everybody wants to like go through their dreams so I think it’s like awesome week and then just looking forward what are your plans for next season just settle down for like uh good culture good organization where I can like uh help the team win every single night and like get myself better as a person as a hockey player and just yeah simply as that though while we’re on the subject of prospects who are committed to play for former national champions let’s talk about Charlie Ley similar to cam Squires I actually did a one-on-one interview with lety last year during development Camp I really enjoyed his presence he was a phenomenal speaker he’s committed to play at Quinnipiac University they won the national championship last year he last played for Boston College appearing in 39 games and registering eight points all of them being assists and Ley is a right-handed defenseman he was drafted in the fourth round in 2022 by the Devils here’s a scouting report on Charlie Ley he outweights four Checker steps to the inside and then makes the pass when not possible he skates away from his passing Target to encourage a four Checker to chase then passes cross ice I think Scouts rave about his passing abilities lety stands 6 fo2 weighs 185 pounds and he hails from Fairfield Connecticut so since he’s committed to play at Quinnipiac technically he’s going back home he’s goingon to play for his hometown State all right here’s what lety had to say to the media shortly after the three Onre tournament take a listen can you just give us a synopsis of what this couple days meant for you all and how do you feel it helped raise the level of the devil’s prospects uh yeah to all of us I I think it’s somewhat of a confidence B you know being here you know being selected it’s it’s a privilege and we’re all grateful for that but I think coming back to these camps is just like reminder of what this place is special place it’s a fun place to be you know like we all look forward to coming to years so I think that’s kind of what it means to all these guys to have this during the summer to have a checkpoint like this where you’re able to get NHL resources you’re able to see your own development by playing against some good players how does that really help set up your second half of the off season yeah you kind of just know what you need to do for the rest of the summer to go and um you know these kids play like I play against a bunch of these kids they all play against each other you know so going back and just seeing where the top guys are you know you kind of need you know what you need to do the rest of the summer to be ready to go once the season starts looking at that last season for you at BC where do you feel like your game took another step what do you still want to work on this off season yeah I feel like my game took another step with the defensive level you know I’ve always been a defensive guy but I felt like I was able to move and kind of open up and stay with guys easier and you know another expect of a game I’m looking to improve still is you know just like confidence in the offensive stuff like just being able to join the rush like freely and you know having the privilege to go up there and do that what has the experience been like to be able to see these guys that you normally play against but now you’re together and you’re able to support each other because even though this is a development Camp it’s still a high pressure situation you still want to have the best foot so how is that relationship allowing you all to lean on each other over this Camp yeah I know it’s a fun time like the other day we were at the Jets facility like playing 757 football and it was like one of the most competitive things I’ve done so you know I that trans over to the games here like you obviously one you want to impress everyone here you’re at a camp where you would want to do that but two like you know you have respect for these guys you think they’re good players and you just want to compete with them and have fun with them you know they’re fun guys to go out there and just battle with so that’s all I got and then just looking at that scrimmage 3v3 but it was super competitive the entire time what are just your first takeaways from that experience yeah some takeaways would be kind of just you know how how good everyone is like just making like little simple plays you know slipping pucks to the middle like quick releases just turning and being able to go right to the Nets and you know kind of seeing that from a different style of kind of hockey as in college where it’s a lot harder and more like you know you have some skill teams that do that but like a lot more harder and just grinder work like it’s pretty impressive pretty cool to see like everyone’s Styles you know all the different European nations and Canadian and American guys come together so yeah okay to close out development Camp breakdown part three we’re going to hear from Kevin Denine who is the head coach for the UDA comments last year we the media had the chance to speak with Megan Dugen as she was present for development camp and spoke to the media for a lengthy period of time this time around it is Denine I’ve told you guys that I’m actually a big fan of Kevin Denine Ben Bernell who’s appeared on this show he covers the comments exclusively he told me that Denine gives his players a Long Leash that’s why somebody like Alexander Holtz now former New Jersey Devil turned Vegas gold Knight his numbers were much better in the AHL than they were in the NHL which goes to show that I think Holtz still had some untapped potential but nonetheless let’s hear from Kevin Denine take it away new Talent some returning Talent two of the players that you saw for the first time with UDA villan and Chase Filman what did you see out of there last season well I I just feel like there’s a lot of maturity to uh that’s what’s so enjoyable about uh following these young players and getting involved with their development you get to see them grow up from you know young men into uh high-end hockey players and uh you just see I mean it’s not a long thing over a couple months all of a sudden I just see a little bit of difference in their game their composure uh just kind of their stature the way they carry themselves so uh always very enjoyable and to watch uh you know specifically players that we worked last year with uh you know a topus villain and and Stiller are two guys that stuck out for me what’s stuck out about their performances well I think again just uh that there’s a lot of areas that you know I’m talking like I talked to my kids you harp on them a lot and you say a lot of things you never know how much is sinking in at times and then you see them out here uh over the last two days and it’s like all right you know taking a little bit of a leadership role and making strides in their own personal games that uh that uh make you feel not only are they listening but U uh exactly what you expect High achieving young individuals there’s a lot of drafted kids who are stronger more physical taller what are you just seeing on the development of the farm system and the prospects that are here at Camp well I think it’s an exciting time uh for the devil’s organization because it uh certainly will I think every one of our draft picks other than one is here from uh uh the draft in Vegas last week and now uh you get to see them live uh there are a lot of big kids in there man uh they are they are a large uh strong looking individuals and I think that’s uh is something I wouldn’t say it’s an exact type we’re looking for uh but but certainly some powerful um uh talented players and uh it’s uh uh early in their development stage but uh it’s it’s nice to lay eyes on him you know you know uh Chase’s dad and how he played the game does he have does he resemble dad and how he plays being that that hardworking type of athlete out there on the ice yeah Chase is a guy that uh he’s very sincere about how he goes about his business he’s a hardworking kid he’s on the ice early wants to take strides to get better he’s had some injury challenges uh that’s part of the package when you play the game the way he does which is uh uh there’s not too many confrontations or hard areas that he is shy away from so uh that’s going to be part of the package for him but uh for him to be an impactful player I think he realizes exactly how he has to play and sometimes it’s not going to show up on the score sheet but uh given his skill set and the way he’s uh uh moving forward uh we’re really excited that he’s going to be a uh a long-term contributor here in Newark coach who was one player who maybe you hadn’t seen before you know the past couple of days that you were excited to get your hands on and work with well it wasn’t anybody I mean obviously our first rounder this year Anton is a uh uh there’s a uh stature that you notice right away obviously uh but to see him out on the ice and see some of his skill set you go okay you know it’s not only a size thing there’s a uh um the way he handles a puck the way he shoots the puck and just a kind of a youthful enthusiasm that he carries out there just these little drills that we’ve been doing uh you know he scores a goal and there’s a little celebration so there’s a I guess what you call Lust For Life and there’s just a uh uh uh uh something that just really bodess well for his future so he certainly sticks out he’s just 17 years old what is there anything about his game that you look at and you say it’s looks a little more mature than him just being a 17y old I I like you know we talk about his size and his ability to escape but the way he shoots a puck you know it’s got some extra zing on it I think he rang one off the crossbar and it almost hit the roof here after it was like okay that thing add some momentum to be able to get that high so uh I think it just says that uh there’s some some untapped strength in that that body of his and uh like you say 17 literally between 17 and 19 is such a huge difference so there’s a lot of growth both physically and uh maturity but uh to me I just look at it and I say oh there’s a guy that’s just really passionate about what he’s doing right now and at the end of last season you got Dylan went late um what are you excited about with him what did you see from him and what are you looking forward to well Dylan as advertised is a guy that uh uh just he plays the game incredibly hard I think uh the areas that we’ve talked about is getting a little more comfortable in the puck area when he’s around uh uh whether it was in not as much in the confrontation side but got an opportunity when he’s got it and Tred to create some offense on that but uh uh I think his his um physicality and his understanding uh the small snapshot we saw of him in uut last year is he’s going to be a player that’s uh is really going to have to play a game that um may not U uh put him at the top of the stats but uh it’s going to be impactful player for our team uh by going out there playing the right way playing hard and being hard to play against Kevin I’m just I’m curious your thoughts on uh what Tom has done here uh since in the off season I guess the past three months in creating a bigger stronger uh Team here to surround this young talent that they have right right it starts in that you know I had uh I had Jacob marks from right about this I think he was about 19 years old when we were in in Florida and he was uh just kind of earning his way into the NHL and it’s amazing how quickly those years skipped by uh great composure are great size you look at what we’ve done on the back end with uh our defensive additions uh I think uh it just gives some of our younger players a little more breathing room as far as their development and uh uh gives you a little protection as far as you know the the type of ice time that they’re logging so uh great moves all around uh good additions it um you know uh I think from my Years playing against New Jersey I’m looking in the background I got to stare at that Stevens and danaco fraking big old things over there and I know it’s always buil big and hard right that’s the way it is around here so uh I think that’s a formula that looks very familiar right now I’m curious your thoughts on what you thought of Shimon uh his first year because you played such a huge role giving him a PK time to to get him adjusted to that defensive type of system that role that they would want here you think of shimone his well it’s his second year right right CU he had a full year didn’t get a game in in New Jersey and Hey kid second and pick overall it uh it spells the commitment that we make as an organization to development that we’re not going to put players in positions that uh uh they are uh going to get exposed or or or maybe stunt their growth a little bit so it was literally almost a year and a half before he got his first NHL game and then it was like Hey kid kid ready let’s go I was excited right from the get-go I thought he had a a great start I know uh the coaching staff here was very pleased with the way he was playing early he had some hiccups and burps along the way like um all young kids do but he’s uh he’s just a real Dynamic stubborn he really is and uh he’s a he’s a hard kid he’s a very very mature kid you know he’s been living by himself for a number of years from just a young man but uh he’s the kind of guy that you really look forward to watching his career uh not only at the beginning here but as it’s going to evolve I know I say that a lot but I really do believe uh that he’s going to be a a long hard stalard uh on the blue line for the Devils another defenseman in this Camp Sheamus Casey what have you learned about his game well I I think it’s Sheamus’s the coming out of I had a good conversation with him yesterday and uh about the decision making to leave College it’s not easy right I mean he’s in one of the best schools in the nation it’s uh enjoyable they’re successful on the ice there’s so many good things that go along with his uh situation at school but at the end of it you’ve got to make hard decisions to move on and uh he he made that decision he’s come in we’ve made some defensive moves I I don’t think that that’s frustrated him I think uh there’s a uh obviously a skill set on the offensive side of things that uh uh don’t stick out in a camp like this it’s not really based on scrimmage and but uh he has a skill that uh composure the uh uh the ability to make plays Under Pressure that uh uh that we’re excited to seeing at the pro level playing against uh men and professionals and uh it’s early in his career and we’re looking forward to seeing him in Buffalo at rookie camp and uh going to the main camp and uh and off we go on your professional career also how important is building AHL depth in addition to that NHL depth and what does that do for the overall development of the players that eventually come up I don’t think it goes unnoticed doesn’t go unnoticed by our fan base I mean it’s important you know udak is a long proud uh um franchise that wants to have good teams there and I think when you see the moves that were made by the devils in the last couple weeks uh there’s an understanding that uh there is that’s impactful on how our roster is uh put together as well so uh it’s a it’s a huge factor I think uh uh Fitzy certainly understands that uh I think he’s proven that with a guy like you know nich and then signing guys whether it’s AJ Greer a few years ago that uh has gone on to a successful NHL career you know it’s good stuff you got Holtz you got Zetterberg and zeter Lind two Swedish meatballs there they uh are off and they’re in other organizations now but uh you know you always wish wish players that you had and um uh that’s that’s part of the process is uh having a good quality American League team I hope you guys enjoyed my three-part Series in me giving you guys scouting reports and playing media availabilities from development Camp the future NHL stars maybe we’ll we’ll see I’m not a fortune teller but I usually like to call them the NHL stars of tomorrow and you have no idea who might blossom into something special but it’s nice when prospects just come under the the same roof and participate in these activities put on a show for the season ticket holders and I had a lot of fun at development Camp last year meeting some of y’all who were fans of my show and I can’t thank you guys enough once again I apologize if this is not as authentic as it was last year but I stuck to the same format but like I said I wasn’t really there at the RWJ Barnabas Health hockey house to record an episode from their respective Press Box give you guys scouting report and me actually recording and using my microphone to talk with some of the prospects just based on how the scheduling turned out couldn’t come into fruition but thank you for being patient and thank you for sticking by me just had to make do with what I got as for this episode that’s all time I have for you like I do to close out every show kue stay safe have a wonderful day New Jersey go Devils I’ll catch you guys in the next episode thanks for listening once again
This is the final part of my New Jersey Devils Development Camp breakdown. Today’s episode features media availabilities from Daniil Orlov, Samu Salminen, Charlie Leddy, and Kevin Dineen.
Interview soundbites: Daniil Orlov, Samu Salminen, Charlie Leddy, and Kevin Dineen (Courtesy of the New Jersey Devils)
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