Here are your links for today:
“Camp battles are one of the most interesting aspects of NHL preseasons and training camps. The New Jersey Devils don’t have many spots up for grabs heading into camp in a few weeks, but there should be a couple for some of their younger players to battle for. Johnathan Kovacevic’s injury will factor into one of the camp battles, and there could be a slot or two up front. Here are five Devils prospects/young players looking to earn a gig on the team’s opening-night roster.” [Devils on the Rush]
“Much of the narrative, even one that I’ve been pushing in my writings, surrounding the Devils this off-season is that they didn’t address their two biggest needs as an organization: a top-six winger and a third-line center. I’ve ruminated a bit, though, and I’ve changed my mind. After much deliberation, I’ve come to the conclusion that Cody Glass is a perfectly fine, if not good, third-line center.” [Devils’ Advocates]
Simon Nemec looking beefy:
Speaking of defensemen, a look at what would be good to see from each guy on the roster this season: [Infernal Access ($)]
Assessing the center talent around the league: [TSN]
“Hockey fans are bombarded with gambling logos and adverts – sometimes as often as every 13 seconds – during TV coverage of high-profile games, according to exclusive research shared with the Guardian.” [The Guardian]
A look back at the last year for the Gaudreau family, in the wake of the horrifying crash that killed John and Matty Gaudreau: “In the year since, the Gaudreau family has found flickers of light amid the darkness. NHL teams have invited Guy, a retired coach and community rink manager, to join them on the ice for practices, and countless letters from around the world — Canada to Sweden, Germany to Russia — have filled the parents’ mailbox. Meredith Gaudreau welcomed her and John’s third child in April, four months after Madeline Gaudreau gave birth to her and Matty’s first.” [The Athletic ($)]
A look at five teams that got noticeably worse this offseason: [Daily Faceoff]
Tyson Barrie heads to retirement:
Feel free to discuss these and any other hockey-related stories in the comments below.