It was not a threat.
It was not a promise.
And it should scare the hell out of the rest of the National Hockey League.
Standing inside the UBS Arena visitors’ dressing room a little after 10:15 P.M. on the night of Oct. 20, not too terribly long following the New Jersey Devils’ 5-4 overtime win over the New York Islanders, Jack Hughes offered reasoned analysis on the state of the Garden State’s NHL franchise:
They can be better.
“That’s a work in progress,” Hughes said, in response to a question about the Devils’ intermittent defensive lapses against the Islanders. “We’re four games in. I don’t think we’re going to be to the best of our abilities just yet. We’re trying to get there as soon as we can. I think more of it is just like guys like myself just dialing in. We (have) really good players but we (have) to just commit to playing the ‘D’ zone. That’s something…starting with me, being the player I am, that’ll trickle down. We (have) a lot of guys who play (responsibly) in the ‘D’ zone and like I said that’s something we’ll get better at.”
That the centerpiece of one of the league’s fastest, flashiest, high-powered teams was stressing the importance of defense and his belief in his group’s ability to improve that aspect of their game should cause many sleepless nights for those employed as executives and coaches and players by the NHL’s 31 other franchises.
Four matches into a marathon spanning 82 games over five-and-a-half months is a sample size so small as to be microscopic.
But for those who view each practice, each morning skate, and yes, each game as a referendum on the state of the franchise, there was concern because the Devils had allowed 15 goals while scoring 15 goals. Although, it should be noted that the Devils, as of the time of this writing, are 2-1-1 and banked five out of a possible eight points.
Plus, in their previous game, a 4-3 loss to the reigning, defending Eastern Conference champion Florida Panthers at the Prudential Center on Oct. 16, head coach Lindy Ruff essentially benched Timo Meier, Curtis Lazar and John Marino for the third period.
“Everyone,” Ruff told reporters after the loss, “should be angry.”
Some might say that the standard has changed in Newark, and there is some truth to that. The Devils are back to their accustomed perch atop the NHL after nearly a decade of wandering through the wilderness.
But the suggestion that the standard Ruff is demanding from his team has historical ties to the ones New Jersey had in its nearly two decade run of excellence can be equally true as well.
And, finally, there is a bigger picture to consider. New Jersey is a legitimate Stanley Cup contender, and as such, organizational decision-makers have to keep one eye on the present while readying a Devils squad that has aspirations of playing into June.
So if Ruff’s criticism in late October seems unduly harsh, the possibility exists that it could pay dividends in April. And May. And perhaps June.
“That means he’s not playing very well,” Hughes said after the win over the Islanders, when asked about Meier being benched. “We brought him in here to be a big part of our team.”
And how did Meier respond?
Pretty well, all things considered.
Ruff constructed a line with Meier and Tyler Toffoli skating on Hughes’ right and left sides, and the trio had a 19-10 advantage in total shot attempts over their Long Island counterparts. In 11 minutes and 51 seconds of ice time.
That is a strong collective performance. How did Meier perform individually?
He merely finished with two assists, three shots on goal, six total shot attempts in 20:42 of ice time spanning 25 shifts.
That’ll do.
Just ask his centerman.
“Tonight (was) the Timo Meier we hope to see more nights than not,” Hughes said. (He) played really strong, powerful, skating. So I think it’s more of something for him. He (has) to–not be more consistent because he’s been a great player in the league for a lot of years–but maybe just feel comfortable here.”
That would make 31 other franchises rather uncomfortable. Which is a place that the New Jersey Devils call home.
