The New Jersey Devils 2021 season is only five games in, but there is a sense of optimism building around the team fanbase. One of the biggest reasons is how the youth has contributed to the team’s early success. Which of the youth has impressed Devils fans so far?
Jack Hughes
The first youth contributing to the early success of the New Jersey Devils is center Jack Hughes. Back in December, I wrote that Devils fans were expecting Hughes to have a much better season than his rookie campaign indicated. Their hopes seem to have been confirmed as the former first overall pick has three goals and four assists (seven points) and is a +3 through five games. But what fans have noticed is that he is playing much more confidently. Hughes reportedly focused on building strength during the longer-than-usual offseason. The training definitely shows in how he’s fighting in the corners for pucks. Hughes is also skating faster, as demonstrated in this snipe last Tuesday against the New York Rangers:
Jack be nimble. pic.twitter.com/hLfGBarVPK
— New Jersey Devils (@NJDevils) January 20, 2021
Ty Smith
The second youth contributing to the early success of the New Jersey Devils is defenseman Ty Smith. The defenseman, who the Devils drafted before Hughes, was well-regarded as one of the best in Canadian junior hockey. After a stellar career with the WHL’s Spokane Chiefs and helping Canada to a gold medal at the 2019 World Juniors, Smith cracked the lineup during training camp. The move has paid off as the young defenseman has produced for the Devils. Smith scored a goal in his first NHL game and has added five assists. He is currently fourth in overall scoring among defensemen and is a +5 in five games. In fact, he’s a game away from tying Marek Zidlicky for points in consecutive games for a rookie defenseman:
Only one defenseman in NHL history has begun his career with a longer point streak than @NJDevils rookie @_tysmith_24. #NHLStats: https://t.co/NIfWwe3bJG pic.twitter.com/uhKox4IVx6
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) January 25, 2021
Mackenzie Blackwood
The third youth contributing to the early success of the New Jersey Devils is goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood. Last season, he was pressed into action after Cory Schneider was rehabbing from off-season surgery. Blackwood overcame early struggles to finish first among rookie goaltenders with 22 wins. His efforts in net helped the Devils make a surge towards a playoff berth before the league shut down in mid-March. Acquiring Corey Crawford in free agency was supposed to give Blackwood some respite and help, but Crawford’s sudden retirement saw Blackwood being pressed into action. No matter; the young backstop currently sits fifth in the league in save percentage with .948 and is seventh in GAA with 1.90. Blackwood is currently in COVID protocol, but the Devils are confident he can get back to form after he comes out of protocol.
Mackenzie Blackwood
— Devils on MSG (@DevilsMSGN) January 20, 2021
? 47 Saves ?
Lights out.
Goodnight. pic.twitter.com/0aAXSf8ZJg
More to Come?
Additional youth could continue with the Binghamton Devils starting camp this week. Could we see more call-ups to New Jersey? With injuries and COVID concerns, it’s possible. But however you slice it, the kids are alright in the Garden State and there is reason for optimism among Devils fans.
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