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Devils Need Coaches To Teach Grit

September 9, 2021, 12:28 PM ET [18 Comments]
Sam Woo
New Jersey Devils Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
Since the Ray Shero-Tom Fitzgerald era began, the New Jersey Devils have acquired young talent through the draft using advanced hockey analytics and scouting as they started to rebuild the entire organization. Speed and skill was first addressed. But on most nights last season, opposing teams, such as the Boston Bruins and Washington Capitals, would impose their size and grit on a youthful skilled speedy New Jersey Devils team.

This past offseason saw Fitzgerald bring in both skill and size on the blueline as he promised to address the Devils problems defensively. Dougie Hamilton, Ryan Graves, and Christian Jaros was his solution to address the holes on defense. With Jonas Siegenthaler and Kevin Bahl in the mix, the Devils have good amount of size on paper. However, the Devils coaches need to teach their players grit.

It is great that the Devils have size and speed on this young team. But there was nearly zero pushback when teams impose their will on the Devils. Often times, it almost seem there was no emotion. Great teams, especially during the playoffs, have their teammates back. Yes, even in today's NHL.

You can't teach talent but you can certainly teach grit. Here's hoping that the Devils can use their size effectively to control the tempo and outcome of the game.





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Sam Woo is co-host and executive producer of the Let's Go Devils Podcast which can be heard live every Sunday at 9pm ET and Wednesday at 8:30pm ET.

You can follow Sam on Twitter: @PrimetimeSamWoo
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