Todd Cordell: Takeaways from the New Jersey Devils preseason openers

I saw some of Nico, he def. is stronger with the puck and protecting it. You said it best about Nico, his play shows he is ready to take off.

I can't believe the team we have.

I think both Hirschier and Bratt look ready to take off. Shero is going to have his work cut out next offseason with their contracts up.

Watched the Bruins game. Subban looked like classic Subban, for better or worse (controlled the puck a ton, dangled around Bruins, but also definitely turn-over prone). Overall was very impressed by him.

Hughes was quiet in the first half of the game but electric in the second half of the game. His chemistry with Gusev seems insane for this being their first game ever played together. I know Hynes likes to think in pairs rather than full lines, seems likely that pair 1 is Nico-Hall and pair two is Hughes-Gusev, and maybe the third player on each line gets played around with a bit.

Bratt looked great, hopefully him being a year older + the potential that he's playing against softer competition in a bottom-6 role versus a top-6 role leads to him having a big year.

that Hughes pass, Wow. The devils should be a treat to watch this year.

Finally starting to get exciting for us Devils fans! We have some unreal talent now we just gotta see how many wins it translates to.

On a side note I watched both games and thought Blackwood looked good. He let in 2 but I dont think there was much he could do on the first. He did look big, quick and like an NHL goalie so im pumped to see him get some hype this year as well !

Would of been awesome to see Baddock break Domis face like he did to deslourier (sp? ) a year ago but good on him for showing restraint lol Gabriel would of went nuts and might of cost us a pp!

Would of been awesome to see Baddock break Domis face like he did to deslourier (sp? ) a year ago but good on him for showing restraint lol Gabriel would of went nuts and might of cost us a pp!
- Devilish4

Baddock was a beast that shift.

Watched the Bruins game. Subban looked like classic Subban, for better or worse (controlled the puck a ton, dangled around Bruins, but also definitely turn-over prone). Overall was very impressed by him.

Hughes was quiet in the first half of the game but electric in the second half of the game. His chemistry with Gusev seems insane for this being their first game ever played together. I know Hynes likes to think in pairs rather than full lines, seems likely that pair 1 is Nico-Hall and pair two is Hughes-Gusev, and maybe the third player on each line gets played around with a bit.

Bratt looked great, hopefully him being a year older + the potential that he's playing against softer competition in a bottom-6 role versus a top-6 role leads to him having a big year.
- MannySilvers

The thing that impressed me most about Subban was his awareness on the breakout. He always knew when to rush up the ice and when to spin, get the defender off and reset. Every time. You'd think someone like that would just be full speed ahead all game, but it was good to see.

It's great to see McLeod bounce back. I don't think he has much chance of breaking into the lineup on opening day, but there will be plenty of chances down the line.

It's preseason and it's split squad action so nothing to get crazy about; but it sure beats struggling.

Go Devils!

Hughes is damn good man. I think you guys got a legit generational star here.

How was Gusev? He played, I assume?

How was Gusev? He played, I assume?
- Hesh_

Hughes and gusev look like Mcdavid and Leon. No joke.

How was Gusev? He played, I assume?
- Hesh_

Great hands in tight. A ton of patience. Great vision and passing ability. Seemed like he didn't make a mistake all night apart from not potting that pass from Hughes.

Exciting times boys, can't wait for the season to start!

Why is subban in a bath with hall tagged? Think it was an Instagram post

Why is subban in a bath with hall tagged? Think it was an Instagram post
- dmarsden2988

Great question, next question.

Hughes is damn good man. I think you guys got a legit generational star here.
- Burkefection

Hughes is going to have us jonesing for hockey every single night we dont play lol we are hooked!

The Montreal winning goal was a shorty with 2:30~ left to play and a minor leaguer burning Palmieri and Severson.

Some off-season wrinkles to iron out!

I'm trying not to read too much into the score sheet. It is great to see Hughes scoring, but the majority of the people he skated against last night will not be in the NHL come October. I am however very excited to see how well Hughes and Gusev seemed to predict each other's actions. They seem to play off of each other as if they've skated side-by-side for 3 or 4 seasons. I really can't wait to see how that relationship develops. I also can't wait to see which player ultimately fills out the third slot on that line.

And once again everyone sleeps on Boqvist

I'm trying not to read too much into the score sheet. It is great to see Hughes scoring, but the majority of the people he skated against last night will not be in the NHL come October. I am however very excited to see how well Hughes and Gusev seemed to predict each other's actions. They seem to play off of each other as if they've skated side-by-side for 3 or 4 seasons. I really can't wait to see how that relationship develops. I also can't wait to see which player ultimately fills out the third slot on that line.
- WayneZ

Pre season is what it is im glad he us producing so we dont have to sit here and go hes a bust he isnt producing in meaningless games. I look at it as just another test he has passed and if you lead up to the start of the nhl season passing every test put before you it bodes well.

He looked unreal at the program and he looked very good for what little oppertunity he got at the world championships and he looked good at the prospects tourny and now he is looking good in preseason so each one of those us a step up in competition and he isnt slowing down at each new level.

And once again everyone sleeps on Boqvist
- cu45161

I dont think anyone is sleeping on him at all he looks great just he didnt score and we are seeing some other guys for the first time so its not that he is being over looked more so then it is he needs to be praised every single time.

He didnt do much to change opinions so why not mention a couple who havent been mentioned ? Like Bratt, Gusev and blackwood? Hughes got brought up because he had 2 goals and likely could of gotten 4 points had some hit on his set ups.

I saw some of Nico, he def. is stronger with the puck and protecting it. You said it best about Nico, his play shows he is ready to take off.

I can't believe the team we have.
- Leniwm1

*strength means nothing in hockey*

*strength means nothing in hockey*
- MartysBetter88

I think Im moving back to jersey next year, so I'll be getting season tickets next season!