Well, if you went to sleep early last night after a late puck drop, you have a lot to wake up to. The New Jersey Devils have now turned in consecutive uninspired efforts. A decided loss to the Colorado Avalanche is one thing, but for the Devils – looking to take a step from playoff to Stanley Cup contender – to fork over two points to the San Jose Sharks they way they did raises some red flags.
Head coach Sheldon Keefe had no gripe with calling out said red flags in his immediate reaction in last night’s postgame. More on Keefe ripping the Devils’ effort in the links below.
Also below, check out the newest episode of Devils Rink Report featuring Arthur Staple.
Elsewhere, another mega-extension, Patrick Roy benches his star, and Pittsburgh is changing the NHL trade market.
Let’s do that hockey.
Devils Trade Rumors & News
New Jersey Hockey Now: Zach Berman was boots on the ground for New Jersey Hockey Now last night. He explained how it was a Bay Area Bummer as the San Jose Sharks pounced on the Devils for another unspectacular loss on Thursday.
More NJHN: After the loss, head coach Sheldon Keefe pulled no punches. In explaining he’s seen inconsistencies creeping through their game as the season progresses, he called his team out on their effort level and compete.
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NHL Trade Talk, News, & National Hockey Now
Colorado Hockey Now: The Colorado Avalanche traded Mikko Rantanen so they wouldn’t have to ink another mega-deal. However, recent salary cap updates changed everything. Yesterday, Martin Necas and the Avs agreed to an eight-year, $92 million extension.
The Athletic ($): Woah. Patrick Roy is not messing around. The New York Islanders’ head coach benched Mathew Barzal last night as punishment for being late to a team meeting. More here on the incident.
Pittsburgh Hockey Now: The Pittsburgh Penguins are winning hockey games. It’s a development no one saw coming. That’s no slight to Sidney Crosby and their veterans. It’s just that the youth movement in Steel City was supposed to show regression, as opposed to progression. So, is their gain everyone else’s loss on the NHL trade market?
San Jose Hockey Now: For the first time since he was traded by the Devils to the San Jose Sharks, Shakir Mukhamadullin reacts to playing the team that drafted him in the first round for the first time.
