A New Jersey Devils Olympic Preview!

In this episode of Locked On Devils, Zach Berman begins by expressing relief about focusing on the US Olympic hockey team rather than the New Jersey Devils, only to discover that both teams have been shaped by Tom Fitzgerald and Chris Drury, with a heavy emphasis on grit and physicality over skill. He humorously laments the prospect of Team USA repeating past mistakes by prioritizing toughness, doubting their chances of medaling this year, and sets the stage for a deep dive into potential head coach and GM pairings for the Devils next season. Zach Berman reviews fan-submitted suggestions, evaluating names like Jay Woodcroft, Pete DeBoer, Jamie Pushor, and Sheldon Keefe, and shares his preference for fresh faces rather than recycling organizational "boys club" candidates. The episode transitions to a discussion about the New Jersey Devils' Olympic representatives, highlighting players such as Simon Nemec for Slovakia, Jacob Markstrom and Jesper Bratt for Sweden, and several Swiss contributors like Nico Hischier, Jonas Siegenthaler, and Timo Meier. Zach Berman assesses their chances, expressing optimism about the Swedes’ strong roster—save for goaltending issues—and doubts about Switzerland’s depth, while noting Canada’s talent and goaltending questions. He expresses excitement for NHL players returning to the Olympics and reflects on former Devil Tomas Tatar's captaincy for Slovakia. Turning his attention to Team USA, Zach Berman critiques the roster construction, especially the exclusion of skilled players like Jason Robertson and Cole Caufield in favor of more physical options like Brock Nelson and JT Miller. He is critical of the management decisions by Fitzgerald, Guerin, and Drury, advocating for playing the best players instead of sticking with outdated logic. He also evaluates the lines, defending Jack Hughes's demotion to the bottom six as a healthy challenge, and discusses the strengths and weaknesses of USA’s defensive pairings and goaltending, with particular hope for Jeremy Swayman as the starter. In closing, Zach Berman laments Team USA’s potential to medal being hampered by poor roster choices and lackluster coaching options, comparing the American coaching deficit to Canada’s robust bench of elite coaches. He predicts Canada as the gold medal winner, notes Team USA might medal due to sheer talent, but expects them to be outplayed. The episode ends with a passionate call for the Devils to overhaul their leadership, rooting for Team USA in hopes of finally experiencing victory, and inviting listeners to catch him on the Olympic show for further insights. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.