Welcome to the 2017 preseason!
This is a busy time, with preseason games underway, rookies looking to make a name for themselves and veterans aiming to lock down roster spots. Each day, we will have all the updates of note right here.
Here is the training camp news for Monday:
Hischier to center Quenneville, Hayes for Devils in preseason debut
Center Nico Hischier, the No. 1 pick in the 2017 NHL Draft, will play between forwards John Quennevilleand Jimmy Hayes when the New Jersey Devils open their preseason against the Washington Capitals at Prudential Center on Monday (7 p.m. ET; CSN-DC, NHL.TV).
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“We went over a couple of things [at practice] today; we were working on our neutral zone forecheck and I think the coaches want to see how that looks,” Hischier said. “I’m 100 percent ready and really excited.”
Hischier had good chemistry with Quenneville at the Prospects Challenge in Buffalo earlier this month.
“He’s a great passer and he always has his head up, looking around the ice trying to find guys all the time,” Quenneville said. “He’s fast and he can be a defender and then move it. He’s exactly the kind of center any winger would want to play with.”
Defenseman Will Butcher, 22, who signed a two-year, entry-level contract with the Devils on Aug. 27, will begin the game at left point alongside Dalton Prout.
“We’re going to use [Butcher] at left and right point,” coach John Hynes said. “We know what he can do offensively and on the power play, but 5-on-5 he’s played the past two seasons primarily on the right side at the University of Denver, so I know he’s comfortable there. We’ll let him get his feet wet, and talk to him and see how things go and see where he feels most comfortable and put him in a position that will help him succeed.”
Center Marcus Johansson, whom the Devils acquired in a trade with the Capitals on July 2, will play between Taylor Hall and Kyle Palmieri. Hynes said the Devils will audition several players in that role in the absence of injured Travis Zajac, who will miss at least four months after having surgery to repair a torn left pectoral muscle on Aug. 17.
The Devils-Capitals game is one of nine on the schedule for Monday and one of five available on NHL.TV.
Here is the preseason schedule for Monday:
Hurricanes at Sabres, 7 p.m.
Canandiens at Bruins, 7 p.m.; RDS, NHL.TV
Islanders at Rangers, 7 p.m.; NHLN, MSG, NHL.TV
Capitals at Devils, 7 p.m.; CSN-DC, NHL.TV
Maple Leafs at Senators, 7:30 p.m.; SN, NHL.TV
Wild at Jets, 8 p.m.; NHLN, TSN3, NHL.TV
Flames at Oilers, 9 p.m.
Oilers at Flames, 9 p.m.
— Mike G. Morreale
