Devils Daily: Labanc Reunites With Meier on PTO; Flyers, Oilers Trade Partners

It’s Monday. New Jersey Devils veterans report to camp on Wednesday. It’s just two days away. Training camp is going to be fascinating. How will the new guys fit in? Who of the returning will look like they took another step in their development? Will any of the professional tryouts earn a contract?

As the days go on, the Devils have become a trendy pick in preseason predictions. Plenty of experts have the Devils competing for the Metropolitan Division title. Some even say they win it.

A quick note on Kevin Labanc. He’s reuniting with Timo Meier — formerly teammates in San Jose. While playing with Meier, Labanc had the most success he’s had in his career. Perhaps that’s part of the motivation to have him at training camp for the next few weeks. Of all the PTO candidates, he seems the most likely to win a job.

Elsewhere, is an Edmonton Oilers trade with Philly in the cards? Surprise prospects in Pittsburgh, and JVR signs a contract just before camps open for veterans.

Let’s do that hockey.

Devils News

New Jersey Hockey Now: The Devils aren’t done with PTO’s. San Jose Hockey Now heard, and New Jersey Hockey Now confirmed, that Kevin LaBanc is joining the Devils this week on a PTO.

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NHL Trade Talk, News, & National Hockey Now

Sportsnet: Veteran forward James van Riemsdyk signed a one-year contract with the Columbus Blue Jackets for the 2024-25 season.

van Riemsdyk to Columbus certainly makes a lot of sense. The Jackets still won’t win a ton of games this season, but JVR wanted to continue his career, and the young Columbus squad can learn a lot from the veteran.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: I’ve say it once, I’ll say it again. Keep up with what’s going on in the Metro. With prospect camps firmly underway, there have been a few surprises in the Pittsburgh Penguins‘ system. Here are three Penguins prospects who will arrive to the NHL earlier than anticipated. (+)

San Jose Hockey Now: Of course, what started the whole LaBanc conversation was my colleague over at San Jose Hockey Now who initially heard the former San Jose Sharks forward was signing a PTO with New Jersey.

Philly Hockey Now: In a somewhat unsurprising twist, the Philadelphia Flyers have emerged as a logical Edmonton Oilers trade partner.

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