Seamus Casey Impresses Devils Superstar & Coach in Roster Spot Bid

After Wednesday night’s 5-3 loss to the Washington Capitals, the New Jersey Devils are 0-3-0 in the preseason. Head coach Sheldon Keefe wasn’t necessarily happy with the Devils’ effort either. However, what Keefe did like was Seamus Casey, who had a very strong game as he makes his case to make the final Devils roster.

READ: Devils Postgame: Keefe Ticked With Soft Effort, Defense Too Loose

Casey played in his second game in as many nights on Wednesday.

One day earlier, Casey played in Montreal when the Devils traveled north to face the Canadiens. Paired with Topias Vilen, Casey displayed a strong all-around game from the blue line that impressed coach Keefe. As a result, the Devils head coach wanted to get another look at Casey on Wednesday against the Capitals, this time next to Daniil Misyul.

The 20-year-old defenseman justified Keefe’s desire to see him play an additional game, finding another level as one of the best — if not the best — Devils player on the ice Wednesday.

“Despite it being back-to-back [nights] and travel and all the other things we might look at for some guys in a situation like this, [Casey] thrived,” Keefe explained. “So, I was thrilled with his game, and it was a no-brainer to put him out late in the game.”

Of course, Keefe is talking about when the Devils pulled Jacob Markstrom while down two goals with over four minutes left to play.

As part of the six-man unit that featured the Devils’ top stars, Casey was chosen to quarterback from the blue line.

Justifying Keefe’s choice yet again, Casey dished a primary assist to Jack Hughes, who scored to bring the Devils within one goal.

“Yeah, I’ve watched a lot of him over the years,” Hughes said to New Jersey Hockey Now. “I thought he had a great game. He moved the puck well, defended hard. He’s a really good skater. I was honestly surprised with how good he was tonight.”

Tuesday’s loss to the Canadiens was to be expected. Keefe deployed a roster of players who were mostly made up of Utica Comets-bound players, except one forward line and a handful of defensemen. Regardless, Casey began to separate himself from the those considered AHL players and started to make a case for himself as an option for the 2024-25 opening night roster.

With an even stronger performance on Wednesday, Casey only strengthened his argument by proving he could hack it with the NHL locks.

“As a coach, especially a guy coming in trying to learn who everybody is and what they can do, you’re just watching. And, each day [Casey’s] just getting better and better,” Keefe started.

“I wanted to play him again here tonight with more of our NHL guys in. I think the skill sets match up really well. And if he showed enough positive things yesterday, that he certainly earned an opportunity to play in the game here today.”

Casey was certainly exceptional on Wednesday. He walked the blue line really well offensively, distributed the puck, created chances, skated well in transition, and defended well in the neutral and defensive zone.

Whereas before training camp, Casey was projected to start the season in the AHL to sharpen is game in his first professional season, things have since changed.

The Devils have been hampered with injuries — particularly on the left side of their blue line. And although Casey is a right-shot, right defenseman, he certainly provides a similar playing style as Luke Hughes would. With an unknown timetable for Santeri Hatakka, and Brett Pesce considered week-to-week, the former Michigan Wolverines defenseman has certainly put himself on the map to be on the plane to Prague and make the 2024-25 roster.

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