Devils Head Coach Hinted the Reason for Seamus Casey’s Demotion

NEWARK — The news heard around New Jersey on Monday morning received a collective gasp from New Jersey Devils fans. Rookie defenseman Seamus Casey was loaned to the Utica Comets in favor of a left-shot defenseman, Daniil Misyul.

READ: Devils Send Top Prospect to AHL, Recall Defenseman

It’s a move we should have all seen coming, but there was certainly a stir among Devils fans.

On Saturday, Sheldon Keefe was asked about Casey’s diminished ice time. The Devils’ head coach cited the heavy workload that is the NHL schedule, which is difficult for a rookie coming out of the NCAA to grasp.

However, that’s perhaps the less significant reason. In his explanation of Casey’s decreased ice time, Keefe revealed he’s begun to trust the rookie less and less.

“Perhaps our whole group shows up, but for a young guy like Seamus, it’s been kind of piling on,” Keefe explained after the 6-5 overtime loss to the Washington Capitals.

Casey skated in just 7:35 of ice time as he struggled to defend the veteran Capitals team fluently.

“And that’s what happens when a coach loses his confidence in you, it’s hard to kind of get going,” Keefe explained.

The Devils’ head coach did concede he had Casey ready to go for the next overtime shift. However, the Devils lost on the stick of Tom Wilson before Casey could be deployed.

Whereas Keefe explained he’s lost his confidence to play Casey, it’s likely he meant at even strength. Casey’s special teams numbers show quite well, likely due to his shifty ability and high hockey IQ.

Yet, most of the game each night is played at 5-on-5. Analytically, Casey has accrued come of the worst metrics on the team through eight games, which can be summed up by his negative 36-45 scoring chance differential, 37.32 xGF% and 39.05 CF%.

Casey plays bigger than his size. He’s unafraid to be physical, has shown a solid active stick, and knows how to close gaps. It’s just getting caught up to the pro pace and doing it consistently that the Devils are seeking for Casey to improve at the AHL-level.

“It’s important to get down in the (AHL) and really round out his game, play in more minutes and be a big part of the team,” Keefe explained on Monday following Casey’s demotion.

While Luke Hughes and Brett Pesce returns loom, Casey will continue his development with the Comets. Then, perhaps the next time you see him in a Devils sweater, the former Michigan Wolverines star won’t look back.

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