NJHN Daily: Devils Contender or Pretender? Warsofsky Apologizes; Michkov Ice Time

If you’re a fan of the New Jersey Devils, you’re certainly having fun these days. The Devils are going well, and it’s one of those situations where you see it, and believe it, as opposed to seeing it, and realizing where it’s going to catch up to them. In fact, we’re not the only ones saying it, either.

More on that in the links.

Elsewhere, Ryan Warsofsky apologizes for comments (I mean, c’mon people. It was clearly a joke), Matvei Michkov’s ice time, and a benching in Boston.

Let’s do that hockey.

Devils Trade Rumors & News

New Jersey Hockey Now: The Devils are on wagon watch, starting the season very well through five games. However, there are a few red flags to look out for, that even Sheldon Keefe has admitted need to be cleaned up.

More NJHN: Taking in practice on Monday, it’s evident that Stefan Noesen is nearing a return. He’s ramping things up and taking more reps in line rushes during practice, and could even be back as soon as this week. Another note, Connor Brown got some work with Jack Hughes yesterday. Keefe insisted it was just how things lined up for that one drill, but if Brown keeps trending positively…

Sportsnet: When the national media is talking about it, you know there’s fire with this smoke. The folks at Sportsnet are asking, are the Devils primed to contend? They just have to stay healthy, right?

The Athletic ($): And look, here it is again. There are some storylines you buy and sell this early in the season. One of those storylines bought over at The Athletic is that the Devils are just outside the top-five teams on the road to the Stanley Cup, and could work their way up.

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NHL Trade Talk, News, & National Hockey Now

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: After the Pittsburgh Penguins’ first three games, a cynic or conspiracy theorist might have suggested that team captain and megastar Sidney Crosby was hurting his trade value in what might be dubbed a slow start to the season. As Dan Kingerski says, “Yeah, right.”

Boston Hockey Now: Amid some offensive struggles, Boston Bruins head coach, Marco Sturm, benches forward Casey Mittelstadt, to send both a message to the center-man, and the B’s top players.

San Jose Hockey Now: Folks, we need to learn how to take a joke around here. San Jose Sharks head coach, Ryan Warsofsky, stated he’d “trade one of his kids,” for a win amid a losing streak. He, of course, did not mean that. However, he apologized anyway.

Vegas Hockey Now: Through six games, the Vegas Golden Knights (4-0-2) sit atop the Pacific Division. Five of those six games have been against Pacific Division opponents, and, despite a rocky start, they took eight out of a possible ten points. Now, the Golden Knights prepare to face their first real test of the season: Mark Stone is week-to-week.

Philly Hockey Now: So, it wasn’t just John Tortorella? Matvei Michkov isn’t getting the most ice time from Philadelphia Flyers head coach, Rick Tocchet. Is it a cause for concern?