Devils Upgrades Shift The Pressure To Keefe Heading Into 2026-27 Season
The New Jersey Devils have the depth and the talent to compete, certainly at the forward position. Now, it's all about head coach Sheldon Keefe putting the right pieces together to make them a team to beat.
Video Transcript
Well, you know, my mind initially went to Kyle Connor, Ryan.
But, you know, he just signed a eight-year extension that kicks in this year So I, I can't imagine he'd wanna move.
It does feel like he's a little different than some of the other guys there.
But if I'm an Ottawa fan, I'm getting extremely worried that Jake Sanderson could be the next guy on this list of guys who want out.
You know?
It'll probably be dependent on how strong Ottawa comes outta the gates this year.
We'll see how much of a boost William Eklund and some of the other additions they made this summer can kind of, you know, replace Brady Tkachuk.
But if I'm Steve Stamkos, if I'm Travis Green, I am slapping a big old C on Jake Sanderson's jersey because, you know, not that that would even keep him there because Brady Tkachuk left but- Right do whatever you can make him sh- make sure this kid feels welcome.
There you go.
And, and it's still a rising star right?
Like, Jake Sanderson has already been fantastic for the Senators.
He'll probably be even better this season.
Michael Augiello any names come to mind for you?
Yeah by the way that 'C' stands for "See ya." .
But no I, I, I would say I mean the low hanging fruit here is Auston Matthews.
But I think Auston Matthews and his camp have made it pretty clear and the way John Chaika and the Leafs responded with all the changes that they made, that if they're good, if they're competitive, he wants to stay in Toronto.
He's I think he's always wanted to stay in Toronto.
The problem is certain Canadian players didn't wanna stay in Toronto so y- I don't think it is an American thing I think it's all about winning and it's all about , you know th- these players like Quinn Hughes, and Matthew Tkachuk, and Brady Tkachuk they all let their organizations know years ahead that they weren't gonna reassign contracts so they did allow those teams to trade them and get returns for them.
I'm sure those teams would rather have those players who are star players but they didn't like leave them into unrestricted free agency and leave them hanging
