Rookie Defenseman Seamus Casey Makes Devils Opening Night Roster in Prague

Photo Credit: New Jersey Devils

Big news out of New Jersey, as rookie defenseman Seamus Casey has made the opening night roster for the Devils and will be on the plane heading for Prague, Czech Republic.

Upon getting the call that he was going to Prague, Casey was all smiles. “It’s huge, super exciting,” Casey said after practice. “Camp has gone good so far, you know you always want to see your name on the roster so it’s super exciting. Just got to keep working.”

This summer Casey signed his entry level contract to turn pro with the Devils, foregoing his final two years of eligibility at Michigan. The expectations this season for the 20-year-old were to play the full year with the Utica Comets and be the #1 defenseman, just like fellow 2022 draft pick Simon Nemec was two seasons ago.

Unfortunately, the Devils have had multiple starting defensemen go down with injuries before the season even started. Luke Hughes injured his shoulder before training camp and is expected to be out until November. Brett Pesce is also out week-to-week while the team is still evaluating Santeri Hatakka for an injury he sustained in the preseason against the Canadiens.

Those three injures have opened up the door for another defenseman like Casey to earn that last spot next to Nemec on the third defensive pair. Casey, with his performances in training camp and preseason, has kicked that door wide open. In two preseason games, Casey averaged ~21:15 of T.O.I and recorded an assist in a comeback effort against the Capitals.

Casey’s play has earned praise from the face of the franchise. “I’ve watched a lot of him over the years [at Michigan], I thought he had a great game,” Jack Hughes said of Casey. “Moved the puck well, defended hard, he’s a really good skater. I was honestly surprised at how good he was tonight.”

From what Casey has shown so far against pro competition, he has been excellent in transition, sound defensively and has shown a physical side to his game that we hadn’t seen much in his college days at Michigan. In two seasons with the “Maize & Blue”, Casey played 77 games and put up 74 points, including 45 points last season.

Head coach Sheldon Keefe was also thrilled with the performance. “Each day he’s just getting better and better,” Keefe said. “I wanted to play him again here tonight with more of our NHL guys in. I think the skill sets match up really well. He showed enough positive things yesterday that he certainly earned an opportunity to play in the game here today. And despite it being back-to-back, and travel and all the other things we might look at for some guys in a situation like this, he thrived. I was thrilled with his game.”

While Hughes and Pesce are working their way back from their injuries, Casey has earned this opportunity to show general manager Tom Fitzgerald and the front office what he’s made of at the NHL level. The Devils are able to bring an extra four players along with them on the trip but based on Sunday’s practice Casey was paired with Simon Nemec as the third pairing.

Talking on the decision to have Casey on the roster, Keefe said, “we think he’s earned the right to come on the trip with us.”

Compared to guys like Nick DeSimone, Colton White and Jakub Zboril, who were all battling for the job alongside Casey, I think you can say Keefe and the rest of the staff made the right decision to reward Casey with this roster spot.

“In terms of what he’s shown, he’s shown confidence. In the games that he’s played for us, he’s made plays and advanced the puck for us nicely, which is something we need, and then he also defended well,” Keefe added. “He’s got good angles, he’s cut people off, and he used his body in a very intelligent way, which is important if you’re going to be an undersized defenseman.”

The Devils open up the 2024/25 season on Friday, October 4th against former head coach Lindy Ruff and the Buffalo Sabers, where Casey is expected to make his NHL debut in Prague, Czech Republic.