It is kismet that the New Jersey Devils' first game after the passing of former general manager Ray Shero will be against the Pittsburgh Penguins. The other team where Shero served as general manager.
Shero passed away on Wednesday at the age of 62. The following day, the Devils held an afternoon practice, and once the players were off the ice, the weight of the news and emotions that accompanied such a great loss was felt inside the locker room walls.
"He was always so great to me. It was a tough day," Jesper Bratt said to reporters. "He was great to my parents. He always took care of them. He was great to them when they came over to visit. He made me a lot of the player I am today, and how I carry myself in the room. He will be missed. I'm thinking about him and his family."
"A very sad day," Nico Hischier said to reporters. "He definitely left his footprints in here. Some other guys in here, from the office, were really close to him. My prayers go out to his whole family and the people who knew him, knew how great of a guy he was."
Shero drafted both Hischier and Bratt, in addition to Jack Hughes. He held the title of general manager in New Jersey from 2015 to 2020.
"It is the legacy of those that are here before that kind of laid the foundation, and for this iteration of the Devils specifically, so many important players you know that Ray was instrumental in bringing into the fold and so many people that are leaders in our organization are here because of his work," New Jersey coach Sheldon Keefe said. "It is a day of reflection and honoring him, and perhaps fitting in that we were able to punch a playoff ticket [Wednesday], and then the Penguins coming to town tomorrow as well. It will be a great opportunity to honor him."
The Devils will honor Shero Friday night at Prudential Center as they look to rebound from a 7-2 loss to the Boston Bruins.
At Thursday's practice, Keefe made changes to his lineup. Notably, Paul Cotter reunited with Nathan Bastian and Curtis Lazar, and Ondrej Palat skated on a line with Cody Glass and Daniel Sprong.
Per the team's morning skate, the following lineup will be used against the Penguins:
Stefan Noesen - Nico Hischier - Jesper Bratt
Erik Haula - Dawson Mercer - Timo Meier
Ondrej Palat - Cody Glass - Daniel Sprong
Paul Cotter - Curtis ...
