As the crisp autumn air whispers promises of puck drops and roaring crowds, the New Jersey Devils are meticulously assembling their puzzle pieces for the upcoming NHL season. Ahead of their much-anticipated training camp opening on September 17th, the Devils have announced four strategic Professional Tryout (PTO) agreements, bringing in a blend of veteran grit and goaltending potential. These low-risk, high-reward moves underscore a perennial NHL strategy: the art of finding valuable contributors when the main free agency frenzy has long since settled.
The Professional Tryout: An Audition Under Pressure
For the uninitiated, a Professional Tryout is precisely what it sounds like—an invitation for a player to join a team`s training camp and compete for a roster spot without a guaranteed contract. For the team, it’s an efficient way to evaluate talent, assess fit, and potentially uncover a hidden gem without financial commitment. For the players, it’s a high-stakes audition, often a last chance to prove they still belong in the world`s premier hockey league. The pressure is immense, the competition fierce, and only the most resilient often emerge with a full-time deal.
Veteran Forwards: A Dash of Grit and Experience
Among the PTO signees are two familiar faces in the grinding world of NHL bottom-six forwards: Kevin Rooney and Luke Glendening. These aren`t the names that typically dominate headlines or highlight reels, but their contributions often prove invaluable to championship-contending teams. They are the unsung heroes, the penalty killers, the faceoff specialists, and the players willing to block shots and finish checks.
- Kevin Rooney (32, F): A familiar face returning to Newark, Rooney began his NHL journey with the Devils. After stints with the Rangers and Calgary Flames, he returns with 32 goals and 28 assists across 330 career games. Rooney embodies the reliable, two-way forward archetype—a player coaches trust in defensive situations and on the penalty kill. His prior experience with the Devils organization could give him a slight edge in understanding the team`s system and culture.
- Luke Glendening (36, F): A seasoned veteran, Glendening brings an impressive resume of 864 NHL games with Detroit, Dallas, and Tampa Bay, tallying 83 goals and 83 assists. Known for his exceptional faceoff prowess and physical play (226 hits in his last two seasons with Tampa Bay), Glendening is a quintessential fourth-line center. He’s the kind of player who makes life difficult for opponents and provides crucial defensive zone stability. His presence in camp will undoubtedly raise the competitive bar for younger forwards vying for similar roles.
Both Rooney and Glendening are competing for a limited number of spots, likely on the team`s fourth line. While their offensive numbers may not leap off the page, their defensive reliability, penalty-killing acumen, and veteran leadership are precisely the qualities a team like the Devils might seek to round out a competitive roster. One might even call them the “salt and pepper” of a balanced lineup – not the main course, but essential for flavor.
Goalie Depth: The Never-Ending Quest for Netminders
The Devils didn`t stop at forwards; they also extended PTOs to two goaltenders: Georgi Romanov and Adam Scheel. Goaltending, often described as the most enigmatic position in hockey, is a constant area of interest for NHL teams looking for depth, a surprising dark horse, or simply a reliable option for their AHL affiliate.
- Georgi Romanov (G): Having made his NHL debut in April 2024 with San Jose, Romanov`s brief ten-game stint yielded a challenging 0-6-0 record with a 3.53 goals-against average. For Romanov, this PTO represents a fresh opportunity to impress a new organization and demonstrate that his early NHL struggles were merely a blip. Goaltenders often take time to develop, and a change of scenery can sometimes work wonders.
- Adam Scheel (G): Scheel arrives from the AHL`s Colorado Eagles, where he posted solid numbers last season: a 10-2-2 record with a 2.62 GAA in 14 games. His performance suggests he’s on the cusp, looking to translate his AHL success into an NHL opportunity. He could be a strong candidate for the Devils` AHL affiliate, the Utica Comets, or even surprise everyone with a standout camp.
With goaltending being such a critical and often unpredictable position, adding two more hopefuls to the mix allows the Devils to evaluate a broader range of talent. It`s a pragmatic approach, recognizing that you can never have too many goalies, especially with the grind of an 82-game season and potential injuries.
The Road Ahead: High Stakes in Newark
As September 17th approaches, the Prudential Center in Newark will become a crucible of competition. For Rooney, Glendening, Romanov, and Scheel, these Professional Tryouts are not just camp invitations; they are intense job interviews. Each skate, each drill, each pre-season game will be scrutinized, potentially determining the trajectory of their careers. For the New Jersey Devils, these PTOs are shrewd, low-cost gambits in the relentless pursuit of building a deeper, more resilient roster capable of contending. It’s a subtle yet crucial aspect of NHL team management, proving that sometimes, the most impactful additions aren`t always the biggest names, but the ones earned through sheer will and performance.
