Devils Right to Send Casey to the AHL

Seamus Casey showed his potential across the New Jersey Devils' first 8 games, but the AHL is the right place for his long-term development.

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Maybe it came as a surprise. Maybe it didn't, but the New Jersey Devils announced yesterday that they were sending Seamus Casey to the AHL and calling up Daniil Misyul. Casey had three goals and four points in eight games, but there were clear signs that the AHL is the best place for him.

Casey helped the Devils pick up wins against the Buffalo Sabres and Utah HC early this season, and Sheldon Keefe was quick to note the impact he had on the team:

"He's filled an incredible role for us (...) really help(ed) us in the early going w/ the injuries that we've had, to be able to overcome that, to get off to a decent start as a group is a credit to Seamus, the job that he's done."

While Casey did show his potential, he and Šimon Nemec consistently got caved in, leading Keefe to play five defensemen at times. Now, Casey can log big minutes with the Utica Comets. And with Luke Hughes and Brett Pesce's return imminent, the Devils' defense should get a significant boost.

Casey’s 5-on-5 Numbers Show the Need for More Development

This probably depends on the player. Shea Theodore, a left-handed shot, regularly plays on the right side of the Vegas Golden Knights' blue line without much trouble. He's a seasoned NHL veteran, though, so it's not a surprise he excels playing on his off-hand.

Casey is not that. He's a 20-year-old defender who jumped from NCAA hockey directly to the NHL because of Hughes and Pesce's injuries to start the season.

Maybe he'll be able to play on his off-hand one day, but Casey playing on the left side across the Devils' first eight games was likely a factor in some of his struggles.

Sure, Casey scored some pretty goals and made some impressive plays offensively in his first eight NHL games, but his five-on-five numbers were well underwater.

Casey had an expected goals share (xG%) of just 37.87 percent, one of the bottom-five numbers among Devils skaters. The Devils were bleeding quality chances with him on the ice, allowing 3.45 expected goals per 60 minutes at five-on-five.