Entering the 2022-23 season, Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald had several needs to fill. One of them was on defence. Therefore, he went out and made one of the more underrated moves of the off-season acquiring defenceman John Marino from the Pittsburgh Penguins for Ty Smith and a 2023 third-round pick.
This move has paid dividends instantly for the Devils. John Marino has given the Devils a top-six defensive pairing that is vastly improved over the prior several years. They have more balance now and he is taking on a bigger role, something he knew he was capable of in Pittsburgh. However, because of the salary cap crunch, the Penguins were facing, Marino was the off man out on the Penguins blueline. Thus the trade to New Jersey. And Marino has benefitted from those increased minutes.
Though the Devils were strong on the right side of their defence with Damon Severson and Dougie Hamilton, as Fitzgerald noted throughout the summer, you can always improve in areas of strength, he made the move for Marino. Adding Marino was so underrated as he has been the Devils best defenceman so this season. Again it’s early, but every time you watch a game, you notice Marino just makes the right play. Not to mention he is never in the wrong position.
“How steady he’s been. He makes the right plays, keeps the game real simple,” Head coach Lindy Ruff said after the Devils preseason game against the Rangers back in early October. “Has the ability to read, jump up in the play, get involved, which we’ve seen. I really feel with the type of game that we want to play that’s really important.”
Marino has been a great fit for the Devils. When Fitzgerald took over as general manager, he wanted the Devils to play an up-tempo, quick transition and fast attacking style of play. Marino’s game is perfect for how this team wants to play and he is relishing every moment.
“It’s a fast transition here,” John Marino said in training camp. “I’m feeling pretty well, They’re a fast and skilled team. Playing in the games so far, I think everyone has been playing pretty well. We just hope to carry that on into the regular season.”
Through nine games this season, the Devils sit in first place in the Metro Division and Marino has been a big part of the season why. Though his stats don’t jump off the paper, Marino has four points on the season (one goal and three assists). Marino tied his goal mark from last season with Pittsburgh as he scored his first as a member of the Devils, in the team’s 7-1 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Sunday afternoon.
Though the Devils were deep on defence, adding more depth and right depth never hurts. Especially a guy like John Marino, who brings an element that was missing on the Devils blueline. During his time in Pittsburgh, he was one of the Penguins top shot-suppressing defencemen. While he could chip in offensively, defensively is where Marino made a name for himself.
Marino’s ability to stymie the opposition from scoring goals has been excellent thus far. He is averaging around 21 minutes of ice time for defencemen. That only trails Dougie Hamilton for the team lead for defencemen on the team. Head coach Lindy Ruff has even increased his minutes during games to take on some of the team’s better players and it has worked out thus far in this early part of the season.
Another thing that has been noticeable has been Marino’s hockey sense. Rarely is he out of position, in his own zone. Thus his ability to cut down the opposition from capitalizing on scoring chances. He makes the proper reads not only in his own zone but in the neutral zone as well. Not to mention he knows when to jump in offensively, as with his first goal of the season. In addition, when it is time to transition, he makes the right pass.
Everyone points to what Tom Fitzgerald didn’t do as general manager, but let’s focus on what he has done. Fitzgerald has made several underrated moves. First, he traded for Jonas Siegenthaler in exchange for a 2021 third-round pick. Which made some people scratch their heads. That deal has paid dividends as well giving the Devils a solid defensive defenceman. Thus Siegenthaler’s new five-year extension.
Now, the trade for John Marino is just another example of Fitzgerald making hockey trades to improve his hockey club as they are ready to take the next step.
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