The Devils are looking to heat up after two straight losses, but an incident at yesterday’s practice might not be what they had in mind before their game at Boston tonight.
Coach Brent Sutter and forward Arron Asham exchanged words, several unprintable, in a fiery verbal spat during practice in Newark. Asham said the squabble began when he chipped the puck the wrong way during a drill.
After practice, both player and coach downplayed the event.
“It was just one of those days. Things happen,” Asham said. “It was an inappropriate event and tempers flared. I shouldn’t have said nothing and kept my mouth shut.
“I’m sure I’ll say something to him. I’m sure he’s not sitting in his room right now expecting me to come in and say, ‘Sorry.’ That’s not the kind of guy he is.”
Sutter said he’s not taking the matter personally.
“As long as it’s not through a lack of respect, it’s no problem whatsoever with me,” Sutter said. “I’ve always said emotions run into practices and games. It’s not the first time it has happened . . . it’s not gonna be the last. It’s just the way it is.
“I never hold anything personal against the players at all. If it can make Ash better, then that’s a good thing. It was the heat of the moment. It’s a non-issue with me.”
Defenseman Andy Greene thinks such incidents can provide a spark for the Devils.
“You need to see some of that. You just can’t have guys kind of monotone. It’s good to have some fire during practice. Guys get into it and that’s part of it,” Greene said. “It gets guys awake and shows how much Coach wants us to win and how well he wants us to do. Guys don’t take it personally. It’s just part of the game.”
Asham agreed.
“It’s good, but it’s probably better if you save it for a game and take it out on opponents and not take it out on the coach,” Asham said. “It’s good for us. We need a kick in the butt every now and then.”