Around the League 45: The Stanley Cup is in God's Waiting Room

[Svechhammer]

Biz vs Bouy

The showdown we didn't know we needed in hockey

 

[Joe McGrath]

Devils also pretty mid suddenly.

When they suddenly aren’t playing Buffalo?

 

[Discipline Daddy]

When they suddenly aren’t playing Buffalo?

Devils could be legit now that their D is getting healthy. Let's see how they look with the full squad and have had some time to gel. For me it's about how they look defensively. We know they have weapons, new coach, new goalies, but can they gap up and clear big boys from the crease? Are they actually more playoff-ready, or do they just look that way on paper? Even as big of a fan of the Canes as I am, it's hard to look at both our roster and theirs and say that our roster looks better.

 

[A Star is Burns]

When they suddenly aren’t playing Buffalo?

I still think they will ultimately have a good season and have a good shot at the playoffs. I was also one of the folks that mentioned that they had a f*** ton of ground to make up from where they finished last year and winning the offseason doesn't always translate to being the best team. I think their goalie tandem was fairly overrated by many people though it will be better if they settle in with Pesce and Hughes back.

 

[Derailed75]

Devils could be legit now that their D is getting healthy. Let's see how they look with the full squad and have had some time to gel. For me it's about how they look defensively. We know they have weapons, new coach, new goalies, but can they gap up and clear big boys from the crease? Are they actually more playoff-ready, or do they just look that way on paper? Even as big of a fan of the Canes as I am, it's hard to look at both our roster and theirs and say that our roster looks better.

Its a team sport, its really hard to judge how good a team is going to be by just the roster. RBA has proven time and again he can coach a group of guys to be a team. Has Keefe ever done that?

 

[Svechhammer]

IMO I think the Devils are going to sink or swim based on how well Pesce fits in to their defense. Their biggest need for years has been a stay at home defenseman who excels at preventing shots on goal and keeping the puck away from the net. Pesce fits their needs perfectly.

If he has them able to ice a defensive line like we had with him and Skjei, it completely changes how NJ is able to play. They would be able to better neutralize the opposing offensive attack, and should have more outlets for their offense to work. On paper, him coming back in should have them looking like one of the best teams in the league, if not the best.

But, he also isn't as quick as he used to be and does tend to get injured fairly frequently. And there is no guarantee he gels with anyone on their defense, and his style might not translate to the speed they want to play, so who knows, it might all be like trying to fit a square peg into a round hole.

 

[AhosDatsyukian]

IMO I think the Devils are going to sink or swim based on how well Pesce fits in to their defense. Their biggest need for years has been a stay at home defenseman who excels at preventing shots on goal and keeping the puck away from the net. Pesce fits their needs perfectly.

If he has them able to ice a defensive line like we had with him and Skjei, it completely changes how NJ is able to play. They would be able to better neutralize the opposing offensive attack, and should have more outlets for their offense to work. On paper, him coming back in should have them looking like one of the best teams in the league, if not the best.

But, he also isn't as quick as he used to be and does tend to get injured fairly frequently. And there is no guarantee he gels with anyone on their defense, and his style might not translate to the speed they want to play, so who knows, it might all be like trying to fit a square peg into a round hole.

Pesce of today ain't the same Pesce of 3-5 years ago for us. Last year he had dropped off considerably in my view and Skjei was doing the heavier lifting on the pairing. The year before he had started to show signs of decline. I don't think he'll be the answer for NJ. He should help them for the next couple years but not as much as they hoped when they signed him. I'm a big fan and while I'm not happy he went to NJ I do still want to see him personally do well and get/stay healthy. I just don't think it'll happen the way they all expect.

 

[MinJaBen]

IMO I think the Devils are going to sink or swim based on how well Pesce fits in to their defense. Their biggest need for years has been a stay at home defenseman who excels at preventing shots on goal and keeping the puck away from the net. Pesce fits their needs perfectly.

If he has them able to ice a defensive line like we had with him and Skjei, it completely changes how NJ is able to play. They would be able to better neutralize the opposing offensive attack, and should have more outlets for their offense to work. On paper, him coming back in should have them looking like one of the best teams in the league, if not the best.

But, he also isn't as quick as he used to be and does tend to get injured fairly frequently. And there is no guarantee he gels with anyone on their defense, and his style might not translate to the speed they want to play, so who knows, it might all be like trying to fit a square peg into a round hole.

I just don't see Pesce making that big a difference. One guy out of six is not going to change the effectiveness of their D-core. It may given them a little bump up, but it is not a step change.

 

[NotOpie]

Devils could be legit now that their D is getting healthy. Let's see how they look with the full squad and have had some time to gel. For me it's about how they look defensively. We know they have weapons, new coach, new goalies, but can they gap up and clear big boys from the crease? Are they actually more playoff-ready, or do they just look that way on paper? Even as big of a fan of the Canes as I am, it's hard to look at both our roster and theirs and say that our roster looks better.

Our roster is better than theirs.....see, it's not that hard at all.

Personally, I think Luke Hughes is highly overrated. Great skater, but not sure what's between the ears. His defense is, how should I say, shitty.

 

[bleedgreen]

The Devils had one bad year when they got derailed by injuries. They’re highly likely to be just as good as they were a couple of years ago, and probably would’ve been even if they didn’t make the good additions they made. Adding Pesce and Hughes looked pretty huge last night even in a loss.

The whole league is pretty tight right out of the gate this year. It’s going to take some time to see who’s going to be really good and who isn’t. Even SJ looks better than I thought they would, though their demise seems inevitable. Nashville messed up their chemistry and that takes time, but they’re behind the 8 ball early.

 

[Boom Boom Apathy]

Pesce and Hughes a - in their first shift tonight. Not that they did anything wrong. Pesce and another Devil lost a puck battle in the corner but it was 2 on 2 so a 50/50 and nothing done wrong by Pesce. Hughes was tying up Nelson but Nelson got position and made a great tip.

EDIT: and Pesce just made a nice play with a clear on the PK when it would have been a likely goal.

EDIT 2: Then the next shift, 3 straight zone entries he stopped at the blue line.

 

[MinJaBen]

If the Islanders fall flat this year, I hope we target Nelson at the deadline. He’d be a near perfect add to the group.

 

[Boom Boom Apathy]

If the Islanders fall flat this year, I hope we target Nelson at the deadline. He’d be a near perfect add to the group.

Agree on Nelson. Also, I've watched the Devils a couple of times. Timo Meier looks great and he would have been a perfect Cane with how he plays and Rod would have loved him.

Oh well. I also don't have confidence we would have extended him if we traded for him either, but who knows.

 

[HisIceness]

Skeji had the GWG tonight. Predators look like they're starting to get on the right track.

Penguins getting eaten alive in Edmonton.

 

[bleedgreen]

If the Islanders fall flat this year, I hope we target Nelson at the deadline. He’d be a near perfect add to the group.

Nelson
Bennett
Monahan

Keeping a list of guys that would be pretty perfect behind Aho.

 

[AD Skinner]

I can’t imagine the NYI let Nelson go unless he’s dead set on not coming back but yeah he’d be fantastic on this team

 

[chaz4hockey]

Some Devils fans not happy with their play. Targeted players are Palat and our old friend Dougie.

 

[Stickpucker]

Crosby
Nelson
Bennett
Monahan

Keeping a list of guys that would be pretty perfect behind Aho.

Ftfy

 

[chaz4hockey]

Lou just loves his Identity line:

Islanders sign forward Matt Martin to one-year contract

The Islanders announced Saturday they have signed the veteran forward to a one-year contract.

www.sportsnet.ca

 

[Boom Boom Apathy]

Some Devils fans not happy with their play. Targeted players are Palat and our old friend Dougie.

I read their last GDT as I watched last night's game. GDT's are often full of emotional takes and over-reactions and while Dougie didn't play well last night, he missed most of last year with injury so he may take more time to get back..

That said, some of the things they are complaining about are things everyone who watched him knew. He's not physical for how big he is, he's not fleet of foot (and with age/injuries is getting slower), sometimes gets lost in his own zone, and eventually, that contract won't age well. He generates offense, has a great shot, and is an underrated passer. I think he'll eventually come around this year.

I did get a kick out of one poster calling him Sluggie.

 

[A Star is Burns]

I read their last GDT as I watched last night's game. GDT's are often full of emotional takes and over-reactions and while Dougie didn't play well last night, he missed most of last year with injury so he may take more time to get back..

That said, some of the things they are complaining about are things everyone who watched him knew. He's not physical for how big he is, he's not fleet of foot (and with age/injuries is getting slower), sometimes gets lost in his own zone, and eventually, that contract won't age well. He generates offense, has a great shot, and is an underrated passer. I think he'll eventually come around this year.

I did get a kick out of one poster calling him Sluggie.

I'm not sure where this is coming from. Haven't you seen the level headed game day threads on this board?

 

[HisIceness]

I'll be honest I thought it was a mistake letting Dougie walk when it happened. He wasn't perfect here but he was a big part of the franchise turnaround and had become a fan favorite. He also provided a scoring touch that the blue-line didn't have for the longest time.

I now understand why he was allowed to walk. Hell TDA in the season after made me forget that Dougie left.

 

[MinJaBen]

I'll be honest I thought it was a mistake letting Dougie walk. He wasn't perfect here but he was a big part of the franchise turnaround and had become a fan favorite. He also provided a scoring touch that the blue-line didn't have for the longest time.

I now understand why he was allowed to walk. Hell TDA in the season after made me forget that Dougie left.

Contracts being part of the deal, I like Ghost better to be honest.

 

[DaveG]

Contracts being part of the deal, I like Ghost better to be honest.

I think that's what it comes down to. If your ofd isn't also very good defensively (Dougie is a hair below league average defensively IMO, you can stomach him as a top pair + second unit pk option, but if he's the best player defensively on a pairing you're in big trouble) it actually makes more sense to moneyball it with the role and have them on the second or third pair. Best options for the role are always something on an elc, but the next option is someone strong offensively that's not a liability in their own zone for less than 4 like Ghost.

TDA is out of the league and Barrie is on the contract he's on because they ARE liabilities defensively.

 

[Boom Boom Apathy]

Contracts being part of the deal, I like Ghost better to be honest.

It's still early, but I agree if he keeps it up and doesn't disappear in the playoffs.