Devils 2015-16 team discussion (player news & notes) part XV

[ForeverJerseyGirl]

Kinkaid's mental game is non-existent. He's too emotional. I don't know how much of that is youthful nerves and inexperience, but if he wants a career in the NHL he needs to find himself a good goalie coach that helps him get his emotions under control.

If that's his issue, a sports psychologist might also be helpful to his career and development.

 

[Colin226]

Kinkaid's mental game is non-existent. He's too emotional. I don't know how much of that is youthful nerves and inexperience, but if he wants a career in the NHL he needs to find himself a good goalie coach that helps him get his emotions under control.

He already talks with Jacques Caron, Chris Terreri, and one of his coaches from when he grew up on Long Island (I know that from speaking with the guy at a bar). I do think he's struggling with the mental aspect a lot, but he's got a lot of support in there already. Some guys just can never get out of their own heads. I know that was an issue I always struggled with myself.

 

[Zippy316]

I think we're talking past each other. I'm saying what my opinion if I had to make a decision right now would be, not saying my opinion will never change or that I'm definitely right. And as I said, I don't think that either Kinkaid or Wedgewood will be anything great, so at the end of the day, this is just small potatoes. They're likely both just NHL backups with maybe one being better than the other. As it stands now, though, I'm more comfortable with Wedgewood in net than Kinkaid.

I'm just saying I think it's way too early to make that judgement. It seems like you're being very short-sighted and having a lot of recency bias. There's a difference between playing well in a stretch and being ready for back-up duties over Kinkaid. It's too small of sample size to make that call.

 

[ForeverJerseyGirl]

I'm just saying I think it's way too early to make that judgement. It seems like you're being very short-sighted and having a lot of recency bias. There's a difference between playing well in a stretch and being ready for back-up duties over Kinkaid. It's too small of sample size to make that call.

Meh, Kinkaid didn't exactly prove he was a great backup this year. Don't think a person is really going to rue the day they let Kinkaid go. Not saying they have to let Kinkaid go, but if it was a choice between losing Wedgewood or Kinkaid which was the original topic of discussion, I'd rather lose Kinkaid.

What was short-sighted was last year people talking about trading Cory so Kinkaid could take over. This isn't a short-sighted discussion in my opinion. We're talking about two players who will probably be nothing more than NHL backups, so in my opinion you just go with whoever is currently better when it comes to an NHL backup goalie. Not like either Kinkaid or Wedgewood have a grand future that we have to sacrifice the present for. Neither come across as that talented.

Anyway, Kinkaid seems to have lost the backup battle to Wedegewood, at least in Hynes' eyes. It's not impossible for him to gain it back, but the wind seems to be blowing more in Wedgewood's direction than Kinkaid's. Winds can shift but I know which way the weather vane is pointing right now, and that's how I'd make the decision if it's a matter of NHL backup goalies.

 

[Devils Dominion]

Cory interview today in Albany

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xIU3BfYxehE

 

[Feed Me A Stray Cat]

I doubt he's worse than Kinkaid. Kinkaid was a wreck when I saw him live at the Anaheim game, and he's struggled all season. Wedgewood might be better than Kinkaid (he's looked better recently) but even if he's not, I don't think he's going to be worse than Kinkaid was this year.

I think you're being a bit overcome by recency bias here.

Kinkaid's solid 2014-15 can't be ignored. 19 games, 2.59 gaa, .915sv%. All of us were happy with his place as a backup.

Kinkaid has been bad this season, but in his NHL career he has a .907sv%. That's better than Scott Wedgewood's AHL career save percentage.

Meanwhile, Wedgewood is getting a massive benefit of the doubt after only four NHL games this year and 16 AHL games. Let's not forget that he was pretty bad for two seasons in Albany. I got to see him live a bunch and it wasn't very impressive.

Not saying that Wegdewood hasn't improved, but I'm pretty skeptical that he's better than Kinkaid. You're right that this really doesn't matter a whole lot in the end, since an average backup to a bad backup isn't changing the fortunes of our team too much.

 

[ForeverJerseyGirl]

I think you're being a bit overcome by recency bias here.

Kinkaid's solid 2014-15 can't be ignored. 19 games, 2.59 gaa, .915sv%. All of us were happy with his place as a backup.

Kinkaid has been bad this season, but in his NHL career he has a .907sv%. That's better than Scott Wedgewood's AHL career save percentage.

Meanwhile, Wedgewood is getting a massive benefit of the doubt after only four NHL games this year and 16 AHL games. Let's not forget that he was pretty bad for two seasons in Albany. I got to see him live a bunch and it wasn't very impressive.

Not saying that Wegdewood hasn't improved, but I'm pretty skeptical that he's better than Kinkaid. You're right that this really doesn't matter a whole lot in the end, since an average backup to a bad backup isn't changing the fortunes of our team too much.

To be honest, I'm more of an overall impression person than a stat person, just the way I think. My overall impression of Kinkaid the game I saw him live was that he was just too nervous and twitchy, and that was the impression of my brother (whose opinion on goalie matters I happen to value). I haven't seen Wedgewood live, but he's looked more composed in the games I've seen on television than Kinkaid has. Kinkaid to me just showed this year that he really can't be relied on as a backup, so I'm fine with discarding him.

I don't know if Wedgewood can be relied on as a backup, but if not, I'm all for trying different options until we find a reliable backup. I see both Kinkaid and Wedgewood as expendable, but Kinkaid more so since he failed this year, and Wedgewood didn't.

Don't really care about recency bias in the matter of goalies that will never be more than NHL backups. NHL backup is a job for the present, not the future, unless we are talking about a goalie prospect who looks like they could be a starter one day (which neither Kinkaid or Wedgewood seem to be).

At this point, honestly, I don't have much more to say. If people don't want to pick between the two (even though that was the premise of the discussion, that there had to be a choice made soon) or still prefer Kinkaid over Wedgewood, that's fine. I just feel differently, especially because of my live impressions of Kinkaid and his jitters.

TL;DR Not saying Wedgewood is the answer as backup, but I don't think Kinkaid is, so as far as I'm concerned try a different answer if you already know you're wrong, and maybe you'll be right or at least less wrong.

 

[NJDevs26]

fwiw Wedge is three years younger than Kinkaid, it's entirely possible the best of Wedge is to come while we more or less know what Kinkaid is. And yes I'm aware Wedge doesn't have much of a track record yet but either way they'll both likely compete for the backup job (I can't picture them bringing in a backup in the offseason when both guys are waiver-eligible). And if neither guy can hack it then you go and get one of the dime a dozen goalies that are readily available.

 

[Cheddabombs]

To be honest, I'm more of an overall impression person than a stat person, just the way I think. My overall impression of Kinkaid the game I saw him live was that he was just too nervous and twitchy, and that was the impression of my brother (whose opinion on goalie matters I happen to value). I haven't seen Wedgewood live, but he's looked more composed in the games I've seen on television than Kinkaid has. Kinkaid to me just showed this year that he really can't be relied on as a backup, so I'm fine with discarding him.

I don't know if Wedgewood can be relied on as a backup, but if not, I'm all for trying different options until we find a reliable backup. I see both Kinkaid and Wedgewood as expendable, but Kinkaid more so since he failed this year, and Wedgewood didn't.

Don't really care about recency bias in the matter of goalies that will never be more than NHL backups. NHL backup is a job for the present, not the future, unless we are talking about a goalie prospect who looks like they could be a starter one day (which neither Kinkaid or Wedgewood seem to be).

At this point, honestly, I don't have much more to say. If people don't want to pick between the two (even though that was the premise of the discussion, that there had to be a choice made soon) or still prefer Kinkaid over Wedgewood, that's fine. I just feel differently, especially because of my live impressions of Kinkaid and his jitters.

TL;DR Not saying Wedgewood is the answer as backup, but I don't think Kinkaid is, so as far as I'm concerned try a different answer if you already know you're wrong, and maybe you'll be right or at least less wrong.

I agree that Wedgewood looks more composed than Kinkaid in the crease but I think that has more to do with their styles of play and not their demeanor. Kinkaid is a more erratic goalie, think a Tim Thomas style if you will, so him moving more and having more "sloppy" movements is normal for him and it's simply how he plays. Where has Wedgie is more of a standard butterfly goalie, like Cory, so he's going to be more sound positionally and have more fluid movements. Maybe that is why Kinkaid is inconsistent, perhaps his style of play simply lends itself to him having more off-nights than a regular butterfly goalie. I think it's more mental with him and that can be worked on but who knows if he'll ever over-come it.

 

[ForeverJerseyGirl]

I agree that Wedgewood looks more composed than Kinkaid in the crease but I think that has more to do with their styles of play and not their demeanor. Kinkaid is a more erratic goalie, think a Tim Thomas style if you will, so him moving more and having more "sloppy" movements is normal for him and it's simply how he plays. Where has Wedgie is more of a standard butterfly goalie, like Cory, so he's going to be more sound positionally and have more fluid movements. Maybe that is why Kinkaid is inconsistent, perhaps his style of play simply lends itself to him having more off-nights than a regular butterfly goalie. I think it's more mental with him and that can be worked on but who knows if he'll ever over-come it.

Hopefully, it is something mental he can overcome.

 

[glenwo2]

I'd stick with Wedge to see if he further develops and tell Kinky to hit the bricks.

Sorry but it's a "what have you done for me lately" league.

 

[Balance]

I hope we land Yakupov in the Summer, if we can make DSP score a lot then giving Yakupov 1st/2nd line minutes will definitely benefit him on this team

 

[Emperoreddy]

My impression of Kinky is he can be overly aggressive and that usually lands him in trouble.

 

[glenwo2]

My impression of Kinky is he can be overly aggressive and that usually lands him in trouble.

Someone once mentioned he is a bit like Moose in that respect.

 

[njdevil26]

I hope we land Yakupov in the Summer, if we can make DSP score a lot then giving Yakupov 1st/2nd line minutes will definitely benefit him on this team

Agreed.

I think Yakupov will like the fact that he has a real shot at being a star here.

 

[MadDevil]

Wedge has played 4 games, and Kinkaid has played what 30 some games? Trying to make any sort of judgement would be kind of ridiculous at this point. Keep them both around and let's see what happens next year. In all likelihood Wedge won't look as good once teams figure out his weaknesses.

 

[Bleedred]

I think you're being a bit overcome by recency bias here.

Kinkaid's solid 2014-15 can't be ignored. 19 games, 2.59 gaa, .915sv%. All of us were happy with his place as a backup.

Kinkaid has been bad this season, but in his NHL career he has a .907sv%. That's better than Scott Wedgewood's AHL career save percentage.

Meanwhile, Wedgewood is getting a massive benefit of the doubt after only four NHL games this year and 16 AHL games. Let's not forget that he was pretty bad for two seasons in Albany. I got to see him live a bunch and it wasn't very impressive.

Not saying that Wegdewood hasn't improved, but I'm pretty skeptical that he's better than Kinkaid. You're right that this really doesn't matter a whole lot in the end, since an average backup to a bad backup isn't changing the fortunes of our team too much.

I've cited Wedgewood's AHL career before this year as a reason why I'm skeptical he'll be any good. That's why I was calling him last year ''Possibly the worst pro goaltender in North America''.

I hope he really has improved though, as he seems like a good guy to root for. I feel bad for trashing him in the past, but I'm also not sure if he's really any good. He's looked great in every game so far, including the Carolina game last night, despite allowing 3 goals.

But some fans are really fickle, especially on goaltenders. It was being said of Kinkaid that he had ''Better raw athletic ability'' than Schneider back in Kinkaid's first game of the season, because he had a really good period or two against Washington. Then imploded in the last period, as the percentages evened out. Same thing with last year after he made his debut. There was one week where he looked better than Cory, and people actually thought he was better or could wind up being better.

Kinkaid was good last year as a backup, great actually. At even strength, his save percentage was even with Schneider's, though he was significantly worse on the PK. I don't remember nearly as many bad goals going in. He was playing just okay before Cory was injured, but not really as good as last year. Since he had to take over as a starter, he imploded after having a couple of good games in between. Maybe he's like Johan Hedberg. Johan Hedberg was not good in the NHL as a starter or 1b goaltender. He was amazing for us a backup for two years and started out the 12-13 season great in a backup role. Then fell apart when being a starter. He was never very good as a starter anywhere he played.

 

[glenwo2]

Agreed.

I think Yakupov will like the fact that he has a real shot at being a star here.

Or in layman's terms :

"A Big Fish in a small pond".

 

[AfroThunder396]

If we can get Yak for cheap he'd be a very good 2nd line addition. I don't think he'll ever be a gamebreaker or a 1st line guy, IMHO I think Zacha has a higher ceiling at this point.

Cammalleri-Henrique-Palmieri
Boucher-Zajac-Yakupov
Blandisi-Zacha-DSP
Kalinin-Josefson-Pietila/Kennedy

Before we make a splash on July 1st

 

[Bleedred]

If we can get Yak for cheap he'd be a very good 2nd line addition. I don't think he'll ever be a gamebreaker or a 1st line guy, IMHO I think Zacha has a higher ceiling at this point.

Cammalleri-Henrique-Palmieri
Boucher-Zajac-Yakupov
Blandisi-Zacha-DSP
Kalinin-Josefson-Pietila/Kennedy

Before we make a splash on July 1st

I'm a little more than mildly interested in Yakupov. Just afraid of what it might cost to get him.

It's about damn time Edmonton nuts up and breaks up some of the band, rather than staying status quo like the last two regimes. Or at least the MacTavish regime.

 

[JimEIV]

Yuck-opov

 

[OmNomNom]

can anyone of us even say they've seen yak play enough at all to pass judgement? it's not like he was 1st overall for no reason

 

[JimEIV]

can anyone of us even say they've seen yak play enough at all to pass judgement? it's not like he was 1st overall for no reason

250 games under his belt (249 actually) and he has as many points this season as Severson.

 

[ForeverJerseyGirl]

An article from BU on Hynes (passed along by my sister, who was a BU graduate herself):

http://www.bu.edu/today/2016/john-hynes-new-jersey-devils/

Thought it was a good read. Hope others enjoy it as well.

 

[NJDevils17]

Would 100% flip Merrill for him. Yakupov has potential, it's worth a shot. Worst thing that happens is he sucks and we lose a 5/6 defenseman in Merrill.

I don't watch the Oilers but from what I've read, he's playing better and shows flashes of potential. That's a kind of risk I have no problem taking.

Sometimes guys just need fresh starts (@DSP) to flourish. Yakupov seems dedicated to making it work and if he puts in effort I can't see why we wouldn't want him. He's cheap and has potential.