Devils 2020-21 team discussion (news, notes and speculation) - part XIV

[ChicksDigTheTrap]

I think it's almost all Blackwood.

1. The Devils PDO is 107.4 right now. Last year was 99.1.
2. The Devils CF% is 47.7. Last year was 46.2. Worse, but not by a ton.

Plus, as others have said, Blackwood's play allows everyone else to play with a bit more confidence.

Basically the Devils are playing like they did after Hall last played for them. That coincided with Blackwoods emergence. They played as the 8 seed from that point out with less than impressive underlying numbers. Figured to be more of the same this year with all the young Fs that would be playing. This year is about which of the young Fs are a fit moving forward.

 

[Nubmer6]

Wood-Hughes-Palmieri = America f*ck yeah line
Sharangovich-Hischier-Bratt
Zacha-Zajac-Gusev
Johnsson/Kuokkanen-McLeod-Boqvist/Bastian

Murray-Vatanen
Smith-Severson
Kulikov-Subban

Willing to interchange Zacha and Sharanovich. Wood has improved a lot, and could use some more run. He's generating shots, and his passing looks milessss better. Zajac gets put back on babysitting Goose duties like last season.

I don't like the idea of Ty and Vatanen together. Too small, and there's a lack of make-up speed there if someone has to get back. This line-up gives the best size balance on the defence. Vatanen and Murray could be a very good first pairing. PK tends to have a lot of mishaps, and feel that Kulikov is a good partner for him as any.

I remember one shift last night after a PK where Wood was on the line with Jack while Sharang was recovering. It was all out chaos in the offensive zone and very, very entertaining to watch. My question would be whether it would be chaos in the defensive zone too. Luckily, we didn't find out last night.

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

I think it's almost all Blackwood.

1. The Devils PDO is 107.4 right now. Last year was 99.1.
2. The Devils CF% is 47.7. Last year was 46.2. Worse, but not by a ton.

Plus, as others have said, Blackwood's play allows everyone else to play with a bit more confidence.

how much of that is the 1st period against Boston though? Boston was 18-7 CF in that 1st period per NaturalStatTrick

 

[Hisch13r]

It's happening

 

[Darkauron]

It's happening

FINALLY

 

[NJDevs26]

This might be the only time I've ever been glad someone was added to the COVID list. The clock is starting on the return now.

 

[Blackjack]

YES!!!!!!!

 

[R8Devs]

Theoretically should be able to be back for the Flyers game next week?

 

[TheUnseenHand]

It's happening

Jesper will help, but the key is Nico. This is good news and something to be excited about, but it makes me wish Nico were closer.

 

[NJDevs26]

Theoretically should be able to be back for the Flyers game next week?

He can return for practice but I doubt they'd actually play him right off since he had no camp. He'll probably have to go through a number of practices first.

 

[Blackjack]

Probably won't happen, but man it would be so cool if Bratt and Hischier came back the same game.

 

[Emperoreddy]

The unicorn is coming?!?! Oh the chumps in the East better be ready because Jack about to come riding in on a unicorn.

 

[Hisch13r]

Jesper will help, but the key is Nico. This is good news and something to be excited about, but it makes me wish Nico were closer.

Nico is obviously more important but this could get both Zacha and Gusev going

 

[Blackjack]

Jesper will help, but the key is Nico. This is good news and something to be excited about, but it makes me wish Nico were closer.

Jesper is right there with Nico. He's a dynamo, he can get our second line going.

 

[Hisch13r]

 

[TheUnseenHand]

Nico is obviously more important but this could get both Zacha and Gusev going

Boy I hope so. That line was money at the end of last season.

 

[Blackjack]

Welcome back to the states @glenwo2 !

 

[Emperoreddy]

He adds firepower both at evens and on the PP.

The potential for an extra goal or two can help put the pressure off Blackwood and maybe even get Dell a win or two.

Nico obviously balances things way more, but Bratt is a big add.

 

[Better Call Sal]

Yessss.

Now bring us our sweet young Nico!

 

[Clam Jensen]

 

[Blackjack]

He adds firepower both at evens and on the PP.

The potential for an extra goal or two can help put the pressure off Blackwood and maybe even get Dell a win or two.

Nico obviously balances things way more, but Bratt is a big add.

He's also great defensively and in transition. That second line is dead in the water without him.

 

[Emperoreddy]

Yessss.

Now bring us our sweet young Nico!

Our beautiful Swiss boy needs to PLAY

 

[Devil X]

He will definitely need to practice some. New system and what not. My only issue is how much are they practicing now? With such a tight schedule Im sure they arent out there running long in depth practices.

He might have to learn some of the system from tape and meetings.

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

probably early February before he gets into a game, but still great news

 

[TonySoprano]

Wouldn't shock me if he played 4th line to start to get him up to speed