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

[Derps]

I've been hearing this for too long now, I've watched this team since the 80's and never seen them so bad for so long, we're not even a decent team yet, its been years, almost a decade. I'm not talking about a contender, just a respectable team that competes every game.

I think it is actually different now. Before we didn't even have the infrastucture -- grossly overrated or bad centers. Wingers that NEEDED centers to be good. And terrible coaching. Now we at least have some young pieces that you can watch grow. In 2015, this team wasn't *close* to making noise because they didnt have the requisite pieces to be good. Now I think they do. 150 points from your top 2 centers every year changes pretty much everything.

 

[glenwo2]

Bratt has 1 goal in like 11 games. The issue with the young players is that they struggle with consistency but show flashes of excellence. We can come up with a bunch of excuses but the team underperforming is ultimately why we are slipping. That and the abysmal penalty kill which actually looked better against the caps the last 2 days...

That is very true.

But at the end of the day, you need at least some of your Vets to chip in with some scoring of their own to help out the inconsistent young players...and that's not happening.


Palms has been the ultimate guilty party here in that aspect.

 

[Jets012]

Not a good play-driver, but a fantastic finisher. He legit might walk in and be the best finisher on the team right now.

I'd bring him in and let him play with Hughes or Nico/Bratt and let them drive play. All he's got to do is finish chances

 

[Derps]

Bratt has 1 goal in like 11 games. The issue with the young players is that they struggle with consistency but show flashes of excellence. We can come up with a bunch of excuses but the team underperforming is ultimately why we are slipping. That and the abysmal penalty kill which actually looked better against the caps the last 2 days...

I can handle the inconsistency from the young players, but the vets have probably been even more inconsistent.

Johnsson, Palmieri, Zajac, and Gusev have 10 goals combined. There are 15 teams that have a single player that has 10+. These were suppose to be 4 key guys this year and they have all been disappointments.

EDIT: I guess the counter argument is that they are pretty consistently bad??

 

[Better Call Sal]

Obviously the timing wasn't the most ideal, but I had been working on this video this weekend for the 2021 team. I know some are still sour but I'm still excited about what lies ahead for the team.

Feel free to make recommendations because I do want to make more of these as the year goes along.

Just a note, because my song selection was only 2:30, it left me light on including more clips for certain players. I wanted to include more than I did.

 

[Derps]

Obviously the timing wasn't the most ideal, but I had been working on this video this weekend for the 2021 team. I know some are still sour but I'm still excited about what lies ahead for the team.

Feel free to make recommendations because I do want to make more of these as the year goes along.

Just a note, because my song selection was only 2:30, it left me light on including more clips for certain players. I wanted to include more than I did.

I like it.

Only recommendation I would make is the occasional Cangi call over the music. Could sound pretty cool.

 

[NJDevs26]

When @Prezidentas Zubrus wrote the question, my first thought was *how can it not be Ovechkin". Then I remembered Gartner had some big seasons. But Maruk never came to mind

I would have guessed Oates, Bondra and Jagr for the lulz then given up. Maruk actually had two of the three highest Cap seasons till Ovechkin came along

Washington Capitals Season Leaders | Hockey-Reference.com

 

[NJDevs26]

Was talking about philly.

Nine points out at this point is actually depressing although probably the closest team and most likely of the four to catch would be the Isles - ten points back but four games in hand. We're definitely burning games in hand faster than you would think on this schedule though.

 

[BahlDeep]

Well... I'll order one tonight.

I'll go with an away I think...thoughts?

Alright...just got one, hand stitched too. It was a bit more expensive but worth it considering the caliber of player Zacha is!!!!

 

[MauDevils]

Not a good play-driver, but a fantastic finisher. He legit might walk in and be the best finisher on the team right now.

I'd bring him in and let him play with Hughes or Nico/Bratt and let them drive play. All he's got to do is finish chances

He has like 7 goals in his last 60 games. That's not a fantastic finisher.

And he's also turning 29 in two months with 2 years left on his contract after this one.

 

[glenwo2]

Yep.

Because who needs practice at this point, right?

 

[SteveCangialosi123]

He has like 7 goals in his last 60 games. That's not a fantastic finisher.

And he's also turning 29 in two months with 2 years left on his contract after this one.

He has been one of the most efficient scorers in the league over the last few years before this year (16 games). Take a look at his TOI and his goal scoring.

 

[Forge]

 

[BurntToast]

I brought this up earlier; I am unsure how crazy the trade deadline will be this year. There are two major factors looming over the deadline, the quarantine/Covid-19 and the flat cap.

 

[tr83]

Yep.

Because who needs practice at this point, right?

They just played 3 in 4 days. They can practice on Wednesday

 

[Derps]

This can't possibly be true because I was told by Devils' fans since Kovy left that having balanced lines is what wins

 

[Oneiro]

That stat split is a bit awkward for us since Nico and Bratt haven't been in the mix for that long and their absence coincides with Palm's cold streak.

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

Yep.

Because who needs practice at this point, right?

You do know they are mandated to have a certain number of days off per week right?