I love what Kulikov brings. He is a smart defender, is a decent skater, has good hands, can get the puck on net and CAN LAY OUT MONSTER HITS. What else could you ask from a second/third pairing guy? He needs to brought back.
Devils 2021 team discussion (news, notes and speculation) - part XXII
- Thread starter glenwo2
- Start date
-
It's Back - NHL Survivor 2024 is now open Click here to join.
- Status
In the few hours the Devils have between games could someone get Jack Hughes a helmet that fits well. He literally adjusts the damn thing in the midst of stick handling.
glenwo2
JESPER BRATWURST
At some point, I want us to give Merkley an extended look and not just a few games here and there. Merkley in, Johnsson out.
glenwo2
JESPER BRATWURST
AfroThunder396
[citation needed]
Kulikov has been good but we should be cautious about committing to 30 year old bottom pairing guys. He's good because he's on the 3rd pair, other teams have tried playing him as a top-4 guy and he gets absolutely eaten alive. He's been run out of town everywhere he's been, and we should remember that when we're talking about re-signing him.
Now, if the goal is to continue adding players on D with the goal of bumping him down to being a #7 guy or having him compete with Bingo kids for the last spot, then sure. But if you want to promise this guy a spot for another year or two that's a huge mistake IMO. If Murray walks or gets injured, now you're forced to play him on the 2nd pairing, and now we've got a Mike Mottau/John Moore situation.
You can't get attached to role players, especially with a flat cap expected for the near future. Being better than Will Butcher does not necessarily mean you're good. He is a limited ceiling player who has found a nice niche, that's it.
Now, if the goal is to continue adding players on D with the goal of bumping him down to being a #7 guy or having him compete with Bingo kids for the last spot, then sure. But if you want to promise this guy a spot for another year or two that's a huge mistake IMO. If Murray walks or gets injured, now you're forced to play him on the 2nd pairing, and now we've got a Mike Mottau/John Moore situation.
You can't get attached to role players, especially with a flat cap expected for the near future. Being better than Will Butcher does not necessarily mean you're good. He is a limited ceiling player who has found a nice niche, that's it.
ChicksDigTheTrap
No quick fixes, no cutting corners and no cheating
123offtheglass
Registered User
Billdo
Registered User
Zajacs Bowl Cut
Lets Go Baby
he sometimes plays on the LW to fire one timers on the PP but other than that, he is pretty much strictly RW.
NJDevils#4
Since 2002, bishes
Eggtimer
Registered User
Define “play” . Yes he lines up for face offs as a RW. As far as playing goes, he isn’t doing anything this year . Invisible and does nothing when he isn’t scoring , which is not happening this year
Zippy316
aka Zippo
Devils are most likely to lose either Butcher or Subban for expansion. Unless Vegas wants to take a shot at someone like Seney and likes defensive options elsewhere.
McLeod and Bastian seem like they will be good extra forwards to keep around. Don’t think they are every day guys, but can inject some life and be fan favorites.
FinnishDevil
Registered User
Its 2021 and our best line is centered by 35 year old Travis Zajac. 
Just kidding, but that line has been great. I feel like its safe to expect scoring chances every game from them and so far theyve been buring them too. I like how much Ruff gave them ice time protecting the lead, not just Travis but the two youngsters too. Every man on that line compliments eachother while playing the same hard working style.
But the other lines..
Zacha/Maltsev - Jack - Bratt
Kuok - Zajac - Shara
Wood - Zacha/Maltsev - Palms
Johnsson/Gusev/Merkley - McLeod - Bastian
Keep Zajac line together as long as it works. I dont like Bratt and Hughes on same line, I think they are too similar but we dont have too many options. Zacha works better on wing, although Jack is far from Nico in terms of style and complete play. By the time Nico is back, I'd suppose both Gusev and Palms are gone so then its new line shuffle anyway and possibly new faces too.
Just kidding, but that line has been great. I feel like its safe to expect scoring chances every game from them and so far theyve been buring them too. I like how much Ruff gave them ice time protecting the lead, not just Travis but the two youngsters too. Every man on that line compliments eachother while playing the same hard working style.
But the other lines..
Zacha/Maltsev - Jack - Bratt
Kuok - Zajac - Shara
Wood - Zacha/Maltsev - Palms
Johnsson/Gusev/Merkley - McLeod - Bastian
Keep Zajac line together as long as it works. I dont like Bratt and Hughes on same line, I think they are too similar but we dont have too many options. Zacha works better on wing, although Jack is far from Nico in terms of style and complete play. By the time Nico is back, I'd suppose both Gusev and Palms are gone so then its new line shuffle anyway and possibly new faces too.
Devils731
Registered User
- Jun 23, 2008
- 12,797
- 17,921
The Maple Leafs' top 10 trade deadline targets: Taylor Hall, Eric Staal, Tanner Pearson and more
“Mirtle’s No. 2 target: Kyle Palmieri
I’m a very big fan of Palmieri. Of anyone on this list, he probably fits what the Leafs need the best.
An excellent defensive player who can mesh well with top centres and has a lethal shot? Sounds pretty, pretty good.”
“He would likely cost a late first-round pick plus potentially a middling prospect, given he’s been a 25-goal guy for years. (With this season a rare exception given his shooting percentage is half of what it normally is.)”
“The tough thing with Palmieri is he does have an eight-team no-trade clause, which I have heard basically reads “No Canada.””
————-
I would think in a regular season he would waive to do a half season in Toronto for a chance at the cup but it’ll be even tougher to convince him under these conditions.
“Mirtle’s No. 2 target: Kyle Palmieri
I’m a very big fan of Palmieri. Of anyone on this list, he probably fits what the Leafs need the best.
An excellent defensive player who can mesh well with top centres and has a lethal shot? Sounds pretty, pretty good.”
“He would likely cost a late first-round pick plus potentially a middling prospect, given he’s been a 25-goal guy for years. (With this season a rare exception given his shooting percentage is half of what it normally is.)”
“The tough thing with Palmieri is he does have an eight-team no-trade clause, which I have heard basically reads “No Canada.””
————-
I would think in a regular season he would waive to do a half season in Toronto for a chance at the cup but it’ll be even tougher to convince him under these conditions.
hidek91
Registered User
Agree. Especially with "Johnsson out" part. To be honest, regarding the forwards group, I'm surprised that Ruff doesn't send more messages via scratching several underperformers, Andreas being the most obvious choice since Nikita was already scratched few times.
Emperoreddy
Show Me What You Got!
JimEIV
Registered User
- Feb 19, 2003
- 67,633
- 30,389
Away right now, day off from fishing, haven't been able to follow the games since last Thursday, but I noticed Nico and Jack have now combined for 150 games over the last two seasons...87 for Jack and 63 for Nico. They have produced 74 points combined in 150 games. 39 in 63 (.62 PPG) for Nico and 35 in 87 (.40 PPG) for Jack. A combined total of .49 PPG. When we pick top 5 again this year, this is why.. I couldn't possibly think of a more disappointing scenario for two #1OA than this.
Back to the tiki bar now.
Back to the tiki bar now.
glenwo2
JESPER BRATWURST
No clue but I hope they continue to watch that "Palmieri" so we can get a nice return for him. lol
The Devil In I
Registered User
Nico's play last season is more responsible for the results of this season than him being injured for ~80% of it. Good to know.
Unknown Caller
Registered User
- Apr 30, 2009
- 10,297
- 7,890
Palmieri is a guy who has a career shooting percentage of like 13% currently shooting 6%. Since the day he came here he has always been incredibly frustrating when he's not scoring, but when he gets hot you love him. He's a hardnosed physical player who is responsible defensively and could absolutely light it up on a good team. So, they're watching the same Palmieri we are, but knowing he would slot in as a scoring winger on a strong team rather than a snakebitten winger on a horrendous team. I've been as frustrated with Palms as anyone else, but it's kind of amazing how fans can tank their own player's value when they're frustrated.
- Dec 20, 2018
- 22,562
- 50,153
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
SJinNewJersey
Every single one of us, the devil inside
JimEIV
Registered User
- Feb 19, 2003
- 67,633
- 30,389
Him not playing this season is a direct cause and Jack's 2 points in last 10 games is an even bigger problem.
Jack has 7 points in his last 21 games. That's seriously horse shit.
Last edited:
- Status
Ad
Upcoming events
-
-
-
New York Jets vs Minnesota Vikings - Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, LondonWagers: 7Staked: $3,428.00Event closes- Updated:
-
NBA Preseason Denver Nuggets vs Boston Celtics - Abu Dhabi, United Arab EmiratesWagers: 3Staked: $399.00Event closes- Updated:
-