Devils 2021 team discussion (news, notes and speculation) - part XXVI

[Hisch13r]

Which shows that either the data is misleading, or they are interpreting it poorly.

No it doesn't. It's based on how Zacha has played and it has been incredibly rough. He has the worst CA/60, GA/60, SCA/60 with the 3rd worst HDCA/60 and xGA/60. He is a god awful defensive center and always has been. He's been misused all year because they've kept him in the middle. That's why he grades out so horrendously

 

[devilsblood]

No it doesn't. It's based on how Zacha has played and it has been incredibly rough. He has the worst CA/60, GA/60, SCA/60 with the 3rd worst HDCA/60 and xGA/60. He is an awful defensive center and always has been. He's been misused all year because they've kept him in the middle. That's why he grades out so horrendously

My point was in regards to Bratt's #'s, and the fact that they give Bratt a 97 shows it's just not a trustworthy metric.

Now do I think Zacha has been a good defensive center? No I do not.

 

[Camille the Eel]

Vaya con dios Kulikov

He's earned a payday after this one. What a pro. Really did everything you can have asked of him here and more. He's going to get close to his prior contracts next year and a 3 year term. I'd say 4 million times 3 is not unrealistic. Good for him. He was a rock back there for us all year and one of the few of our guys who would hit someone.

 

[Hisch13r]

My point was in regards to Bratt's #'s, and the fact that they give Bratt a 97 shows it's just not a trustworthy metric.

Now do I think Zacha has been a good defensive center? No I do not.

So you think he should be what? Like an 85-90 instead of a 97? At that point we're just getting into semantics. There's no legitimate way to deny that he has had a very strong defensive impact. Among forwards he's 11th in rel CA/60, 90 in rel GA/60, 66th in rel xGA/60, 59th in rel SCA/60, 26th in rel HDCA/60. We can look at this isolated 5v5 impact and see that's been great as well. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ex_9DoQWUAYP6dW?format=jpg&name=900x900

There's more that goes into it besides just those things but I look at those number and see no reason to believe the others wouldn't also be good. Also it's not even like he's visibly not good to where you can say he doesn't pass the "eye test". The data is all there to support that his defensive impact being very strong.

 

[MadDevil]

Kulikov has been solid, but I can't help still having this feeling that it might be more of anomaly than the norm for him. Although admittedly I never really paid much attention to him before we signed him, so maybe he's always been solid and I just never noticed.

 

[devilsblood]

So you think he should be what? Like an 85-90 instead of a 97? At that point we're just getting into semantics. There's no legitimate way to deny that he has had a very strong defensive impact. Among forwards he's 11th in rel CA/60, 90 in rel GA/60, 66th in rel xGA/60, 59th in rel SCA/60, 26th in rel HDCA/60. We can look at this isolated 5v5 impact and see that's been great as well. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ex_9DoQWUAYP6dW?format=jpg&name=900x900

There's more that goes into it besides just those things but I look at those number and see no reason to believe the others wouldn't also be good. Also it's not even like he's visibly not good to where you can say he doesn't pass the "eye test". The data is all there to support that his defensive impact being very strong.

97th% says elite defensive player. This is not just semantics.

The #'s you posted are good, and they do suggest he has played well. But he also gets a ton of offensive faceoffs, and has played most of this season on a team where Zajac's line would get the lions share of opposition top line matchups.

 

[Billdo]

He's earned a payday after this one. What a pro. Really did everything you can have asked of him here and more. He's going to get close to his prior contracts next year and a 3 year term. I'd say 4 million times 3 is not unrealistic. Good for him. He was a rock back there for us all year and one of the few of our guys who would hit someone.

Agreed on all accounts.

 

[Hisch13r]

He's earned a payday after this one. What a pro. Really did everything you can have asked of him here and more. He's going to get close to his prior contracts next year and a 3 year term. I'd say 4 million times 3 is not unrealistic. Good for him. He was a rock back there for us all year and one of the few of our guys who would hit someone.

He's having a really good year after years of being like a replacement level guy. This season is probably the outlier. Giving him that type of deal would likely not work out

 

[Hockey Fanatik]

He's having a really good year after years of being like a replacement level guy. This season is probably the outlier. Giving him that type of deal would likely not work out

Kulikov? Wasnt he pretty good for Winnipeg?

 

[Hisch13r]

Kulikov? Wasnt he pretty good for Winnipeg?

Nah

 

[RSeen]

I think if there was a market for Murray he wouldn't be playing tonight. I hope he re-signs tomorrow

Kulikov has been significantly better this year so I can see why he is more desirable, plus has a smaller cap hit. Haven't been overly impressed by Murray this year, would be okay with moving on from him.

 

[Nemec]

Only winner in today's game is Zacha. He's probably already at home with a bowl of ice cream

 

[Captain3rdLine]

Only winner in today's game is Zacha. He's probably already at home with a bowl of ice cream

High IQ play by him. Take the face off and go home.

 

[TheDuke93]

This is the 4th game the refs have totally taken us out of this season.

 

[TheDuke93]

 

[devilsblood]

The ole non contact injury. Typically a bad sign.

 

[My3Sons]

inbound 4th rounder which everyone on this board will rejoice and it’s the second coming

Yes...everyone.... every single person without exception will see a fourth round pick in ecstatic religious terms. Almost everyone will say ok and it was the best pick available and move on. Some will type messages that are not worded tightly that may veer closer to sounding satisfied as opposed to resigned to the process. You can make good points but this was overwrought.

 

[Hockey Fanatik]

Could Wood be available to teams? Maybe even command a first?

hes 25, signed next year where we can retain 50% bringing him below 2m cap hit, and perfect for playoff hockey while being insanely fast

however while im fine keeping him; does he really age well even to 30, let alone longer?

if I can get a nice prospect or a 1 for him, id do it

 

[Captain3rdLine]

Could Wood be available to teams? Maybe even command a first?

hes 25, signed next year where we can retain 50% bringing him below 2m cap hit, and perfect for playoff hockey while being insanely fast

however while im fine keeping him; does he really age well even to 30, let alone longer?

if I can get a nice prospect or a 1 for him, id do it

Wood should get a first no problem if he were traded.

 

[Hockey Fanatik]

Wood should get a first no problem if he were traded.

Id prefer a prospect ready for next season or the one after over a first, but id do it for sure. I think he likely doesnt keep his speed for too long

 

[Emperoreddy]

The ole non contact injury. Typically a bad sign.

The actual worst part of this game.

 

[Hockey Fanatik]

With Nashville rumored earlier this year to have almost everyone available; what would we pay for Forsberg? Or maybe Tuch from Vegas? JT Miller?

A gem id like to try for would be Reinhart from Buffalo

or do we just try and sign someone in free agency? Iafallo, Landeskog, RNH, Saad, Danault, Lowry, etc..?

speaking strictly forwards

 

[The Great Dame]

With Nashville rumored earlier this year to have almost everyone available; what would we pay for Forsberg? Or maybe Tuch from Vegas? JT Miller?

A gem id like to try for would be Reinhart from Buffalo

or do we just try and sign someone in free agency? Iafallo, Landeskog, RNH, Saad, Danault, Lowry, etc..?

speaking strictly forwards

I think Nashville’s probably had a change of heart with how they’ve turned their season around. Those other trade names you mentioned would be good targets, also Vrana and Gaudreau.
As far as UFAs go, I’d be shocked to see Landeskog hit the open market and if he does there’ll be a bidding war for him, same with RNH. I would love to add Lowry for the bottom 6, he’s an absolute unit and would be a much needed injection of some sandpaper to our forward group. Danaults not really a goal scorer, and Saad and Iafallo strike me more as complementary pieces whereas some of the potential wingers we could trade for would be real play-driving type guys.

 

[Hisch13r]

I think Nashville’s probably had a change of heart with how they’ve turned their season around. Those other trade names you mentioned would be good targets, also Vrana and Gaudreau.
As far as UFAs go, I’d be shocked to see Landeskog hit the open market and if he does there’ll be a bidding war for him, same with RNH. I would love to add Lowry for the bottom 6, he’s an absolute unit and would be a much needed injection of some sandpaper to our forward group. Danaults not really a goal scorer, and Saad and Iafallo strike me more as complementary pieces whereas some of the potential wingers we could trade for would be real play-driving type guys.

Vrana seems like he could be a real option if things continue to go sideways with Lavi. I also think he'd be cheaper than some of the other options. We also really need a 3C. I don't who it'd be but that's greatly needed

 

[The Great Dame]

Vrana seems like he could be a real option if things continue to go sideways with Lavi. I also think he'd be cheaper than some of the other options. We also really need a 3C. I don't who it'd be but that's greatly needed

Agreed on both counts. As for the 3C thing that’s why I like Lowry so much, he’d be perfect for that role. If not there’s other UFA options out there like bringing in a familiar face in Coleman or Trav.