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

[Triumph]

They gave him Palmieri by default, not because they thought he’d be a great fit or else they would’ve tried it last year.

The forward Jack Hughes played the most with in 2019-20? You guessed it - Kyle Palmieri.

I mean, they never played with one another and Kyle checked out after game #4 (don’t take this literally plz), so that duo was going to take some time to gel or fail because the shooter on that line was already somewhere else in his mind.

Excuses, excuses. Palmieri checked out during a contract year when he wants to be paid like Brendan Gallagher. Sure he did.

With that said, should Fitz just give up because that duo didn’t click? Are we supposed to groom our franchise player by giving him fringe NHL’ers or over the hill veterans that can’t keep up as his line mates for a 3rd straight year?

Strawman. The Devils should definitely not go into next season planning on using Kuokkanen-Hughes-Sharangovich as a line. But they shouldn't assume that any winger they bring in is going to immediately mesh with Hughes, or bring anyone in expressly for that purpose.

Holtz is a shooter and odds are, we took him over other skilled players because he has that skill no one has on our roster or our pipeline... his shot. With that said, he’s maybe 3 years away from being relevant for us and if we’re not going to give Hughes the support he needs during that time frame, that’s 5 years of him playing with meh talent and that’s not how you polish your gem.

If Holtz is 3 years away from being relevant, he will never be relevant. Pay attention to how players develop.

 

[Spoiled Bratt]

I noticed the Detroit thing last night and didn't feel like posting it. It's seriously depressing to me, as bad as the Devils have been this season I did not consider them to be in Detroit/Ottawa territory.

Buffalo is our on tails, now that’s just downright sad right there... and they’re without their star player.

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

Yeah, 2 or 3... and I wouldn’t be shocked if it’s 4, absolutely. If you think Holtz is coming to play on our top line in the next 12 to 24 months AND contribute as a legit top #6 winger, you’re dreaming.

This notion that our prospects are going to shock the world 1 or 2 years after being drafted is flawed and is one we shouldn’t want when looking at how poorly it worked with Zacha and others.

Jack Hughes wasn’t drafted to babysit Holtz or Mercer. He’s the one that needs to be groomed now so he can teach our prospects when they’ll be ready to crack our roster and take more responsibilities.

It’s not because Jack or Nico are adding more years on their resume at the NHL level that they’re growing as NHL player.

so you wouldn't be shocked if Alex Holtz isn't in the NHL until he is 23 years old? lol

okay man.

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

Buffalo is our on tails, now that’s just downright sad right there... and they’re without their star player.

the Devils have been without their best player for 90% of this season.

 

[Spoiled Bratt]

The forward Jack Hughes played the most with in 2019-20? You guessed it - Kyle Palmieri.



Excuses, excuses. Palmieri checked out during a contract year when he wants to be paid like Brendan Gallagher. Sure he did.



Strawman. The Devils should definitely not go into next season planning on using Kuokkanen-Hughes-Sharangovich as a line. But they shouldn't assume that any winger they bring in is going to immediately mesh with Hughes, or bring anyone in expressly for that purpose.



If Holtz is 3 years away from being relevant, he will never be relevant. Pay attention to how players develop.

So explain to me what happened to Palmieri, I mean if you looked at the games and look up our GDT before he was moved, it was evident that he checked out and convincing me that he didn’t will be hard to do. He’ll get paid regardless, it’s free agency, that’s how it works.

As for Holtz, he had a very below D1 year and turned it on later in the year. If you can tell me with a straight face that he’ll be playing in our top #6 AND making a difference for our team, in the year or two, you’re smoking some good shit.

The way I see it, you want to finish at the bottom because that’s how you build a contender, draft in the top #5 and rush guys who didn’t do anything to gain the ice time you’re willing to give them other then being selected in the top #5.

 

[Poppy Whoa Sonnet]

I noticed the Detroit thing last night and didn't feel like posting it. It's seriously depressing to me, as bad as the Devils have been this season I did not consider them to be in Detroit/Ottawa territory.

Ottawa is probably in better shape than us right now, and into the future. Their division is weak but still. This is true in spite of an atrocious offseason for Dorian (outside the draft).

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

Ottawa is probably in better shape than us right now, and into the future. Their division is weak but still. This is true in spite of an atrocious offseason for Dorian (outside the draft).

Ottawa has less points in more games played than the Devils in an easier division and also don't have a goalie (and are stuck with Matt Murray's contract for the next 3 years). And that isn't even taking into account the whole Covid shutdown.

but yeah sure other than that!

 

[Spoiled Bratt]

so you wouldn't be shocked if Alex Holtz isn't in the NHL until he is 23 years old? lol

okay man.

You must have a reading comprehension issue.

I said I’d be shocked if he’s playing in our top line AND contributing as a legit top #6 winger in 2 or 3 years.

We picked a kid who’s wayyyyy more talented offensively in Hughes and has he blown the roof off in his 2nd year?

The fact that I’m even debating this, is... well, strange.

 

[Figgie]

I have seen Holtz a lot this season and I think that next season he will propably be in SHL/AHL. If he plays in AHL there is a change that we can see him playing at least couple games in the NHL. I would be surprised if Holtz is not playing in NHL when season 2022-2023 starts.

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

You must have a reading comprehension issue.

I said I’d be shocked if he’s playing on our top line AND contributing as a legit top #6 winger in 2 or 3 years.

We picked a kid who’s wayyyyy more talented offensively in Hughes and has he blown the roof off in his 2nd year?

The fact that I’m even debating this, is... well, strange.

you said 2 or 3 or 4 from NOW. Holtz is 19 so in 3-4 years he will be 22/23. So yes, that is exactly what you said.

In fact, Holtz is only 4 months younger than Hughes

 

[britdevil]

Devils have a top prospect pool, that's about to add another high pick, no bad contracts and like a shitzillion dollars in cap space. Not many, if any clubs have a better out look.

POTENTIALLY..... The kids need to step up and prove it.

 

[Poppy Whoa Sonnet]

Ottawa has less points in more games played than the Devils in an easier division and also don't have a goalie (and are stuck with Matt Murray's contract for the next 3 years). And that isn't even taking into account the whole Covid shutdown.

but yeah sure other than that!

Just look at their young players and compare to ours, then watch them play a game. Murray trade and contract was atrocious for sure but once they stop trying to save face and rehab him they will take off. Look at how much better they've been with Anton Forsberg + their AHL goalies v. Murray/Hogberg.

 

[Triumph]

So explain to me what happened to Palmieri, I mean if you looked at the games and look up our GDT before he was moved, it was evident that he checked out and convincing me that he didn’t will be hard to do. He’ll get paid regardless, it’s free agency, that’s how it works.

Palmieri is 30 years old and has lost a step, that's what happened. Maybe this shitty season didn't help matters when it came to motivation, but based on his first 4 games on Long Island, he's not lighting it up over there yet. To say 'he'll get paid regardless' - lol, do you pay attention to anything? Did you see what happened last offseason, and this one's going to be worse? God, no wonder I had your last 3 names on ignore.

As for Holtz, he had a very below D1 year and turned it on later in the year. If you can tell me with a straight face that he’ll be playing in our top #6 AND making a difference for our team, in the year or two, you’re smoking some good shit.

You've just moved the goalposts. I don't think Holtz will be doing that next year, no, but 2 years? It's certainly a possibility, and should be the expectation from the franchise. It's been a crazy year for everyone, I can't take this year and extrapolate it with as much confidence as I would a normal year.

The way I see it, you want to finish at the bottom because that’s how you build a contender, draft in the top #5 and rush guys who didn’t do anything to gain the ice time you’re willing to give them other then being selected in the top #5.

This is either sarcasm or nonsense and I refuse to figure out which.

 

[Spoiled Bratt]

you said 2 or 3 or 4 from NOW. Holtz is 19 so in 3-4 years he will be 22/23. So yes, that is exactly what you said.

He’ll be in the NHL in 2, 3 or 4 years. Will he be contributing as a legit top line player in that timeframe, I really don’t think so.

 

[britdevil]

Holtz should stay in Sweden and get a dominate season under his belt. He looked flat out terrible in a lot of games I got to see.

I'll put it down to COVID, but I'm sure he'll want to prove he's a far better player than he showed for most of the season.

 

[Triumph]

Holtz should not stay in Sweden with a team that everyone I've heard from there calls dysfunctional. He should sign a contract with New Jersey and play in the AHL/NHL next season.

 

[None Shall Pass]

'I can't catch my breath': How teams struggle after COVID-19 — and what it means for the Canucks

This article is technically about the Canucks, but it notes how badly us, the Sabres, and the Flyers have played post-Covid break versus pre-Covid break.

I did a little math:

Pre-break, we were playing at a 91 point pace (82 game season).

Post-break, we're playing at a 60 point pace.

 

[britdevil]

This virus is a bitch eh?

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

Just look at their young players and compare to ours, then watch them play a game. Murray trade and contract was atrocious for sure but once they stop trying to save face and rehab him they will take off. Look at how much better they've been with Anton Forsberg + their AHL goalies v. Murray/Hogberg.

even their non-Murray goalies have like a .900 SV%...big whoop. Not to mention they are stuck with that Murray contract now.

They have 6 players with 20 or more points. The Devils have 5 and thats without their best player for 90% of the year.

 

[glenwo2]

'I can't catch my breath': How teams struggle after COVID-19 — and what it means for the Canucks

This article is technically about the Canucks, but it notes how badly us, the Sabres, and the Flyers have played post-Covid break versus pre-Covid break.

I did a little math:

Pre-break, we were playing at a 91 point pace (82 game season).

Post-break, we're playing at a 60 point pace.

Yeah. I'm sure Covid did play a significant role but it's not the only reason teams like ours, the Sabres, and the Flyers struggled.

I mean...don't forget that even before Covid, the Sabres weren't exactly a factor in the East for such a long time.

The Flyers have had little to no goaltending (and still don't unless Carter Hart goes back in time and finds his Talent that he lost) and it's only because they still have established vets who can score that they remain afloat(barely).

 

[Clam Jensen]

the Devils have been without their best player for 90% of this season.

And we just traded away 2 top-6 forwards, a top-4 dman, had another dman claimed on waivers, and were without our 2 top point getters last night...and people are shocked we look like dogshit.

 

[Jersey Fresh]

'I can't catch my breath': How teams struggle after COVID-19 — and what it means for the Canucks

This article is technically about the Canucks, but it notes how badly us, the Sabres, and the Flyers have played post-Covid break versus pre-Covid break.

I did a little math:

Pre-break, we were playing at a 91 point pace (82 game season).

Post-break, we're playing at a 60 point pace.

I definitely think we're closer to the team we saw for the first 10 games than the last 30. No doubt this team has plenty of issues, but there're just no pronouncements anyone can make about what we are based on this janky season. None.

 

[Ech0]

I mean the big turning point for the Devils was when everyone got COVID. They were playing well (even though PP and PK sucked) but once they came back from COVID everyone’s performance were off.

 

[glenwo2]

I mean the big turning point for the Devils was when everyone got COVID. They were playing well (even though PP and PK sucked) but once they came back from COVID everyone’s performance were off.

And it stayed off forever?

I don't buy it.

 

[Jersey Fresh]

I mean the big turning point for the Devils was when everyone got COVID. They were playing well (even though PP and PK sucked) but once they came back from COVID everyone’s performance were off.

And even before a puck was dropped we were getting screwed. Corey Crawford retiring didn't give us a stable backup presence when Blackwood hit a rough patch, which meant even when his play dipped we had to overwork him. Plus, Nico being injured for basically the whole year robbed us of a stabilizing center presence that has affected us all year on the PK and the faceoff dot (not to mention allowing teams to key on Hughes).

It's been really a lost year, but there are a few bright spots in the young guys that have exceeded expectations (Smith, Kuokkanen, Sharangovich).