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

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Zajacs Bowl Cut

Lets Go Baby
Nov 6, 2005
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Why are we even talking about trading Bratt and Zacha? These are young guys that are cheap, and we're not getting anything better in return. Unless someone wants to overpay in terms of picks and prospects, then sure maybe. But I'm not sure what anyone is expecting by trading either of these two players. It's not like we can go out and immediately make the team better by trading them away. Maybe just maybe some team would be stupid enough to trade an equivalent blue-liner, but defenseman are generally worth more than forwards.

We need top end talent and the only way get that is via free-agency or hope that Nico and Jack start turning into that.

This team just has a very long way to go and dumping young talent for other unproven talent isn't going to help.

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MauDevils

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Jan 11, 2009
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Tampa's top 2 5v5 lines in the playoffs last year were

Palat (6'0)-Point (5'10)-Kucherov (5'11)
Coleman (5'11)-Gourde (5'9)-Goodrow (6'2)

It's a shame they got tramped come playoff time and couldn't overcome having some smaller players...

And their D -

Hedman - 6'6
Foote - 6'4
Sertachev - 6'3
Cernak - 6'3
Rutta - 6'3
Schenn - 6'2
McDonagh - 6'1
 
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Spoiled Bratt

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Jun 29, 2016
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Bratt can go to a team like Vancouver or Vegas who cant afford future talent and needs some cheap, we can get a Boeser back if we added NYs1st or something

Zacha is never getting you that type of return

Couldn’t agree more!

I don’t want to move Bratt for anything else then a scorer or a legit dman. Saying we’d move Bratt isn’t a bad thing if the expected return can actually help us score goals instead of passing the puck in the net.

We have to use our position of strength to elevate our weakness, that’s like business #101.
 

Devils731

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Jun 23, 2008
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And their D -

Hedman - 6'6
Foote - 6'4
Sertachev - 6'3
Cernak - 6'3
Rutta - 6'3
Schenn - 6'2
McDonagh - 6'1

So their small forwards aren’t eaten up defensively by size because there is a taller guy standing half a zone away?
 
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Billdo

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Oct 28, 2008
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I love 37 and I think there are a lot of GMs that should love him and think about how he could be the last piece needed to build a cup contender and how do you even put a price tag on something like that give Fitz whatever he asks for.
There are three players in the league Id consider moving him for. They are 97, 29, and 8.
 

TheDuke93

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May 29, 2017
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Tampa's top 2 5v5 lines in the playoffs last year were

Palat (6'0)-Point (5'10)-Kucherov (5'11)
Coleman (5'11)-Gourde (5'9)-Goodrow (6'2)

It's a shame they got tramped come playoff time and couldn't overcome having some smaller players...
upload_2021-4-19_15-22-33.png

As you can see here since 18-19 only 12 centers have produced more points then Point, and 4 of those guys aren't actually centers.
 

My3Sons

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Foote was not on the team last season but 6'0 Kevin Shattenkirk was. Also, our size on defense is fine.


With the uncertainty on defense going into next season who knows. Maybe it is, maybe it isn't. Right now, I'd suggest the defense still needs renovation and I hope Siegenthaler starts next season on a third pair with a smart steady veteran rather than a top four role. I'm sure long term the prospects bring plenty of height and reach and snarl on the left. The right side is pretty barren right now beyond Walsh and maybe McCarthy.
 
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My3Sons

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View attachment 424246
As you can see here since 18-19 only 12 centers have produced more points then Point, and 4 of those guys aren't actually centers.

Small guys with snarl and pushback can be very successful. Look at Marchand. Look at Kucherov. I think the issue is that NJ as a group is just too soft right now. Granted they are young. I think Zacha has taken some steps in the right direction this season as far as board play and confidence. Bratt will likely lose most physical battles but he's smart and if he plays like Jack should be able to continue to create offense. Many games the only real pushback is on the fourth line and it's noticeable when they do it. The team could use some more of that even if it came from players under 6 feet tall.
 

TheDuke93

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May 29, 2017
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With the uncertainty on defense going into next season who knows. Maybe it is, maybe it isn't. Right now, I'd suggest the defense still needs renovation and I hope Siegenthaler starts next season on a third pair with a smart steady veteran rather than a top four role. I'm sure long term the prospects bring plenty of height and reach and snarl on the left. The right side is pretty barren right now beyond Walsh and maybe McCarthy.
The right side is certainly barren but we do have quite a few guys on the left that are thumpers who play well above their size. I am not worried about size on the back end unless Mukhamadullin, Bahl and Okhotyuk all fail to become regulars.
 
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TheDuke93

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May 29, 2017
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Small guys with snarl and pushback can be very successful. Look at Marchand. Look at Kucherov. I think the issue is that NJ as a group is just too soft right now. Granted they are young. I think Zacha has taken some steps in the right direction this season as far as board play and confidence. Bratt will likely lose most physical battles but he's smart and if he plays like Jack should be able to continue to create offense. Many games the only real pushback is on the fourth line and it's noticeable when they do it. The team could use some more of that even if it came from players under 6 feet tall.
I think part of that is maturity though, Nico certainly has push back and I don't think Bratt is a pushover either.
 
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My3Sons

Nobody told me there'd be days like these...
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The right side is certainly barren but we do have quite a few guys on the left that are thumpers who play well above their size. I am not worried about size on the back end unless Mukhamadullin, Bahl and Okhotyuk all fail to become regulars.

The left looks like a big scary defense in the future. Behind Smith you could have Okhotiyuk and Vukojevic or Mukhamadullin, all of whom bring reach and some grit. I'd expect Shak to be fairly physical in a few years when he fills out. He is willing, just has no heft right now. If you could find two guys like that on the right side NJ would have the makings of a tough to play against defense. Long term I'm sure they will figure it out but they do need to start on the right side sooner rather than later.
 
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