Devils 2021 training camp thread (news, notes and speculation)

[SKNJD9]

Now that I think of it....Kuokanen hasn't been interviewed AT ALL yet by the team..video or print

 

[Triumph]

The Devils only play 9 games in Canada. It wouldn't be a huge deal if Blackwood missed those games. It would suck, for sure, especially if Bernier did get hurt and then it's Wedgewood/? up there, but yeah. I would not want to be vaccinated during the season, so it really sucks that whoever didn't get it didn't at least get the first dose before coming to the US (I believe Fitz implied it's a non-American player).

 

[R8Devs]

Now that I think of it....Kuokanen hasn't been interviewed AT ALL yet by the team..video or print

The Devils player who is not vaccinated was able to participate in media day because the set up allowed him to be more than six feet away from everyone without a mask on, but in future media sessions he will likely need to wear one.
'We hope to get it rectified': How the Devils are handling their unvaccinated player

 

[Poppy Whoa Sonnet]

Another tidbit I missed that might be interesting, Amanda referring to Holtz as Alex, I remember Matt Loughlin mentioning how Holtz seem to prefer the shorter version of his name as opposed to to his full name - or something like that. But the fact she did it I wonder if that's what he'll go by this year - Alex Holtz.

 

[Guttersniped]

hey gang how bout Ruff’s first stab at a roster

shara - hughes - tatar
Johnsson - Hischier - Bratt
Wood - Zacha - Kuokkanen
Vesey - Mcleod - Thompson

Graves - Hamilton
Smith - Severson
Siegenthaler - Subban

Pulled from the lines in the three different practice groups so far. I feel like someone obvious is missing but my brain is fried and i’m still at work.

I hate this. 1) It’s putting a worse winger on the top six and sticking Zacha back in 3C purgatory because Fitz didn’t address the position in the off-season. 2) I can’t f***ing believe anyone thinks putting Wood and Zacha together is remotely a good idea. The low point of those two might be Simmonds-Zacha-Wood. That line only played together ~100 minutes, but it’s ghost still haunts the arena in our end, ineffectually buried in a pile of spectral Shots Against.

I don’t know why Ruff is going with having him confuse his poor brain with defensive responsibilities that he will mostly fail at, instead of trying to get 60 points out of him on the wing. And Johnsson will most likely do better this season but he’s not bouncing back enough to be anywhere near the top six.

It’s not Pavel’s fault you didn’t get a 3C Fitz, don’t make him a victim here. (And me, if the plan is to have my eyes bleed as he plays center, often skating randomly around, while Wood is on his wing, often skating randomly around in different places.)

It’s as early as can be, the first day of camp, so it’s not exactly written in stone. That’s what I’ll tell myself as I sob quietly into my pillow all night. I’m kidding. (Sort of.)

 

[Devils731]

If it’s someone who has already had Covid then they may feel like they shouldn’t need any additional protection, similar to some other countries feel.

Like some Devils, I won’t look down on someone for making a personal choice; even if I made a different one.

 

[FinnishDevil]

Someone check on @Guttersniped.

 

[SKNJD9]

The Devils player who is not vaccinated was able to participate in media day because the set up allowed him to be more than six feet away from everyone without a mask on, but in future media sessions he will likely need to wear one.
'We hope to get it rectified': How the Devils are handling their unvaccinated player

Crap...I mean good that it's not Janne but...shit

 

[Hisch13r]

He will really have no choice but to be comfortable with those two. It's not like there is anything else out there for him to get now.

It's also just not even bad. There's 2 Canadian trips where we play more than one game. One is Montreal at 1PM then a day off then Toronto at 7. The other is the western Canadian trip in March so plenty of time to hopefully change his idiot mind. That trip has back to back games in Vancouver, Calgary, then 2 days off until Edmonton. So really it's only 1 game that Wedgewood or anyone else might play if Bernier is healthy.

 

[Billdo]

The Devils only play 9 games in Canada. It wouldn't be a huge deal if Blackwood missed those games. It would suck, for sure, especially if Bernier did get hurt and then it's Wedgewood/? up there, but yeah. I would not want to be vaccinated during the season, so it really sucks that whoever didn't get it didn't at least get the first dose before coming to the US (I believe Fitz implied it's a non-American player).

Hypothetically they make playoffs and it's a huge issue

 

[Cheddabombs]

Why can we not have good things

 

[Guttersniped]

Someone check on @Guttersniped.

At this point, I feel like if I end up in Hell, I’m going to be writing why Pavel Zacha shouldn’t be a 3C for all eternity. And it will be extremely muggy the whole time.

I just want two functional NHL goalies and Zacha on the top six wing. I ask the universe for so little and the goal seemed so in reach.

There’s always a potential kicker in play: he could have a really good season at 3C. I’m always open to life’s little surprises and that would both a happy one and a hilarious one. (Good luck, but never say never.)

 

[SKNJD9]

Jeesh, Mack has some really Tyler Wotherspoon like likes and follows on IG

Super disappointing

 

[Hisch13r]

Hypothetically they make playoffs and it's a huge issue

I mean the odds of us playing a Canadian team in the playoffs are super slim as well

 

[Hisch13r]

I hate this. 1) It’s putting a worse winger on the top six and sticking Zacha back in 3C purgatory because Fitz didn’t address the position in the off-season. 2) I can’t f***ing believe anyone thinks putting Wood and Zacha together is remotely a good idea. The low point of those two might be Simmonds-Zacha-Wood. That line only played together ~100 minutes, but it’s ghost still haunts the arena in our end, ineffectually buried in a pile of spectral Shots Against.

I don’t know why Ruff is going with having him confuse his poor brain with defensive responsibilities that he will mostly fail at, instead of trying to get 60 points out of him on the wing. And Johnsson will most likely do better this season but he’s not bouncing back enough to be anywhere near the top six.

It’s not Pavel’s fault you didn’t get a 3C Fitz, don’t make him a victim here. (And me, if the plan is to have my eyes bleed as he plays center, often skating randomly around, while Wood is on his wing, often skating randomly around in different places.)

It’s as early as can be, the first day of camp, so it’s not exactly written in stone. That’s what I’ll tell myself as I sob quietly into my pillow all night. I’m kidding. (Sort of.)

I highly highly doubt that's a line they're expecting to go with in the season. I don't see them splitting up McLeod and Wood. Probably just something they're trying out in camp

 

[Emperoreddy]

I feel like peer pressure to not hurt the team would eventually force them to get it.

 

[Billdo]

I mean the odds of us playing a Canadian team in the playoffs are super slim as well

Yeah but stranger things have happened, slim odds? Sure but if it happens this will suck.

 

[Emperoreddy]

I mean the odds of us playing a Canadian team in the playoffs are super slim as well

I have a real hard time believing a player would willingly miss playoff games over this.

 

[SKNJD9]

I feel like peer pressure to not hurt the team would eventually force them to get it.

If being patient zero last yr wasn't incentive enough not to risk derailing another season..

Maybe he's just a moron

 

[jkrdevil]

I mean the odds of us playing a Canadian team in the playoffs are super slim as well

Make the WC and play Toronto round 1.

 

[Guttersniped]

Jesus


I’m going to go back to thinking it’s Blackwood. Especially with the language of it “changing the Devils season”

I don’t know why this organization won’t say who, I think every other team’s player is known.

 

[Hisch13r]

Make the WC and play Toronto round 1.

That would also involve Toronto winning the division. Not out of the realm of possibility at all they do that but still highly unlikely both happen at once

 

[Guttersniped]

The Devils player who is not vaccinated was able to participate in media day because the set up allowed him to be more than six feet away from everyone without a mask on, but in future media sessions he will likely need to wear one.
'We hope to get it rectified': How the Devils are handling their unvaccinated player

Damn, Fitz is such a coward.

 

[SKNJD9]

I don’t know why this organization won’t say who, I think every other team’s player is known.

Probably would of if it's a player the org didn't care about long term.. I doubt they want to out our starting goaltender then its just a distraction from now until whenever.

 

[Billdo]

I have a real hard time believing a player would willingly miss playoff games over this.

If they're willing to forfeit 9 game checks why wouldn't they be willing to forfeit playoff games?