Devils discussion (news, notes and speculation) - part II

[theoptimist]

All this line shuffling because Haula stinks

 

[devilsblood]

Just looking at Noesen's numbers with Nico this season as opposed to Haula, and interestingly his point rates are better with Haula. Just by a little, but still find it surprising.

Not surprisingly, the on-ice numbers are significantly better with Nico. Slightly below water with Haula, up near 60% with Nico.

Maybe the most important though is Noesen's shot rate with Nico is up in the high 8's, while it's below 5 with Haula. Noesen has shown a really good scoring touch around the net, so seeing him with such a low shot rate with Haula makes me think we are under utilizing that component of Noesen's game. A component that has proven to be a major factor on our pp this season.

And as a sweetener Nico's shot rate is also way better with Noesen then without. Timo's in line. When together the Devil's average 38 shots per 60. Nico and Timo without Noesen are at 30/60. Hughes's overall on ice shot rate is 32. That line has been beastly.

If Noesen with Haula on the 3rd line was pretty good, I could maybe see the rationale for running Noesen on that line, but given they've been merely OK I think you have to given Noesen with Nico and extended run.

All this line shuffling because Haula stinks

The team is pretty freaking dominant, why do fans insist on finding guys to rag on?

 

[JimEIV]

I want Duane Hewitt.

 

[Comparison Ford]

All this line shuffling because Haula stinks

they could really use a bottom 6 center to bump him down to line 4.

Jake Evans from what I heard is too young for Montreal to trade, I wonder who else could potentially be a target.

 

[theoptimist]

they could really use a bottom 6 center to bump him down to line 4.

Jake Evans from what I heard is too young for Montreal to trade, I wonder who else could potentially be a target.

Ryan Donato

The team is pretty freaking dominant, why do fans insist on finding guys to rag on?

That's because our game isn't until tomorrow. I'll see you in the GDT.

 

[NJDevils17]

Cotter up to Jack’s line is interesting. He hasn’t been on the scoresheet much but at least he’s providing value with defense. He's a good player.

Checking in on friend Alex Holtz…not great. Vegas deploying him on the 4th line now.

 

[MasterofGrond]

Cotter up to Jack’s line is interesting. He hasn’t been on the scoresheet much but at least he’s providing value with defense. He's a good player.

Checking in on friend Alex Holtz…not great. Vegas deploying him on the 4th line now.

On pace for 1/3 as many goals as last year, woof

 

[NJDevils17]

The team at some point does need to add a middle six W/C. We don’t have any internal candidates and we really haven’t drafted many centers anyway. Team probably hoped Mercer could fill it but that’s looking unlikely.

 

[Devils731]

I kind of liked putting Haula, Cotter, and Mercer all on 1 line.

It let all the guys who can’t get offense working right now be at the same place so they didn’t infect any other line while they work through it.

So let that line hopefully battle to a stand still, get some lucky bounces to get their confidence back, and let the other 3 lines click better.

I’m also fine with mixing it up to shake things up, I think keeping things fresh periodically is important over a long season.

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

we're 3rd in xG and 3rd in xGA (JFresh models)

what a breath of fresh air Keefe has been

 

[Billdo]

I kind of liked putting Haula, Cotter, and Mercer all on 1 line.

It let all the guys who can’t get offense working right now be at the same place so they didn’t infect any other line while they work through it.

So let that line hopefully battle to a stand still, get some lucky bounces to get their confidence back, and let the other 3 lines click better.

I’m also fine with mixing it up to shake things up, I think keeping things fresh periodically is important over a long season.

I'd rather this be the third line. I think I'd actually try giving Tatar a shot with Nico and Meier. Put Meier on RW and give Tatar a game and see if he can going.

we're 3rd in xG and 3rd in xGA (JFresh models)

what a breath of fresh air Keefe has been

I didn't realize Keefe had such a good pulse on the defensive element to the game. It's been great so far.

 

[Billdo]

This is a little too drastic for me.

 

[CalamityX23]

Why breaking up Bratt n Hughes??

 

[Nico Hischier]

Ahh yes Bratt on the third line. wonderful

 

[Devilsfan118]

View attachment 949912
This is a little too drastic for me.

I'd be shocked if this sticks for the game on Monday.

Probably just trying to see if anything clicks. There's no way he separates bratt and Jack

 

[DerekDevils30]

Keefe started out with those lines last game and switched after a sluggish start offensively

 

[Devils731]

The Devils actually went with these lines for a few shifts at the start of last game so it’s something Keefe is playing around with.

For me, not a big deal, you want to get a little more info on who can work together in case guys get hurt.

 

[JimEIV]

I kind of liked putting Haula, Cotter, and Mercer all on 1 line.

It let all the guys who can’t get offense working right now be at the same place so they didn’t infect any other line while they work through it.

So let that line hopefully battle to a stand still, get some lucky bounces to get their confidence back, and let the other 3 lines click better.

I’m also fine with mixing it up to shake things up, I think keeping things fresh periodically is important over a long season.

All the guys who can't get going? That's the entire team outside of 5 players.

We have 119 goals for and Jack, Bratt, Nico, Noesen and Timo account for 71 of them. Our Defense has another 12...for 83 goals or 70% of the total offense.

Lots of guys aren't doing anything. I'd get rid of Tatar immediately and Palat as soon as possible.

 

[DerekDevils30]

Since the 4 game losing streak in late October the Devils have lost back to back games just once. And that was the Avs 4-0 loss followed by a 2-1 OT loss to Toronto where they outshot the Leafs 39-17. The boys just consistently bounce back when they hit bumps in the road.

 

[PKs Broken Stick]

View attachment 949912
This is a little too drastic for me.

What in the actual fck is this

 

[New Jerseys Devil]

I like the idea of switching the lines up from time to time, seeing what else works! Helps for doing in-game adjustments too; and you can always revert them!

 

[Devils731]

All the guys who can't get going? That's the entire team outside of 5 players.

We have 119 goals for and Jack, Bratt, Nico, Noesen and Timo account for 71 of them. Our Defense has another 12...for 83 goals or 70% of the total offense.

Lots of guys aren't doing anything. I'd get rid of Tatar immediately and Palat as soon as possible.

And who replaces Palat and Tatar? It’ll just be worse guys.

The 3 mentioned above keep screwing up plays, Palat can at least support his linemates and Tatar is on the 4th line so he’s already below everyone else.

Cotter has 1 point in his last 17 games.
Haula has 2 points in his last 20 games.
Mercer has 5 points in his last 16 games.
Palat has 8 points in his last 15 games.
Tatar has 5 points in his last 20 games and is only on the 4th line so he’s already out of the discussion.

The other 4 are in the discussion of who could play on the wing of the top 2 forward pairings.

Palat has generally been able to support play while the other 3 have constantly had plays die on their stick for much of this season.

So yes, those 3 guys in particular can’t get it going because offense plays and zone time have basically disappeared the moment the puck gets on their sticks to a degree that other, even less talented guys, aren’t suffering through. I think they’ll get out of their funk but those 3 are struggling to keep plays going.

 

[MB3]

Ahh yes Bratt on the third line. wonderful

almost no difference 5on5 in the first three line deployment so far this year

 

[Capt Nico Poo]

View attachment 949912
This is a little too drastic for me.

They lost 3-0 and only mustered 12 shots in the previous game, what did you expect?

 

[BomaLightDevils]

Rempe with a 8 game suspension