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

[1point21Gigawatts]

41? I had no idea the human body could last that long without eroding away to ash . Do you have to be pushed in your wheelchair to the freezing pod where they keep you semi-alive until they invent thr tech to restore some semblance of youth to your withered husk?

Nah. My husk still has some natural youth left. Check back with me in ten years.

 

[Guttersniped]

41? I had no idea the human body could last that long without eroding away to ash . Do you have to be pushed in your wheelchair to the freezing pod where they keep you semi-alive until they invent thr tech to restore some semblance of youth to your withered husk?

We need pinned post with a guide to all your running bits for new posters or they’re going to wonder what Lane Hutson/Avacado/Lovejoy/etc posts even mean.

It’s very meta at this point lol.

 

[Devs3cups]

The team has been playing overall very solid hockey for a while now.

 

[My3Sons]

We need pinned post with a guide to all your running bits for new posters or they’re going to wonder what Lane Hutson/Avacado/Lovejoy/etc posts even mean.

It’s very meta at this point lol.

Give him about three days and he will be as sick of them as everyone else is

 

[Alex NJD]

Jack line is playing fantastic hockey
Nico line is getting saddled with heavy defensive minutes which is likely also negatively impacting their offensive production
3rd line isn't producing and isn't playing great defense in easier minutes.
4th line has been fine in sheltered minutes.

We really need an addition that bolsters the 3rd line on both sides of the game so that they are not a black hole or can be relied on for tougher matchups. Preferably both. I don't think upgrading the top 6 and moving Palat/Mercer down accomplishes this. Would love someone like Gourde to move one of Haula/Cotter down to the 4th line (get to break up that duo to boot)

 

[Emperoreddy]

Someone like Henrique that you could either plug on Jack's line as a winger or play him at 3C would be really nice.

 

[theoptimist]

We need another middle six winger to push Mercer down. I’m not opposed to moving Mercer this offseason. I’m over him. He gets pushed off the puck like he’s a rookie.

 

[Whaddagoal]

We need another middle six winger to push Mercer down. I’m not opposed to moving Mercer this offseason. I’m over him. He gets pushed off the puck like he’s a rookie.

I agree with the sentiment of pushing him down, but I would keep him longer (not giving up on him yet - too soon).

He needs to find a way to contribute offensively more or be even better at winning 50/50s and be a rock defensively. Look every player makes mistakes, but when Mercer does, he isn't coming back shifts later and "making up" for that mistake, offensively. At least not so far this season.

He doesn't drive to the net hard often enough, he doesn't trust his shot enough and defers too much to his elders (fair, but sometimes you gotta want to be the difference maker in the moment and be the guy)

If he isn't scoring I can live with an awesome defensive hound player with a motor, but he's gotta do one or the other on a regular.

He gets a lot of time with Nico who can control flow in the corners and cycle game and control the middle, but somehow he isn't getting free for good o chances, thought there would be more chemistry.

 

[Whaddagoal]

Jack line is playing fantastic hockey
Nico line is getting saddled with heavy defensive minutes which is likely also negatively impacting their offensive production
3rd line isn't producing and isn't playing great defense in easier minutes.
4th line has been fine in sheltered minutes.

We really need an addition that bolsters the 3rd line on both sides of the game so that they are not a black hole or can be relied on for tougher matchups. Preferably both. I don't think upgrading the top 6 and moving Palat/Mercer down accomplishes this. Would love someone like Gourde to move one of Haula/Cotter down to the 4th line (get to break up that duo to boot)

Honestly, I doubt Nico has a problem with that role, he has literally done that most of his career and thrives on it. Two way responsible 200 foot player is literally how he wants to play from his own words - see msg Nico segment about him growing up and how he sees himself as a player and what he wants to be. (They keep showing it here and there post the game or at random moments).

Meier and whomever Nicos other linemate is need to find a way to create more space from the benefits of being great defensively, and need to be a bit more opportunistic and better with counter-attack pushes and clutch finishing (don't waste good chances when they show up). I know Meier is a volume shooter, but this season it isn't working as well (finishing wise), maybe he should pick his spots a bit better when to snipe it. Mercer just doesn't take and run with the good opportunity at his stick, he prefers to defer (this season)

 

[Jason MacIsaac]

I didn't see the game but you lose some of these, it's hockey. NJ is an elite team, provided they don't get a rash of key injuries they will be a 105-110 point team. Luke Hughes needs to be signed long term ASAP, once he takes over PP1 his price tag will be north of 11.

 

[TheBeerNerd]

Late to the soda talk but Pepsi is low tier. The regular is way too syrupy and thick, while the Diet has an indescribable but awful flavor. And yet that's what they serve at both Yankees and Devils games. I love freedom of choice.

Anyway, wondering what third liners get available as we get closer to the deadline.

 

[britdevil]

 

[Devs3cups]

I didn't see the game but you lose some of these, it's hockey. NJ is an elite team, provided they don't get a rash of key injuries they will be a 105-110 point team. Luke Hughes needs to be signed long term ASAP, once he takes over PP1 his price tag will be north of 11.

No doubt it’ll happen soon. I say it often but we’re so lucky to have these 2 guys on the team for years to come.

 

[NJDfan86]

We need another middle six winger to push Mercer down. I’m not opposed to moving Mercer this offseason. I’m over him. He gets pushed off the puck like he’s a rookie.

Mercer only produces when he plays with Nico or Jack so not sure how moving him down solves anything.

 

[theoptimist]

Mercer only produces when he plays with Nico or Jack so not sure how moving him down solves anything.

X/Palat-Hughes-Bratt
Meier-Hischier-Noesen
X/Palat-X/Haula-Mercer
Cotter-Lazar/Haula-Bastian

Find me X by the trade deadline

 

[Better Call Sal]

Who is an ideal and realistic trade target to improve the 3rd line?

I know we've kicked around reunion names like Palms and Hall. What about Donato from Chicago or Nyquist from Nashville? Always been a fan of Nyquist but know he's on the older side.

 

[BostonDevil]

Mercer only produces when he plays with Nico or Jack so not sure how moving him down solves anything.

Maybe move him up and heated-up-Palat down

 

[Andre Palot]

Someone like Henrique that you could either plug on Jack's line as a winger or play him at 3C would be really nice.

We should have gotten Henrique last year at the deadline but I digress.

 

[MasterofGrond]

Who is an ideal and realistic trade target to improve the 3rd line?

I know we've kicked around reunion names like Palms and Hall. What about Donato from Chicago or Nyquist from Nashville? Always been a fan of Nyquist but know he's on the older side.

Vatrano is my ideal (ignoring say, cost to acquire). Cheap contract, UFA, proven he can score at even strength. Biggest knock is his defense is maybe a little spotty depending on the metric you’re looking at, but if you want to goose production easily, he’s your guy, I think.

He’ll be in demand for all those reasons though.

 

[SteveCangialosi123]

Who is an ideal and realistic trade target to improve the 3rd line?

I know we've kicked around reunion names like Palms and Hall. What about Donato from Chicago or Nyquist from Nashville? Always been a fan of Nyquist but know he's on the older side.

Palat-Hughes-Bratt
Timo-Nico-Noesen
Haula-Gourde-Mercer
Cotter-Lazar-Bastian

 

[Andre Palot]

X/Palat-Hughes-Bratt
Meier-Hischier-Noesen
X/Palat-X/Haula-Mercer
Cotter-Lazar/Haula-Bastian

Find me X by the trade deadline

Hot take: Meier's inconsistency, especially when you consider what we acquired him for and what we expect him to be should earn him a demotion to the 3rd line. He's been a slug lately.

This is why I'm high on the idea of getting back Hall. We could probably get him for next to nothing because Chicago is dogwater and the ONLY decent place he will fit and have quality chemistry with is with Hughes and Bratt.

 

[Better Call Sal]

Hot take: Meier's inconsistency, especially when you consider what we acquired him for and what we expect him to be should earn him a demotion to the 3rd line. He's been a slug lately.

This is why I'm high on the idea of getting back Hall. We could probably get him for next to nothing because Chicago is dogwater and the ONLY decent place he will fit and have quality chemistry with is with Hughes and Bratt.

I can't agree with this. Timo has been very good alongside Nico when it comes to generating shots and driving play. Of course you want them to go in more than they have been, but he is pushing play the way you want him to while also shouldering more defensive minutes than probably anticipated playing alongside Nico.

I don't know whether Hall can be a difference maker anymore given his knee injuries. I'm much more partial to Palms if we're looking for a secondary scoring option.

 

[Saugus]

Hot take: Meier's inconsistency, especially when you consider what we acquired him for and what we expect him to be should earn him a demotion to the 3rd line. He's been a slug lately.

This is why I'm high on the idea of getting back Hall. We could probably get him for next to nothing because Chicago is dogwater and the ONLY decent place he will fit and have quality chemistry with is with Hughes and Bratt.

I disagree. Meier has been really solid with Hischier on that line, even through tough assignments. I'd sooner take Mercer off that line than Timo.

I think the duos of Jack-Bratt and Nico-Timo need to stay together. The wingers can be mixed and matched as needed based on who's hot.

But don't disassemble the engine while you're trying to fix a problem with the AC.

 

[MasterofGrond]

Timo good!

 

[theoptimist]

Hot take: Meier's inconsistency, especially when you consider what we acquired him for and what we expect him to be should earn him a demotion to the 3rd line. He's been a slug lately.

This is why I'm high on the idea of getting back Hall. We could probably get him for next to nothing because Chicago is dogwater and the ONLY decent place he will fit and have quality chemistry with is with Hughes and Bratt.

You won't find many people in this forum that will entertain hot takes about Timo. He's adored by most Devils fan, critiqued by few.

Regardless, I agree with your point, he can offer more, but we're also winning without him being a PPG player. If he's skating with speed, carrying the puck, and playing big in front of the net, I guess you can say he's playing good, but his point totals are not in the Jack/Bratt territory. Tbh, I don't think they will ever be.

Playing any serious winger with Haula is unfortunate so I don't think he'll do well there either.