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

[Lou Bloom]

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.

Brandon Tanev is a poor man’s version of Blake Coleman. Third line could use the injection of speed and forechecking ability.

 

[Andre Palot]

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. 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.

To be fair some of it isn't all on Timo. Meier should be the automatic option on PP1. Who did we have out there last night? Shitbird Palat? Yikes.

Not only can Timo be doing more but he could be utilized better IMO.

 

[Devils731]

To be fair some of it isn't all on Timo. Meier should be the automatic option on PP1. Who did we have out there last night? Shitbird Palat?

Not only can Timo be doing more but he could be utilized better IMO.

Palat isn’t on PP1 so this is a weird take.

Sometimes the powerplay’s get a little blurred during line changes as Jack will often stay out for an extra half shift.

PP1 is also running at an amazing rate because all the players fit their role well. Timo is the feature player on PP2 with Luke and that’s great for the Devils overall PP structure.

————-



Penguins are on a bit of a PDO heater, so hopefully that cools down.

 

[Better Call Sal]

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.

The only thing he could offer more of is the puck going in for him. He's shooting 10.1% on the season, which is below what he has shot the past two seasons, but more in line with his career average. His shot totals seem down a bit, but he's been trending back in the right direction lately.

He also is playing close to 2-3 minutes less than he did in his last two seasons in San Jose. Pretty much has since he came to New Jersey. I'm sure a lot of that has to do with him not being a PP1 staple, instead he's featured on PP2. I would prefer his shot be on PP1, but it's tough to argue with the success that the top unit has had. Noesen is a difference maker with what he does in front of the net and to win battles. Realistically, you can't move any of the other players out.

He's netted 3 points in his last 3 games so hopefully things start trending in that direction for him. His play has earned those bounces. He's doing everything that he should be to generate offense, and it's more important he sticks to that process.

 

[Hisch13r]

Fantastic timing for the Pens to get on a heater. Don’t throw this one away too.

 

[HBK27]

 

[tailfins]

I'd like the Devils to kick the tires on Tyler Johnson. He had a reasonable year last year - maybe he could be a good 4C / 13th F?

His competition is Dowling - so it's not a big tradeoff in size for the Devils.

 

[JimEIV]

This had me curious about what the production was like in those games so I looked it up.

First time he did it was January 7th 2023 vs the Rangers. 2 goals and 1 assist 10 shots

March 21st 2023 vs Minnesota 0 points 10 shots

February 22 2024 vs the Rangers 10 shots 1 goal and 1 assist

February 27 2024 vs San Jose 11 shots 1 goal and 1 assist

March 21st 2024 vs Winnipeg 10 shots 2 goals

December 19th 2024 vs Columbus 13 shots. 1 assist



64 shots in 6 games. 6 goals and 4 assists 10 points.

I don't know why I looked this up... I was really just curious.

 

[Triumph]

I'd like the Devils to kick the tires on Tyler Johnson. He had a reasonable year last year - maybe he could be a good 4C / 13th F?

His competition is Dowling - so it's not a big tradeoff in size for the Devils.

Dowling's been just fine - if Johnson's amenable to signing an AHL deal first, sure, but I see not a whole lot of reason for him to do so when he can go to Switzerland and have a certain role.

Johnson had 16 power play points last season. Otherwise his line got cratered at 5v5.

If Johnson is playing for the Devils at all in the playoffs, something has gone horribly wrong. I don't really see much reason to be interested.

 

[Emperoreddy]

If they want to bring in another center for Utica that could do spot NHL duty that would be fine, but if we are using cap dollars and a roster spot on a center it should be someone who can play in the top 9.

 

[Bleedred]

Johnson is washed

I remember him being high on want lists around here probably 8-9 years ago.

And I also remember it seemed like he was on Tampa's ''Must get rid of'' list for the last 3 or 4 years he was there. I think him scoring at a decent clip in Chicago was almost definitely because he was getting icetime. Much more there than he would have gotten on probably 30 other teams. Ryan Donato is doing the same thing there this year with his career high of 15 minutes of icetime.

 

[None Shall Pass]

Haula would make an excellent 4C. I'd love to get someone that can push him down the lineup. Our bottom six isn't doing much these days.

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

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.

To be fair some of it isn't all on Timo. Meier should be the automatic option on PP1. Who did we have out there last night? Shitbird Palat? Yikes.

Not only can Timo be doing more but he could be utilized better IMO.

Honest question

do you even watch this team?

 

[OmNomNom]

Johnson is washed

I remember him being high on want lists around here probably 8-9 years ago.

And I also remember it seemed like he was on Tampa's ''Must get rid of'' list for the last 3 or 4 years he was there. I think him scoring at a decent clip in Chicago was almost definitely because he was getting icetime. Much more there than he would have gotten on probably 30 other teams. Ryan Donato is doing the same thing there this year with his career high of 15 minutes of icetime.

hard to do much if you lose your speed/hands as a small forward - he's not hockey old, but you're not gonna do much at "5'-8", 185"

 

[Bleedred]

hard to do much if you lose your speed/hands as a small forward - he's not hockey old, but you're not gonna do much at "5'-8", 185"

He's 34.5, so he is hockey old.

Puckpedia don't give you players by date of birth, just age, and some younger guys are listed ahead of guys who are older but are the same age. And of course we still have some of the LTIR guys who haven't played in years and will never play again who are still listed. Like Shea Weber, Backstrom and Oshie.

Johnson was approximately the 50th oldest player in the league. Not including the LTIR guys.

 

[Emperoreddy]

To be fair some of it isn't all on Timo. Meier should be the automatic option on PP1. Who did we have out there last night? Shitbird Palat? Yikes.

Not only can Timo be doing more but he could be utilized better IMO.

Palat isnt on PP1. The first unit is Dougie, Bratt, Jack, Nico, and Noesen.

Noesen is a better net front presence and you aren't taking anyone else off that unit.

 

[Alex NJD]

Probably unlikely but if Philly is selling would love to take a look at Noah Cates, playing 4th line minutes and not a Torts favorite. Fantastic underlying stats especially defensively.

 

[dgibb10]

The only thing he could offer more of is the puck going in for him. He's shooting 10.1% on the season, which is below what he has shot the past two seasons, but more in line with his career average. His shot totals seem down a bit, but he's been trending back in the right direction lately.

He also is playing close to 2-3 minutes less than he did in his last two seasons in San Jose. Pretty much has since he came to New Jersey. I'm sure a lot of that has to do with him not being a PP1 staple, instead he's featured on PP2. I would prefer his shot be on PP1, but it's tough to argue with the success that the top unit has had. Noesen is a difference maker with what he does in front of the net and to win battles. Realistically, you can't move any of the other players out.

He's netted 3 points in his last 3 games so hopefully things start trending in that direction for him. His play has earned those bounces. He's doing everything that he should be to generate offense, and it's more important he sticks to that process.

I'd say Meier would be a better fit than Nico, but Nico is needed for winning faceoffs. If jack was a 50+% faceoff guy, I'd expect nico would be on PP2

 

[Lou Bloom]

I wonder if Ottawa would do a Mercer for Pinto swap. Similar salary and age range, change of scenery type trade.

 

[Emperoreddy]

I'd say Meier would be a better fit than Nico, but Nico is needed for winning faceoffs. If jack was a 50+% faceoff guy, I'd expect nico would be on PP2

That's really hard to argue based on the results.

The top unit as constructed is the best in the leagye.

 

[Guttersniped]

Probably unlikely but if Philly is selling would love to take a look at Noah Cates, playing 4th line minutes and not a Torts favorite. Fantastic underlying stats especially defensively.

I would be interested but surprised Philly would move him. I thought Frost was the designated “not a Torts favorite” at center.

Is he seen as a product of Foerster?

I’m not incredibly well-versed about Flyers players because yuck lol.

 

[devilsblood]

I wonder if Ottawa would do a Mercer for Pinto swap. Similar salary and age range, change of scenery type trade.

Pinto looks to be a pure defensive center at this point. Probably a 4th liner, but rolling a defensive heavy 4th line would take some pressure off Nico, and maybe allow us to get some more offense out of Nico's line as well as the 3rd line. Would also put Lazar at wing which is probably a good thing.

Good size, not sure about his quickness. If he's slow I'd think Mercer as the return would be a lot.

Edit: a weak shot rate 5v5 and zero 5v5 assists thus far. He'd have to be an ace defender for this to make any sense for the Devils.

 

[Lou Bloom]

Pinto looks to be a pure defensive center at this point. Probably a 4th liner, but rolling a defensive heavy 4th line would take some pressure off Nico, and maybe allow us to get some more offense out of Nico's line as well as the 3rd line. Would also put Lazar at wing which is probably a good thing.

Good size, not sure about his quickness. If he's slow I'd think Mercer as the return would be a lot.

Edit: a weak shot rate 5v5 and zero 5v5 assists thus far. He'd have to be an ace defender for this to make any sense for the Devils.

he’s a very good skater and has shown offensive promise both as a prospect and in his NHL career at times. It’d be a change of scenery type trade where you’d be betting on him rounding out his game and turning into a two way 3C that can give you 20 and 20 with good defense.

 

[goonybird]

 

[Emperoreddy]