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

[Nubmer6]

I actually think he was the right coach for Jack at the time. Especially during those first two years.

I didn't like anything about his coaching style but the freedom he gave to Jack was probably an essential part of his process....that maybe he wouldn't have gotten under a taskmaster coach.

I'm not sure I agree with that.

Lindy was touted as a good development coach, but I'm not exactly sure why. What exactly did he teach? Wouldn't it be better to have a coach that teaches defensive responsible and system to new players, as opposed to a coach that allows free wheeling? How much coaching does it take to say "go out there and do whatever you want to do as long as you score a lot"?

I mean, maybe it helps with confidence? Or maybe it proves to young players that not playing within a structured system is disastrous in the NHL? I dunno.

Either way, it seems to have worked, so maybe I'm wrong.

 

[Forge]

for some reason in all of this trade talk i never considered the devils could be sending Haula the other way in a cap dump. Feels like a huge reason the bottom six is struggling is because he’s lost all ability to be an even remotely useful hockey player

He has a full no trade this year, I'm pretty sure. Kicks down next season to where he can veto 6 teams.

Him getting moved is realistic in the off season. Not sure it is during this season

 

[Triumph]

I'm not sure I agree with that.

Lindy was touted as a good development coach, but I'm not exactly sure why. What exactly did he teach? Wouldn't it be better to have a coach that teaches defensive responsible and system to new players, as opposed to a coach that allows free wheeling? How much coaching does it take to say "go out there and do whatever you want to do as long as you score a lot"?

I mean, maybe it helps with confidence? Or maybe it proves to young players that not playing within a structured system is disastrous in the NHL? I dunno.

Either way, it seems to have worked, so maybe I'm wrong.

I think the idea that Lindy had no system gets said a lot here, but I think he had a system, it was just suboptimal, and especially didn't work when there was no Jack Hughes around. His system emphasized transition offense and passive play in the neutral zone - ideally when the opposition would get the puck, they would skate it down into the Devils' zone and turn it over there as a result of being outmanned and the Devils would be ready to counterattack with the other players on the ice. The problem was that if the Devils didn't successfully break up the play immediately in the D zone, there'd often be wide-open attackers. The risk-reward didn't work.

I do think it helped Jack and Bratt establish exactly what they could do with the puck 5v5 because the system gave a lot of freedom to forwards and defensemen in the offensive zone. Puck possession was emphasized - those guys rarely dumped it in. Hell, when the team was really rolling in 2022-23, they'd come up with a bunch of places where teams customarily dump it in and started instead creating offense by passing to a teammate instead (the Bratt goal in Edmonton is the best example of this but they were attempting this once a game around that time).

 

[JimEIV]

I'm not sure I agree with that.

Lindy was touted as a good development coach, but I'm not exactly sure why. What exactly did he teach? Wouldn't it be better to have a coach that teaches defensive responsible and system to new players, as opposed to a coach that allows free wheeling? How much coaching does it take to say "go out there and do whatever you want to do as long as you score a lot"?

I mean, maybe it helps with confidence? Or maybe it proves to young players that not playing within a structured system is disastrous in the NHL? I dunno.

Either way, it seems to have worked, so maybe I'm wrong.

I think it's more letting the player go out there and see what works and what doesn't without fear of mistakes.

I also have some problems with that philosophy but there is no doubt we saw a jump in Jack's game...and we saw a pretty big jump in Nico's game as well the never happened under Hynes.

 

[TheBeerNerd]

I think it's more letting the player go out there and see what works and what doesn't without fear of mistakes.

I also have some problems with that philosophy but there is no doubt we saw a jump in Jack's game...and we saw a pretty big jump in Nico's game as well the never happened under Hynes.

To say nothing of Bratt's consistency. I hate the bald man so much.

I do think Ruff helped with some of the kids' development, but he was never going to be the guy to take us to the next level. His system can leave you exposed, and it sure did for us, especially last season when the defense wasn't clicking and making well-timed plays like in 2022-23. Maybe that's why the Sabres hired him on top of him being the last guy to take them to the playoffs, but the issue there (among others) is their lack of identity.

Speaking of bad coaching, is it true that Jack's shot got better because of Mark Recchi? It's amazing how bad he is at power play coaching, but if it's true, it was worth it.

 

[Omar Little]

I think it's more letting the player go out there and see what works and what doesn't without fear of mistakes.

I also have some problems with that philosophy but there is no doubt we saw a jump in Jack's game...and we saw a pretty big jump in Nico's game as well the never happened under Hynes.

I agree fully with Nico. I think Lindy helped him tap into another level or two of offense that didn’t exist before

 

[JimEIV]

To say nothing of Bratt's consistency. I hate the bald man so much.

I do think Ruff helped with some of the kids' development, but he was never going to be the guy to take us to the next level. His system can leave you exposed, and it sure did for us, especially last season when the defense wasn't clicking and making well-timed plays like in 2022-23. Maybe that's why the Sabres hired him on top of him being the last guy to take them to the playoffs, but the issue there (among others) is their lack of identity.

Speaking of bad coaching, is it true that Jack's shot got better because of Mark Recchi? It's amazing how bad he is at power play coaching, but if it's true, it was worth it.

I agree with you about his system, like I said I never liked his coaching but there were some positives about his time here...

On Jack's shot...I don't think it ever was a problem and I remember saying that from his rookie year and sophomore year to some resistance here.

I think it took him a little time to figure the time and space in the NHL to unleash his shot....we saw him score a couple of snipe goals his rookie year on the PP and I think that's when I formed the opinion that it's not his shot the was the issue it was more putting himself into a position to use it.

 

[Camille the Eel]

I'm not sure I agree with that.

Lindy was touted as a good development coach, but I'm not exactly sure why. What exactly did he teach? Wouldn't it be better to have a coach that teaches defensive responsible and system to new players, as opposed to a coach that allows free wheeling? How much coaching does it take to say "go out there and do whatever you want to do as long as you score a lot"?

I mean, maybe it helps with confidence? Or maybe it proves to young players that not playing within a structured system is disastrous in the NHL? I dunno.

Either way, it seems to have worked, so maybe I'm wrong.

We can’t take the 2022-23 season away from Lindy. That team, like this one, jelled as a group. A bunch of kids - Shango, Nico, Jack, Boqvist, Bratt, etc. who learned to play for him and for each other and set a Devils point record and memorably knocked the Rangers out of the playoffs against all odds after going down 2 zip at home. So I’ll always remember Lindy for that.

With respect to Jack, Lindy let him see himself as a goal scorer who drove play and was himself the finisher on a line thet often featured guys like Haula and Tatar who were mere supporting cast. Jack was looking for his shot and shooting at volume. Ruff was happy with it and that wasn’t the way we had seen Hughes before.

Did Lindy dream it up? Who knows. I think he saw that Jack could indeed be a superstar and roadside attraction around the league and encouraged him to be himself.

So I think he should get a lot of credit for Hughes and for Bratt too. Jesper now also being in my view one of the top ten forwards in the league too. And Nico as others just said. That’s a pretty nice legacy here.

 

[My3Sons]

No way I’m sending out any 2026 draft picks above the fourth round at this season’s trade deadline absent a way too good to pass up deal. This team missed thr playoffs last season and has to establish itself as a playoff mainstay before I’m making all in type moves. They already sent out their first this season and their second is conditional. I can see window shopping and offering a second tier prospect and one of thr seconds near the trade deadline but it’s hard to see offer in g more than that for an expiring UFA they almost certainly can’t re-sign.

 

[Triumph]

No way I’m sending out any 2026 draft picks above the fourth round at this season’s trade deadline absent a way too good to pass up deal. This team missed thr playoffs last season and has to establish itself as a playoff mainstay before I’m making all in type moves. They already sent out their first this season and their second is conditional. I can see window shopping and offering a second tier prospect and one of thr seconds near the trade deadline but it’s hard to see offer in g more than that for an expiring UFA they almost certainly can’t re-sign.

I'd absolutely trade a 2026 1st round pick (with lottery protection). It can't be for a rental, but if that player is going to be here in 2025-26? Absolutely. They missed the playoffs last season with everything going wrong. Without goaltending, they're merely a good team, but the core of this team is far too good and the coaches are making the most of every player.

 

[tailfins]

I think Fitz should look for a couple of small additions this year. Nothing major. Bottom 6 forward and 7th D (LD). Send out futures or B/C prospects.

We’ll need resources for a goalie. Either cap hit, prospects, and/or draft capital is going to solve goalie longer term.

 

[devilsblood]

No way I’m sending out any 2026 draft picks above the fourth round at this season’s trade deadline absent a way too good to pass up deal. This team missed thr playoffs last season and has to establish itself as a playoff mainstay before I’m making all in type moves. They already sent out their first this season and their second is conditional. I can see window shopping and offering a second tier prospect and one of thr seconds near the trade deadline but it’s hard to see offer in g more than that for an expiring UFA they almost certainly can’t re-sign.

Above the 4th rnd? I agree with being conservative in terms of trading picks, but in no way am I sweating a 2026 3rd round pick.

I'm definitely not trading a 1st for a rental, but beyond that I think you have to be open to options.

 

[devilsblood]

Lindy was touted as a good development coach, but I'm not exactly sure why. What exactly did he teach? Wouldn't it be better to have a coach that teaches defensive responsible and system to new players, as opposed to a coach that allows free wheeling? How much coaching does it take to say "go out there and do whatever you want to do as long as you score a lot"?

I mean, maybe it helps with confidence? Or maybe it proves to young players that not playing within a structured system is disastrous in the NHL? I dunno.

Either way, it seems to have worked, so maybe I'm wrong.

Pretty ridiculous to suggest this is what was going on.

If anything Ruff ran too complex of a system. Put much more by way of responsibility on the players.

The key to what Keefe has done imo is simplifying what we do. Keep the play in front of you defensively. Chip pucks out of the defensive zone. Get pucks deep in the offensive zone.

 

[devilsblood]

I do think it helped Jack and Bratt establish exactly what they could do with the puck 5v5 because the system gave a lot of freedom to forwards and defensemen in the offensive zone. Puck possession was emphasized - those guys rarely dumped it in. Hell, when the team was really rolling in 2022-23, they'd come up with a bunch of places where teams customarily dump it in and started instead creating offense by passing to a teammate instead (the Bratt goal in Edmonton is the best example of this but they were attempting this once a game around that time).

Ya, and it was the desire to maintain possession, as well as the effort to regain possession, which often led to the breakdowns and scoring chances against.

 

[Emperoreddy]

Haula is not going to have this poor shooting luck forever, nor should his entire line.

Him and Cotter just don't seem to mix though, so a realistic trade target is probably a winger that jives with Haula better on the 3rd line and pushes Cotter down to the 4th to player with Lazar.

Someone new for Jack's line would be nice but I question whether we can afford it and whether Palat is going to provide useful minutes when not with Jack.

I definitely wouldn't look to just completely overhaul the bottom 6 in season though. The feasibility of it with the cap and assets aside, I don't think too much turnover for rentals mid season will actually produce results.

This is a good team, it's not perfect, but there really isn't a totally flawless team anywhere in the league. We continue to play how we are playing, we can compete with anyone. The Canes have flaws, the Caps have flaws, Florida, Tampa, and Toronto all have flaws. No one is unbeatable.

So getting some more depth and potentially someone that can help spark the 3rd line seems like the way to go

 

[jkrdevil]

A depth center / scorer is what is needed. I don’t think they need anything more than a rental. Palat is fine with Jack and Bratt.

A depth center / scorer is what is needed. I don’t think they need anything more than a rental. Palat is fine with Jack and Bratt.

 

[Peter Sidorkiewicz]

Vatrano and Jake Evans are my two top choices for NJ.

Evans is having a great season. Shut down center and can PK. He would be our closest McLeod replacement. Can play 3C if we want to push Huala down or be an elite 4C.

Vatrano i love his shoot first mentality. I think he could do damage on Hughes/Bratt line. He can keep up with these two skating wise so all he needs to do is get open and one of Hughes/Bratt can find him.

 

[My3Sons]

Above the 4th rnd? I agree with being conservative in terms of trading picks, but in no way am I sweating a 2026 3rd round pick.

I'm definitely not trading a 1st for a rental, but beyond that I think you have to be open to options.

That’s fair but I sort of just want them to stay the course absent injuries. Let them have a playoff run and see how this core does. Presumably you bring back the whole core and most support guys next season. No reason to rush it for just this playoff run. At some point in the next five to seven years they will need to add some ELC players and right now they just don’t have any prospects that they can look at up front. Grits will be a one year ELC assuming he plays next season and maybe Lenni but no centers and no depth. They have to hold some picks and select some decent prospects

 

[Guttersniped]

He has a full no trade this year, I'm pretty sure. Kicks down next season to where he can veto 6 teams.

Him getting moved is realistic in the off season. Not sure it is during this season

We’ll have to find a center to replace Haula, one near his 3.15m cap hit, and that won’t be easy.

 

[My3Sons]

We’ll have to find a center to replace Haula, one near his 3.15m cap hit, and that won’t be easy.

I’ll do it for only $2.5 mil per on a five year deal

 

[Maine Fan]

Start watching the NJ Devils Press Box to see which player or players are sitting there. If Fitz thinks he needs more consistent scoring he will entertain some trades. He probably isn't happy with Haula or Tatar because of their lack of scoring.

When the first and second line aren't scoring on a consistent bases, the team looks to the 3rd and 4th line for scoring activity. When that isn't there, then it is time for some trades unless Fitz can find a forward ready to produce from our AHL league team.

I think there is concern, while happy with the Devils, they can't fall behind or not produce goals during our closing games of the season.

Go NJ Devils

 

[Maine Fan]

I’ll do it for only $2.5 mil per on a five year deal

Ok, like who will you get for thar price for 5 that will consistently produce? I am not calling you out. I am just interested, who?

 

[My3Sons]

Ok, like who will you get for thar price for 5 that will consistently produce? I am not calling you out. I am just interested, who?

I was being silly. @Guttersniped is actually making a good point. It’s hard to find a cost effective third line player in unrestricted free agency. Frankly I think they will trade for a 3C after Haula leaves. Similar to how they’ve added similar depth players like Cotter and Kovacevic and before them Graves and Marino. Who that is right now it’s hard to say. Some team will want to move on from a player who can be effective in a support role because those players tend to move more often than guys who play top six roles.

 

[Devils731]

A nice, short, and complimentary Scott Stevens history video. It won’t be anything new to people here but I thought it was nice for something so high level.

 

[Forge]

We’ll have to find a center to replace Haula, one near his 3.15m cap hit, and that won’t be easy.

Largely depends on how much you value haula I suppose. If he's a 4th line center, he's overpaid and you need a 3c anyway. May want to trim the fat off 3m for a 4th line center

If they want to keep him as the 3c, it's good financially, but he may not be good in that role.