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

[SteveCangialosi123]

I wonder how long has Haula been playing injured.

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

he's getting an MRI today so he could be #done which would be great for us

put him on LTIR and make a trade

 

[RSeen]

I’m not really worried about that for now. We can beat the Canes, especially with some reinforcements to the bottom 6, and based off of his comments, I feel like Fitz knows what kind of help this team needs.

Carolina is also going to add I would imagine and I think Nikishin (one of the best Dmen not in the NHL) may be able to come over at the end of the season, so they are certainly going to get better.

 

[NJDevils17]

Haula as the 4C probably works. Dowling as the 3C does not. Clearly need to add one in the next month(s) and that was prior to Haula’s injury. Would love to add someone with term as part of the bottom six makeover but it’s inevitable we add SOMEONE.

 

[Mgd31]

he's getting an MRI today so he could be #done which would be great for us

put him on LTIR and make a trade

lol let’s not put a positive spin on an injury

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

lol let’s not put a positive spin on an injury

I mean, the team will be better off with Haula not playing. He has been an absolute black hole for 2 months.

that doesnt mean I am HAPPY he is injured.

 

[My3Sons]

Thanks for sharing that. It certainly explains Haula’s struggles. Also highlights the utter dearth of center depth

 

[Devs3cups]

With the way Haula has played lately, I seriously think Dowling could be an upgrade, granted a small one, for now. I've liked his game. You certainly have to add there, and quick. 3C is an essential spot we have to upgrade, and knowing Fitz, I'm sure he's looking at somewhat long term options there.

Our C depth was pretty meh, and it's going to get tested big time.

 

[None Shall Pass]

Hey @None Shall Pass , weren't you just saying last month how bad our center depth is? And a lot of people yelled at you even though you were right and handsome and smart?

Anyway, Dowling at 3C should be great and I'm sure our bottom 6 will work like that.

 

[FinnishDevil]

I wonder how long has Haula been playing injured.

Knowing the Devils medical team probably all season.

 

[BostonDevil]

lol let’s not put a positive spin on an injury

Vegas and Tampa do it

 

[MB3]

If Nemec, Saliyev and Casey are still on this team come trade deadline I’ll have an aneurism.

A wealth & abundance of defensive prospects is a great thing unless you white knuckle the f*** out of them while Dowling plays 3C on a team with cup aspirations.

 

[BostonDevil]

If Nemec, Saliyev and Casey are still on this team come trade deadline I’ll have an aneurism.

A wealth & abundance of defensive prospects is a great thing unless you white knuckle the f*** out of them while Dowling plays 3C on a team with cup aspirations.

Agree - It's a position of strength to fill a weakness.

We aren't a rebuilding team anymore

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

If Nemec, Saliyev and Casey are still on this team come trade deadline I’ll have an aneurism.

A wealth & abundance of defensive prospects is a great thing unless you white knuckle the f*** out of them while Dowling plays 3C on a team with cup aspirations.

you can get a 3C pretty easily at the deadline without having to trade a top flight prospect.

 

[guitarguyvic]

Well that explains him being utterly horrible.

I don’t know how anyone can say that our forward depth is not weak. Dowling as a 3C? I mean come on.

 

[Mgd31]

Well that explains him being utterly horrible.

I don’t know how anyone can say that our forward depth is not weak. Dowling as a 3C? I mean come on.

Yea it sucks. Haula’s probably been playing hurt since the start of November at least. He had 8 points in October and over the next 29 games, only 3

 

[Devs3cups]

Liking what Keefe had to say after practice today.

 

[SteveCangialosi123]

Might as well try Mercer at 3C. Shake it up

Palat-Jack-Bratt
Timo-Nico-Noesen
Tatar-Mercer-Lazar
Cotter-Dowling-Bastian

 

[billingtons ghost]

"Dillon must go to the bench coming out of the box."

Why MUST he. It's a bad change to take yourself out of the play when the other team has the puck in the dzone. It effectively adds another 10 or so seconds to the PK, except you can't ice it.

"Haula should go out and pressure." Yes, he should. Unfortunately Noesen ran into him, delaying him from that, and so Dougie did instead. Should he have, no. You'd rather have dougie in front than a forward.

But it is a SERIES of errors by Dillon (not supporting and leaving his team out to dry by changing as well as taking the penalty in the first place), Noesen (running into teammate and then curling out) Dougie (bad decision to pressure), Haula (not recognizing dougie pressuring and adjusting), and Luke (not clearing the puck and then letting his man get the puck down low).

I am not saying dougie didn't f*** up. My issue is that if you it was dougie who made ANY of the mistakes on that play, and the people around here would have STILL blamed him for the goal against.

If he was the one who failed to clear like Luke, he would have gotten blamed.
If he left the ice after taking a penalty instead of supporting like Dillon, he would have gotten blamed.
If he failed to adjust after another player took his man like Haula, he would have gotten blamed
If he ran into his own teammate like Noesen, he DEFINITELY would have gotten blamed.

I could be wrong, but when there are already two defenseman on the ice, you're in the box, and you come out.... *Typically* you want to get back into standard assignments so the D man makes a beeline asap to the bench so that a standard line, with their normal responsibilities are intact. I mean I guess if there's a desperation break away situation maybe I've seen it once or twice in forty years where a vet freelances there and gets into the play, but some dude at the blueline? Eh.

No, I don't think a guy at the point deserves the attention of Dougie. A vet D man at that point should assess the situation and spend his time in a more dangerous area, not run to the point when his partner is in the corner.

 

[dgibb10]

he's getting an MRI today so he could be #done which would be great for us

put him on LTIR and make a trade

LTIR is not beneficial. It means luke's ELC bonuses will rollover to next year, and we won't be able to accrue space

 

[billingtons ghost]

So I actually loved Cotter's game yesterday. He's exactly what this team needs more of in the bottom six. If you look at all of his recent points they are entirely self generated with winning board battles and protecting the puck. I think if you put him with Noesen or equivalent on the third line he'd play a role in generating some offense for us. Even better if pushed to the fourth line.

That said: Noesen is our sole bottom six guy who 'gets it'. His play away from the puck and around the crease is really top flight, so he's probably the no name guy to be in the top six.

 

[NJDevils17]

So I actually loved Cotter's game yesterday. He's exactly what this team needs more of in the bottom six. If you look at all of his recent points they are entirely self generated with winning board battles and protecting the puck. I think if you put him with Noesen or equivalent on the third line he'd play a role in generating some offense for us. Even better if pushed to the fourth line.

That said: Noesen is our sole bottom six guy who 'gets it'. His play away from the puck and around the crease is really top flight, so he's probably the no name guy to be in the top six.

Elite 4th liner who can play sometimes throughout the lineup. Like him a lot in certain roles.

 

[Triumph]

LTIR is not beneficial. It means luke's ELC bonuses will rollover to next year, and we won't be able to accrue space

100% correct and given the space we have now, LTIR doesn't even do anything. The Devils would have to max out their available space first, something they can't even really do - they could paper add e.g. Wendt and Nemec but that still doesn't get us all the way to Haula's full salary.

 

[Triumph]

I could be wrong, but when there are already two defenseman on the ice, you're in the box, and you come out.... *Typically* you want to get back into standard assignments so the D man makes a beeline asap to the bench so that a standard line, with their normal responsibilities are intact. I mean I guess if there's a desperation break away situation maybe I've seen it once or twice in forty years where a vet freelances there and gets into the play, but some dude at the blueline? Eh.

No, I don't think a guy at the point deserves the attention of Dougie. A vet D man at that point should assess the situation and spend his time in a more dangerous area, not run to the point when his partner is in the corner.

I realize you'll never read this, but when the opposition has the puck, this isn't what happens - Dillon checked over his shoulder and thought it was safe enough for him to go. The fact that he checked over his shoulder should make you think that your account is incorrect. If the opposition has the puck, the D will join the play as a RW until the puck is safely out of the zone.

 

[devilsblood]

So I actually loved Cotter's game yesterday. He's exactly what this team needs more of in the bottom six. If you look at all of his recent points they are entirely self generated with winning board battles and protecting the puck. I think if you put him with Noesen or equivalent on the third line he'd play a role in generating some offense for us. Even better if pushed to the fourth line.

That said: Noesen is our sole bottom six guy who 'gets it'. His play away from the puck and around the crease is really top flight, so he's probably the no name guy to be in the top six.

Noesen has played a bunch of minutes with Cotter to some unimpressive results. Maybe we blame that on Haula, who was the center for that line for much of that, but there wasn't much there to suggest they should be together.

Noesen with Nico puts up very good on ice numbers and top 6 level individual stats. Good shot rate, good goal rate, good pts rate.

Meier Nico Noesen is a line I'm keeping together for awhile.