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

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

Would like to see Bratt and Jack on different lines on Saturday afternoon, it's clear that this team has no depth without the injuries let alone with them

 

[Saugus]

I know there’s no rushing these things, and the value must be right, and it takes two to tango, and Fitz is doing everything he can, etc etc.

But we really need to make a trade already. It’s agonizing waiting for the move we know must be coming.

 

[Triumph]

I know there’s no rushing these things, and the value must be right, and it takes two to tango, and Fitz is doing everything he can, etc etc.

But we really need to make a trade already. It’s agonizing waiting for the move we know must be coming.

There isn't any cap room. They'd have to push Siegenthaler on to LTIR which is only something they should do if they confirm he is out for the remainder of the regular season.

 

[Edmonton East]

Ah, so we are still playing the don't believe your eyes and/or (gasp) the actual results game. Fun.

If Markstrom didn't play out of his ass for a month, this place would have been freaking out long ago. Legit played the best hockey he's played in 4 years. Credit to him.

As pointed out in July, this team 100% needed a 3C capable of playing up the lineup as needed. It wasn't a nice to have, it was a requirement. Especially after you move material assets, including a 1st rounder, for a 35 year old goalie with 1 more season til expiry. You make that trade, you are playing to contend NOW. Tick tock. We'll see how things go in March.

 

[Devs3cups]

Ah, so we are still playing the don't believe your eyes and/or (gasp) the actual results game. Fun.

If Markstrom didn't play out of his ass for a month, this place would have been freaking out long ago. Legit played the best hockey he's played in 4 years. Credit to him.

As pointed out in July, this team 100% needed a 3C capable of playing up the lineup as needed. It wasn't a nice to have, it was a requirement. Especially after you move material assets, including a 1st rounder, for a 35 year old goalie with 1 more season til expiry. You make that trade, you are playing to contend NOW. Tick tock. We'll see how things go in March.

Was just sharing for anyone being interested. I don't think this team has been good for over a month at all. Don't really care what happens to them at this point. They control their own destiny.

 

[guitarguyvic]

3 regulation wins in 18 games. Most of those played against teams that are supposed to be inferior to this one. Most of those games played with a full lineup/no injuries. They've been mid offensively at even strength all year; mid to poor in finishing all year. They go huge stretches within games of no-showing; today's game was maybe the first time they've done it for all three periods. We have no idea what the quality of play will be from game to game. There's only three guys that have provided consistent offense all year. We have a fourth forward who takes up more cap room than anybody, working on season #3 of being underwhelming and not at all the game changer he was advertised to be. We have a second liner who's really a third liner on a cup contender and a third liner who's really a fourth liner on a cup contender. And then six guys - half the forwards - who have contributed almost nothing since the early weeks of the season, and might very well be relegated to the AHL on a deeper roster. Oh, and our only two true puck moving d-men have major flaws on defense - one because he's too young and the other because he's too old and slow.

This is 100% a wildcard level team masquerading as a #3 in the division only because the quality of teams below them is worse than most seasons. I'd have more confidence in them looking like a contender after the break if the forward depth didn't appear so atrocious. Yeah this *might* get fixed with TDL acquisitions, but how can one assume that will be automatic when those trades are notoriously unreliable in their effectiveness?

 

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

Ah, so we are still playing the don't believe your eyes and/or (gasp) the actual results game. Fun.

If Markstrom didn't play out of his ass for a month, this place would have been freaking out long ago. Legit played the best hockey he's played in 4 years. Credit to him.

As pointed out in July, this team 100% needed a 3C capable of playing up the lineup as needed. It wasn't a nice to have, it was a requirement. Especially after you move material assets, including a 1st rounder, for a 35 year old goalie with 1 more season til expiry. You make that trade, you are playing to contend NOW. Tick tock. We'll see how things go in March.

I'm down on them also but right before Christmas they were winning games despite what Markstrom was doing. Guy was getting 12-13 shot shutouts, the overall issue is their team has not had a full 60 from everyone. The break is coming at a great time but they also have to get their heads out of their asses. It's not wrong to be down on them but also understand injury circumstances have cook them in February.

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

Ah, so we are still playing the don't believe your eyes and/or (gasp) the actual results game. Fun.

If Markstrom didn't play out of his ass for a month, this place would have been freaking out long ago. Legit played the best hockey he's played in 4 years. Credit to him.

As pointed out in July, this team 100% needed a 3C capable of playing up the lineup as needed. It wasn't a nice to have, it was a requirement. Especially after you move material assets, including a 1st rounder, for a 35 year old goalie with 1 more season til expiry. You make that trade, you are playing to contend NOW. Tick tock. We'll see how things go in March.

This guy can't post without bringing up something he may (or may not) have told us. Was nowhere to be found when the team was winning consistently lol

TICK TOCK

 

[Zippy316]

I know there’s no rushing these things, and the value must be right, and it takes two to tango, and Fitz is doing everything he can, etc etc.

But we really need to make a trade already. It’s agonizing waiting for the move we know must be coming.

The issue is the Devils have been trying to accrue as much cap space as possible to make a deal, or at least a significant one.

What I don’t quite understand personally is why Fitzgerald hasn’t made some small deal to shake up the bottom six. Move someone like Tatar, Lazar, or Bastian out for another guy.

Would it make much of a difference? Probably not. But this team needs a bit of a jolt and injecting a fresh face into the team can’t hurt. At the very least, it would prevent some guys from being complacent.

 

[SteveCangialosi123]

Ah, so we are still playing the don't believe your eyes and/or (gasp) the actual results game. Fun.

If Markstrom didn't play out of his ass for a month, this place would have been freaking out long ago. Legit played the best hockey he's played in 4 years. Credit to him.

As pointed out in July, this team 100% needed a 3C capable of playing up the lineup as needed. It wasn't a nice to have, it was a requirement. Especially after you move material assets, including a 1st rounder, for a 35 year old goalie with 1 more season til expiry. You make that trade, you are playing to contend NOW. Tick tock. We'll see how things go in March.

Devils take their biggest dump of the last 5 years

 

[NjDevsRR]

Would like to see Bratt and Jack on different lines on Saturday afternoon, it's clear that this team has no depth without the injuries let alone with them

How about something like….

Palat Hughes Mercer
Meier Haula Bratt

 

[MB3]

How about something like….

Palat Hughes Mercer
Meier Haula Bratt

Any combination of top-6 that includes both Palat and Haula makes me puke.

 

[devilsblood]

The issue is the Devils have been trying to accrue as much cap space as possible to make a deal, or at least a significant one.

What I don’t quite understand personally is why Fitzgerald hasn’t made some small deal to shake up the bottom six. Move someone like Tatar, Lazar, or Bastian out for another guy.

Would it make much of a difference? Probably not. But this team needs a bit of a jolt and injecting a fresh face into the team can’t hurt. At the very least, it would prevent some guys from being complacent.

There is not much scoring going on in the bottom 6, and maybe a jolt helps, but the top 3 fwd's in terms of GF% in the last 10 games are Lazar Bastian Tatar.

3 worst are Cotter Bratt Hughes.

Similar story last 20 games, but Meier tops the GF% list while Haula is the only guys worse then the 3 mentioned above.

 

[NjDevsRR]

If I had to pick the two worst possible injuries to happen it would be

Nico
Siegs

In that order. Thankfully Nico should be back soon but I am afraid of the massive hole left by Siegs. He was our best player back there.

 

[Triumph]

The issue is the Devils have been trying to accrue as much cap space as possible to make a deal, or at least a significant one.

What I don’t quite understand personally is why Fitzgerald hasn’t made some small deal to shake up the bottom six. Move someone like Tatar, Lazar, or Bastian out for another guy.

Would it make much of a difference? Probably not. But this team needs a bit of a jolt and injecting a fresh face into the team can’t hurt. At the very least, it would prevent some guys from being complacent.

I don't really understand why you would do this. Lazar hasn't been good enough - to me, he's played his way into being an extra forward in the playoffs, ideally - but Bastian and Tatar have been fine. All three are energy guys in their own way.

 

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

I don't really understand why you would do this. Lazar hasn't been good enough - to me, he's played his way into being an extra forward in the playoffs, ideally - but Bastian and Tatar have been fine. All three are energy guys in their own way.

Still need production from them, this isn't the 90's where you just hope your bottom 6 doesn't get scored on and it's a plus. You need productive shifts + production. This team will be out in 5 if they legit with a straight face go into the playoffs with Tatar/Bastian as regulars. Now the issue is how do you find 2 bottom 6 bodies in season + the winger for Jack/Bratt that we all want? That's up to the GM and why he makes the big bucks.

How about something like….

Palat Hughes Mercer
Meier Haula Bratt

Mercer being on the top line while playing some of the worst hockey I've seen a Devil play is such an annoying dilemma lol. Like who else do you put there but he doesn't deserve it all lol

 

[NjDevsRR]

Still need production from them, this isn't the 90's where you just hope your bottom 6 doesn't get scored on and it's a plus. You need productive shifts + production. This team will be out in 5 if they legit with a straight face go into the playoffs with Tatar/Bastian as regulars. Now the issue is how do you find 2 bottom 6 bodies in season + the winger for Jack/Bratt that we all want? That's up to the GM and why he makes the big bucks.



Mercer being on the top line while playing some of the worst hockey I've seen a Devil play is such an annoying dilemma lol. Like who else do you put there but he doesn't deserve it all lol

I guess we can yo yo Tatar back somewhere in the top 6…

Idk. Its been a problem all season. Even winning some great games in December the depth issue was there. After every win I posted something like “now get me another forward or two.”

We need it now.

 

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

I guess we can yo yo Tatar back somewhere in the top 6…

Idk. Its been a problem all season. I remember us winning some great games in December and even then the depth issue was there. After every win I posted something like “now get me another forward or two.”

We need it now.

Because once again, it was evident from game 1 and the offseason mock lineups that this team would probably very be top 6 heavy. Add into the injuries and Timo finishing at the worst rate of his career and this is the offensive confusion you get lol

 

[Triumph]

Still need production from them, this isn't the 90's where you just hope your bottom 6 doesn't get scored on and it's a plus. You need productive shifts + production. This team will be out in 5 if they legit with a straight face go into the playoffs with Tatar/Bastian as regulars. Now the issue is how do you find 2 bottom 6 bodies in season + the winger for Jack/Bratt that we all want? That's up to the GM and why he makes the big bucks.

Sorry but this is bunk. Tatar and Bastian aren't going to cost the Devils anything in the playoffs - they're fine. They can beat other 4th lines, especially if Haula ends up there; that is a tough line to play against.

Florida's 4th line in last year's playoffs was a mixture of Lorentz, Okposo, Stenlund, Cousins, and Lomberg. They combined for 2 goals in 24 games.

 

[Guttersniped]

Still need production from them, this isn't the 90's where you just hope your bottom 6 doesn't get scored on and it's a plus. You need productive shifts + production. This team will be out in 5 if they legit with a straight face go into the playoffs with Tatar/Bastian as regulars. Now the issue is how do you find 2 bottom 6 bodies in season + the winger for Jack/Bratt that we all want? That's up to the GM and why he makes the big bucks.



Mercer being on the top line while playing some of the worst hockey I've seen a Devil play is such an annoying dilemma lol. Like who else do you put there but he doesn't deserve it all lol

The production of Meier, Mercer and Palat are way bigger issues than the guys making ~1m to play 4th line minutes.

Palat is the most annoying for me because he’s going to be next year at 6m while even being worse.

Our best players force fed him his 12 goals and his two-way play is in the toilet.

We basically need MVP level play from Jack and we aren’t getting that but playing him with street trash isn’t helping.

Just sick of Palat. Oh well.

 

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

Sorry but this is bunk. Tatar and Bastian aren't going to cost the Devils anything in the playoffs - they're fine. They can beat other 4th lines, especially if Haula ends up there; that is a tough line to play against.

Florida's 4th line in last year's playoffs was a mixture of Lorentz, Okposo, Stenlund, Cousins, and Lomberg. They combined for 2 goals in 24 games.

You're out of your mind if you think they won't. They were plays tonight that they f***ed up in a February regular season game with next to no intensity as a playoff game v a Western conference team. Jack gives Tatar a decent pass to outlet and Tatar runs himself into the board in the defensive zone and the same shift Bastian takes a stupid penalty on Theadore to let Vegas go on the powerplay. They're not good players or anyone I'm comfortable going into a playoff series with and that's coming from someone who banged the table for Tatar to be brought back after 22-23.

Okposo had 22 points on Buffalo before being traded and if I had to check that's probably more than our fourth line combined currently. Not to mention Bastian and Tatar have randomly move around the lineup so they're not true 4th liners this year

Stenlund is an elite face-off guy + PKer

Cousins played for Florida throughout the lineup throughout the years and was on the second line in their 2023 Cup run so not a true "4th liner" with ability to play anywhere in the lineup

Lorentz and Lomberg suck but they're just change of pace guys when injuries happen + change in momentum.

Also, not to mention, the Devils are never playing the way Florida does so why even bring them up?

The production of Meier, Mercer and Palat are way bigger issues than the guys making ~1m to play 4th line minutes.

Palat is the most annoying for me because he’s going to be next year at 6m while even being worse.

Our best players force fed him his 12 goals and his two-way play is in the toilet.

We basically need MVP level play from Jack and we aren’t getting that but playing him with street trash isn’t helping.

Just sick of Palat. Oh well.

While I agree mostly with the premise of this sentiment, I just don't see how you can just brush off a bottom 6 contributing nothing. Like I said, being a net neutral in that would be ok if we were talking about the 90's and early 2000's but you need more production from your bottom 6 in today's era. Your top guys can't show up nightly for 82 and they'll have games in the playoffs where they won't do anything due to teams keying in on them.

Devils last good run was on the back of a half hampered Kovy + bottom 6 being out of this world and arguably carrying them for that run.

Timo will be fine short term and long term, the other 2 guys suck and I wouldn't get my hopes of them getting their games together.

 

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

Not to mention, Tatar/Bastian got worse in the 22/23 playoffs when they were better players in that regular season but we think they won't be an issue in a year they've gotten worse as players. Lol ok

 

[Bleedred]

I actually don’t mind Tatar, but he’s probably close to done.

I almost feel bad for him because his points per 60 is probably really good. He does a pretty good job considering his icetime. I have not much interest in seeing him beyond this year, but I think he’s been more than fine for what he’s been this year.

 

[Guttersniped]

You're out of your mind if you think they won't. They were plays tonight that they f***ed up in a February regular season game with next to no intensity as a playoff game v a Western conference team. Jack gives Tatar a decent outlet and Tatar runs himself into the board and the same shift Bastian takes a stupid penalty on Theadore to let Vegas go on the powerplay. They're not good players or anyone I'm comfortable going into a playoff series with and that's coming from someone who banged the table for Tatar to be brought back after 22-23.

Okposo had 22 points on Buffalo before being traded and if I had to check that's probably more than our fourth line combined currently.

Stenlund is an elite face-off guy + PKer

Cousins played for Florida throughout the lineup throughout the years and was on the second line in their 2023 Cup run so not a true "4th liner" with ability to play anywhere in the lineup

Lorentz and Lomberg suck but they're just change of pace guys when injuries happen + change in momentum.



While I agree mostly with the premise of this sentiment, I just don't see how you can just brush off a bottom 6 contributing nothing. Like I said, being a net neutral in that would be ok if we were talking about the 90's and early 2000's but you need more production from your bottom 6 in today's era. Your top guys can't show up nightly for 82 and they'll have games in the playoffs where they won't do anything due to teams keying in on them.

Devils last good run was on the back of a half hampered Kovy + bottom 6 being out of this world and arguably carrying them for that run.

I think of the top 9 more in terms of production, we’re weak there and that’s a worse problem.

People sometimes fixate on a lack of production from the 4th line but you just don’t get that much from them.

Obviously our forward depth sucks everywhere.

That includes having jack shit in Utica at forward and doing nothing to fix that beyond the failed LaBanc PTO.

We do a lot less than perennial top teams do in terms of trying to grow their own depth with FA signings (DAL, BOS, WSH, FLA etc).

I’ve had a bug up my ass about Fitz’s lack of success drafting forwards and overall half-assed approach to forward depth since forever.

The off-season was me waiting for depth moves that never came and feeling bad for @Bad Goalie as he stared into the void that’s the Utica Comets. Such is life.

The new regime in Vancouver made a point of addressing it and now they got 27 goals in half a season from Pius Suter and Kiefer Sherwood, who make a combined 3.1m.

But Fitz is always big game hunting or half-assing it with PTOs.

 

[Bleedred]

Not to mention, Tatar/Bastian got worse in the 22/23 playoffs when they were better players in that regular season but we think they won't be an issue in years they've gotten worse as players. Lol ok

I wouldn’t count on Bastian to be healthy enough to play by then. I still think it’s an impersonator out there after that Philly game last week. Still can’t believe he was back the next game.