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

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

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.

Yeah, top 9 is a better way to phrase it. Still I would like to see them having a fourth line that is legitimately good and I don't have to hold my breath for a penalty or a goal against every time they're out there. Palat and Mercer being top 6 players is sort of heightened for the fact the bottom 6 can't do shit either. You could move guys around if they were worth anything up and down the lineup. It feels like a Lou lineup where you have hasbeens just moping around and doing nothing for 8-9 mins a night. For all of greatness of Fitz on the backend, he's been utter dogshit up front for the most part. The anti Shero lol

 

[SteveCangialosi123]

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.

I forgot about Labanc. He has 2 goals this year and 4 in his last 85. He may be cooked.

The lack of centers drafted under Fitz has annoyed me. Utica is a wasteland because of it. And I want more swings for the fences at fast talented guys. Forget about the harder to play against shit for a little while.

 

[NjDevsRR]

I’ve had a bug up my ass

 

[PizzaAndPucks]

Lazar has 1 goal in 31 games...he's should be our 13th forward. If he wasnt a center he wouldn't be in this lineup. Cotter, Noesen, Kovacevic will drop the mitts before Lazar does. He literally is only in the lineup because our bottom 6 sucks and he can winna faceoff here and there. Fitzgerald needs to clean this bottom 6 up. Bastian has been here for awhile and has had some good moments but even he has been underwhelming. The guys best highlights the last year or so aside from that Sradium Series goal he scored have been him getting murdered on the ice.

You need a good 4th line, especially in the playoffs. I feel like ours is one of the worst in the league this year. If only Chase Stillmann didn't suck or we had some prospect to call up from the AHL to bump these guys out of the lineup. I'd honestly rather have Dowling as our 4th line center.

 

[billingtons ghost]

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.

This^
I can't get upset about fourth liners at this point.
It's sad to say but I'm concerned we missed the 'win before everyone gets paid' window, unless we get galvanizing presences in the lockerroom or behind the bench.

We had Jacques night earlier in the season, but for anyone who remembers, there was a district turning point when we jettisoned Kirk Muller and Bernie Nichols... Good players but guys with $$$ contracts who had stepped out of hungry mode; and added Claude Lemieux who was *always* in win mode plus Jacque and Larry behind the bench. Jacques convinced Stevens to give up the scoring 78pts a season game and make sacrifices to win, and behind those four people you could see everyone fall in line, almost out of fear. You could see Driver, MacLean, and Dano morph from 'loser' to part of something bigger. Plus you had rookies that didn't know better like Zelepukin/Guerin/Rolston/Brylin/Marty.

I think Bratt gets it. I think Palat understands but has now gotten used to losing (he might've been one of the few forwards that played very hard last night). I think Noesen gets it. Nico gets it but I don't think he's the kinda guy that inspires fear of losing in teammates. Pesce might, the way he blocks shots.

I don't think Dougie gets it. I think Jack and Meier have been on bad teams so long they revert to selfish play instead of trusting the system; and neither of them inspire teammates to do anything but watch. Mercer and Luke and Nemec don't get it yet because of youth.

I know there's talk of Fitz making a move, but unless it's a heart transplant, I don't see how something that just makes us moderately better on paper fixes this unless Keefe performs magic. On paper I think we are excellent, but there is an absolute need for guys to put aside their personal feelings and stats and pond hockey and do what needs to happen to win consistently. Go through the wall mentality

On some nights, They all look like they're showing up to open skate at the beer League. Can't happen.

Edit: I'll point out that Lou's tdl heart transplant was Neil Broten of USA hockey Miracle, and Jacques converted 50-goal scorer Carpenter to 3c.

We're actually really *that* close to a cup if we can find the things that turn these guys on to winning.

 

[AfroThunder396]

Noesen was brought into be that depth scoring guy, but that was assuming Mercer would bounce back and that Timo would be fully healed and playing better. Both have been pretty rough this season so Noesen has been the #4 forward by default.

Between Meier, Mercer, and Palat you have three guys that are not carrying their weight in regard to their salary. All have shown flashes but the lack of consistent production from those guys really kills the vibe.

The 4th line needs a lobotomy but that will happen naturally if you get good players higher in the lineup to push the Haulas and Lazars down to where they should be.