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

[Triumph]

They won't make the playoffs with Jack out of the lineup. Also I'm not sure if I want bald head to burn more assets on a team that isn't deserving of it anyway with or without Jack

Sorry but this is an enormous overreaction. You are effectively arguing that Jack is an 8 or so wins a year player, and he is not that.

 

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

Sorry but this is an enormous overreaction. You are effectively arguing that Jack is an 8 or so wins a year player, and he is not that.

They're a mediocre built team that's capitalizing on the East being dogshit this year that just lost their best player with a tough stretch upcoming and haven't been good since the New Year. Not sure where the WAR debate of Jack came into this.

 

[guitarguyvic]

I mean, we are constantly assured that we have a great core…yet at the same time nearly everyone feels the season is lost as soon as Jack goes down. That doesn’t jive…it’s almost as if deep deep down a lot more people don’t trust this core as much as they usually let on.

If this core is as good as we are always told, they will step up now and drag this team into the playoffs.

If they don’t, can we finally lay off people for being skeptical of this group moving forward?

 

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

I mean, we are constantly assured that Bratt and Meier are great core pieces…yet at the same time nearly everyone feels the season is lost as soon as Jack goes down. That doesn’t jive…it’s almost as if deep deep down a lot more people don’t trust this core as much as they usually let on.

If this core is as good as we are always told, they will step up now and drag this team into the playoffs.

If they don’t, can we finally lay off people for being skeptical of this group moving forward?

2 players can't carry an entire roster in this sport, especially when they don't play center. If anything, Nico is a better argument for what you're saying. Markstrom will also need to be massive with this daunting schedule coming up

 

[guitarguyvic]

2 players can't carry an entire roster in this sport, especially when they don't play center. If anything, Nico is a better argument for what you're saying. Markstrom will also need to be massive with this daunting schedule coming up

I edited it to the entire core…we have Nico, Bratt, Timo, Dougie, I’ll put Luke in that category too. I won’t include Mercer since no one seems to argue he’s good anymore lol.

Point stands…I’m trying to figure out why the board consensus seems to be that this team can’t survive without Jack, while at the same time having a consensus that this core is amongst the best in the league. I’m not saying I believe they can survive it, I’m just pointing out that this doesn’t add up.

 

[BurntToast]

So many questions.

I couldn’t even tell what was actually injuried. I also wonder if it was Jack going into the boards that caused the injury or if it was Eichel kicking Jack’s arms out from under him (as he is also crashing into Jack).

Regardless of why or how it happened, these injuries will affect his legacy and the Devils chances of winning a cup.

 

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

So many questions.

I couldn’t even tell what was actually injuried. I also wonder if it was Jack going into the boards that caused the injury or if it was Eichel kicking Jack’s arms out from under him (as he is also crashing into Jack).

Regardless of why or how it happened, these injuries will affect his legacy and the Devils chances of winning a cup.

He was the best Devils forward the one time they made the playoffs with him on the roster.

 

[bossram]

Sorry but this is an enormous overreaction. You are effectively arguing that Jack is an 8 or so wins a year player, and he is not that.

Exactly. They'll still make the playoffs without Jack. The Eastern cut line is pretty bad this season.

Obviously, that's not to say this isn't devastating for the Devils in general.

 

[guitarguyvic]

Exactly. They'll still make the playoffs without Jack. The Eastern cut line is pretty bad this season.

Obviously, that's not to say this isn't devastating for the Devils in general.

This team has one of the worst records in the league over the last two months when he’s been in the lineup. They actually have to improve their winning % without having Jack in the lineup, if they want to make the playoffs. It is absolutely no longer a given that they will make it.

 

[bossram]

So many questions.

I couldn’t even tell what was actually injuried. I also wonder if it was Jack going into the boards that caused the injury or if it was Eichel kicking Jack’s arms out from under him (as he is also crashing into Jack).

Regardless of why or how it happened, these injuries will affect his legacy and the Devils chances of winning a cup.

Could be bias (probably), but by eye, that looked a lot more malicious from Eichel than most people seem to think. Eichel's skate sweeps Jack's feet out from under him. Eichel then falls on Jack, which prevents him from protecting himself before crashing into the boards.

Jack was facing away and never saw Eichel. Eichel is facing Jack. He's the only one that can control or initiate any contact between them.

Lol what a shitty position to be in, f*** Fitz to the highest degree but I don't know what I would do as GM of this team currently

If Jack will be back for the playoffs, you buy. It's a pretty simple decision.

 

[bossram]

This team has one of the worst records in the league over the last two months when he’s been in the lineup. They actually have to improve their winning % without having Jack in the lineup, if they want to make the playoffs. It is absolutely no longer a given that they will make it.

I don't see how citing that they have a bad record with him in the lineup really shows much evidence they'll collapse without him.

They were also without Nico and Markstrom for most of that time, who are arguably more important to the team in some ways.

 

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

Exactly. They'll still make the playoffs without Jack. The Eastern cut line is pretty bad this season.

Obviously, that's not to say this isn't devastating for the Devils in general.

Teams below them also all have games in hand on them, CBJ can put them on the WC bubble if they win their games in hand + win the remaining games v the Devils this year. They've been putrid ass since the New Year's, I don't know where people get this confidence from they're an auto in after losing Jack + how they've been playing for the past couple of months.

I don't see how citing that they have a bad record with him in the lineup really shows much evidence they'll collapse without him.

They were also without Nico and Markstrom for most of that time, who are arguably more important to the team in some ways.

Lol what? This team is about to have Dawson Mercer or Erik Haula as it's 2C unless Fitz does something like ROR. They just lost tonight with a great Markstrom, the idea was to rely on the guy less not more on his return.

 

[bossram]

Teams below them also all have games in hand on them, CBJ can put them on the WC bubble if they win their games in hand + win the remaining games v the Devils this year. They've been putrid ass since the New Year's, I don't know where people get this confidence from they're an auto in after losing Jack + how they've been playing for the past couple of months.



Lol what? This team is about to have Dawson Mercer or Erik Haula as it's 2C unless Fitz does something like ROR.

Their worst stretch also coincided with losing Nico and Markstrom (and Siegenthaler for some part of it). The first two are arguably more important to the team than Jack, in some ways.

 

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

Their worst stretch also coincided with losing Nico and Markstrom (and Siegenthaler for some part of it). The first two are arguably more important to the team than Jack, in some ways.

Allen was fine in the stretch Markstrom got hurt in, you must have some super human expectation from Markstrom to pull this team to the playoffs when they can't score for their lives depended it on this year.

 

[Alex NJD]

Even if Jack is out long term I wouldn't hate Fitz buying if the players aren't rentals and are controlled past this year. Going into the offseason team still needs to add a legit top 6 winger and a 3C (probably need a whole retool of the bottom 6).

 

[britdevil]

I'm obviously gutted about Jack and just hope that it isn't as bad as it seems.

I had absolutely no clue that Keefe had ties to the Danton-Frost case. Wild that this has come back around to our franchise.

Wes McCauley is a piece of shit.

 

[Killing Joke]

He is screwed if Jack is hurt long term . Teams know he will be desperate . Good job waiting to the last minute Fitz ya putz. Prices just went up . Only “positive” might be Jack on LTIR frees up enough cap to add a significant piece like a McCann and Jack is back in time for the playoffs ( if they make it without him)

Also some teams that were looking out of it and would likely sell off pieces are now back in it and possibly holding onto pieces.

Francis is apparently being stupid and not wanting to move guys.

 

[DrBSmooth]

Sad Devils Fan

 

[bossram]

Allen was fine in the stretch Markstrom got hurt in, you must have some super human expectation from Markstrom to pull this team to the playoffs when they can't score for their lives depended it on this year.

Allen is kinda Jekyll & Hyde. He either has a great game or an awful one. Markstrom has been much more stable.

We'll see what the playoff odds look like tomorrow. I am very confident that the sportsbooks will have NJ > 50% to make the playoffs.

 

[PizzaAndPucks]

Exactly. They'll still make the playoffs without Jack. The Eastern cut line is pretty bad this season.

Obviously, that's not to say this isn't devastating for the Devils in general.

With a a near fully healthy lineup the Devils have not been able to score goals the last 2 months. Their only saving grace is top tier goaltending , defensive depth and special teams. Look at what happens where the special teams shit the bed (tonight). Their 5 on 5 play is killing them and is going to be their demise if it doesn't change ASAP. We have been playing .500ish hockey the last 10 games or so. That isn't going to cut it with all these other teams trending up.

 

[Killing Joke]

Tom really needs to go. He has handicapped this team beyond belief in numerous ways. Poor contract to older players, horrible drafting, slowing us down for grit purposes, and taking entirely too long to get trades done because he's afraid to part with prospects apart of his bad drafting.

 

[bossram]

With a a near fully healthy lineup the Devils have not been able to score goals the last 2 months. Their only saving grace is top tier goaltending , defensive depth and special teams. Look at what happens where the special teams shit the bed (tonight). There 5 on 5 play is killing them and is going to be their demise if it doesn't change ASAP. We have been playing .500ish hockey the last 10 games or so. That isn't going to cut it with all these other teams trending up.

When have they been fully healthy in the past couple months?

I'm kind of anticipating .500ish results going forward (any TDL acquisitions notwithstanding), and IMO that should be decent enough to get in the playoffs.

CBJ would have to pass them in the standings in addition to both of Detroit and Ottawa. I still reeeeaalllyyyy don't think Detroit is legit and CBJ, while a nice story, have been mostly riding the hot PDO skis lately.

 

[PizzaAndPucks]

When have they been fully healthy in the past couple months?

I'm kind of anticipating .500ish results going forward (any TDL acquisitions notwithstanding), and IMO that should be decent enough to get in the playoffs.

CBJ would have to pass them in the standings in addition to both of Detroit and Ottawa. I still reeeeaalllyyyy don't think Detroit is legit and CBJ, while a nice story, have been mostly riding the hot PDO skis lately.

Damon Severson has the same amount of goals (6) as Pesce, Kovacevic, Dillon & Siegenthaler combined. The Devils need some goals from those 4 (Siegs is hurt obviously). The bottom 6 hasn't been chipping in enough but we aren't getting enough goals from our defense either. Can't really on Dougie and Luke. Granted those 4 defensman are all good at playing actual defense. Something I would not trust Severson at but still... A game like tonight could of had a much different result if one of those 4 managed to get a goal.

 

[TheBeerNerd]

Are people here crazy? Did anyone else hear that stat during the Utah game that the Devils had 20 of their last 25 goals with Jack on the ice? Don’t overthink things here, we’re completely, utterly, and totally f***ed. We’re probably not making the playoffs now, which is par for the course for the Devils. And Jack’s shoulder (the same one that’s been injured multiple times) is only going to get worse from here.

Any reaction that isn’t complete acceptance of our doomed fate is cope. Being a fan of this team is an exercise in misery, knowing at the back of your mind that the other shoe will drop at any moment. I wish I had it in me to be less emotionally invested in a team that not only will never get it done, but will never make the playoffs in anything close to an acceptably consistent fashion. But I’m a passionate man who loves his team, and I will go to my grave, jail, or a mental asylum because of them.

I have nothing more to say. See you next season when I come back to paying close attention this team, full of hope because I’m a moron who can’t help himself.

 

[TheBeerNerd]

Tom really needs to go. He has handicapped this team beyond belief in numerous ways. Poor contract to older players, horrible drafting, slowing us down for grit purposes, and taking entirely too long to get trades done because he's afraid to part with prospects apart of his bad drafting.

You’re lucky you have supporting documentation here, but even so that tweet answers only one of your claims in the affirmative. And Chuck Fletcher likely becomes the next guy in line if he gets fired, which he probably will if they miss.