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

[Bleedred]

What’s sad is that Dowling is not NHL calibre either yet I agree with you that I’d rather play Dowling than Haula and Lazar and Tatar out there .
Haula is shot . He brings nothing to the table anymore . Zero points since NOVEMBER. Let that sink in. Our 3C ( soon to be possibly be our 2C ) has ZERO points in over 3 months of hockey .

I don’t care if Haula has some dumb market correction heater where he’s a point per game for like a game 10 stretch. He’s gotta go after this year. It would be complete incompetency if he’s here next year.

Again, I don’t wanna hear “well, Erik Haula as a 4C would be a good option maybe? So long as he isn’t the 3C”.

No, that would be a good option maybe for the rest of this year. Not at any point next year.

 

[Mgd31]

We might get killed tonight

This would have been a tough game even despite the circumstances. One of the best teams in the league, doesn't lose at home and we are at the end of 3 in 4, while Dallas is well rested.

Going to need a great goalie performance and some puck luck.

 

[JrFischer54]

When the Rangers were balking at the initial price and it seemed like the Canucks were going to play hardball with him, you don't think he would have accepted a trade here?

NJ was alluded to as a potential destination for JT a million times and never was it reported that he wouldn't waive to come here. How far do you think Fitz would have negotiated if he indicated NJ was on his NTC?

(Love watching the narrative shift on this. 'We don't want him! He's going to suck in NYR!' -> 'LOL the Rangers are 0-2 with him, he sucks. Who cares he's producing.' -> 'Okay whatever, he looks good so far but like, his contract is gonna suck eventually probably' -> 'He wouldn't come here anyway. Useless debate!')


That's the spirit!

this is true was told many of times on here how much of a problem he is behind closed doors and dont want him on the team (maybe our locker room could use him) hes off to a hot start with them can that change? is it still early? of course but can only be judged by what hes done so far.

would be really funny jackets 2 rangers 3 in the metro lol

 

[TrufleShufle]

hopefully

glad some have finally caught up to the Mercer stuff. I can't remember a player looking so promising early on in his career and then now looking like the literal definition of a JAG. Dude does nothing out there.

If he was stapled to Jack and Bratt for most of the season I bet he would have more points than Palat.

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

If he was stapled to Jack and Bratt for most of the season I bet he would have more points than Palat.

Probably yeah, but that doesn't say much about him though.

I also think Palat does things that Mercer cannot do, specifically when it comes to retrieving pucks along the boards.

 

[TrufleShufle]

Probably yeah, but that doesn't say much about him though.

I also think Palat does things that Mercer cannot do, specifically when it comes to retrieving pucks along the boards.

Mercer is young, it doesn't upset me that he was good when he first got into the league and has seemingly lost his way. It sucks, but it still gives me hope he can be a big part of this team. I don't think every prospect has to be top 6 or gone. If we trade him, I don't care who it's for, even if the trade "makes sense" it will be a mistake in the long run IMO.

 

[Devils731]

Probably yeah, but that doesn't say much about him though.

I also think Palat does things that Mercer cannot do, specifically when it comes to retrieving pucks along the boards.

The most frustrating part, for me, about Mercer isn’t his ok production, it’s his inability to win and transport pucks. He also doesn’t really support the play with good position like Palat does.

Plays constantly die around Mercer, either through losing a board battle, getting stripped by a defender, or flinging a puck into a bad area of the ice.

I was hoping he’d either be stronger or faster this year but instead he seems lesser in both categories and now I believe his confidence is shot. He needs mental swagger to get his hands working and his hands are his best tool.

 

[None Shall Pass]

I'm definitely leaning towards "Haula is cooked", but I do wonder if he's playing through some sort of injury. My only evidence of that is that he's like completely done out there and that usually doesn't just happen so abruptly.

 

[longislanddevil]

The most frustrating part, for me, about Mercer isn’t his ok production, it’s his inability to win and transport pucks. He also doesn’t really support the play with good position like Palat does.

Plays constantly die around Mercer, either through losing a board battle, getting stripped by a defender, or flinging a puck into a bad area of the ice.

I was hoping he’d either be stronger or faster this year but instead he seems lesser in both categories and now I believe his confidence is shot. He needs mental swagger to get his hands working and his hands are his best tool.

Great analysis and you’re spot on. Plays do constantly die on his stick. He gets outmuscled and loses the puck quite often. Always reticent to shoot and instead makes poor decisions to pass which result in worse scoring positions/opportunities. When he scored the 27 goals, he excelled in tight spaces and made his living around the net. Is he shying away from contact and not going to the greasy parts of the ice anymore? I’ve read scouting reports and based on what I have seen, his hands may be his best asset. With that said, when is the last time he’s made a great deflection for a goal? I can’t figure this kid out. I don’t even see flashes of the same player he was two seasons ago.

Serious question- what does Mercer do well? He’s by far the most maddening player on the team in my eyes. He may figure it out but I really don’t think it’s going to be here. A hockey trade really does make a lot of sense. A change of scenery could benefit the player, as well.

EDIT- Mercer was one of my favorite players early on. From all accounts, he seems like a genuinely good kid. I hope he does find his way, whether it is here or somewhere else. However, we are in a results based business so….yeah.

 

[MartyOwns]

Or why there's constant arguing about dumb things here. Doubt anyone cares (or noticed) but I haven't been posting here for a while because there's just no point. I have much better things to do with my life.

there's a group of 5ish people who make this forum unbearable. and i can confidently say that because a few years ago i was one of those 5.

this forum is becoming less and less important to me because 1) i'm getting older and 2) the world has become a more depressing, polarized place and i certainly don't need that on a hockey website.

i'll always keep reading posts here because it's a great way to kill time at work, but the vibes here get so toxic when the devils lose a game. it's not that important, touch grass.

 

[longislanddevil]

Or why there's constant arguing about dumb things here. Doubt anyone cares (or noticed) but I haven't been posting here for a while because there's just no point. I have much better things to do with my life.

@PKs Broken Stick
I get where you’re coming from. I look forward to your posts because they’re insightful and knowledgeable. Hope you change your mind but completely understand if you don’t.

 

[TheBeerNerd]

I'm honestly surprised that I'm posting here right now. Generally, I like to not post as much when things are going poorly, whether it's hockey, other sports, or the world around me. But there's a sense of community to forums that the text-based social media sites lack. "Devils Twitter" is not even close to the same thing as here, or r/devils, or (if you're a real sick bastard) AAtJ.

Also, it's incredibly easy to hold grudges against people on Twitter/X, Facebook, TikTok, etc. and turn that into their problem using an army of followers. It's harder in forums because you have to be truly deranged to let an anonymous poster that shares your specific interest piss you off that much.

 

[longislanddevil]

I don’t care if Haula has some dumb market correction heater where he’s a point per game for like a game 10 stretch. He’s gotta go after this year. It would be complete incompetency if he’s here next year.

Again, I don’t wanna hear “well, Erik Haula as a 4C would be a good option maybe? So long as he isn’t the 3C”.

No, that would be a good option maybe for the rest of this year. Not at any point next year.

There is no world in which I want Haula back next season. I’m OK with Palat on the third line (though I’d like to get rid of him, too). Bastian, Lazar and Tatar also need to be gone.

 

[Bleedred]

There is no world in which I want Haula back next season. I’m OK with Palat on the third line (though I’d like to get rid of him, too). Bastian, Lazar and Tatar also need to be gone.

The three you mentioned are all UFA and I don’t think any of the UFAs will be back under any circumstance. It would be a first. Other than MacDermid, which we all know the reason he’s here.

 

[Nocashstyle]

I'm honestly surprised that I'm posting here right now. Generally, I like to not post as much when things are going poorly, whether it's hockey, other sports, or the world around me. But there's a sense of community to forums that the text-based social media sites lack. "Devils Twitter" is not even close to the same thing as here, or r/devils, or (if you're a real sick bastard) AAtJ.

Also, it's incredibly easy to hold grudges against people on Twitter/X, Facebook, TikTok, etc. and turn that into their problem using an army of followers. It's harder in forums because you have to be truly deranged to let an anonymous poster that shares your specific interest piss you off that much.

I don’t participate in Devils discussions anywhere else but here. Yeah, people here still get pissy and overly emotional, but overall, I find the average poster here is way more knowledgeable than on other medias. There is definitely a difference between a hockey fan who a fan of the Devils vs. a Devils fan. Almost everyone has a Reddit, Twitter, Facebook account, etc…that they likely didn’t create specifically just to talk about hockey. You need to be a real hockey fan to go out of your way to create an HFboards account.

Plus, traditional forums/message boards like this are a dying media. I’m willing to bet the average age of posters active on HFboards far exceeds a place like Twitter. Old heads are more likely to engage in a more mature back and forth conversation…most of the time lol.

 

[longislanddevil]

Per Pagnotta, the Bruins are fielding calls on Carlo and Zacha. I seriously doubt it would happen but there are worse things than bringing the Z-man back. Talk about full circle.

 

[Derps]

Per Pagnotta, the Bruins are fielding calls on Carlo and Zacha. I seriously doubt it would happen but there are worse things than bringing the Z-man back. Talk about full circle.

I think I just had a stroke

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

I wouldn't take Zacha back for free

 

[Cheddabombs]

Per Pagnotta, the Bruins are fielding calls on Carlo and Zacha. I seriously doubt it would happen but there are worse things than bringing the Z-man back. Talk about full circle.

Time for my son to come home. Make it happen, Fitz!

 

[longislanddevil]

Time for my son to come home. Make it happen, Fitz!

 

[CalamityX23]

I mean Zacha is better than what we have lol.........

 

[HoliksGhost]

Per Pagnotta, the Bruins are fielding calls on Carlo and Zacha. I seriously doubt it would happen but there are worse things than bringing the Z-man back. Talk about full circle.

Upgrade over Haula, Lazar, so why not ?

 

[Its Always Sundstrom]

there's a group of 5ish people who make this forum unbearable. and i can confidently say that because a few years ago i was one of those 5.

this forum is becoming less and less important to me because 1) i'm getting older and 2) the world has become a more depressing, polarized place and i certainly don't need that on a hockey website.

i'll always keep reading posts here because it's a great way to kill time at work, but the vibes here get so toxic when the devils lose a game. it's not that important, touch grass.

Or smoke it.

 

[Satans Hockey]

Or why there's constant arguing about dumb things here. Doubt anyone cares (or noticed) but I haven't been posting here for a while because there's just no point. I have much better things to do with my life.

This isn't an airport, you don't have to announce your departure.

I don't care about people arguing, that's part of getting a large group of people together because not everyone is going to get along and it's sure as shit certainly better than this I think I'm better than you holier than thou bs.

So many better things to do with your life than the rest of us lols sure thing pal

 

[britdevil]