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

[Killing Joke]

Crashing out.

 

[Bleedred]

I think Mercer is FINE. He does produce a bit. If we had two better centers in the bottom 6 and one added top 6 winger I think the complaints on everyone from Bratt to Timo to Mercer goes away

Relying on this seasons version of Haula and Lazar to center the bottom 6 while having the Palats of the world on the top 6 is hurting them all

That's the thing, I think Mercer is FINE. But he could be so much more than fine. He's really frustrating at times the last two seasons. So I think I've gotten on him a lot more at times than I have Haula or Palat, as I think he has a ton more to give than either of those guys could anymore.

 

[FinnishDevil]

Your first mission, Glass and Sprong, get Haula a point

This is one of the posts of all time for sure

 

[Bleedred]

Crashing out.

For what it's worth, it's no lower than it was this morning. And if it is it's just by a few percentage points and still within 82%.

I checked it first thing in the morning and it was 82.something% then also.

It really dropped after the loss to the Jets last night. I think we were at 88.-something% on Friday morning when I checked. First thing morning we were down to 82%. This is one of the first things I check every morning after about 8:00 or 9:00 AM, just in case they haven't been updated by then yet. They usually update at like 4:00 AM EST though.

Still, 82% is the lowest we've been since probably the first month or so of the season.

 

[guitarguyvic]

I like Zetterland but he's fast becoming the new Boqvist or whatever we obsess about. He's probably a bottom six player at best. He just got dumped for a younger grittier but even less productive forward.

The Meier trade is only "bad" in the sense that we could have packaged up what we sent - the 1sts, Zetterlund, Okhotiouk, and Mukhamadullin - in better deals for more than one player, although we hoped Meier would be that 35 goal, 65 point player with a physical presence along the boards.

Meier hasn't lived up to our expectations - that's fair to say. But Zetterlund was dumped by San Joe, Okhotiouk is nowhere, and Mukh seems to be coming along but I don't think he would be top three in our D prospect pool here. Had Meier lived up to it, we'd have won the trade easily.

And that's what I guess everyone has a legitimate gripe with Fitzgerald about. His drafting sucks. He has a habit of pulling in low-chance prospects, especially in later rounds. We have a really bad prospect pool, and yet we can't fill out an NHL roster yet.

On the other hand, he's tried to make moves that largely haven't panned out.

I do think Glass and Sprong are exactly what we needed - solid bottom six players. We need more of those, and we absolutely have to jettison Haula and Palat. The offseason will once again be very important.

I really want this team to get something going again and get into the playoffs, if not for the experience alone and positive trajectory. I'm wanting Hischier to re-sign here.

What? Zetterlund is nothing like Boqvist. He’s spent the last two seasons scoring at the same clip as the guy he was traded for. Granted he’s getting top minutes and PP time, but he’s clearly a middle six player with size who can produce - that’s literally this team’s biggest need.

What’s ironic about mentioning Boqvist here is that, even though he’s not as good as Zetts, he also fills a need for this team. He’d be the perfect speedy fourth line guy who wouldn’t look out of place playing on the third when needed.

Glass may not be much better than what we already have and Sprong has been playing in the AHL. Saying they are “solid fourth liners” is being optimistic. Even if they are a slight upgrade on what we have on the fourth line, that’s not moving the needle all that much. Maybe we will get lucky and they will go on a heater these last few weeks, but it’s not a gamble I’d make.

 

[MadDevil]

That's the thing, I think Mercer is FINE. But he could be so much more than fine. He's really frustrating at times the last two seasons. So I think I've gotten on him a lot more at times than I have Haula or Palat, as I think he has a ton more to give than either of those guys could anymore.

It's starting to look like 2022-23 may have been the aberration for him. His rookie season he had 17 goals, 42 points. Last year he had 20 goals, 33 points. This year he's on pace for 18 goals, 35 points. It might just be that his baseline is more of a 15-20 goal, 35-40 point player.

 

[NjDevsRR]

It's starting to look like 2022-23 may have the been aberration for him. His rookie season he had 17 goals, 42 points. Last year he had 20 goals, 33 points. This year he's on pace for 18 goals, 35 points. It might just be that his baseline is more of a 15-20 goal, 35-40 point player.

 

[guitarguyvic]

Mercer wouldn’t be the focal point of so much negativity if there weren’t so many other issues with the roster. If the rest of the lineup was solid, you could keep him as a productive third liner and if he blossoms late into something more that would just be a bonus.

But of course that’s not where we are.

 

[Poppy Whoa Sonnet]

That's overdramatic. His value is dropping everyday we get further from the 2022 draft but that doesn't mean he won't return much of anything. Jiricek has been even more disappointing and he returned a 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th round pick and a decent defensive prospect in Hunt.

Nemec clearly doesn't have as much value as he had even a couple months ago (when I said they should start looking at trading him) but he still has value as a young RHD with potential.

The Devils have Hamilton, Pesce and Kovacevic locked up with Casey still in the system, they have to trade Nemec this offseason for some forward help.

I think he'd return less than Jiricek today...maybe a single late 1st from a team that's not enamored with the board and wanted an RD with potential in their lineup. Devils could then swing that in a package. He needs to get better very quickly or he might not even return a late first.

Edit: Thinking it might be like the Lundkvist trade, which was a late 1st and a 4th actually, so maybe a bit more than a late first. Still not a great return.

 

[amikaro]

Bratt has 74 registered hits

Mercer has 30 for comparison

Bratt does some impressive hitting for a guy with his frame. He's strong.

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

Mercer wouldn’t be the focal point of so much negativity if there weren’t so many other issues with the roster. If the rest of the lineup was solid, you could keep him as a productive third liner and if he blossoms late into something more that would just be a bonus.

But of course that’s not where we are.

I mean, Mercer regressing hard plays into a huge part of where we are, yes.

 

[JimEIV]

That's overdramatic. His value is dropping everyday we get further from the 2022 draft but that doesn't mean he won't return much of anything. Jiricek has been even more disappointing and he returned a 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th round pick and a decent defensive prospect in Hunt.

Nemec clearly doesn't have as much value as he had even a couple months ago (when I said they should start looking at trading him) but he still has value as a young RHD with potential.

The Devils have Hamilton, Pesce and Kovacevic locked up with Casey still in the system, they have to trade Nemec this offseason for some forward help.

Jiricek got traded D+3, really only D+2 as it was only November D+3 when he got traded. He only played 53 games for Columbus before he was traded. He had just turned 21 years old two days before he was traded

This would be like if we traded Nemec in November. Nemec has had an another full year of regression going into D+4 when he will turn 22 years old. That extra year is a big difference and it's not going to get better for him with Pesce, Hamilton and Kovacevic in front of him.

You're also talking about a 6'4'' 207 lb defender that is a strong skater and good physically in Jiricek. There's a whole lot of room to work with for a player like this.

 

[JK3]

View attachment 990003

 

[PattyElias26]

View attachment 990003

Hahaha this picture is great. Frank is the f***ing worst

 

[Triumph]

What? Zetterlund is nothing like Boqvist. He’s spent the last two seasons scoring at the same clip as the guy he was traded for. Granted he’s getting top minutes and PP time, but he’s clearly a middle six player with size who can produce - that’s literally this team’s biggest need.

How is this the team's biggest need? The team's biggest need is a third line center. Then they can get the wings sorted out, especially when they know what kind of center they have.

Zetterlund as an RH shooter - he can probably play LW, and probably did briefly here, but it wouldn't be something I'd be betting on.

Glass may not be much better than what we already have and Sprong has been playing in the AHL. Saying they are “solid fourth liners” is being optimistic. Even if they are a slight upgrade on what we have on the fourth line, that’s not moving the needle all that much. Maybe we will get lucky and they will go on a heater these last few weeks, but it’s not a gamble I’d make.

The Devils' 4th line, if it includes Haula, is 'one of the worst lines ever constructed', so that probably is a big upgrade. Glass at least has the profile of a decent 4th liner and has a decent scoring season in the not-too-distant past.

 

[guitarguyvic]

How is this the team's biggest need? The team's biggest need is a third line center. Then they can get the wings sorted out, especially when they know what kind of center they have.

Zetterlund as an RH shooter - he can probably play LW, and probably did briefly here, but it wouldn't be something I'd be betting on.

You’re right, C specifically is the biggest need but regardless Zetts would fill one of our other major needs which is just middle six just forwards who can score goals.

The Devils' 4th line, if it includes Haula, is 'one of the worst lines ever constructed', so that probably is a big upgrade. Glass at least has the profile of a decent 4th liner and has a decent scoring season in the not-too-distant past.

It might be an upgrade but it’s still a fourth line and not likely to move the needle when the middle six is still shit.

 

[JimEIV]

Glass is a McLeod replacement two years too late. Obviously not as good in dots as McLeod, but their stats look similar to me.

Glass. 6-3'' 201
238 games
33 goals 53 assists 86 points -10
48.2 FO%

Mcleod 6-2'' 190 lbs
287 games
29 goals 56 assists 85 points -17
58.3 FO%

 

[Triumph]

You’re right, C specifically is the biggest need but regardless Zetts would fill one of our other major needs which is just middle six just forwards who can score goals.

I don't think he would, as a right-handed shooter. You criticize the management for not having a plan, but the Devils have 3 RWs in Mercer, Bratt, and Noesen - they are fine on the right wing for now, it's not perfect but there isn't an obvious need there. Meier-Palat-Cotter is what needs upgrading, Cotter down to the 4th line and Palat off the team entirely.

It might be an upgrade but it’s still a fourth line and not likely to move the needle when the middle six is still shit.

Glass skated as the 3rd line center in practice today and I suspect that's what he'll be, albeit they may not play much with the lead. At this point, just getting those lines to break even would be sufficient for me.

 

[My3Sons]

Jiricek got traded D+3, really only D+2 as it was only November D+3 when he got traded. He only played 53 games for Columbus before he was traded. He had just turned 21 years old two days before he was traded

This would be like if we traded Nemec in November. Nemec has had an another full year of regression going into D+4 when he will turn 22 years old. That extra year is a big difference and it's not going to get better for him with Pesce, Hamilton and Kovacevic in front of him.

You're also talking about a 6'4'' 207 lb defender that is a strong skater and good physically in Jiricek. There's a whole lot of room to work with for a player like this.

Jiricek is not a strong skater. It’s really what’s holding him back it seems.

 

[Killing Joke]

 

[NjDevsRR]

If he makes it this far. If no playoffs, I think hes gone

 

[My3Sons]

View attachment 990022
If he makes it this far. If no playoffs, I think hes gone

If they sneak into thr playoffs there will likely be no changes to the management or staff. On some level folks have to decide for their own rooting interest which one they prefer.

 

[Triumph]

Yeah you can't get by on 2 scoring lines unless you have absolutely top stars and the Devils don't have that. Schenn is scoring like a 2nd line center now but his defense is lousy and who knows how long he maintains that scoring rate.

I keep thinking back to Andrei Loktionov and what a great pickup he was, but with 8 more center positions in the NHL it's possible that guys like that just don't end up as tweeners much anymore.

 

[NjDevsRR]

 

[JimEIV]

Jiricek is not a strong skater. It’s really what’s holding him back it seems.

Everything I've ever read about him talks about good mobility.

David Jiricek's Player Profile
Adam Kimelman - NHL.com - June 29th: " A knee injury sustained at the 2022 IIHF World Junior Championship sidelined Jiricek for almost four months, but he recovered to have a strong showing for Czechia at the World Championship where he had two points (one goal, one assist) and averaged 10:28 in ice time in five games."

Mike - Morreale - June 29th: "He's got a cannon for a shot, defends well and can transition from defense to offense quickly."

Peter Harling - NHL Rumors - June 27th: "An injury slowed his season down, but Jiricek brings size, mobility, heavy shot and offensive upside to the table. He has all the tools NHL teams dream of adding to their blueline."

Jeff Svoboda - NHL.com - June 27: "His size will surely be attractive to teams, and he's more of a two-way defenseman than Nemec, though he has the puck skills and shot to get on the board as well. He should have a pretty high floor as a blueliner who will be able to lean into a physical game while also providing some offense along the way."

Samuel Tirpak - Dobber Prospects - June 18th: " But what he lacks on defense, he has on offense. Jiricek is excellent with the puck on his stick, a great puck distributor, and even a better shooter. We fully expect him to lead his team’s first powerplay unit to great success with that Burns-esque shot from the blue line."

Scott Wheeler - The Athletic - June 6th: "He’s a strong and sturdy defender who plays a staunch man-to-man style, moves his feet well for his size, and thrives in transition with his ability to both close out on gaps with his length through neutral ice and lead a ton of rushes as a puck transporter."

Corey Pronman - The Athletic - May 31: "You combine that with very good vision and a hard point shot, and inside the offensive zone he can make a lot happen and be dangerous on a power play. His skating won’t dazzle, but for his size he gets around well enough."

Chris Peters - Daily Faceoff - June 10th: "A highly mobile, 6-foot-3 defenseman with a bomb of a shot and solid puck-moving capabilities, Jiricek has incredible upside relative to the class. He missed the second half of the season due to a knee injury, needing more than three months to rehab. "