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

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I don’t have a problem with the core, I have a problem with how Fitz negated the bottom 6. Nico, Jack, Timo, and Bratt beat the Rangers. We know they can win a round. The bottom 6 helped immensely in that series, and Fitz did a poor job retooling (McLeod potentially being a rapist notwithstanding). I don’t trust them to make the right moves for the team next year.
It's not even the points. They lose battles, fall, fumble pucks. They lose the third .an on counters... is just like they lost the plot. This team hasn't had a streak of wins in years
 
What argument. Bratt has been useless this season and you're point to a pile of assist provided by Jack.

How the hell Jack became our best goal scorer is beyond me but that's the case.
Probably because he has an elite playmaker playing next to him helping to set him up for goals.
 
Some people like the ballet and ballerinas.
I want Brady too, but calling Bratt weak or soft when he visibly is taking and giving hits and protects the puck VERY well is just very disingenuous and you know it.

Mercer is basically that and youve been defending him all day.
 
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I want Brady too, but calling Bratt weak or soft when he visibly is taking and giving hits and protects the puck VERY well is just very disingenuous and you know it.

Mercer is basically that and youve been defending him all day.
On Mercer I think the hate is misguided when our core players have been so ineffective. I look to the big guns first before I'm going to blast a 3rd line PKer that has produced goals as well as any winger at Even Strength.
 
On Mercer I think the hate is misguided when our core players have been so ineffective. I look to the big guns first before I'm going to blast a 3rd line PKer that has produced goals as well as any winger at Even Strength.
Thats fine, but that’s a different discussion lol. I just don’t think Bratt is a soft player. He is built like a small bull and is able to absorb, take and bounce off checks. Even initiate checks. Couple that with his skating, vision and playmaking ability and he is a great player.
 
Thats fine, but that’s a different discussion lol. I just don’t think Bratt is a soft player. He is built like a small bull and is able to absorb, take and bounce off checks. Even initiate checks. Couple that with his skating, vision and playmaking ability and he is a great player.
Do you think 3 goals in 30 games from a top 6 winger is ok?
 
Do you think 3 goals in 30 games from a top 6 winger is ok?
Did you miss this?

I love Bratt, obviously an amazing player that we are lucky to have. But his goals rates always decreased late in seasons

Goal Per Game Rates and +/- by Month:

Oct .35 +11
Nov .28 +1
Dec .25 -2
Jan .29 +4
Feb .29 0
Mar .20 -26 (!!!)
Apr .25 0
 
Did you miss this?
So you acknowledge the problem.

How about 4 goals in 27 games from Meier?

This is not insignificant. This is 7 goals in the last 30-ish games from core wingers. This is a massive problem.

And people want to talk about bottom 6 players?
 
So you acknowledge the problem.

How about 4 goals in 27 games from Meier?
Similar to the 5 goals in 27 games stretch Brady just had before March? Who you are currently pining for.

It’s never good but This happens to many good players. And the issue becomes an even bigger problem when there’s nothing much support.
 
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Yes, Brady Tkachuk had a 15 goal season rate in a stretch that covered 33% of the season. So lets discuss how thats a problem now since we are doing the same with other players….


Cmon now Jim. Its hockey, you know there are crazy stretches for good and bad players and teams
 
Similar to the 5 goals in 27 games stretch Brady just had before March? Who you are currently pining for.

It’s never good but This happens to many good players. And the issue becomes an even bigger problem when there’s nothing much support.

And that's largely the point... Brady not scoring is still bringing a lot to the table ... Bratt and Meier? Not so much.

What do you mean not much support? These players are playing with other core players?
 
But the larger point is you'll are making believe that there is no problem but the results are in direct contrast to that.
 
Stutzle and Brady had a combined 13 goals in 35 games from Jan to March. Thats a 30 total goal rate over a season combined for the two.
 
Another one. Matthew Tkachuk had 7 goals in a 30 game stretch in this season



That was your initial point Jim and acting like its a problem. Yes it is, when there isn’t enough support around these players. Great players have stretches like these all around the league. It becomes an issue when the team doesn’t have enough support, its not an individual player issue. If you are now changing the subject to intangibles then the conversation ends now because that wasn’t the discussion. Thats the problem, we can’t debate in good faith when a discussion goes from goal rates, to softness to now intangibles.
 
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Stutzle and Brady had a combined 13 goals in 35 games from Jan to March. Thats a 30 total goal rate over a season combined for the two.
Meier and Bratt combine for 6 January to March.... I'd take the 13.

Stop making believe that this ok or normal.
 
Similar to the 5 goals in 27 games stretch Brady just had before March? Who you are currently pining for.

It’s never good but This happens to many good players. And the issue becomes an even bigger problem when there’s nothing much support.
Noted bum Aleksander Barkov had 3 goals 20 points in 23 games from January to March. Verhaeghe 2 goal 10 points in 20 game stretch. Matthew Tkachuk 1 goal 8 points in a 16 game stretch.

I’m not looking at any other teams, but you get the point.
 
So you acknowledge the problem.

How about 4 goals in 27 games from Meier?

This is not insignificant. This is 7 goals in the last 30-ish games from core wingers. This is a massive problem.

And people want to talk about bottom 6 players?
The back and forth is stupid because you’re both right. Either one of the things you’re talking about (“core players” or bottom six scoring) negates the other when it’s not happening. Maybe you can survive one or the other, but not both.
 
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Last 35 gms:

Bratt and Timo have 12 goals combined

That 35 game stretch I looked up for Sens, Brady And Stutzle had 13 goals combined


WTF ARE WE EVEN DISCUSSING. All teams will have long stretches where their best players don’t produce. It becomes an issue when the supporting cast doesn’t pick up the slack. End of story.


I am off for tonight lol. Off to the bars. Hope everyone has a good night.
 

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