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

[longislanddevil]

Very impressed by Allen and appreciative of his excellent play. With that said (and this isn’t a knock), I think it’s far more likely that Allen reverts back to what his past seasons would indicate he is than him replicating this year’s performance level. I’m sure a team in desperate need of a goaltending upgrade will give him more term and $ than we would/should, rendering him cost prohibitive anyway. Daws has shown me enough to be reasonably confident he can play well for us in the backup role. It’s really going to be now or never for the kid.

 

[devilsblood]

Very impressed by Allen and appreciative of his excellent play. With that said (and this isn’t a knock), I think it’s far more likely that Allen reverts back to what his past seasons would indicate he is than him replicating this year’s performance level. I’m sure a team in desperate need of a goaltending upgrade will give him more term and $ than we would/should, rendering him cost prohibitive anyway. Daws has shown me enough to be reasonably confident he can play well for us in the backup role. It’s really going to be now or never for the kid.

Far more likely? I dunno, Mtl was terrible, and Devils are likely to remain strong defensively. I could see sliding back a little, but I don't think it's likely he completely falls off to Mtl level numbers.

I would be wary of too heavy a workload though.

 

[Emperoreddy]

I do wish we got to see this team with Jack and Glass in the lineup.

We are probably jockeying with Carolina for 2nd if he came in a month or two earlier

 

[Bad Goalie]

Malek is already signed through 2025-2026 - he is on loan to his Liiga team. I can't imagine he doesn't come over next season.

I know and I said "he better come over", but he doesn't have to does he?

 

[edevils]

I was like, WTF, seriously? I just got mine in January. But I’m not seeing ads so I guess it’s back?

Speculation: Thread 'Site Sponsorship After Reboot'

Tuesday at 11:15 AM

According to the thread on the main board, we lost our sponsorships. Allegedly if we send an image of the upgrade receipt to a moderator we can have it reinstated. Will that work here? Who should we send such an image to in a direct message? Hopefully one of the mods here is up on this. Thanks.....

• My3Sons
• Replies: 27
• Forum: New Jersey Devils

• 

 

[edevils]

Mercer has been his same old invisible self that refuses to go to the middle of the ice IMO

Mercer avoids physical contact.

He doesn't have that bull dog mentality that a player in his mold needs to play with. It's like he's trying to play like a skill guy, but he doesn't have the high-end skillset. This kid should be all over the crease and draped over the crossbar every single whistle.

Eternally frustrating to watch.

 

[edevils]

Very impressed by Allen and appreciative of his excellent play. With that said (and this isn’t a knock), I think it’s far more likely that Allen reverts back to what his past seasons would indicate he is than him replicating this year’s performance level. I’m sure a team in desperate need of a goaltending upgrade will give him more term and $ than we would/should, rendering him cost prohibitive anyway. Daws has shown me enough to be reasonably confident he can play well for us in the backup role. It’s really going to be now or never for the kid.

Agreed. Players get that contract year bump in their play too. Time to move on after the season.

 

[Alex NJD]

A little misleading in that they were drastically undermanned at center for a couple games until they traded for Glass. They are 4-1 since they brought in Glass, and are even stevens 5v5 in terms of goals in those 5. Which isn't bad considering they've played with a lead for a majority of that time. Especially since, much like they have all season, they've played the role of punching bag while protecting 3rd period leads.

Which isn't to say we are better off without Jack, and his ability to push the puck would help alleviate the pressure while protecting these leads, but I don't think we can look at the full 7 games without Jack to see how the team currently constructed is playing, and these 5 games are better then then flat numbers indicate.

Interestingly Bratt's stepping up since Jack went down does have me wondering a little if the Jack Bratt tandem is something that needs to be set in stone. And we did see this a couple years ago when Bratt Mercer Johnsson were red hot for a stretch, so we know Bratt can be highly productive away from Jack, and we know he can elevate linemates. But to @Captain3rdLine's op on this little discussion Jack hasn't really shown an ability to elevate team mates. Palat maybe a little, but Bratt was on that line too.

Moral of my story here is, Glass has been a big help, and I do wonder about lines going fwd.

I think the big thing about Jack and Bratt is they are both guys who want the puck on their stick in the offensive zone. When they play together it's a bit of a too many cooks in the kitchen type situation sometimes. I think back to Pittsburgh during their back to back cups when Kessel was more effective when he was on the 3rd line making Nick Bonino look like a top 6 center.

I think we could try and do something like that, but it does feel like we would need to add linemates for Jack, because as you mentioned he doesn't seem to elevate his linemates like Bratt does. Could be possible with Grits plus another top 6 addition for Jack. Bratt Glass and one of Noesen/Mercer could be a potent 3rd line and helps us spread offense out.

 

[BurntToast]

Who knows if Glass will be this good next year, but his speed alone is a fresh air. It’s crazy how slow Fitz made the bottom 6. PC might be the fastest but he isn’t Miles Wood.

 

[ecco]

I know and I said "he better come over", but he doesn't have to does he?

You said "Second, they have to be certain that Malek is signed and comes over", so I pointed out that he is already signed to his ELC.

 

[Triumph]

I know and I said "he better come over", but he doesn't have to does he?

He does not, to my knowledge, have a European Assignment Clause. He goes where the Devils want him to go - this season they wanted him to stay in Finland, next season I very much doubt that's where they want him.

 

[devilsblood]

Who knows if Glass will be this good next year, but his speed alone is a fresh air. It’s crazy how slow Fitz made the bottom 6. PC might be the fastest but he isn’t Miles Wood.

When Wood was here they probably had the fastest 4th line in the league. Wood was allowed to walk which looks like a good move, and of course McLeod.

So it was going to be hard to maintain that level. But Lazar isn't a slow guy, and as you mention Cotter has decent speed, they are just not especially quick/fast either.

I think the real problem with team speed, and it's the problem with the fwds in general, is the likes of Palat, Mercer and Haula. These guys aren't big and physical, they don't bring a ton of skill to the table, and they aren't fast.

The board has discussed this a bunch, but Boqvist with his speed and goal scoring would be one guy we may look back on and wish we had kept. Does look like he's slowed down a bit in terms of goals scoring but still on pace for some solid bottom 6 production. His speed would certainly be welcome, and last I checked it looked like he was actually trying to play a more physical game.

Looking fwd Grits doesn't sound like he is a guy who brings a ton of speed. Neither does Hameenaho. So not much help coming from within the organization.

 

[devilsblood]

He does not, to my knowledge, have a European Assignment Clause. He goes where the Devils want him to go - this season they wanted him to stay in Finland, next season I very much doubt that's where they want him.

Turns 23 in a month, so age wise waiting longer doesn't make much sense.

They would have to move on from either Poulter or Daws to squeeze him in. Poulter being UFA makes him the obvious candidate. Conversely Daws would now have to pass through waivers? I guess letting Allen walk and moving Daws up is an option, but that sounds risky.

I do hope they put a little more effort into making Utica competitive. Seems pretty obvious that the team being so lousy is not conducive to prospect development, maybe most especially when it comes to goalies.

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

Turns 23 in a month, so age wise waiting longer doesn't make much sense.

They would have to move on from either Poulter or Daws to squeeze him in. Poulter being UFA makes him the obvious candidate. Conversely Daws would now have to pass through waivers? I guess letting Allen walk and moving Daws up is an option, but that sounds risky.

I do hope they put a little more effort into making Utica competitive. Seems pretty obvious that the team being so lousy is not conducive to prospect development, maybe most especially when it comes to goalies.

Poulter will be RFA, not UFA.

Daws will require waivers next year, yes.

 

[devilsblood]

Poulter will be RFA, not UFA.

Daws will require waivers next year, yes.

Their numbers in Utica this year are pretty similar. Poulter's a little better. The splits may tell a more appealing tale for Daws in terms of late season play. Pretty similar age with Poulter being about 9 months younger.

If the idea is Malek in Utica with one of the two, Poulter not requiring waivers(?) is a big weight in his direction.

The flip to that is the team has not been willing to give Poulter NHL playing time while Daws has some pretty extensive NHL experience including some very good numbers in a short stint this season. So on that front the team does seem to like Daws more.

Will be an interesting call.

 

[Triumph]

Turns 23 in a month, so age wise waiting longer doesn't make much sense.

They would have to move on from either Poulter or Daws to squeeze him in. Poulter being UFA makes him the obvious candidate. Conversely Daws would now have to pass through waivers? I guess letting Allen walk and moving Daws up is an option, but that sounds risky.

I do hope they put a little more effort into making Utica competitive. Seems pretty obvious that the team being so lousy is not conducive to prospect development, maybe most especially when it comes to goalies.

There can be no plan for Daws in Utica next season. He's waiver-eligible, and while he is not a lock to be claimed by any means, there's too many teams who would give a young minimum-ish salary goalie a chance over what they have now.

Utica is going to be as competitive as the prospects make it and nothing more - they're not going to spend top dollar on AHL All-Star types. Hopefully Hameenaho comes over and they sign a decent center.

 

[Better Call Sal]

Very impressed by Allen and appreciative of his excellent play. With that said (and this isn’t a knock), I think it’s far more likely that Allen reverts back to what his past seasons would indicate he is than him replicating this year’s performance level. I’m sure a team in desperate need of a goaltending upgrade will give him more term and $ than we would/should, rendering him cost prohibitive anyway. Daws has shown me enough to be reasonably confident he can play well for us in the backup role. It’s really going to be now or never for the kid.

I'm with you overall, honestly. I like Daws a lot and would honestly hate to see us ship him elsewhere for his deserved opportunity. I love what Allen has done for us this year, but I lean more towards seeing if Daws has it in him.

I don't think we'll run into a Vanecek/Schmid situation that everyone keeps referring to mostly because Keefe has a much friendlier structure defensively for the goalies from the looks of it. And we have a much deeper defensive group in my opinion. The biggest question is if Markstrom can stay healthy, and if not, will that be too much for Daws to handle. But if not now with him, then when?

 

[devilsblood]

There can be no plan for Daws in Utica next season. He's waiver-eligible, and while he is not a lock to be claimed by any means, there's too many teams who would give a young minimum-ish salary goalie a chance over what they have now.

Utica is going to be as competitive as the prospects make it and nothing more - they're not going to spend top dollar on AHL All-Star types. Hopefully Hameenaho comes over and they sign a decent center.

You don't need AHL All star types in order to be merely competitive. As you say hopefully they sign a decent center. That sounds like an awfully low bar.

I would think having one of the worst AHL teams in the league 2 years running would have mgmt thinking, maybe we can improve upon this.

 

[edevils]

I didn't know Fitz's son suffered a serious neck injury recently.

Devils’ Fitzgerald talks skate cuts with fellow GMs at annual meetings | NHL.com

Shares experience, discusses equipment options ‘as a parent’ following son’s injury scare

www.nhl.com

 

[devilsblood]

Been loving the Glass acquisition. ppg. Best 5v5 on ice #'s since his arrival.

But I'm always one to look at usage, and sure enough, lowest d-zone rate since his arrival.

Part of that could be acclimation and not wanting him in tougher scenarios until he gets a better handle on d-zone assignments.

On the flip side, pretty low on the o-zone start rate as well. So again maybe assignments of off faceoff sets?

Bunch of neutral zone starts.

So not getting difficult assignments, but not getting the cherry offensive assignments either.

A pretty ugly 38% faceoff percentage since coming over probably plays into this as well.

 

[Better Call Sal]

Guessing maintenance days for these 3.

 

[Triumph]

You don't need AHL All star types in order to be merely competitive. As you say hopefully they sign a decent center. That sounds like an awfully low bar.

I would think having one of the worst AHL teams in the league 2 years running would have mgmt thinking, maybe we can improve upon this.

You need AHL All-Star types when you don't have top prospects going to and staying in Utica. If Hameenaho is good next year, he'll probably spend a lot of time in the NHL, and if he isn't good, he won't, but either way, I don't expect him to be helping Utica a great deal for that reason. Lachance will probably be there too. I expect Squires and Melovsky to be in the system somewhere but I don't expect them to have much of an impact. I also expect Foote to be going elsewhere after 5 seasons in the Devils' system, and he scores like a fringe top line forward at that level.

I think management wants to improve things but most of what improves an AHL team is having good older players and the Devils don't really have those.

 

[My3Sons]

You need AHL All-Star types when you don't have top prospects going to and staying in Utica. If Hameenaho is good next year, he'll probably spend a lot of time in the NHL, and if he isn't good, he won't, but either way, I don't expect him to be helping Utica a great deal for that reason. Lachance will probably be there too. I expect Squires and Melovsky to be in the system somewhere but I don't expect them to have much of an impact. I also expect Foote to be going elsewhere after 5 seasons in the Devils' system, and he scores like a fringe top line forward at that level.

I think management wants to improve things but most of what improves an AHL team is having good older players and the Devils don't really have those.

Good older AHL players can likely be signed in the offseason but NJ has obviously been reluctant to invest in that.

 

[theoptimist]

Who knows if Glass will be this good next year, but his speed alone is a fresh air. It’s crazy how slow Fitz made the bottom 6. PC might be the fastest but he isn’t Miles Wood.

He's a better player

 

[JK3]

Palat and Tatar needed a day off after that one shift haha.