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

[goonybird]

Kovacevic in his own end

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

That team had a rookie #1 OA pick at center. Jesper Bratt had an incredible first half of the season. Miles Wood with 19 goals. Will Butcher with a big rookie season. Palm's was a legit goal scorer. Lock down defensive line in Coleman Zajac Noesen.

And oh yeah a huge MVP season from Hall.

Very much dislike the hindsight view that that team was a "nothing-burger".

I'll ask again

what does the 2017-18 team have to do with the 2024-25 New Jersey Devils?

 

[Devs3cups]

Can't wait for tomorrow's practice presser from Keefe. Should be telling.

 

[JimEIV]

Can't wait for tomorrow's practice presser from Keefe. Should be telling.

We're going to hear Haula shot a puck at him

 

[guitarguyvic]

What does that team have to do with anything? Everyone knew that team was a nothing-burger. They had an all-time season from Hall and a hot 2nd half from Kinkaid to drag a bad team to the playoffs. It isn't that big of a deal.

This has to be a schtick from you right? The point of comparison is obvious. We don’t expect much of anything from this team in the playoffs, just like 2018. The difference of course being that the 2018 team gave us an enjoyable season and was a likable group, unlike this sad sack squad that’s on pace for fewer points and less GF than that “nothing burger”, as you say. My whole point is highlighting how pathetic this season has been. I’m pretty sure now that the 2018 team would best the calendar 2025 version of this team in a seven game series, even before the injuries. In the context of expectations and being 7 years further into the “rebuild”, that’s f***ing grotesque.

 

[Jersey Fresh]

Keefe was probably still mad at Kovy for putting the nail in the coffin against Calgary.

Or for his absolute pee wee icing against Dallas. Honestly think the evolution of the team post-Hughes is different if they pull that game.

 

[Edmonton East]

This gm has had 5 coaches with only one playoff birth. The issue is him and his roster construction.

Not quite that many (as GM anyway), but ya won't find me defending Fitz in totality lol. I've been out on him since the goalie fiasco last year. His summer actions were the final nail in the coffin for anyone that has paid attention to how serious GMs/teams win in this league for the last decade+. Doesn't mean everything he does is bad obviously (ex. liked the Kovy addition in summer), but he can't value assets properly more often than not, construct a roster, etc. Constantly doesn't make changes until he's sweating and his back is up against the wall and he as zero leverage. Loves dealing from a position of weakness....usually of his own doing.

Basically drafting would need to be elite to make up for his many shortcomings and that clearly isn't the case.

 

[My3Sons]

It's Fitz's fault Jack can't stay healthy?

It's Fitz's fault the 40 goal power forward that he sacrificed that pipeline you mentioned earlier for only has 20 goals and only had 1 goal in January and February?

It's Fitz's fault that Jesper Bratt is probably going to have 6 to 8 fewer 5v5 goals than he had in the last few years?

It's Fitz's fault that when he became the GM we had no defense prospects and a weak NHL defense?

It's Fitz's fault that when he became the GM we had no goaltending anywhere in the entire organization?

It's Fitz's fault that McLeod is seemingly related to Harvey Weinstein?

What roster construction are you referring to? The entire D and Goaltending he built? The bottom 6?

The problems with this roster are more core than ansilary pieces people are complaining about. But nobody really wants to admit it. Edit: and that core was in place before Fitz took over... should he blow it up?

1- yes

2-yes

3- yes

4-yes

5-yes

6-yes

7-maybe

Glad I could clear that up for you.

 

[JimEIV]

Kovacevic could've made the worst play in the world and still didn't warrant this.



A leader doesn't do this in difficult times. A leader brings his team together and protects them... especially while he's asking that defense to do more than they have had to do all season right now

This was a horseshit loser response.

 

[JimEIV]

1- yes

2-yes

3- yes

4-yes

5-yes

6-yes

7-maybe

Glad I could clear that up for you.

Thanks

 

[PizzaAndPucks]

It’s about having it in the pipeline. Nemec ain’t it, Silayev is such a project and his offensive upside is not even close what Buiums floor is let alone ceiling. Our backend can’t skate well and has very little offensive ability outside of Hamilton and Hughes, and Hamilton is a bandaid boy along with our top two centers.

Our gm sucks, his vision sucks and he can’t evaluate talent.

He's actually good at evaluating talent. He probably went with his scouts decision on that pick and if that's the case, you go with your scouts decision.

It's not Fitzgerald's fault the bottom 6 had down years. He brought in a good as well. The only thing that really scared some fans going into this season was the lack of depth for the 2nd/3rd line. Our pro scouts have done a good job evaluating talent. He literally brought in a ton of players that all have had positive impacts. Its Meier not putting up bigger numbers, Mercer not developing on offense and a combo of Haula/Lazar/Bastian/Palat dragging this group down.

 

[TheUnseenHand]

Kovacevic could've made the worst play in the world and still didn't warrant this.



A leader doesn't do this in difficult times. A leader brings his team together and protects them... especially while he's asking that defense to do more than they have had to do all season right now

This was a horseshit loser response.

I don't love the response in context of what Kovacevic said, but I don't think any of us can pretend to know the players well enough individually to know what they will best respond to. We had a coach in Lindy that coddled the team for years and that didn't work. It will be interesting to see what impact this has.

 

[JimEIV]

I don't love the response in context of what Kovacevic said, but I don't think any of us can pretend to know the players well enough individually to know what they will best respond to. We had a coach in Lindy that coddled the team for years and that didn't work. It will be interesting to see what impact this has.

I'm not pretending to know the impact. I don't know what Kovacevic's personality is or how it will affect him or the team or the defense...

But Keefe is the outward facing representative of the organization and he conducted himself like a little bitch.

The time for tough love passed 2 months ago...when you wait until the walls are closing in and the stakes are high... it looks more petty and panicked than motivational...at least it does to me.

 

[None Shall Pass]

In general, I think what Fitz has done with our defensive group has been outstanding. But if there's one glaring hole in that group, it is the lack of offense.

Luke is getting there, but his pressing at times causes him to make the most mind-bogglingly stupid passes. Dougie is a weapon, but now he's hurt. The rest of the group is not offensively minded at all. Nemec could be an upgrade in the department, but he has zero confidence right now. Pesce, Kovacevic, and Dillon (And a healthy Siegenthaler) do not help offensively.

 

[guitarguyvic]

I'm not pretending to know the impact. I don't know what Kovacevic's personality is or how it will affect him or the team or the defense...

But Keefe is the outward facing representative of the organization and he conducted himself like a little bitch.

The time for tough love passed 2 months ago...when you wait until the walls are closing in and the stakes are high... it looks more petty and panicked than motivational...at least it does to me.

I think this organization lacks leadership that extends beyond the coach. I can point to several bush league pressers and statements that Fitz has made in his time here. And we can take it even further back to the start of the post-Lou era with cringe ass PR bullshit like “Fast, Attacking, Supportive!”

I’ve been talking about this for years, but apparently people think it doesn’t mean anything.

 

[Better Call Sal]

As per usual, I’m sure that things here are being overblown drama wise as to what they really are.

I am sure that the Keefe-Kovacevic thing is not nearly as big of a deal as it’s being made. Personally, I would hope Keefe would be willing to say that any player has to be better given the recent results. The overall level of play has not been acceptable over the last week. The Penguin game was a dumpster fire. They played a good 40 minutes in Columbus and Allen bailed them out in the 3rd. They played good 30-40 minutes against Calgary and completely wet themselves in the 3rd. And last night, they had an up and down first that they could have given up a goal against followed by getting completely pantsed in the 2nd.

I think we’ve reached the level of Keefe needing to get firmer with the message if it is beginning to fall on deaf ears in a way. Not that I think he’s being tuned out at all, I think the players have made it clear they understand what is being asked of them but the execution feels very far off. There’s very little room for error from here on out.

 

[BurntToast]

Fitz can be awkward, but most of you are judging his GM abilities, on poor circumstances.

Became the Interim GM in such a very bizarre situation.

Became the full time GM, and was anchored to Lindy Ruff.

First 3 drafts were Covid drafts. Could it have gone better? Sure. But there have been useful players.

The amount of injures. First it was Nico when Jack played like crap. Now it’s Dougie and Jack every other year missing half the season. (And Nico again, and Siegs again).

I think it’s on the players. Timo and Palat need to play up to their contracts. Mercer fell off a cliff. Haula fell off a cliff. The bottom 6 was destroyed by a pervert. Has Bastain ever been the same?

If Fitzgerald needs to be fired “fine”, but the Devils outcome this year Isn’t just on him. It’s also on Keefe and the players.

 

[JimEIV]

In general, I think what Fitz has done with our defensive group has been outstanding. But if there's one glaring hole in that group, it is the lack of offense.

Luke is getting there, but his pressing at times causes him to make the most mind-bogglingly stupid passes. Dougie is a weapon, but now he's hurt. The rest of the group is not offensively minded at all. Nemec could be an upgrade in the department, but he has zero confidence right now. Pesce, Kovacevic, and Dillon (And a healthy Siegenthaler) do not help offensively.

I think we were overcompensating for the lack of physicality in the top 9 with guys like Kulikov, Siegenthaler, Kovacevic Dillon, Smith.

 

[TheUnseenHand]

I think this organization lacks leadership that extends beyond the coach. I can point to several bush league pressers and statements that Fitz has made in his time here. And we can take it even further back to the start of the post-Lou era with cringe ass PR bullshit like “Fast, Attacking, Supportive!”

I’ve been talking about this for years, but apparently people think it doesn’t mean anything.

I love Nico, but he really doesn't appear to be a hold guys accountable kind of leader. I can't fault anything the guy does, and he didn't choose to be captain. But I do feel like the group needs an experienced voice in the room that is both respected and vocal. From an outsiders perspective that seems to be missing.

 

[BostonDevil]

Can't wait for tomorrow's practice presser from Keefe. Should be telling.

He'll back down after time has passed.

Still like that he did it.

 

[guitarguyvic]

I love Nico, but he really doesn't appear to be a hold guys accountable kind of leader. I can't fault anything the guy does, and he didn't choose to be captain. But I do feel like the group needs an experienced voice in the room that is both respected and vocal. From an outsiders perspective that seems to be missing.

Idk it’s hard to judge. What happens in the locker room we are obviously not privy to, as opposed to the more public nature of management. All I know is that this team’s vibe has been questionable for a long time, and in my eyes it starts at the top.

 

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

I love Nico, but he really doesn't appear to be a hold guys accountable kind of leader. I can't fault anything the guy does, and he didn't choose to be captain. But I do feel like the group needs an experienced voice in the room that is both respected and vocal. From an outsiders perspective that seems to be missing.

He has one of the best games in the league in regards to watch your captain play/follow, he doesn't need to be rowdy all the time. Also to be fair, who was he surrounded with when he was here as a Devil that would even mentor him in that regard to be a loud vocal leader? Andy Greene? Travis Zajac? Lol

 

[Comparison Ford]

As per usual, I’m sure that things here are being overblown drama wise as to what they really are.

I am sure that the Keefe-Kovacevic thing is not nearly as big of a deal as it’s being made. Personally, I would hope Keefe would be willing to say that any player has to be better given the recent results. The overall level of play has not been acceptable over the last week. The Penguin game was a dumpster fire. They played a good 40 minutes in Columbus and Allen bailed them out in the 3rd. They played good 30-40 minutes against Calgary and completely wet themselves in the 3rd. And last night, they had an up and down first that they could have given up a goal against followed by getting completely pantsed in the 2nd.

I think we’ve reached the level of Keefe needing to get firmer with the message if it is beginning to fall on deaf ears in a way. Not that I think he’s being tuned out at all, I think the players have made it clear they understand what is being asked of them but the execution feels very far off. There’s very little room for error from here on out.

in regards to your last paragraph, there was something even more damning in the post game Keefe presser than the “Kovacevic needs to play better” line.

he mentioned something along the lines of “the message is clear what we need to do, it’s up to the guys to be capable of it”. capable of it to me means he doesn’t think they’re good enough, and i would definitely agree. is it the right thing to say to the press ? probably not.

i think what’s happening is Foote, Lazar, Tatar, Bastian etc are all needing to play above their weight class, and frankly im not sure any of them should even be on a playoff team.

Palat-Hughes-Bratt
Meier-Nico-Noesen
Haula-Glass-Mercer

this is what the top nine should be. that is what this teams culminating post deadline forward lineup should’ve been. i don’t even wanna post the lineup from yesterday in fear that my screen might break because it’s so ugly.

i think right now Keefe and Fitz’s vision of this team is being challenged by the lack of talent. Allen and Markstrom are going to have to be our best players every night.

 

[MadDevil]

Let's just hope Kovacevic doesn't sulk over such a grievous personal attack from mean old Keefe like Mercer after that asshole Fitz sandbagged him.

 

[Better Call Sal]

in regards to your last paragraph, there was something even more damning in the post game Keefe presser than the “Kovacevic needs to play better” line.

he mentioned something along the lines of “the message is clear what we need to do, it’s up to the guys to be capable of it”. capable of it to me means he doesn’t think they’re good enough, and i would definitely agree. is it the right thing to say to the press ? probably not.

i think what’s happening is Foote, Lazar, Tatar, Bastian etc are all needing to play above their weight class, and frankly im not sure any of them should even be on a playoff team.

Palat-Hughes-Bratt
Meier-Nico-Noesen
Haula-Glass-Mercer

this is what the top nine should be. that is what this teams culminating post deadline forward lineup should’ve been. i don’t even wanna post the lineup from yesterday in fear that my screen might break because it’s so ugly.

i think right now Keefe and Fitz’s vision of this team is being challenged by the lack of talent. Allen and Markstrom are going to have to be our best players every night.

While I could see how one could interpret it in that manner, I don’t know that Keefe would imply that they’re not good enough as much as they’ve been saying the same thing for the past week about what they need to be able to do to be successful and they seem to be floundering. We could assume he believes that many of them are not capable, as many on this board would agree, but I don’t know that he believes that so much as he has to try and deliver this message in a different manner going forward.