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

[NJDevs26]

No it’s not. I truly believe that is what’s best for the long term success of the franchise. It’s not trolling just because you don’t agree with it.

You start over from ground zero AGAIN AND AGAIN AND AGAIN until you have the roster to win cups and perennial contention. IT TAKES LONGER IF YOU COMMIT TO THIS GROUP. It’s much faster to identify the need to tear it down now and start over sooner. The more you commit to this group the longer you have to wait until the next group.

I don’t have much more time on this earth. I want to see another contender before I go. If we sink another 5 years in the Hughes era, we’re only pushing that timeline down further

How do you ever know you have the right roster if you pull the rip cord at the first sign of trouble? It’s easy to assume you have the wrong roster after a bad season - especially if you have a clear bias against Jack to begin with - but even having the right roster takes teams years and progression isn’t always linear. This same core was fine two years ago even with suboptimal coaching and questionable goaltending then everything else around them changed and maybe a couple haven’t handled a taste of success well but that doesn’t mean throw the whole group out.

 

[NjDevsRR]

We are Blues and Kings fans tonight. Would be nice for Rags and Habs to get no points. We also need Canucks to win tomorrow.

OOT has been the Devils best player. We need it to continue.

 

[Edmonton East]

Because our heir apparent GM is enamored with the guy and claimed him to be a a top 5 goalie in the league when almost everyone disagreed with that.

Yeaaaa. Not only that, but also crazily overpaid for Allen (legit no one wanted this man. Not even a contender needing vet depth at the 2024 deadline. Think MTL openly didn't dress him some games too idk). Most concerningly signed a 100% washed Crawford to anyone with eyes. Not even 99%. 100%. They got lucky with that one, but I flipped out the day they got him. Indefensible signing, that of course, many folks that still frequently post here blindly defended.

Considering this team hasn't been able to properly value goalies for nearly a decade and if Marty has any material say in that front office bet your ass it's there....I remain very concerned about this franchise long-term. I hate Fitz, but I also don't want Marty or god forbid Director of Player Dev Meghan Duggan who was hysterically and alarmingly mentioned as an NHL GM candidate in a January puff piece. These 2 obviously aren't good in their current roles, nevermind a promotion.

 

[Nocashstyle]

This is a down season?

View attachment 999113

In fairness, he objectively had a very poor end to his year last year too. His very good play the first 3/4 of the year help prop up those numbers. Regardless, if you played very well for 3/4 of a season and poorly for 1/4, it’s still difficult to call that a “down” year. But you can’t really say “good” either without an asterisk at the end.

 

[Poppy Whoa Sonnet]

I hate Fitz, but I also don't want Marty or god forbid Director of Player Dev Meghan Duggan who was hysterically and alarmingly mentioned as an NHL GM candidate in a January puff piece. These 2 obviously aren't good in their current roles, nevermind a promotion.

I think the probability Marty is the next GM is maybe 90%. I have no idea what ownership is thinking but I don't think they would do a full FO sweep, or hire externally.

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

Yeaaaa. Not only that, but also crazily overpaid for Allen (legit no one wanted this man. Not even a contender needing vet depth at the 2024 deadline. Think MTL openly didn't dress him some games too idk). Most concerningly signed a 100% washed Crawford to anyone with eyes. Not even 99%. 100%. They got lucky with that one, but I flipped out the day they got him. Indefensible signing, that of course, many folks that still frequently post here blindly defended.

Considering this team hasn't been able to properly value goalies for nearly a decade and if Marty has any material say in that front office bet your ass it's there....I remain very concerned about this franchise long-term. I hate Fitz, but I also don't want Marty or god forbid Director of Player Dev Meghan Duggan who was hysterically and alarmingly mentioned as an NHL GM candidate in a January puff piece. These 2 obviously aren't good in their current roles, nevermind a promotion.

please stop this already.

 

[SansaStark]

How do you ever know you have the right roster if you pull the rip cord at the first sign of trouble? It’s easy to assume you have the wrong roster after a bad season - especially if you have a clear bias against Jack to begin with - but even having the right roster takes teams years and progression isn’t always linear. This same core was fine two years ago even with suboptimal coaching and questionable goaltending then everything else around them changed and maybe a couple haven’t handled a taste of success well but that doesn’t mean throw the whole group out.

That’s where we disagree I guess.
This isn’t nearly the first sign. Not even close.

THIS SAME CORE WAS NEVER FINE. unless you like getting crushed by Carolina in the 2nd round after barely squeezing by the Rangers. Who were also a deeply flawed team. Hell even Carolina that year was a flawed team.

They have handled a “taste of success” (if you want to call it that) TERRIBLY. not “not well”, TERRIBLY

And yes. You throw the whole group out when the core leadership fails to give the group the leadership it needs to overcome even the slightest adversity (multiple failures over multiple seasons) or take small victories or positive experiences and build momentum

 

[Edmonton East]

Sadly debating the past is this board’s favorite pastime with hand wringing over the future a close second

You have to know the past to understand the present. - Carl Sagan

Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it. - George Santayana

 

[Billdo]

Yeaaaa. Not only that, but also crazily overpaid for Allen (legit no one wanted this man. Not even a contender needing vet depth at the 2024 deadline. Think MTL openly didn't dress him some games too idk). Most concerningly signed a 100% washed Crawford to anyone with eyes. Not even 99%. 100%. They got lucky with that one, but I flipped out the day they got him. Indefensible signing, that of course, many folks that still frequently post here blindly defended.

Considering this team hasn't been able to properly value goalies for nearly a decade and if Marty has any material say in that front office bet your ass it's there....I remain very concerned about this franchise long-term. I hate Fitz, but I also don't want Marty or god forbid Director of Player Dev Meghan Duggan who was hysterically and alarmingly mentioned as an NHL GM candidate in a January puff piece. These 2 obviously aren't good in their current roles, nevermind a promotion.

Crawford was not washed at the end of his tenure with Chicago when we signed him. He posted a .917 the year before and .908 the year prior to that. I'm all for shitting on the clubs goalie prowess but Crawford wasn't washed. I don't think we really overpaid for Allen either.

 

[Edmonton East]

That’s where we disagree I guess.
This isn’t nearly the first sign. Not even close.

THIS SAME CORE WAS NEVER FINE. unless you like getting crushed by Carolina in the 2nd round after barely squeezing by the Rangers. Who were also a deeply flawed team. Hell even Carolina that year was a flawed team.

They have handled a “taste of success” (if you want to call it that) TERRIBLY. not “not well”, TERRIBLY

Don't bother. People conveniently forget this team was 100% cooked in the 1st round if nobody Akira Schmid didn't play out of his damn mind 4 out of 5 games. Then were objectively uncompetitive and out of their league vs the Canes. It's a large reason why the majority of this place and the actual GM have had unrealistically high expectations the last 2 years.

9 times out of 10, the Rags win that series in 5 games or less with how it went. But folks refuse to even attempt to be impartial....so they continue to be shockingly disappointed each season.

 

[TrufleShufle]

You have to know the past to understand the present. - Carl Sagan

Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it. - George Santayana

It wasn't me, I haven't farted since the last time. - Trufleshufle

 

[NjDevsRR]

Schmid didn’t have to play out of his mind. Devils pretty much controlled everything after game 3 and limited high danger chances against Schmid


Why are we talking about this crap? We have a game tomorrow. I think Devils can win if we put in a similar effort as they did against Canucks.

 

[britdevil]

It wasn't me, I haven't farted since the last time. - Trufleshufle

 

[BostonDevil]

Palat is not as bad as you’re stating. But McDavid would have given him a 30 goal season.

Who has he elevated? Janni Kuokkonen?
That’s literally it.

Bratt, better without him
Palat, same with out him
Sharangovich, best year with Calgary last season
Timo , nope

Who else? Who was “elevated” playing with Jack?

Even better! A 100 point player who can essentially play all by himself! We win again!

Your boy, Suzuki needs Caufield and a #1 pick on his line to produce, but I'm sure you'll tell us he elevates those no talent losers in a way that Jack can only dream of.

You are right though, Jack isn't as good as McDavid.

 

[Edmonton East]

Crawford was not washed at the end of his tenure with Chicago when we signed him. He posted a .917 the year before and .908 the year prior to that. I'm all for shitting on the clubs goalie prowess but Crawford wasn't washed. I don't think we really overpaid for Allen either.

No no no. I promise you, you are wrong. You are stat watching. I literally saw every game that season (and POSTSEASON). How do you think I knew he needed to retire at time of signing?? I don't have a crystal ball. He had checked out and was done. SAID THIS BEFORE HE RETIRED.

And why do you think he himself retired??? He hates money???? But nah, you right. Absurd and part of the problem.

 

[britdevil]

Markstrom was risky compared to everyone else how…because he’s 35? Okay fine but there was literally no goalie traded that was without risk, after all our bad handling and luck at that position I can hardly blame Fitz for ponying up on the ‘least risky’ option this time around.

It's a multitude of things really.

Risky due to age. Due to giving up a 1st rounder. Giving up a 23 year old LD (we had to spend more assets to get Dumoulin because our LD depth is piss poor). Fitz seemingly bidding against himself. Mostly yeah, dude is 35 with two years left on the contract.

It's a hell of a pay for a stop gap. Here we are, nearly one year on, hard to see it as anything but an overpayment.

I only mentioned Thompson because it happened within proximity of the markstrom trade. Would he be as good here? Probably not. It's just interesting.

My feelings at the time were, it's a big risk and hopefully it pays off. Doesn't look like it will. Now we go into next season with a 36 year old starter. What could possibly go wrong.

I seriously don't understand lobbing Bahl into the trade. They signed Dillon, ok. He's an older and more experienced Kevin Bahl. Great.

I think Fitz has a tendency to over pay for the players with reputation. Trade and UFA contracts. So shoot me.

 

[Edmonton East]

Schmid didn’t have to play out of his mind. Devils pretty much controlled everything after game 3 and limited high danger chances against Schmid


Why are we talking about this crap? We have a game tomorrow. I think Devils can win if we put in a similar effort as they did against Canucks.

Bahaha. Oh yea? Devils down in series 2 to 0. Akira Schmid makes his first playoff start at rival MSG. For those counting at home, a loss means the Devs go down 3 to 0 in the series.

Schmid saves 35 of 36 over 70minutes, including some heroic stops. Devs win 2 to 1OT. He then allows 1 goal in game 4. Then gets a shutout game 5 and another shutout game 7. WHAT IN THE WORLD ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?? Rhetorical question.

 

[NjDevsRR]

Bahaha. Oh yea? Devils down in series 2 to 0. Akira Schmid makes his first playoff start at rival MSG. For those counting at home, a loss means the Devs go down 3 to 0 in the series.

Schmid saves 35 of 36 over 70minutes, including some heroic stops. Devs win 2 to 1OT. He then allows 1 goal in game 4. Then gets a shutout game 5 and another shutout game 7. WHAT IN THE WORLD ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?? Rhetorical question.

I literally said “after game 3”

He didn’t have to do much after game 3.

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

Don't bother. People conveniently forget this team was 100% cooked in the 1st round if nobody Akira Schmid didn't play out of his damn mind 4 out of 5 games. Then were objectively uncompetitive and out of their league vs the Canes. It's a large reason why the majority of this place and the actual GM have had unrealistically high expectations the last 2 years.

9 times out of 10, the Rags win that series in 5 games or less with how it went. But folks refuse to even attempt to be impartial....so they continue to be shockingly disappointed each season.

but that did not happen.

so what the hell are we even doing here?

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

No no no. I promise you, you are wrong. You are stat watching. I literally saw every game that season (and POSTSEASON). How do you think I knew he needed to retire at time of signing?? I don't have a crystal ball. He had checked out and was done. SAID THIS BEFORE HE RETIRED.

And why do you think he himself retired??? He hates money???? But nah, you right. Absurd and part of the problem.

tell us more about what you said five years ago man, its super interesting!

 

[NjDevsRR]

Bahaha. Oh yea? Devils down in series 2 to 0. Akira Schmid makes his first playoff start at rival MSG. For those counting at home, a loss means the Devs go down 3 to 0 in the series.

Schmid saves 35 of 36 over 70minutes, including some heroic stops. Devs win 2 to 1OT. He then allows 1 goal in game 4. Then gets a shutout game 5 and another shutout game 7. WHAT IN THE WORLD ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?? Rhetorical question.

Why are you so mean and so wrong?

Again, I said “after game 3”. I give the kid immense props for that game. The rest was pretty much the best situation you can ask for as a goalie in the playoffs.

Game 4

Game 5

Game 7

Schmids best game was game 3. The rest wasn’t anything spectacular. He didn’t have to do much. Devils literally dominated play after gm 3 and barely gave up chances. The one game the Rangers did do well after game 3 was game 6, Schmid got blown up.

I also literally just watched the entire series on ESPN+ last week when I was sick. He wasn’t tested much in gms 4, 5, 7. Overwhelming majority of Rangers opportunities were from the perimeter.

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

hey guys if the Devils didnt score more goals than the Rangers in that series, they wouldnt have won!!

 

[JrFischer54]

Well i agree with you that they will ride these two until the end but i think it’s the wrong move and will undoubtedly not yield perennial contention with a cup win or two sprinkled in. Not unless the entire roster was completely overhauled and several high end pieces were brought in as support. And that just ain’t happening.

Putting your entire teams future and their immediate success, season in and season out, on whether Jack gets hurt or not is a fundamental problem. If he was less injury prone or more of an impact player like McD or Crosby then sure you have to deal with that risk. But Jack is nothing close to that and he can’t be the cornerstone this team relies on in that way.

This is why we should be rid of the Hughes family all together.
They will forever hold us back from making the best long term decisions.

its funny because the devils definitely will keep jack and luke because they want to add his brother here but when he does come he will be a shell of his current self if he keeps playing 28+ a night. so we will have bum shoulder jack and lot of miles quinn

 

[NjDevsRR]

And again, what are we discussing. We have a game tomorrow.

Guys are talking Crawford and Schmid. Gtfo with that..

 

[TrufleShufle]

I'd like to get Zetterlund back.