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

[devilsblood]

The funny thing is the Devils had their own version of Robertson but he failed in Holtz, Robertson also has own issues. He was pretty bad to start off this year which led to him getting snubbed from 4 Nations and the guy has a tendency to ghost sometimes, I'm sure if he was a Devil the same set of fans that shit on Nico would find a way to shit on Robertson as well.

Just rechecked Robertsons numbers, he's above a ppg for his career. Has had good playoffs too. Very impressive statistically.

But he's a winger so, I can't really compare him to Nico. Similar to the Langs comparison. A high end defensive center should not be compared to wingers.

 

[britdevil]

That would be so awesome.

Oh boy. That would be something.

I can already forsee the posts from smart marks about it being a 100 point season with an asterix, because of the lack of goals.

 

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

Just rechecked Robertsons numbers, he's above a ppg for his career. Has had good playoffs too. Very impressive statistically.

But he's a winger so, I can't really compare him to Nico. Similar to the Langs comparison. A high end defensive center should not be compared to wingers.

I love Robertson as a player, he's exactly what NJ needs but he also has warts that this argument is blatantly ignoring just to say he's better than Nico

 

[My3Sons]

I love Robertson as a player, he's exactly what NJ needs but he also has warts that this argument is blatantly ignoring just to say he's better than Nico

Robertson was apparently coming off an injury to start the season. He is normally a slow skater. He was painfully slow how ever many games to start the season and it showed in his decline in play. His skating rebounded enough to allow him to play his style of game. If you put Robertson on a worse team he'd be very good but not quite as effective in my view. He is also not someone who you want taking face-offs and matching up against the opponent's best players.

 

[devilsblood]

Don't look now but last 10 games 5v5, Haula tied for team lead in goals.

And he's done it in 9 games no less.

 

[SteveCangialosi123]

I feel this story line is a bit overinflated. I know he's the only 80-80 guy or whatever, but I can't remember the last time I saw a big hit from Bratt.

Excellent player, not trying to take anything away, but a hitter? I dunno.

The most notable part of how he’s developed physically is how he withstands punishment. He still uses his elusiveness to get out of trouble as he should, but he regularly wins battles with reverse checks now.

 

[Nocashstyle]

Don't look now but last 10 games 5v5, Haula tied for team lead in goals.

And he's done it in 9 games no less.

Obviously it was just a calculated and conscious decision on his part to save it for the playoff stretch. What a genius!

 

[Triumph]

The most notable part of how he’s developed physically is how he withstands punishment. He still uses his elusiveness to get out of trouble as he should, but he regularly wins battles with reverse checks now.

Mercer should be adopting whatever his training regime is.

 

[Better Call Sal]

I feel this story line is a bit overinflated. I know he's the only 80-80 guy or whatever, but I can't remember the last time I saw a big hit from Bratt.

Excellent player, not trying to take anything away, but a hitter? I dunno.

I don’t think he’s a “hitter” per se, but I rarely notice Bratt not making a hit when he can, and I don’t notice him evading contact often. I also notice him a lot more on the forecheck. He forechecks/hits on the forecheck way more imo.

One thing it certainly does is help dispel the notion that he's a small, soft forward. He most definitely isn't. What he's done to built his strength without losing his skating ability and edge work year-over-year is impressive.

 

[devilsblood]

The most notable part of how he’s developed physically is how he withstands punishment. He still uses his elusiveness to get out of trouble as he should, but he regularly wins battles with reverse checks now.

I've been thinking about how his skating is so different then Jack's, Both are great skaters in their own way, but Bratt seems to use the strength in his legs more. Seems to be a power intensive stride getting lower to ice and in getting lower to the Ice he has leverage when contact occurs. Maybe not as the initiator of the contact, but as you say an ability to withstand punishment.

Jack's skating on the other hand, is so effortless, but very upright. Not sure the physics of this, why an upright skating style would be beneficial, or even if it is beneficial, but Jack does seem to be an upright, effortless skater, to my eyes at least.

Of the two Bratt's style seems much more conventional. While Jack's more unique.

Like I say the comparison is something I've thought about for awhile, but something that peaked a bit when Jack got hurt yet again. Does the upright style leave him prone to awkward hits into the board? Or in general does that upright style lead to him falling so often? It is a odd combination, a great skater who falls a lot. The amount of shoulder injuries is also pretty odd.

The implication here being obvious.

 

[devilsblood]

Mercer should be adopting whatever his training regime is.

Any player really. I may question Bratt's emotion level on the ice, but I certainly don't question his dedication, nor his effort on or off the ice. I imagine Bratt puts more focus on, and energy into his offseason workouts then anyone. He just has that calculated machine like approach.

But Bratt always had an explosiveness to him that Mercer never did. Holtz did the offseason workouts with Bratt too, to no effect.

 

[JimEIV]

you can't really compare players from 30 years ago, it's a completely different game. guys would literally clutch and grab their opponents if they didn't have the speed to catch up with them back then. no 2 line passes, the trapezoid...completely different era.

regardless, you make it seem like we tanked to get some top end talent. the reality was, we were the worst (or among the worst) positioned team in the nhl at the time. look at our lineups from back then if you don't believe me. our record was a direct reflection of our roster.

langs never scored 30 goals in a year- although he got 29 at the ripe old age of 33. he was also a whiny little twat of a captain. night and day difference compared to nico, i'm not sure where you got that comparison from.

It's funny how you mentioned that league is so different now vs then then proceeded to say Langenbrunner never scored 30....he played in a league were 41 goals won the Rocket Richard Trophy.

But I wasn't really talking about production however... I was talking about the strong two way play and defense...with a bit of character and tenacity....as opposed to pure high level skill.

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

I mean, there are only 9 players in the league with 35 goals or more right now. With a few weeks left in the season. Probably only going to have a handful of guys hit 40.

 

[devilsblood]

Best on ice goals for last 10 games.

Cody Glass 8-3
Haula 8-5.

Everyone else sub 50%.

Nico and Timo both a -5.

Palat with the worst percentage 1-4, 20%
Mercer 2-6. 25%.

 

[devilsblood]

It's funny how you mentioned that league is so different now vs then then proceeded to say Langenbrunner never scored 30....he played in a league were 41 goals won the Rocket Richard Trophy.

But I wasn't really talking about production however... I was talking about the strong two play and defense...with a bit of character and tenacity....as opposed to pure high level skill.

Langs was a winger.

I mean good player on a cup winning team. But really can't compare his intangibles to a high end defensive center.

 

[The Grinder]

I’m trying to put this season in context.

If we were in the same spot standings wise during any of our lean years (2013-2017, 2019-2021) I would have been damn happy. We are very likely to make the playoffs, which I would say was our goal at the start of the year. But our amazing first half and limping along in the second half, plus injuries really soured the season.

But it’s still somewhat of an accomplishment. If we manage to even win 2 games against the Canes in the playoffs I will be happy. Honestly just don’t be the first devils team to get swept.

 

[PizzaAndPucks]

When Mercer has a 2 goal game & the Devils win ^

 

[Whaddagoal]

The most notable part of how he’s developed physically is how he withstands punishment. He still uses his elusiveness to get out of trouble as he should, but he regularly wins battles with reverse checks now.

Bratt is so awesome. Isn't he like the only 80 points / 80 hit player so far this season?

He is definitely a lot more durable than people make him. He takes a decent amount of corner punishment himself and just bounces right back and plays hard every time.

Most of the time they can't catch him because he is so elusive

 

[devilsblood]

Bratt is so awesome. Isn't he like the only 80 points / 80 hit player so far this season?

He is definitely a lot more durable than people make him. He takes a decent amount of corner punishment himself and just bounces right back and plays hard every time.

Most of the time they can't catch him because he is so elusive

He's become durable, he wasn't always.

But then again he was in the NHL much earlier then anyone expected. It's a grind.

 

[My3Sons]

Best on ice goals for last 10 games.

Cody Glass 8-3
Haula 8-5.

Everyone else sub 50%.

Nico and Timo both a -5.

Palat with the worst percentage 1-4, 20%
Mercer 2-6. 25%.

Oh sure, now you are adding math to the reading? What's next, philosophy and quantum mechanics?

 

[JrFischer54]

Don't look now but last 10 games 5v5, Haula tied for team lead in goals.

And he's done it in 9 games no less.

heating up at the right time. playoffs are going to smack !

 

[youryeah]

the haula OT goal against the canes is going to hit like crack

 

[Nocashstyle]

the haula OT goal against the canes is going to hit like crack

Doing the Jeff Friesen just “one stiff arm raised high in the air” goal celebration with gravity pulling down his jersey sleeve ever so slightly and exposing his fan made “Canes suck” bracelet.

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

oh god, I forgot that the Canes fans have some sort of weird hatred for Haula

I am pretty sure that it came out that the reason he doesn't have fond memories of playing there is because his wife miscarried while he was playing there.

 

[Incharge1976]

Jack played this season without the benefit of a healthy offseason to improve his fitness and strength. He was coming off shoulder surgery. Apparently, he will be doing so again this offseason. Part of me thinks that once he's rehabilitated his shoulder and healthy he should embark on a weight training and strengthening program for a few months. If that bleeds into next season I'd hold him out. He needs to be healthy and as strong as possible to hold up to NHL play. I think a big reason this season was a mixed bag for him was the injury was a shadow over the season.

I think a manufacturer should come up with pads that are similar to motorcycle racing that inflate as someone is going crashing into the boards on a horizontal plane.