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

[Ekiru]

I don't remember where or when, but Seamus said he understood he had lots to learn and if NJ wanted him to play the rest of this year and the next as well he was okay with that.

Far cry from the take Nemec had on the same issue.

Wasnt Nemec's quote taken out of context (about that trade request from Jiricek)?

Also Seamus' quote aligns with Simon's current situation, with the difference being we saw 60 games of Simon last year.

Seems to me like its the same attitude about the situation from both sides, no?

 

[HoliksGhost]

Wasnt Nemec's quote taken out of context (about that trade request from Jiricek)?

Also Seamus' quote aligns with Simon's current situation, with the difference being we saw 60 games of Simon last year.

Seems to me like its the same attitude about the situation from both sides, no?

Hey they’re kids still… we’re lucky to have em both… let em develop I say

 

[PKs Broken Stick]

I've moved beyond cup or bust, its just going to make every year depressing, especially if the league expands to 36 teams. Very real chance Devils don't win a cup in the next 25 years, gotta find other sources of enjoyment as a fan (like seeing players develop, or winning close games, knocking out rivals in the playoffs, etc).

I hope the Devils knock out the Canes, and I hope I see some good hockey games. Anything beyond that will be a bonus I think and I'll enjoy the run until it ends.

For me, at this point in my life, the regular season is just not that fun to watch. Playoffs are just so much more exciting. Idk about cup or bust for me but definitely playoff or bust.

 

[Poppy Whoa Sonnet]

For me, at this point in my life, the regular season is just not that fun to watch. Playoffs are just so much more exciting. Idk about cup or bust for me but definitely playoff or bust.

There are too many games for sure, it becomes a grind. I find the enjoyment in seeing other teams players' and just following the ebb and flow of the team as it gets through the year.

 

[Zippy316]

Looking ahead to the matchup, how has Jordan Staal’s held up this year. Is he still the elite shutdown center he’s been for the past few years?

My biggest fear in this matchup is Carolina will hardmatch Staal against Hischier especially at home. It’s not a matchup I’m particularly confident in for Hischier. If we try to do Hischier-Meier or Hischier-Bratt, they could neutralize 2/3 of our biggest scoring threats and I’m not confident the rest of our lineup wins matchups against Aho or Svechnikov’s on separate lines.

To add to that, Hurricanes PK is notoriously good so it’s not like the Devils should count on playing them even 5-on-5 and winning the special teams matchup.

It does make me think there’s a good chance the Devils may try to run Hischier, Bratt, and Meier all on separate lines in Carolina. Biggest issue here is some of the lines just look ugly, the only way the Devils might be able to get away with it is if Gritsyuk can come in here and play like a second line winger:

Gritsyuk - Hischier - Noesen
Haula - Mercer - Meier
Palat/Tatar - Glass - Bratt
Cotter - Dowling/Lazar - Bastian/Sprong

It really feels like the Hurricanes are going to be a rough matchup on paper without some heroic performances offensively and/or by Markstrom.

 

[PKs Broken Stick]

Looking ahead to the matchup, how has Jordan Staal’s held up this year. Is he still the elite shutdown center he’s been for the past few years?

My biggest fear in this matchup is Carolina will hardmatch Staal against Hischier especially at home. It’s not a matchup I’m particularly confident in for Hischier. If we try to do Hischier-Meier or Hischier-Bratt, they could neutralize 2/3 of our biggest scoring threats and I’m not confident the rest of our lineup wins matchups against Aho or Svechnikov’s on separate lines.

To add to that, Hurricanes PK is notoriously good so it’s not like the Devils should count on playing them even 5-on-5 and winning the special teams matchup.

It does make me think there’s a good chance the Devils may try to run Hischier, Bratt, and Meier all on separate lines in Carolina. Biggest issue here is some of the lines just look ugly, the only way the Devils might be able to get away with it is if Gritsyuk can come in here and play like a second line winger:

Gritsyuk - Hischier - Noesen
Haula - Mercer - Meier
Palat/Tatar - Glass - Bratt
Cotter - Dowling/Lazar - Bastian/Sprong

They need to spread the wealth against Carolina imo. Hischier, Bratt, and Meier all on separate lines wouldn't be a bad idea.

 

[PKs Broken Stick]

It really feels like the Hurricanes are going to be a rough matchup on paper without some heroic performances offensively and/or by Markstrom.

They're not impressive on paper either. These are 2 similar teams on paper imo. It's going to come down to systems and execution and ofc goaltending

Although I should add I am saying this assuming Gritsyuk and Dougie are playing. If not...yea completely different story.

 

[Bad Goalie]

Wasnt Nemec's quote taken out of context (about that trade request from Jiricek)?

Also Seamus' quote aligns with Simon's current situation, with the difference being we saw 60 games of Simon last year.

Seems to me like its the same attitude about the situation from both sides, no?

Not sure why this is coming across as a negative. I didn't mention a thing about Nemec's interview quote. I'm merely referring to his attitude when down on the farm. Nemec has never liked any of his time in the AHL. He has avoided contact as if he were made of fine China. Any time he was returned after being in NJ he has just gone through the motions defensively and concentrated on going all out offensively. He acted like a pouting brat. He acted as if he had nothing to work on defensively.
He never played "bad", but did as little as possible in his own end. It was like he didn't want to take a chance of getting hurt in the minors.

All I'm saying about Casey is that the sour puss and "I'm too good for this attitude" is not part of his M.O.

 

[Zippy316]

They need to spread the wealth against Carolina imo. Hischier, Bratt, and Meier all on separate lines wouldn't be a bad idea.

They're not impressive on paper either. These are 2 similar teams on paper imo. It's going to come down to systems and execution and ofc goaltending

I would imagine we start off with Hischier with either Bratt or Meier and hope they can brute force their way through Staal’s line. If they struggle, I think the Devils quickly go to all three on separate lines.

I don’t think the Hurricanes are super impressive on paper. I like our chances with our defense and goaltending of neutralizing them a bit there. There’s no weak point on defense except maybe Dillon, but his physicality will be a strength here I think.

My issue is I just don’t see where the goals will come and if we have the skill to make plays through their pressure offensively. That’s the biggest concern of mine. It would be compounded if we weren’t able to get Hischier on Aho and instead got Staal hard matched on Hischier.

I’m skeptical the rest of the lineup wins their minutes against Aho or Svechnikov on the second line. It’s also going to be really tough to get PP goals against this team too which is going to make it really hard to win in Carolina. Luke and Dougie might be big X-factors here 5-on-5 especially when they’re with the third or fourth lines.

 

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

View attachment 1006748Pretty proud of this one

I only do the devils rows for these anymore but I did Yann Danis for MTL/NJ box, Lovejoy for Anaheim/NJ and Poni for NJD TOR. All were like <2%

 

[devilsblood]

Looking ahead to the matchup, how has Jordan Staal’s held up this year. Is he still the elite shutdown center he’s been for the past few years?

My biggest fear in this matchup is Carolina will hardmatch Staal against Hischier especially at home. It’s not a matchup I’m particularly confident in for Hischier. If we try to do Hischier-Meier or Hischier-Bratt, they could neutralize 2/3 of our biggest scoring threats and I’m not confident the rest of our lineup wins matchups against Aho or Svechnikov’s on separate lines.

To add to that, Hurricanes PK is notoriously good so it’s not like the Devils should count on playing them even 5-on-5 and winning the special teams matchup.

It does make me think there’s a good chance the Devils may try to run Hischier, Bratt, and Meier all on separate lines in Carolina. Biggest issue here is some of the lines just look ugly, the only way the Devils might be able to get away with it is if Gritsyuk can come in here and play like a second line winger:

Gritsyuk - Hischier - Noesen
Haula - Mercer - Meier
Palat/Tatar - Glass - Bratt
Cotter - Dowling/Lazar - Bastian/Sprong

It really feels like the Hurricanes are going to be a rough matchup on paper without some heroic performances offensively and/or by Markstrom.

Yup 60% CF percentage which is good for 3rd in the league.

7th in CA/60 rate.

Dude is still a beast, in that system at least.

 

[My3Sons]

I would imagine we start off with Hischier with either Bratt or Meier and hope they can brute force their way through Staal’s line. If they struggle, I think the Devils quickly go to all three on separate lines.

I don’t think the Hurricanes are super impressive on paper. I like our chances with our defense and goaltending of neutralizing them a bit there. There’s no weak point on defense except maybe Dillon, but his physicality will be a strength here I think.

My issue is I just don’t see where the goals will come and if we have the skill to make plays through their pressure offensively. That’s the biggest concern of mine. It would be compounded if we weren’t able to get Hischier on Aho and instead got Staal hard matched on Hischier.

I’m skeptical the rest of the lineup wins their minutes against Aho or Svechnikov on the second line. It’s also going to be really tough to get PP goals against this team too which is going to make it really hard to win in Carolina. Luke and Dougie might be big X-factors here 5-on-5 especially when they’re with the third or fourth lines.

The Canes are great at cheating which serves them well in the playoffs but they are also soft. They won’t fight for the most part and won’t want to fight Dillon or Noesen or even Kovacevic. NJ needs to challenge the Canes physically and force them to either fight or back down so NJ skaters can skate with a bit of confidence. Punching Aho in the face after every faceoff and then challenging the Canes bench would help. Staal will saddle up and ride Hischier while the refs take a nap. Elbowing Jarvis in the neck over and over would maybe level the playing field a bit.

 

[NJDevils17]

Nico with 19 points in 15 games since Jack went down while shouldering the toughest minutes on the team.

Honestly, he has been excellent.

 

[Zippy316]

Yup 60% CF percentage which is good for 3rd in the league.

7th in CA/60 rate.

Dude is still a beast, in that system at least.

Ugh I was hoping there was at least some signs of regression there that the Devils may be able to capitalize on their overreliance of him as a shutdown 3C.

Let’s hope whatever this injury he’s out with right now might slow him down because I do fear he could neutralize Hischier at evens in a hard matchup situation.

The Canes are great at cheating which serves them well in the playoffs but they are also soft. They won’t fight for the most part and won’t want to fight Dillon or Noesen or even Kovacevic. NJ needs to challenge the Canes physically and force them to either fight or back down so NJ skaters can skate with a bit of confidence. Punching Aho in the face after every faceoff and then challenging the Canes bench would help. Staal will saddle up and ride Hischier while the refs take a nap. Elbowing Jarvis in the neck over and over would maybe level the playing field a bit.

I think this Devils team has a lot more bite to them and experience that they aren’t going to be pushed around physically like they did in 2022-23. I think they’ll go toe-toe with the Hurricanes in that regard.

I just worry about their pressure being overwhelming to a team that might not have the offensive skillset to play through it, especially if the matchups don’t go our way.

 

[HoliksGhost]

 

[My3Sons]

View attachment 1007721

He’s had a great season. If Meier hadn’t struggled with shooting earlier my guess is Nico would have the few extra assists to get him over a point per game. Hopefully he at least breaks 70 points. My expectation is Barkov wins the Selke but Hischier hopefully is a finalist.

 

[Satans Hockey]

It's s easy math now that Columbus can't pass us, if the Rangers get 0 points tomorrow we only need 1 Tuesday, if they get 1 tomorrow we need 2 Tuesday. If the Rangers win we can't clinch till Wednesday when the Rangers play the Flyers.

 

[Emperoreddy]

View attachment 1007721

While getting the teams toughest matchups. Playing PP1, PK, and being the best faceoff man in the league.

Also second best xGAR last I saw

He should win the Selke and legitimately should get some Hart votes.

There are few players who have been more important to their teams success then Nico

 

[My3Sons]

While getting the teams toughest matchups. Playing PP1, PK, and being the best faceoff man in the league.

Also second best xGAR last I saw

He should win the Selke and legitimately should get some Hart votes.

There are few players who have been more important to their teams success then Nico

Meh. Trade him for Laine.

 

[The Wumpus]

I don't remember where or when, but Seamus said he understood he had lots to learn and if NJ wanted him to play the rest of this year and the next as well he was okay with that.

Far cry from the take Nemec had on the same issue.

It's his salt of the earth small-town Miami values

 

[Nocashstyle]

View attachment 1007721

A career +/- of +26 is pretty insane considering some of the teams were fielded during Nico’s tenure…all while taking on some of the most difficult minutes.

 

[NjDevsRR]

The flag is back up

 

[HoliksGhost]

Brooot in good company

 

[SteveCangialosi123]

Jesper Bratt can get into the top 3

 

[NjDevsRR]

Nico is 12th in the league in goals scored