Devils discussion (news, notes and speculation) - playoff edition

[AfroThunder396]

The core has made the playoffs 2 of the past 3 years.

 

[devilsblood]

I mean, Messier said the same thing about us being small down the middle and unable to handle the size of Carolina's defense.

But look at all the players listed as C for Carolina on NHL.com and how they matched up against our big (>6') defensemen:

Sebastian Aho (6') - 8 points in 5 games
Seth Jarvis (5'10") - 5 points in 5 games
Logan Stankoven (5'8") - 3 points in 5 games

But Carolina's big centers:

Jack Roslovic (6'1") - 1 point in 3 games
Jesperi Kotkaniemi (6'3") - 1 point in 5 games
Jordan Staal (6'4") - 0 points in 5 games

So all their small centers scored points and all their big centers didn't. Hmmmm. Maybe seems like this size fetish doesn't actually accomplish anything?

In reality Jarvis and Stankoven are not centers.

So their centers are all 6' or bigger. Average height about 6'2". With the biggest of those guys handling the tough minutes allowing the smaller guy to play more offensive minutes.

 

[JimEIV]

The core has made the playoffs 2 of the past 3 years.

View attachment 1026641

Yeah unfortunately this season was Nico and Jesper's 8th season. We are coming up on a decade with Zero success.

A 3rd line center will probably change that though....or a goalie..
Or a defenseman...or [insert here]

 

[guitarguyvic]

This "core" has made the playoffs twice in the last 7 years. We keep throwing new shit against the wall to see what sticks...and nothing does.

The rebuild really has never ended.

You didn’t answer the question. What do you want Fitz to do about this core?

 

[JimEIV]

You didn’t answer the question. What do you want Fitz to do about this core?

I did though I want to trade Bratt.

 

[theoptimist]

Hamilton is a good example of not needing "big" guys. But he is the counter example to "grit".

I'd like some size and grit, but these guys need to be able to skate and have skills as well. Speed to me being a significant need.

I'm in the anti-Dougie crowd, and he's played more physical this year, initiating contact along the boards, etc.. I think players can learn and become more open to managing contact. I don't like him because he can't skate and is too expensive to not be an option on the PP.

 

[devsfan8]

Yeah unfortunately this season was Nico and Jesper's 8th season. We are coming up on a decade with Zero success.

A 3rd line center will probably change that though....or a goalie..
Or a defenseman...or [insert here]

I guess you think Toronto's big four aren't that good either for only one appearance past the first round. We have a better core four then the team that just beat us with Svtchnikov, Aho, Stankoven, Jarvis. The difference is they also have four solid lines that contribute and pressure teams.

 

[NJDevs26]

And we're back at the trade Bratt for Laine part of the offseason discussion, only this offseason it's Bratt for Brady which would make sense as a one-for-one but why would Ottawa do that? So you're then giving up 'more' than Bratt for Brady which would be desperate at best, if not actually impossible since Ottawa certainly isn't trading Brady this offseason.

 

[guitarguyvic]

I did though I want to trade Bratt.

Does it seem at all realistic to you that a better player would be coming back in such a deal? I saw you mention Brady…I think you know there’s just about zero chance Ottawa would trade him. They have literally no reason to. Do you think there’s some other big name player that meets our needs who’s available in exchange for Bratt that Fitz just isn’t pulling the trigger on? I’m gonna guess it’s severely unlikely.

Which brings us back to the original point. Complaining about the core at this point is basically just pissing in the wind, because the likelihood that it can be reimagined without going into another full rebuild is <1%.

 

[Brooklyndevil]

First, I never once complained about Nico or Jack's play this season...I have complained about Jack's injuries.

I have been complaining about Bratt and Meier's lack of 5v5 scoring since late February.

I have also said numerous times I would trade Bratt for Brady in a heart beat.

I would also switch Jack to wing permanently. He's not a center

I agree with most of what you said. However, we all saw Jack playing the wing with Matthews and he did not impress.

 

[13BearerOfHope]

Dougie and Bratt for Quinn and Pius Suter. There, I said it.

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

the Jack to wing thing is such utter BS. Literally every time he plays there, he looks like shit.

Why do you want him to be a wing? Do not use the word "faceoffs" in your answer.

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

I did though I want to trade Bratt.

cool what are we trading Bratt for? Give me some ideas.

 

[Nocashstyle]

Do we think Hischier is going to be a finalist for the Selke this year?

 

[JK3]

Oh man that's a perfect GDT theme based on Star Trek.

Tom Fitz III:
The Search For Bulk

 

[JimEIV]

I guess you think Toronto's big four aren't that good either for only one appearance past the first round. We have a better core four then the team that just beat us with Svtchnikov, Aho, Stankoven, Jarvis. The difference is they also have four solid lines that contribute and pressure teams.

Toronto scored 26 more goals than we did this year. Carolina 24 more.
That's a shit ton.

Both Toronto #9 and Carolina #10 were top 10 in scoring this season. We were 20th. If you think we're making that difference up from the bottom 6 I think you're crazy. Maybe a little of both is a reasonable...but even if it is both that means the existing guys in the top 6 have fallen short.

 

[JimEIV]

Does it seem at all realistic to you that a better player would be coming back in such a deal? I saw you mention Brady…I think you know there’s just about zero chance Ottawa would trade him. They have literally no reason to. Do you think there’s some other big name player that meets our needs who’s available in exchange for Bratt that Fitz just isn’t pulling the trigger on? I’m gonna guess it’s severely unlikely.

Which brings us back to the original point. Complaining about the core at this point is basically just pissing in the wind, because the likelihood that it can be reimagined without going into another full rebuild is <1%.

I would do it for Brady....but generally speaking, you don't necessarily need a "better" player coming back. If you can get multiple depth pieces in return.

Just like San Jose and Timo. I think we clearly lost that trade in hindsight.

 

[devilsblood]

I guess you think Toronto's big four aren't that good either for only one appearance past the first round. We have a better core four then the team that just beat us with Svtchnikov, Aho, Stankoven, Jarvis. The difference is they also have four solid lines that contribute and pressure teams.

Do we though? Aho is a career ppg playoff performer with almost a full season's worth of playoff games played. Jarvis is 23 years old, with back to back 30 goals seasons and just notched a ppg against us. Svetchnikov just notched a goal per game.

And don't ignore Staal who is an absolute possession beast and handles all the difficult minutes. He's probably the best defensive center in the league but doesn't get the love because he doesn't put points up.

I love Nico and Bratt, but I can't really say "our guys are better" after they just smoked us, and their top guys leading the way.

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

definitely lost the Timo trade

if only we had 3rd line Zetterlund and AHL Muk right now, we definitely would have beaten the Canes!!

 

[devilsblood]

The issue is Haula has fallen off a cliff and they never properly replaced the rapist.

That has to be addressed in the offseason

Lazar's inability to be an acceptable 4th line center is another of the disappointments of this season.

 

[devsfan8]

Toronto scored 26 more goals than we did this year. Carolina 24 more.
That's a shit ton.

Both Toronto #9 and Carolina #10 were top 10 in scoring this season. We were 20th. If you think we're making that difference up from the bottom 6 I think you're crazy. Maybe a little of both is a reasonable...but even if it is both that means the existing guys in the top 6 have fallen short.

The difference in 20th and 12th is 13 goals. Just saying.

 

[devilsblood]

definitely lost the Timo trade

if only we had 3rd line Zetterlund and AHL Muk right now, we definitely would have beaten the Canes!!

Is this in reply to something?

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

I would do it for Brady....but generally speaking, you don't necessarily need a "better" player coming back. If you can get multiple depth pieces in return.

Just like San Jose and Timo. I think we clearly lost that trade in hindsight.

Is this in reply to something?

here you go.

 

[JimEIV]

The difference in 20th and 12th is 13 goals. Just saying.

13 goals isn't insignificant....And 12th is still pretty mediocre.

 

[Bcap88]

Argue team lacks scoring but trade a 90 point winger seems real logical