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

[HoliksGhost]

Tom probably needed shoulder surgery from jerking himself off so much based on the offseason he thought he pulled off.

 

[Cheddabombs]

Tom probably needed shoulder surgery from jerking himself off so much based on the offseason he thought he pulled off.

He just like me

 

[thebeernerd]

I think I’m doing pretty ok given the state of the world, actually. lol

If nothing else, I agree with venting whatever frustrations you might have.

 

[NjDevsRR]

Tom probably needed shoulder surgery from jerking himself off so much based on the offseason he thought he pulled off.

 

[Guttersniped]

Goalie quality/performance - it can’t be the defense in front of them, the coaching, or the GM’s failures, it’s just bad luck with the goalies he chose.

Shooting percentage - it can’t be that the forwards lack quality shot selection/finishing skill or that the GM hasn’t acquired any snipers, it’s just bad luck with the shots.

Rampant Injuries - it can’t be anything with what the players do on the ice/being injury prone, the medical staff’s competence, or how injured players are managed, it’s just bad luck with random events.

Extended runs of mediocrity/losing - it can’t be the quality of the team, it’s just bad luck…related to goaltending, shooting, and injuries.

The New Jersey Black Clouds. The team that will always have at least 3/4 of the above things happening to them and has no control over any of it.

“You don’t blame people enough for their injuries!” is a bizzare take.

Sorry, injuries are mainly bad luck.

Some injuries are more likely to reoccur, such as concussions or (unfortunately) shoulder injuries. That’s not a players’ fault.

Maybe you can point to some players’ ice awareness being worse than others, so they’re more vulnerable to hits, or their physical style of play.

But often they’re beyond anyone’s control. Plus being a “parimeter player” is frowned upon, everyone wants players who play a more dangerous style.

Medical staffs?

It’s a pretty common failure for NHL teams and their medical staff to prioritize keeping an injured player on the ice or rushing them back as quickly as possible.

So common that I would argue that it’s notable if a team is noticeably more conscientious about players’ long term health.

This article praises the Penguins approach to Sidney Crosby’s injuries under Rutherford, as compared to under Shero:

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2669016-sidney-crosbys-concussion-woes-have-changed-how-the-nhl-handles-head-injuries

I’ve seen the Penguins’ more cautious approach being seen as contributing to stars’ longevity but that’s tough to measure.

The Flyers notably have had the opposite approach, they’ve always took pride in players gutting it out despite multiple serious injuries.

I think that likely shortened the career of players like Mike Richards and Wayne Simmonds, as well as contributing to Richard’s pain killer addiction. But again, that’s tough to measure.

I was genuinely pissed off by things like Jack’s 2023-24 being dragged out because it took a while to be officially eliminated from the playoffs.

Also not a fan of losing our players to injury a game or two after they return from injury.

I don’t see players having season ending surgery a sign of anything in itself though, other than injuries are frustrating.

 

[devilsfan950003]

Guess this means he's signed for next season even though his contract hasn't expired yet? Not sure why Hatakka didn't get a chance with the big club this season - looked good in limited opportunites last year.

He was always injured when they needed a 7 dman.

 

[Blender]

You get a shoulder injury, and you get a shoulder injury, and you get a shoulder injury!

 

[woody footbreaker]

Somebody needs to teach it how to crash properly.

just glad us all survived the big shouldercrash of 2025

 

[JimEIV]

just glad us all survived the big shouldercrash of 2025

I definitely think there were some causalities around here this year

 

[Mr Bojanglez]

Can't SHRUG off all these injuries

 

[JK3]

The whole team should wear David Byrne suits.

 

[Emperoreddy]

The Metro isnt going to get significantly better next year.

These yoyos better take their shoulder rehabs seriously and Fitz better get busy because there is a path through the metro side of the bracket.

 

[PizzaAndPucks]

It's weird seeing Jake Allen on Sportsnet covering the playoffs as an analyst. This whole Daws 1 way deal might be the reason we dont try to keep Allen. I wouldn't be opposed to bringing him back for a 1 or 2 year deal....

 

[Peter Sidorkiewicz]

Tom probably needed shoulder surgery from jerking himself off so much based on the offseason he thought he pulled off.

Lol!!

 

[Peter Sidorkiewicz]

It's weird seeing Jake Allen on Sportsnet covering the playoffs as an analyst. This whole Daws 1 way deal might be the reason we dont try to keep Allen. I wouldn't be opposed to bringing him back for a 1 or 2 year deal....

Daws can be buried without cap implications. The one way deal has no impact on whether they decide to give him the backup job or not.

 

[My3Sons]

The whole team should wear David Byrne suits.

View attachment 1031138

They can’t seem to face up to the facts that they are tense and nervous and they can’t relax

 

[MadDevil]

It's weird seeing Jake Allen on Sportsnet covering the playoffs as an analyst. This whole Daws 1 way deal might be the reason we dont try to keep Allen. I wouldn't be opposed to bringing him back for a 1 or 2 year deal....

Allen was fine overall, but also fluctuated between really good and pretty bad monthly. I'm also not sure running a tandem of 35+ year old goalies is a great idea, especially given the Devils luck with goalies the last decade.

 

[PizzaAndPucks]

Allen was fine overall, but also fluctuated between really good and pretty bad monthly. I'm also not sure running a tandem of 35+ year old goalies is a great idea, especially given the Devils luck with goalies the last decade.

Playing in a backup role can work both ways. When you aren't playing 2 to 4 games in a row and have to sit, it can be hard to get into a rhythm. It can also fluctuate your stats more when you have a bad game or so. Allen had a good stretch of play when Markstrom went down with injury IIRC. Some familiarity in goal doesn't hurt.

 

[Forge]

It's weird seeing Jake Allen on Sportsnet covering the playoffs as an analyst. This whole Daws 1 way deal might be the reason we dont try to keep Allen. I wouldn't be opposed to bringing him back for a 1 or 2 year deal....

Didn't he do the same thing last year? I remember seeing him on something and thinking how good he was.

I think daws is waiver eligible next year for the first time? I think they will turn the backup role over to him. Don't think they are gonna let him hit waivers without seeing how does.

 

[Guadana]

Didn't he do the same thing last year? I remember seeing him on something and thinking how good he was.

I think daws is waiver eligible next year for the first time? I think they will turn the backup role over to him. Don't think they are gonna let him hit waivers without seeing how does.

May be they will decide to have him in the roster as third goalie. Im the same time using Casey as 8th defenseman and playing him in AHL until someone get LTIRed.

 

[Guadana]

The Metro isnt going to get significantly better next year.

These yoyos better take their shoulder rehabs seriously and Fitz better get busy because there is a path through the metro side of the bracket.

Leonard can make step forward, wsh overall looks like a team to make a moves on the market.
Carolina can or can not sign Orlov, its a question mark, but Nikishin and more experienced Stankoven will make them better.
I really don't believe that rangers will repeat this season, they are better. They will add Perreault, may be he will take time to adapt.
It's early to call Columbus as next season play off team but they are very young and they are going better and more experienced. All of their core players are very young. The question mark is Werenski, it will be hard for him to repeat this season and stay healthy.
I don't see real reasons for pens, Islanders and flyers for being better. May be some hard work on the market.

It's a reasonable for fans to wait more from the Devils for next season. Only injuries can push this team away from top-3 position in the division.

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

The Metro isnt going to get significantly better next year.

These yoyos better take their shoulder rehabs seriously and Fitz better get busy because there is a path through the metro side of the bracket.

is it?

I don't really see it.

The Flyers and Penguins are very far away. The Isles adding an 18 year old doesn't scare me, especially considering the guys they are looking at for GM.

 

[devilsblood]

is it?

I don't really see it.

The Flyers and Penguins are very far away. The Isles adding an 18 year old doesn't scare me, especially considering the guys they are looking at for GM.

You read it wrong.

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

You read it wrong.

too early in the morning!

 

[TheUnseenHand]

Leonard can make step forward, wsh overall looks like a team to make a moves on the market.
Carolina can or can not sign Orlov, its a question mark, but Nikishin and more experienced Stankoven will make them better.
I really don't believe that rangers will repeat this season, they are better. They will add Perreault, may be he will take time to adapt.
It's early to call Columbus as next season play off team but they are very young and they are going better and more experienced. All of their core players are very young. The question mark is Werenski, it will be hard for him to repeat this season and stay healthy.
I don't see real reasons for pens, Islanders and flyers for being better. May be some hard work on the market.

It's a reasonable for fans to wait more from the Devils for next season. Only injuries can push this team away from top-3 position in the division.

My concern is that we almost certainly will be dealing with extended absences from Jack and Nico. I think we just have to factor it in at this point, specifically with Jack. And, factoring that in, I'm concerned. Not that I think Montreal, Ottawa or Columbus are huge threats, but I'm concerned one of them could bump us if the inevitable Jack and Nico injuries are long term next season.

It will be interesting to see if Fitz panics again after losing to Carolina, again, or just writes it off to injuries.