GDT: Devils @ Hurricanes - 2025 Playoffs! RD1 GM5 - 7:30 PM - MSG, TBS, MAX

[Devs3cups]

Nico slander should never happen again. Kid left legit everything out there

Prototypical Devil and a lifer. My Captain. What a player.

 

[BostonDevil]

Who gets traded? Should they trade Mercer and Nemec?
Do they let all UFA's walk? Lazar, Dowling, Bastian, Tatar, Foote?
Can't afford Allen.
Buyout Palat? MacDermot?

86, 13, 63 and 28 can stay. All other forwards should be gone

ZERO reason to keep any of those guys

 

[NJDevs26]

I don't get the "unlikeable" thing personally. Is this team frustrating as hell at times? Absolutely. But if you can't find any enjoyment in seeing Nico score 35 goals or Bratt flirt with 90 points, or seeing a kid like Nemo struggle to then find success in the playoffs, then that sounds more like a "you" problem.

It's because they had half a season of being **** after an entire season of underachieving last year. We're on 1.5 seasons of underachieving in the regular season. Because of the injuries, the meltdown in the playoffs is basically irrelevant other than destroying what little confidence I had left in Markstrom after an inconsistent regular season.

 

[devilsblood]

I don't get the "unlikeable" thing personally. Is this team frustrating as hell at times? Absolutely. But if you can't find any enjoyment in seeing Nico score 35 goals or Bratt flirt with 90 points, or seeing a kid like Nemo struggle to then find success in the playoffs, then that sounds more like a "you" problem.

I think "unlikeable" is basically "started the season hot, ended poorly".

 

[Devils Trap]

86, 13, 63 and 28 can stay. All other forwards should be gone

I dont disagree but that isnt realistic. They cant get 8 new forwards

 

[guitarguyvic]

Nico and the D group as a collective were the MVP’s of the series.

I’m not shocked about the PK given the injuries. Getting zero on the PP was pretty insane, but no Jack or Luke and Hamilton being a shell of himself, going up against this decade’s best PK, probably doomed them there too.

The goaltending the last two games and especially tonight was unforgivable. As is the fact that we get zero production from the bottom six. Decent chance the Canes still win this in 7 even if we had Jack just based on the complete void amongst the depth guys. You can’t win in the playoffs relying on four guys to do all the scoring.

 

[RNCDevil]

- Dumo was a pleasant surprise
- Nemec was a pleasant surprise
- Not sure what happened to Glass after his injury
- Dying to hear what's wrong with Pesce, Luke, Kovy, Dillon
- Looking forward to a healthier team and upgraded Casey/Nemec/Gritty/Lenny & Squiggy
- Looking forward to fewer passengers

Today sucks, but tomorrow is Wednesday.

 

[AfroThunder396]

There's really no point in doing a postmortem right now while everyone is emotional. Frustrating because pretty much every game except Game 1 was winnable. But next year will be better.

 

[jkrdevil]

I cant really even blame some of these forwards because they shouldn't even be in this position.

Like what more can you reasonably expect from someone like Dowling in this situation?

Sure fine. But everyone else was expected to be a depth contributor.

 

[Bcap88]

Still think the back end needs a little tweaking

Relying on Luke and Dougie to move pucks is really limiting their 5 on 5 play

Timo had a great series, Pesce and dumoulin all were impressive.

Siegenthaler hell of an effort to rush back and try and help

 

[Brick City]

Anyone else feel like the Devils are miles away from being a serious contender? We're not even remotely in the ball park.

It's been a growing concern for me. Especially if the Hughes can't manage to stay healthy.

 

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

The Devils better use this like the Capitals did after losing 1 round v NYR, no excuse for Nemec to not pull a Sandin next year with this experience.

Fitz, BETTER WAKE UP THIS OFFSEASON

 

[Devs3cups]

Personally I found the depressing rosters of the late Lou era when you knew the team wasn't going anywhere and the future looked bleak way less fun to watch than one with some really damn good players just entering their primes that (with the right management) should be contenders for years.

Expectations come into play.

 

[BostonDevil]

I dont disagree but that isnt realistic. They cant get 8 new forwards

Oh, definitely.

I'm just hoping. Start with Haula and do everything you can from there down

 

[JrFischer54]

Needed more from Bratt tbh.

Uh oh! Better watch out

 

[devilsblood]

I cant really even blame some of these forwards because they shouldn't even be in this position.

Like what more can you reasonably expect from someone like Dowling in this situation?

Ya people hate on Dowling but he started the season in the AHL and was never even considered an actual depth player until he was in the lineup.

It is true we have too many of these guys who just don't score, but to your point it's on Fitz, not the players.

 

[Devs3cups]

There's really no point in doing a postmortem right now while everyone is emotional. Frustrating because pretty much every game except Game 1 was winnable. But next year will be better.

Will it? Hopefully the bottom-6 is addressed.

 

[NJDevs26]

Personally I found the depressing rosters of the late Lou era when you knew the team wasn't going anywhere and the future looked bleak way less fun to watch than one with some really damn good players just entering their primes that (with the right management) should be contenders for years.

I mean those teams or the latter Shero teams at least you basically stop caring by February, and tbh most of those teams you know going in are crap. Bad team is on management, underachieving is on players and coaches if not both.

 

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

I guess some of you are referring to teams that were good/playoff teams when talking about unlikeable. 2013-2014 is the one for me. Marty's husk getting wins in net vs. Cory busting his ass and getting no goal support. Michael Ryder becoming a ghost in the second half. Ryane Clowe predictably getting hurt immediately. Damien Brunner. Losing every single shootout seemingly. I'm sure I could go on.

God, that team was so ass. Not to mention, we were the main component in the Rags getting their second half mojo run started at the Stadium Series which I freezed my balls off watching

 

[palek1019]

I am legit surprised with the state of the roster, how they played overall 5v5.

Im not that surprised by our PP. Carolina was the top PK unit in the league and with no Hughes brothers and a washed Dougie.

PK im disappointed, but then again with how injured the Dmen are I guess it shouldn't be that surprising.

Yeah that's my feelings re. special teams. PK I hoped would be better, but realistically it's tough with the injuries. Which is why the reffing really sucked. Not surprised they were so gassed at the end.

But 5v5 was encouraging. I'm more hopeful that we'll beat this stupid mid team in our lifetime. With a healthier team and hopefully some changes up front. Gonna be a big off-season.

 

[Forge]

Cotter is a JAG. He can stay in 4th line role or he can go. I’m indifferent. Same with Noesen.

I'd say the majority of your bottom 4 forwards are JAGs

Cotter costs nothing for a role that will likely pay him 3+ million a season once his deal is up if he continues to score double digit goals per season. Can't have all stars everywhere, but having Cotter at 775K allows you to pay someone else a couple more million. Its important to have below market value deals...especially when you have some contract bloat on the roster.

 

[Ol Dirty Bstrd]

Man that was gutwrenching even though the outcome was inevitable. Loved the heart from Nico, Dumo, Pesce, and Siegs. Nemo was great, Bratt and Timo did their thing for the most part, and Marky had some incredible highs but also had some inexcusable stretches that sank us.

Most of this roster is just so forgettable and meh. Fitz has a lot of work to do, and I’m very skeptical in his ability to reshape the forward group and transition game.

 

[guitarguyvic]

I don't get the "unlikeable" thing personally. Is this team frustrating as hell at times? Absolutely. But if you can't find any enjoyment in seeing Nico score 35 goals or Bratt flirt with 90 points, or seeing a kid like Nemo struggle to then find success in the playoffs, then that sounds more like a "you" problem.

I mean those are great INDIVIDUAL things…I do enjoy that. But that’s a totally separate thing from how I feel about the team as a collective.

 

[NJDevs26]

Can we get the damn Keefe presser already so we can hear about just how badly all of these guys are hurt for next season?

 

[Unknown Caller]

The Hughes’ injury issues are major concerns.