Devils team discussion (news, notes and speculation) - 2022-23 season thread part III

[BurntToast]

While Thompson, A) Looked good last year and B) fits the bottom 6 better, he is coming off a major injury and hasn’t looked 100%. He is healthy enough to play but it takes a while to get back to that peak.

 

[Classic Devil]

Boqvist has been elite on the PK, that should and will keep him in the lineup.

That should keep him in the lineup over McLeod, not over anyone who has a scoring touch.

 

[Billdo]

Idk how to justify getting Boqvist in over a chance for Clarke or Thompson or Holtz going forward. Or whenever Bastian comes back

Boqvist has produced very little on a good team

Boqvist has been fantastic defensively.

Boqvist still on the 3rd line?

Hopefully Bastian ain’t much further behind Palat.

Once Bastian is back take Boqvist out. Put him back with Wood and McLeod and put Z with Tatar and Haula.

 

[Triumph]

Probably the last one of these I will do since they are redundant now, but they were redundant then too:

Jack Hughes since 12/29/21: 72 games, 41 goals, 47 assists, 88 points, 291 shots on goal, 4.04 shots/game, 60.1 xG%. He's a superstar forward.

 

[severian]

Probably the last one of these I will do since they are redundant now, but they were redundant then too:

Jack Hughes since 12/29/21: 72 games, 41 goals, 47 assists, 88 points, 291 shots on goal, 4.04 shots/game, 60.1 xG%. He's a superstar forward.

I’m really impressed by how much he’s improved his shot. It looked like a muffin his first two seasons and now it really is a weapon.

 

[BurntToast]

I’m really impressed by how much he’s improved his shot. It looked like a muffin his first two seasons and now it really is a weapon.

It just proves. Shot accuracy and release are superior to power. This is an issue with many players on this team. Jack can float the puck through a 2 in gap above the goalies shoulder, while Bratt hasn’t hit the net in 5 games.

 

[Call Me Al]

hughes ability to change his angle on the shots is an underrated skill. he can’t rip it as hard as matthews but he is scoring wristers from a distance way more than you would expect. imagine him playing with an actual finishing winger too, the sky is the limit with him

 

[SJinNewJersey]

I’m really impressed by how much he’s improved his shot. It looked like a muffin his first two seasons and now it really is a weapon.

He also seems to be getting better on the few faceoffs he's taken.

 

[severian]

He also seems to be getting better on the few faceoffs he's taken.

That would really go a long way towards getting Haula off his line.

 

[SJinNewJersey]

I am worried about Nico's health long term. I watch Jack and Bratt spin out and avoid big hits game after game. Nico needs to do the same thing. I want Nico to go into self-preservation mode too, this team needs him. Teammates also need to step up when teams take liberties against our star players.

 

[Mgd31]

Bratt extension tomorrow?

 

[Nocashstyle]

I am worried about Nico's health long term. I watch Jack and Bratt spin out and avoid big hits game after game. Nico needs to do the same thing. I want Nico to go into self-preservation mode too, this team needs him. Teammates also need to step up when teams take liberties against our star players.

That’s just not his game though. He’s obviously not as “skilled” as Hughes or Bratt, so one of Hischier’s assets is going into the hard areas and making a play no matter what the cost.

It is concerning sometimes though. It’s not like he has the body or strength of a power forward.

 

[Zippy316]

Huh. I didn't see them there

And they didn't announce anything afaik. You sure? Isn't it usually a 'Dad's trip?'

TNT feed showed Jim Hughes and a few others in a suite.

They seemed to imply it was the beginning of the Dad’s trip. I would imagine it wasn’t officially the trip, but the Devils invited whoever arrived Wednesday early enough to go to the game.

 

[minibrodeur]

I'm excited for Palat to come back. There's been so many close, hard fought games lately and he's just the type of player we need for those. Clutch goal scoring aside, his experience in those situations will be a wonderful asset for the team.

 

[glenwo2]

Bratt extension tomorrow?

Not holding my breath but....yeah.

Sure, why not?

 

[SteveCangialosi123]

I'm excited for Palat to come back. There's been so many close, hard fought games lately and he's just the type of player we need for those. Clutch goal scoring aside, his experience in those situations will be a wonderful asset for the team.

One of his biggest impacts will hopefully be moving Haula down in the lineup.

 

[Mgd31]

Would be awesome if Palat is miraculously back on Sunday, but I doubt it. Hopefully the Detroit game.

 

[My3Sons]

I’m in a good mood after that win. I’m currently eating fresh mozzarella with some balsamic glaze, with Seinfeld on. Thank god I ran 6 miles today.

View attachment 628413

Edit: oops, not the GDT. Oh well lmao

So you’re sitting there in your underwear eating a block of government cheese the size of a car battery?

 

[NjDevsRR]

government cheese

 

[Rybo]

Boqvist has been elite on the PK, that should and will keep him in the lineup.

Boqvist has been fantastic defensively.


Once Bastian is back take Boqvist out. Put him back with Wood and McLeod and put Z with Tatar and Haula.

Boqvist sitting isnt going to sink our PK and I doubt his defense is changing much of anything

He has four points. And it isnt Selke-level defense hes providing, hes not even a plus player.

Also if hes good defensively why is he playing less minutes than every other forward?

 

[My3Sons]

 

[Captain3rdLine]

With Nemec likely playing his last World Juniors game on Jan 2nd. Unless they can pull off an upset vs Canada, Sweden or Czech.

Think there’s a decent chance he comes right to the Devils and if that ends up being the case wonder how long it would take for him to get in the lineup. We play on the 4th, 5th, and 7th.

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

With Nemec likely playing his last World Juniors game on Jan 2nd. Unless they can pull off an upset vs Canada, Sweden or Czech.

Think there’s a decent chance he comes right to the Devils and if that ends up being the case wonder how long it would take for him to get in the lineup. We play on the 4th, 5th, and 7th.

Absolutely not.

Nemec should not see NHL ice this year. He isn't ready.

 

[Captain3rdLine]

Absolutely not.

Nemec should not see NHL ice this year. He isn't ready.

In your opinion.

He’s been playing a big defensive role in Utica. The Devils clearly intended on him possibly getting a call up this season.
Why is he not ready in your opinion?

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

In your opinion.

He’s been playing a big defensive role in Utica. The Devils clearly intended on him possibly getting a call up this season.
Why is he not ready in your opinion?

based on what?

I just don't think his defensive zone play is ready for the NHL, and I would rather let him play the entire year in Utica. Having him in NJ and playing like 8-10 minutes per night isn't going to do him any good IMO.