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

[HischierSeDgewOrk]

To help tickle that nostalgia bone a little bit (phrasing!), Matt and the Maven have had a couple of reunion videos they've done so far this year. This is the most recent. Definitely enjoyed the banter these two had growing up and watching them. That broadcast with Doc, Chico, Matt and the Maven was seriously always top notch and I am glad I appreciated it while I had it even being younger.

Pretty cool...
Didn't realize how spoiled we were in the 90s into the 00s.
Chuck the duck!

 

[AfroThunder396]

Chychrun reminds me so much of Jay Bouwmeester back in the day. Everyone hero worshipped him for being a great up and coming defenseman who was the lone bright spot on a bad team. "If he could just get traded to a contender, he would easily be a top defenseman and Norris contender....."

...and then Bouwmeester was traded and was generally considered a pretty average #3 defenseman for most of his career. People love to overhype above average players on bad teams.

Also, isn't it a little weird that Arizona fans keep talking about how he's a franchise cornerstone, yet are eager to pawn him off to any team offering a 1st + ? No red flags going off there? Alright.

Not saying Chychrun sucks but people are going to pay out the ass for a young-ish defenseman they can sign long term.

 

[SteveCangialosi123]

 

[AfroThunder396]

Pretty crazy how many of last of this years best defensmen are guys that had previously been written off by experts as having peaked or being ruined - Karlsson, Hamilton, Dahlin, Morrissey, etc.

Meanwhile, a lot of the hype monsters from last year like Seider, Josi, and Carlson have really underperformed what were clearly bloated previous seasons.

Makar and Fox are still Makar and Fox even if their numbers aren't quite as gaudy. But still, I love seeing Siege get love around the league.

 

[Blender]

 

[Guadana]

Chychrun reminds me so much of Jay Bouwmeester back in the day. Everyone hero worshipped him for being a great up and coming defenseman who was the lone bright spot on a bad team. "If he could just get traded to a contender, he would easily be a top defenseman and Norris contender....."

...and then Bouwmeester was traded and was generally considered a pretty average #3 defenseman for most of his career. People love to overhype above average players on bad teams.

Also, isn't it a little weird that Arizona fans keep talking about how he's a franchise cornerstone, yet are eager to pawn him off to any team offering a 1st + ? No red flags going off there? Alright.

Not saying Chychrun sucks but people are going to pay out the ass for a young-ish defenseman they can sign long term.

yeah. trading Bratt for Chych+Crouse is another bad idea. When Devils have tonns of left defensemen, and Crouse and Chychrun are not the sample of health. And Bratt is dominant force.

 

[Clam Jensen]

Pretty crazy how many of last of this years best defensmen are guys that had previously been written off by experts as having peaked or being ruined - Karlsson, Hamilton, Dahlin, Morrissey, etc.

Meanwhile, a lot of the hype monsters from last year like Seider, Josi, and Carlson have really underperformed what were clearly bloated previous seasons.

Makar and Fox are still Makar and Fox even if their numbers aren't quite as gaudy. But still, I love seeing Siege get love around the league.

You love to see it. Josi was unreal offensively last year, but if I recall correctly his advanced defensive stats were poopoo.

 

[Blender]

I don't think he will ever put up big points, but Sigenthaler's on-ice impact is massive.

 

[SansaStark]

I absolutely detest Pat Kane the human being. I've met him twice and he was an omega douche both times. Like, actually one of the lowest quality humans I've ever met. The taxi cab assault happened literally across the street from where I was living at the time.

If we somehow acquire him I'll grit my teeth and deal with it because it means we're serious about a Cup run, but I definitely won't be happy about it. f*** that guy.

Afraid to ask but could you elaborate more on what those encounters with Kane were like? Like what did he do or say that made him come off like that?

As a side note, I seen a couple folks claiming Jack comes off a bit of jerk too and I really don’t want that to be true.

 

[Nubmer6]

This is obviously just pure guessing, especially since major part in low goals against comes from the players playing solid defense and not so much from the goalies. What do I mean by this? Even if the goalies had 0,5 more goals against per game (2,19 to 2,69 goals against per game), the team would still be top 5 in goals against, which would still be good performance.

Goals saved above expected says to me that Vanecek is playing bit above average goalie and Schmid way above average goalie (hot streak and most likely not sustainable).


View attachment 618179

I think the problem is that if you have unreliable goal tending the D tends to try to compensate, often times overcomitting and causing things to be even worse. The goalie then starts overanalyzing and starts to focus on being ready for back door passes, causing him to miss some easier saves and making himself even worse. It all builds on itself.

 

[Guadana]

Afraid to ask but could you elaborate more on what those encounters with Kane were like? Like what did he do or say that made him come off like that?

As a side note, I seen a couple folks claiming Jack comes off a bit of jerk too and I really don’t want that to be true.

He's got an asshole's face. It's fate.

 

[Poppy Whoa Sonnet]

The closest comparable for Blackwood if you want to guess his market is Ilya Samsonov last offseason who wasn't qualified and became a UFA. However I still think if he comes back and puts up good numbers in a backup role there may be a team that loses the goalie musical chairs game interested in giving him a one year deal as a 1A/1B and trading for his rights to get it. The return will likely not move the needle I'd guess in any way so it's not worth getting excited about though.

 

[glenwo2]

The closest comparable for Blackwood if you want to guess his market is Ilya Samsonov last offseason who wasn't qualified and became a UFA. However I still think if he comes back and puts up good numbers in a backup role there may be a team that loses the goalie musical chairs game interested in giving him a one year deal as a 1A/1B and trading for his rights to get it. The return will likely not move the needle I'd guess in any way so it's not worth getting excited about though.

My fear is that he comes back, looks good and the Devils decide to KEEP HIM instead of getting rid of him.

Sorry but Schmid has more than proven that Blackwood's days in NJ are just about over.

 

[Nubmer6]

My fear is that he comes back, looks good and the Devils decide to KEEP HIM instead of getting rid of him.

Sorry but Schmid has more than proven that Blackwood's days in NJ are just about over.

I'm sorry but it's still a small sample size with Schmid. I'd like to keep Blackwood on, but not for his qualifying offer, and with no guarantee he won't be demoted to Utica. If he's not interested, trade him for whatever, or don't qualify him.

After the last few years, I want the most goalie depth I can get. We seem to the the Spinal Tap of the NHL when it comes to the position.

 

[Call Me Al]

the money it would cost to keep blackwood would be better spent elsewhere it’s really as simple as that.

 

[glenwo2]

I'm sorry but it's still a small sample size with Schmid. I'd like to keep Blackwood on, but not for his qualifying offer, and with no guarantee he won't be demoted to Utica. If he's not interested, trade him for whatever, or don't qualify him.

After the last few years, I want the most goalie depth I can get. We seem to the the Spinal Tap of the NHL when it comes to the position.

I get what you're saying but....I don't want Blackwood anywhere near this team anymore.

I'm tired of his act (which isn't an act) of Sucking.

You know how Vitek saved the Devils asses on more than one occasion due to their poor 1st period starts?

Well the Devils players are going to have to save Blackwood from his poor 1st, 2nd, and 3rd period starts....

Somehow, I don't think that will end well.




Dear NJ Devils,

GET RID OF HIM.


Sincerely,

Bleedr....uhh...I mean an admirer.

 

[devilsblood]

Love Sieg's but this points to not taking some of these advanced stats at face value.

Similar to Zacha's GAR being better then McDavid's, which we talked about a couple weeks ago.

 

[OmNomNom]

Love Sieg's but this points to not taking some of these advanced stats at face value.

Similar to Zacha's GAR being better then McDavid's, which we talked about a couple weeks ago.

that, and to be fair, COL is decimated w injuries right now, so that probably doesn't help makar's case

 

[devilsblood]

the money it would cost to keep blackwood would be better spent elsewhere it’s really as simple as that.

There is no doubt to that.

Though, and I know I risk a Bleed rant response here, but I could see adding a vet to the mix who is more insurance then a true #2. Given how cheap Vitek and Schmid are we could spend a little extra on such an insurance policy. A goalie depth chart something like.

1)Vitek
2)Schmid
3)Blackwood
4)Daws

Now would Blackwood sign here, at a significant pay cut, when it's clear Schmid is the #2? Probably not.

 

[devilsblood]

that, and to be fair, COL is decimated w injuries right now, so that probably doesn't help makar's case

Yeah, exactly.

And also note Smith has better #'s then Marino and Graves. His xGF is way better. So team mates matter, as does usage.

Sieg's benefits playing with Hamilton(not to mention our fwd group) and he also benefits by the Marino Graves pair playing the more defensive assignments.

Smith benefits playing with a 2nd pair quality guy while playing 3rd pair difficulty level.

 

[The Devil In I]

Afraid to ask but could you elaborate more on what those encounters with Kane were like? Like what did he do or say that made him come off like that?

As a side note, I seen a couple folks claiming Jack comes off a bit of jerk too and I really don’t want that to be true.

Way back before the more serious allegations I lived in JC and ended up talking hockey with a bartender. Turns out she's from the Buffalo area and her family owned/owns a lakehouse on the same lake as Kanes family, and her brother was like best friends with Kane growing up or something. Granted this was like 10 years ago now so my memory and the details could be off. Around that time there was a story out about Kane showing up to an outdoor frat party in Wisconsin or something and being a complete douche to everyone. Pulling down girls sunglasses and saying like "nope not good enough", licking their faces, etc. So I asked her about that and she more or less said it wouldn't surprise her in the least, that's what he was always like.

 

[billingtons ghost]

I think the problem is that if you have unreliable goal tending the D tends to try to compensate, often times overcomitting and causing things to be even worse. The goalie then starts overanalyzing and starts to focus on being ready for back door passes, causing him to miss some easier saves and making himself even worse. It all builds on itself.

This.

Severson played a two on one the best he's ever played a two on one last night. He just bailed on the shooter and took the pass and left the goalie the shot. Why? VTEC.

 

[Devilsfan992]

Absolutely trade Blackwood if you could. At least get rid of him in the offseason. I'd rather that money go to re-signing guys like Miles Wood.

 

[billingtons ghost]

Got to watch the game this morning and there are just too many superlatives. I know it's the Blackhawks but...

I came into the season sure we would jettison Sevs and Graves. I'm beginning to think we should keep this D corps together if we can get Siegs style discounts. Marino is starting to look like Niedermayer. Motivated Dougie is a weapon.

Our huge UFA acquisition with questionable contract has missed almost the entire season AND NOBODY CARES.

Whipping boys Tatar, McLeod and Boqvist...I don't want to take them out of the lineup.

VTEC. SCHMID. WOW.

Jack Hughes can do anything he wants.

I'll say this tho, I'd add Athanasiou to put him with Wood.

My God, Wood has started becoming a playmaker. If that 'stick it into reverse behind the net' thing becomes the new Clarkaround, I may lose my mind.

These are heady days, lads, and it's a crime I didn't even get to mention Zetterlund.

Absolutely trade Blackwood if you could. At least get rid of him in the offseason. I'd rather that money go to re-signing guys like Miles Wood.

Yep I'm on board.

 

[Bleedred]

Absolutely trade Blackwood if you could. At least get rid of him in the offseason. I'd rather that money go to re-signing guys like Miles Wood.

Eh, still not interested in Wood either, UNLESS it's for something pretty friendly.

But yeah, point taken. Giving a $1 million dollar player (which is what he is at this point) $3 or $4 million (it's been disputed exactly what his qualifying offer is) is BAD cap management.