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

[My3Sons]

Palat will be like getting a trade deadline acquisition anyways given how long he has been/will be out. If we are looking to put this team over the top, 1 more top six winger would make sense to me.

x - Jack - Bratt
Palat - Nico - Tatar
Yegor - Mercer - Zetterlund
Wood - McLeod - Bastian
Boqvist

If x was a Kane or in an ideal world an extended Meier, that would be great. In which case if its Meier you can probably bring Palat or Tatar up with Jack and Bratt. Were a contender IMO with a long window - I wouldn't hate us going for it.

I'm not sure that you pair Bratt with Hughes over Hischier. It probably depends upon the third wheel in either case. Bratt-Hughes-Palat might work but both Bratt and Hughes are primary puck handlers and passers. Maybe they need more of a shooter? Problem is they could also use a defensive player and puck retriever as well. Bratt-Nico-Tatar is maybe a bit more balanced? Hischier just has to be reminded to shoot and position himself for that as opposed to just puck retrieval and defense. I agree that if NJ keeps up the great play they do need to consider a "going for it" move at the deadline. Meier makes more sense than Kane to me but who knows who might or might not be available and for what price. Hopefully the team plays well enough to where it would be worth it. An upgrade on Smith might make more sense though.

 

[Devilsfan118]

Fitz already said he was interested in pure rentals. Doubt Kane is even on his radar

Especially if freakin Mercer was part of the ask.

That article on NHL.com is borderline insulting.

 

[Hisch13r]

I'm not sure that you pair Bratt with Hughes over Hischier. It probably depends upon the third wheel in either case. Bratt-Hughes-Palat might work but both Bratt and Hughes are primary puck handlers and passers. Maybe they need more of a shooter? Problem is they could also use a defensive player and puck retriever as well. Bratt-Nico-Tatar is maybe a bit more balanced? Hischier just has to be reminded to shoot and position himself for that as opposed to just puck retrieval and defense. I agree that if NJ keeps up the great play they do need to consider a "going for it" move at the deadline. Meier makes more sense than Kane to me but who knows who might or might not be available and for what price. Hopefully the team plays well enough to where it would be worth it. An upgrade on Smith might make more sense though.

I would've agreed with you prior to this year because I thought Nico needed Bratt to really reach his potential offensively but I think it's fine. I think Nico can be PPG without Bratt now. Tatar-Nico-Zetterlund has been one of the best lines in the entire league and as long as that holds up it's what I'd stick to. Haula-Hughes-Bratt has also been one of the best lines in the league and I imagine you can just plug Palat in for Haula and it'll stay a top line.

When it comes to Bratt and Jack and both being too "pass first" I don't think is an issue. Jack's one of the most trigger happy guys in the league and as evidenced by this year and last year he's a tremendous goal scorer now. Jack is 7th in shots/60 at 5v5, 20th in ixG/60, and 17th in iCF/60. I wouldn't call Jack primarily a passer anymore. He's a dual threat guy. I also don't think Nico needs to be reminded to shoot anymore. He's 29th in shots/60, 7th in ixG/60, and 30th in iCF/60.

 

[devilsblood]

He plays on a top 5 PK unit regularly and has 2 SHG's in about 26 games, what else is that then? An average penalty killer?

Well is everyone on the PK elite? Are they all on the same level? Or is a guy like Haula who has much better numbers then Shara, perhaps better? I know Nico and Shara are on that top unit, and thus taking that initial faceoff vs top units, but all of Haula, McLeod and Bastian have better #'s.

Shara is definitely the most dangerous though.

 

[NJDevs26]

Which is also the basic rule of thumb in covering a 2 on 1. I know you know this. The goalie takes the shooter and the D-man prevents the pass.

Except Severson does it to the point of creating a 1-on-0 directly in front of the goalie. You need to at least keep the guy to the outside and not let him get inside the slot uncontested

 

[My3Sons]

I would've agreed with you prior to this year because I thought Nico needed Bratt to really reach his potential offensively but I think it's fine. I think Nico can be PPG without Bratt now. Tatar-Nico-Zetterlund has been one of the best lines in the entire league and as long as that holds up it's what I'd stick to. Haula-Hughes-Bratt has also been one of the best lines in the league and I imagine you can just plug Palat in for Haula and it'll stay a top line.

When it comes to Bratt and Jack and both being too "pass first" I don't think is an issue. Jack's one of the most trigger happy guys in the league and as evidenced by this year and last year he's a tremendous goal scorer now. Jack is 7th in shots/60 at 5v5, 20th in ixG/60, and 17th in iCF/60. I wouldn't call Jack primarily a passer anymore. He's a dual threat guy. I also don't think Nico needs to be reminded to shoot anymore. He's 29th in shots/60, 7th in ixG/60, and 30th in iCF/60.

The results have been excellent obviously. Hopefully Palat returns at 100% and pushes whatever line he is on a bit further along. If he can mesh with Jack and Bratt then Haula can go back to the bottom six and the team has a bit more lineup flexibility. Until Bastian comes back it wouldn’t surprise me to see Zetterlund in that role on the line with Wood and McLeod. That creates a hole at wing if Tatar and Hischier play together. Maybe Holtz will develop a bit more and be able to play consistently. That would be significant.

 

[Better Call Sal]

Baby Rango!

 

[Hisch13r]

The results have been excellent obviously. Hopefully Palat returns at 100% and pushes whatever line he is on a bit further along. If he can mesh with Jack and Bratt then Haula can go back to the bottom six and the team has a bit more lineup flexibility. Until Bastian comes back it wouldn’t surprise me to see Zetterlund in that role on the line with Wood and McLeod. That creates a hole at wing if Tatar and Hischier play together. Maybe Holtz will develop a bit more and be able to play consistently. That would be significant.

I'd keep Holtz away from Nico because of the usage Nico gets. Still want to see him get a run with Jack. I think you can slot either Yegor or Mercer in there and they can fill in for Zetterlund

 

[My3Sons]

Baby Rango!

Congrats to Mr and Mrs Rango!!! Again, my kids are still listed on eBay if anyone wants them.

 

[DerekDevils30]

Baby Rango!

Great. Another smurf added to our diminutive lineup.

 

[billingtons ghost]

Which is also the basic rule of thumb in covering a 2 on 1. I know you know this. The goalie takes the shooter and the D-man prevents the pass.

Yeah, I thought to myself...how great. He trusts VTEC enough to play the way he should play that.

 

[GameSeven]

It's crazy that the Devils are already on that list of juggernauts after being so bad last season. And even crazier that two teams are doing it in the same season.

One reason the Devils aren't getting as much recognition as they should for this impressive start is that Boston has somehow been even better.

What NJD and BOS are doing right now is nothing short of remarkable.

If things don't drastically change for these squads, in two weeks there will be fireworks for those games sandwiching Christmas.

Who could have predicted, at the start of the season, a playoff preview type series for NJD as of the Christmas break?

 

[Devils731]

What NJD and BOS are doing right now is nothing short of remarkable.

If things don't drastically change for these squads, in two weeks there will be fireworks for those games sandwiching Christmas.

Who could have predicted, at the start of the season, a playoff preview type series for NJD as of the Christmas break?

If both teams continue until then those games are to determine who gets to continue to be historically awesome rather than only seasonally awesome.

 

[Satans Hockey]

Lol Weekes...

 

[Billdo]

Palat will be like getting a trade deadline acquisition anyways given how long he has been/will be out. If we are looking to put this team over the top, 1 more top six winger would make sense to me.

x - Jack - Bratt
Palat - Nico - Tatar
Yegor - Mercer - Zetterlund
Wood - McLeod - Bastian
Boqvist

If x was a Kane or in an ideal world an extended Meier, that would be great. In which case if its Meier you can probably bring Palat or Tatar up with Jack and Bratt. Were a contender IMO with a long window - I wouldn't hate us going for it.

Where's Haula

 

[Zippy316]

Devils have a really tough stretch ahead of them. Quite excited to see how this team fares:

Islanders
@ Rangers
Dallas (B2B for both)
Flyers
Panthers
@ Carolina
@ Panthers again (B2B for Devils)
Boston (3 in 4 for Devils, B2B for Boston with travel from Boston)
Boston (B2B for Boston with travel from Ottawa, 4 day rest for Devils)
@ Penguins
Carolina again (Jan 1)

 

[Saugus]

Lol Weekes...

I was amused by the other commentator saying "Arethra?" as if Ms Franklin shared her first name with a part of the excretory system.

 

[Zippy316]

Palat will be like getting a trade deadline acquisition anyways given how long he has been/will be out. If we are looking to put this team over the top, 1 more top six winger would make sense to me.

x - Jack - Bratt
Palat - Nico - Tatar
Yegor - Mercer - Zetterlund
Wood - McLeod - Bastian
Boqvist

If x was a Kane or in an ideal world an extended Meier, that would be great. In which case if its Meier you can probably bring Palat or Tatar up with Jack and Bratt. Were a contender IMO with a long window - I wouldn't hate us going for it.

Unless it’s both a short and long term addition (like Meier), I would refrain from any expensive deadline deals. I’m still of the mindset this team has enough skill. I’d rather see how they fare in the playoffs and put them in every opportunity to succeed.

Fitzgerald definitely owes it to the Devils to grab something at the deadline. I think it would be smarter just to go with a depth forward and a depth defender.

A forward who can reliably come in on the third/fourth line and kill penalties (Cogliano of 3/4 years ago) and RHS defender who is a bottom pairing guy would be my additions (someone like Benning).

 

[NjDevsRR]

Just a casual end of year Dano meme for your entertainment.

 

[Cheddabombs]

Just a casual end of year Dano meme for your entertainment.


View attachment 618687

It is crazy how fast the past few years flew by lol

 

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

Well is everyone on the PK elite? Are they all on the same level? Or is a guy like Haula who has much better numbers then Shara, perhaps better? I know Nico and Shara are on that top unit, and thus taking that initial faceoff vs top units, but all of Haula, McLeod and Bastian have better #'s.

Shara is definitely the most dangerous though.

I mean I would say yes, you don't have a top 5 unit without each guy pulling their own weight.

 

[JimEIV]

Devils have a really tough stretch ahead of them. Quite excited to see how this team fares:

Islanders
@ Rangers
Dallas (B2B for both)
Flyers
Panthers
@ Carolina
@ Panthers again (B2B for Devils)
Boston (3 in 4 for Devils, B2B for Boston with travel from Boston)
Boston (B2B for Boston with travel from Ottawa, 4 day rest for Devils)
@ Penguins
Carolina again (Jan 1)

Win 6 we tie last year's win total, win 7 we surpass it.

I really hope we surpass last year's win total by year end. That would be incredibly awesome.

 

[PizzaAndPucks]

I still think we would have a good record to this point of the season and we haven't been hit too hard with injuries compared to other teams but the schedule we have had do far has been in our favor.

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

I still think we would have a good record to this point of the season and we haven't been hit too hard with injuries compared to other teams but the schedule we have had do far has been in our favor.

I mean, we've lost a top 6 forward, a bottom 6 forward, and a backup goalie (I hate Blackwood and we don't have to get into that, but yeah). Thats hit pretty hard I would say? Yes there are obviously teams worse off like COL, etc but still.

The schedule thing is nonsense. Winning in the NHL as many times as NJ has so far is HARD, no matter who you play. Also, its not like we are barely squeaking out wins or piling up SO wins. We are thoroughly dominating most opponents.

 

[Stephen Gionta]

The more the season progresses, the more the Devils really need to treat this as a year where they make a push for the Cup. Yes, they have a young core and yes they shouldn't entirely mortgage away the future for a win-now move. But this is also shaping up to be one of the best regular season teams they've ever had, and you can't just throw away the opportunity with the expectation that they'll be this good year after year.

It's possible that we'll look back at this group as one of the best teams they had with the Hughes/Hischier core and we shouldn't be satisfied with a first round washout. You just never know how many real opportunities you get at a run with a dominant team.

This x100000000000.

After this season, its possible, even likely, that we no longer have Graves and Severson on the backend.

Whether we want to admit it or not, that's going to be a huge blow.

Our team is deep and good. As you said, don't mortgage the entire future.... But we should be aiming at the Stanley Cup. THIS YEAR.