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

[Rhodes 81]

Give me a 2 goal night for Haula the second he's not with Hughes anymore just because.

 

[devilsblood]

Was at the Dallas game and can safely say I haven't felt that frustrated watching a game for awhile; they were so clearly getting the better of play and possession, but it took my brain until nearly the start of the second period to go "oh my God, we're getting stonewalled by Scott freaking Wedgewood."

No hate towards Wedge, glad to see him thriving, but man, I did not see that coming.

Still, Devils were the better team on the ice in both of the last two games; they're just not netting as many chances, which may be due to not being able to roll out four strong lines as consistently as they did before a few of the injuries, and I'm also wondering if they're letting the whole "giving up goals early/late in periods" thing get into their heads. Vitek is also looking more human of late, which we had to know was likely to happen at some point (Schmid still looking very strong, albeit in limited games).

That said, it's far better than looking like garbage in those games; keep being the better team, tweak what needs tweaking, and the results will follow. I just demand they follow tonight, since I paid good money for a lower bowl ticket with some friends and don't want my buzz harshed.

I didn't think Wedge stonewalled us, he didn't let in any softee's, but I thought Schmid actually made the more impressive saves

I also thought the Devils looked rather uninspired. Clearly we have talent, so we make plays, I thought we played pretty well structurally, wasn't a bunch of breakdowns leading to great chances against, but we just didn't play with much umph.

Again I wonder how much rope Lindy is giving Holtz here....

If history is an indicator, I'd say not much.

 

[NjDevsRR]

Toronto has been the best team in hockey for the last month. What was the only team who thoroughly outplayed them twice in that span?

The New Jersey Devils.

 

[devilsblood]

Give me a 2 goal night for Haula the second he's not with Hughes anymore just because.

I've argued before that playing with Hughes has not proven to be the point producing benefit one might expect, that's been amplified for Haula, likely because he is asked to be a babysitter of sorts on that line.

 

[Better Call Sal]

Any chance we go 11-7 tonight? It wouldn't shock me, and they keep Holtz scratched.

 

[njdevil26]

not sure what more Bahl would need to do to keep playing...I thought he has been quite good

and lol at putting Holtz with those 2 bums. That will SURELY get him going!

This might be galaxy brain coaching thinking "omg it's the Flyers we need toughness"

 

[guitarguyvic]

I like the top 3 lines.

That 4th line will do nothing, but not sure what other options there are with the injuries.

Do we really not have anyone in Utica that can fill a 4th line role responsibly instead of burying Holtz there?

 

[Azathoth]

Not that Smith is terrible (outside of taking ill-timed penalties) but Bahl is such a better option at this point.

 

[njdevil26]

Toronto has been the best team in hockey for the last month. What was the only team who thoroughly outplayed them twice in that span?

The New Jersey Devils.

Scary thing about the Leafs is them beating the Ducks 7-0 with a goal from Tavares and no goals from Marner/Matthews/Nylander.

The Devils need to have a game where they destroy a team they are better than.

 

[My3Sons]

Not that Smith is terrible (outside of taking ill-timed penalties) but Bahl is such a better option at this point.

well, as you are well aware....

Ph'nglui mglw'nafh Cthulhu R'lyeh wgah'nagl fhtagn.​

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

I just want Holtz to get a shot playing with one of the top 2 centers. I am not saying it has to be forever, or even a full game...but at least TRY it. If not, lets send him down and let him get his confidence back.

He is never going to succeed playing on the 4th line or with those players he is with tonight. He is not ever going to be an elite play driver.

 

[Azathoth]

well, as you are well aware....

Ph'nglui mglw'nafh Cthulhu R'lyeh wgah'nagl fhtagn.​

My daily mantra

 

[SteveCangialosi123]

Any chance we go 11-7 tonight? It wouldn't shock me, and they keep Holtz scratched.

I would rather do that considering this game is likely a slog anyway. Have Smith goon it up as a 4th line forward.

 

[Rhodes 81]

I've argued before that playing with Hughes has not proven to be the point producing benefit one might expect, that's been amplified for Haula, likely because he is asked to be a babysitter of sorts on that line.

That's why I think you just play Bratt and Hughes together and assume they will generate more than they give up. Adding Sharangovich makes sense because he can actually shoot and still handle the defensive/faceoff role on the line, even though he's worse at that than Haula.

 

[Devs3cups]

Again I wonder how much rope Lindy is giving Holtz here....

Playing him with Boq and McLeod of all people won’t help him be productive unfortunately. I expect he’ll play 5-7 minutes tops.

 

[Stephen Gionta]

I personally think going 11-7 is the move for tonight. We roll 3 lines anyway.

Put Bahl in, keep Holtz out. Put Smith at wing.

 

[devilsblood]

I'm not sure that 4th line get's many minutes, but I like the makeup of it.

Boq and McLeod can skate, McLeod plays D, he can pass. If it's not going to be used as a defensive line, which I doubt it will be without Bastian and Wood on it, I think that's actually a nice spot for Holtz.

Would be nice too if Holtz can show he can be something more then a hanger on. Do some work, make some plays.

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

Its a terrible spot for Holtz. Those guys stink.

Not saying he has been some world beater himself because he has not, but you've got to know how to use his strengths better than to put him with guys like that consistently.

 

[Stephen Gionta]

Its a terrible spot for Holtz. Those guys stink.

Not saying he has been some world beater himself because he has not, but you've got to know how to use his strengths better than to put him with guys like that consistently.

Good players earn those minutes and take advantage of the opportunity when given the chance.

Mercer did it. Sharangovich did it. Bratt did it. Henrique did it back in the day. etc.

Unless I'm watching something different, Holtz has done nothing to earn a look with Hischier or Hughes. Aside from him being a top 10 draft pick.

 

[My3Sons]

Its a terrible spot for Holtz. Those guys stink.

Not saying he has been some world beater himself because he has not, but you've got to know how to use his strengths better than to put him with guys like that consistently.

Boquist has skill. He's not a plug. If he was a bit bigger and could play a bit more physically he'd be a pretty good player.

 

[devilsblood]

Its a terrible spot for Holtz. Those guys stink.

Not saying he has been some world beater himself because he has not, but you've got to know how to use his strengths better than to put him with guys like that consistently.

Holtz has been our worst fwd this year. I don't think there is any question on that.

The idea that we should play him on the top lines is laughable. Fan board silliness.

He's played, and had success with Boq in Utica, they are country men, Boq and McLeod can skate with the puck, covering a Holtz weakness. McLeod is a good defensive center, covering a Holtz weakness. That line probably get's cream puff matchups. Really does make a lot of sense.

Now it's time for Holtz to show he can play in this league.

 

[devilsblood]

McLeod is 3rd on the team in 5v5 assists per 60. Trailing only Nico and Bratt. Better then Hughes.

Holtz on McLeod's wing makes sense on multiple levels.

 

[devilsblood]

Brunette has shown himself pretty creative in drawing up offensive zone faceoff sets. Especially with the McLeod line.

On the Wood goal vs Dallas, both wingers were to McLeod's right in the middle of the ice, with Shara in a shooters spot higher on the circle. Maybe we don't see that configuration, but I bet we see something for that line.

 

[Stephen Gionta]

Boquist has skill. He's not a plug. If he was a bit bigger and could play a bit more physically he'd be a pretty good player.

Don't disagree with this... but the reality is he's not bigger and he doesn't play physical. So he's not a good player unfortunately lol.

He is the definition of a plug. He's plugged into the lineup because we frankly just don't have anyone better to dress in his place at the moment. As soon as Bastian and Palat are healthy, or we make a trade/waiver claim for a forward, Boqvist comes right out of the lineup. He's a plug. He doesn't have a role.

Holtz has been our worst fwd this year. I don't think there is any question on that.

The idea that we should play him on the top lines is laughable. Fan board silliness.

He's played, and had success with Boq in Utica, they are country men, Boq and McLeod can skate with the puck, covering a Holtz weakness. McLeod is a good defensive center, covering a Holtz weakness. That line probably get's cream puff matchups. Really does make a lot of sense.

Now it's time for Holtz to show he can play in this league.

Yup.

 

[MachoDiablo]

I didn't think Wedge stonewalled us, he didn't let in any softee's, but I thought Schmid actually made the more impressive saves

I also thought the Devils looked rather uninspired. Clearly we have talent, so we make plays, I thought we played pretty well structurally, wasn't a bunch of breakdowns leading to great chances against, but we just didn't play with much umph.


If history is an indicator, I'd say not much.

Yeah, I should clarify, I didn't think Wedge was standing on his head or anything, but he was just where he needed to be just about every time. Felt like they generated enough decent chances that they should've had at least another goal, but c'est la vie.