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

[Better Call Sal]

Unfortunately, our losing streak coincides with the teams beneath us going on winning streaks of their own. That said, we're still in a good spot relative to the playoff race itself.

Have faith that we will turn it around once the finishing comes back.

 

[None Shall Pass]

Anyway, Dougie's Christmas sweater:

 

[Better Call Sal]

Anyway, Dougie's Christmas sweater:

Lmao, his personality cracks me up. He's such a goober at heart.

 

[Zippy316]

Not that I disagree per se but a much bigger problem is that our top 6 is not scoring the past few games. Points from someone not named Hughes would do more than any waiver claim.

It’s twofold. You can’t play this teams style without reliably rolling four lines and also using depth forwards on the PK. When you can do that everyone is fresh and more effective.

When Hughes is double shifting or Hischier ends up on marathon PK shifts, it drains from their 5-on-5 play.

 

[ChicksDigTheTrap]

It’s twofold. You can’t play this teams style without reliably rolling four lines and also using depth forwards on the PK. When you can do that everyone is fresh and more effective.

When Hughes is double shifting or Hischier ends up on marathon PK shifts, it drains from their 5-on-5 play.

No doubt, but I would think any acquisition comes from a trade as opposed to a waiver claim. What are the chances the type of player the Devils want and can afford cap wise gets wiaved and makes it to us?

 

[Louskoolaid89]

Clearly need to get some size and jam. I’m all for a Bratt trade under the right circumstances. Get it prolly can’t happen for anyone til summer but can you get a winger who can score and get to the inside? Sick of watching a bunch of midgets out there.

This is why I was fine with JG going over to Columbus we have enough of smallish skilled guys. Nothing wrong with the ones we have. I love Hughes obviously but, we need some jam up front. Doesn't have to be even super high end.

 

[Better Call Sal]

 

[Cheddabombs]

Free Bahl

 

[Devils731]

Why won’t we let our Bahl fly free?

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

what the HELL is this

 

[jkrdevil]

CapFriendly still listing Blackwood as being on IR...though they also have Bastian listed on the roster. Guessing Bastian was placed on IR at some point and they're going 13-7-3 for now.

I don’t think they have activated him, just recalled from his conditioning stint.

what the HELL is this

Why won’t they try Bratt-Hughes-Mercer? They have moved Bratt to the other wing before so it isn’t a right/left shot thing.

 

[Devilsfan118]

Unfortunately, our losing streak coincides with the teams beneath us going on winning streaks of their own. That said, we're still in a good spot relative to the playoff race itself.

Have faith that we will turn it around once the finishing comes back.

How is four points out of a wild card spot, inclusive of our massive winning streak, a good spot to be in.

what the HELL is this

Reeks of desperation

 

[NjDevsRR]

Welp; those are definitely 4 lines you can roll with. Hope that’s our recipe to success.

 

[Better Call Sal]

How is four points out of a wild card spot, inclusive of our massive winning streak, a good spot to be in.

The first team out of the playoffs, Washington, is 8 points behind us while having played 2 extra games. The next team, Florida, is 10 points behind with 1 extra game played.

To be frank, I could not care less about where we finish. Making the playoffs is the goal.

 

[NjDevsRR]

Reeks of desperation

Huh? 4 balanced lines is now something that is out of desperation?


Good lord, some of you need to step off the ledge.

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

those lines stink

Mercer has been the best forward not named Hughes the past few games and he gets demoted? Why do they keep trying Haula with Hughes?

 

[Louskoolaid89]

Saturday was a clunker for Schmid...

 

[NjDevsRR]

those lines stink

Mercer has been the best forward not named Hughes the past few games and he gets demoted? Why do they keep trying Haula with Hughes?

Ehhhh. Thats not a demotion. It’s not really a 4th line. They obviously are trying to get all 4 lines rolling again. Also, didn’t we all want Holtz to play with talent? There it is. Also, like it or not, Haula has been one of the few players to keep up with Hughes. They tried Sharangovich there and it kept failing miserably. 56 86 63 is a play driving machine.

This is as balanced as a lineup as you can get and whoever is playing well will see ice time.

 

[Better Call Sal]

I try and maintain this continued perspective.

If you told me that just before Christmas, our record would be 21-8-2 with the second most Regulation/OT wins and second best goal differential in the league, I would probably give you an open mouth kiss.

Based on the way things looked statistically, our finishing as of late has been our downfall. I feel pretty confident that when that comes back around, we'll be back to our winning ways. Here is hoping that happens sooner than later.

 

[R8Devs]

I think the lines are fine. The top 6 is basically what it was during the 13 game win streak. I think it’s better for Mercer and Holtz to play together than putting Mercer on the McLeod line when facing a team like Carolina on the road. We’ll see about the ice time distribution tho, that’s my main concern

 

[Whaddagoal]

Ok so we're back to original tandem (uneasy about this!), and Sevs have served his penance (ok fine).

Are we getting Palat back anytime soon, we could really use a guy who is ready to provide a huge boost to this team.

(Assuming Nate Bastian news is also no where to be found.....)

....and the other bad news is I really screwed up a foot/ankle over the weekend and spent some time in ER and won't be going to any games for the next few weeks at minimum, need to see a orthopedic guy ASAP. Stuck on crutches...

 

[glenwo2]

Meanwhile the Rangers are now 3 points behind us. How heartwarming is that?

Wait a sec..

...You took.....a post of mine.....from DECEMBER 2ND....3 F'N WEEKS AGO.....

...and responding to that by whining about where we are in the standings NOW??

 

[BostonDevil]

what the HELL is this

Swap Rango and Haula

 

[Zippy316]

No doubt, but I would think any acquisition comes from a trade as opposed to a waiver claim. What are the chances the type of player the Devils want and can afford cap wise gets wiaved and makes it to us?

I think a waiver wire pickup is likely because we are missing the exact type of players to hit waivers. Even just passable jag forwards like Kuhlman/Hunt/Balcers could be useful right now. Johnsson and Holtz both don’t look like they can keep up and Boqvist is slipping there too.

If it doesn’t pan out you throw them back on waivers and if they pass through Utica could certainly use the forward depth if they end up passing through. I have a feeling Devils had a claim in on Kuhlman when he went through right after the Bastian injury.

 

[NJDevs26]

Blackwood/goalie discussion moved

Blackwood/Vanecek/We Really Need to Move On/Goalie Thread

Can we just discuss this here? Thanks guys

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