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

[devilsblood]

McLeod now leading the team in 5v5 assists/60. 4th in total assists.

Looks to be more comfortable skating with the puck and is finding open area's from where he can make plays.

Been getting more shots off too.

Assuming he doesn't go to jail, I'd look to sign him long term asap so as to hopefully get him on the cheap.

In addition to strong defensive play, he's now making strides offensively, I could see that offensive growth continue into his late 20's.

 

[Better Call Sal]

McLeod now leading the team in 5v5 assists/60. 4th overall.

Looks to be more comfortable skating with the puck and is finding open area's from where he can make plays.

Been getting more shots off too.

Assuming he doesn't go to jail, I'd look to sign him long term asap so as to hopefully get him on the cheap.

In addition to strong defensive play, he's now making strides offensively, I could see that offensive growth continue into his late 20's.

His play has been noticeably better over the past few games. Certainly making better decisions with the puck compared to last year, as well.

 

[njdevil26]

If Marino isn't ready to go, I hope they call up

NIKITA OKHOTIUK​

(copied and pasted otherwise I call him Oshkoshbgosh)

Not even just for him knocking that dude out... but he's a tough guy and plays well and we need that.

 

[devilsblood]

His play has been noticeably better over the past few games. Certainly making better decisions with the puck compared to last year, as well.

His individual #'s are way up across the board.

A big part of this I think is he is being given an easier role. Last year his offensive zone starts was 21%. That's tough. Not only is that a difficult situation to create offense, it puts a player in a mindset which is just not conducive to creating offense.

This year his offensive zone starts is 39%, still difficult, but significantly easier. His PK minutes per game have been cut in half as well, which implies much less toi vs top pp's. Again, playing less stressful minutes allows a player to take a more creative offensive mindset.

If Marino isn't ready to go, I hope they call up

NIKITA OKHOTIUK​

(copied and pasted otherwise I call him Oshkoshbgosh)

Not even just for him knocking that dude out... but he's a tough guy and plays well and we need that.

Righty lefty considerations.

OK in for Graves though makes sense.

 

[Whaddagoal]

His individual #'s are way up across the board.

A big part of this I think is he is being given an easier role. Last year his offensive zone starts was 21%. That's tough. Not only is that a difficult situation to create offense, it puts a player in a mindset which is just not conducive to creating offense.

This year his offensive zone starts is 39%, still difficult, but significantly easier. His PK minutes per game have been cut in half as well, which implies much less vs top pp's. Playing less stressful minutes allows a player to take a more creative offensive mindset.


Righty lefty considerations.

OK in for Graves though makes sense.

His skating and speed with the puck is better this season. I saw/noticed bits of it last season. Its funny to say it, but he looks like he can be a puck mover if nothing else.

This season he has made visibally (i dont have numbers to back it up) many good zone entries or speed plays to take the puck deep in the ozone. Now, he is still unable to finish his own shots, but he is clearly much better this season at generating zone play in ozone (either with entry or within)

 

[devilsblood]

His skating and speed with the puck is better this season. I saw/noticed bits of it last season. Its funny to say it, but he looks like he can be a puck mover if nothing else.

This season he has made visibally (i dont have numbers to back it up) many good zone entries or speed plays to take the puck deep in the ozone. Now, he is still unable to finish his own shots, but he is clearly much better this season at generating zone play in ozone (either with entry or within)

I don't think I've seen much by way of increased speed, he's always been pretty fast, but he does look alot smoother, less frantic.

As per his shot, I think that shot off the post a couple days ago is maybe a signal that he is working on that as well.

 

[Nocashstyle]

If Marino isn't ready to go, I hope they call up

NIKITA OKHOTIUK​

(copied and pasted otherwise I call him Oshkoshbgosh)

Not even just for him knocking that dude out... but he's a tough guy and plays well and we need that.

He’s certainly endeared himself to Devils fans every time we get a chance to see him whether it was his cup of coffee last year, pre-season, prospect tourney…

I’d love to see him get called up.

 

[Whaddagoal]

I don't think I've seen much by way of increased speed, he's always been pretty fast, but he does look alot smoother, less frantic.

As per his shot, I think that shot off the post a couple days ago is maybe a signal that he is working on that as well.

Yeah i dont think he is much faster... More that he just seems more poised with puck at speed.

If he can get his shot going... Hed move up to be a 3rd liner regular.

 

[Satans Hockey]

Another schedule change for the time and channel...

"The game on Tuesday, Jan. 24 vs. Vegas has been moved from 7:00 PM to 7:30 PM and will air exclusively on ESPN+ and Hulu. "

 

[HBK27]

So in summary: ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

 

[TrufleShufle]

So in summary: ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

He was pretty clear, it could be day to day, or week to week, maybe month to month, also possibly season ending. What more do you want?

 

[Rhodes 81]

Losing any of our d sucks, but I think Graves is the most replaceable long term, short of Smith/Bahl as they're basically 1 for 1 replacements of each other in terms of role.

 

[Clam Jensen]

Losing any of our d sucks, but I think Graves is the most replaceable long term, short of Smith/Bahl as they're basically 1 for 1 replacements of each other in terms of role.

I don’t know man, the minutes Graves munches are really rough. He’d be a big loss long term.

 

[Rhodes 81]

I don’t know man, the minutes Graves munches are really rough. He’d be a big loss long term.

I don't disagree, but I think you can swap the pairings around to get one that can play those tough minutes (Siegs-Marino maybe) and get similar results. I don;t think you can say the same if you lose Marino, Hamilton, Seigs, or Severson even.

But as I said, losing any of them long-term sucks.

 

[Saugus]

Losing anybody from your top 4 is very tough, let alone 2 guys. If Marino is also going to be out for any length of time, that's essentially our middle pairing wiped out right there. Bahl and the next guy up from Utica aren't going to be able to replace that.

 

[devilsblood]

Losing anybody from your top 4 is very tough, let alone 2 guys. If Marino is also going to be out for any length of time, that's essentially our middle pairing wiped out right there. Bahl and the next guy up from Utica aren't going to be able to replace that.

Silver lining is those young guys getting consistent playing time in the NHL.

I don't expect them to be as good, but hopefully they can hold their own.

 

[Mgd31]

Losing anybody from your top 4 is very tough, let alone 2 guys. If Marino is also going to be out for any length of time, that's essentially our middle pairing wiped out right there. Bahl and the next guy up from Utica aren't going to be able to replace that.

Bahl may be able to replace Graves 5 on 5 minutes, but losing him and Marino will have a big impact on our PK too.

 

[guitarguyvic]

Bets like these can easily turn into wanting the money more than the success, if it gets close. Maybe not this one, although 500€ is a lot of money (or whatever this bet makes) and depending on your financial situation and Devils odds of getting past first round, could cause him to root for the Devils to miss the playoffs.

I personally hate betting against my team. I never want a win win situation, cause it sends me mixed emotions and not full investment on either side. I'm all in, I want the win to be even sweeter and the loss to be even more devastating, so the games mean as much as possible. But I'm weird like that, I'm the type of guy who likes to wallow in misery, someone who intentionally seeks to read other fanbases laugh at the Devils when they go on a 6 game losing streak

Not sure I'd consider it a win-win when one outcome is your favorite team collapsing and the other is you lose $100.

Whatever floats peoples boats though.

I mean…I’m not talking about betting sums large enough to tempt you to root against your team, or that will leave you feeling shitty if the team wins and bet loses. A few bucks to make you feel like you at least got something in return for your misery is all in good fun. Anything more than that and yeah, that might ruin your emotional investment in the team not to mention could become a more serious personal problem.

 

[Saugus]

Silver lining is those young guys getting consistent playing time in the NHL.

I don't expect them to be as good, but hopefully they can hold their own.

That might be ok if we had no expectations for the season, but we're looking to stay in a playoff position now. If getting those young guys in proves to be too much of a step down in defensive quality, Fitz might need to consider looking for a trade.

This is, of course, assuming that both Graves and Marino have significant injuries. If it's just Graves out, then that's easier to replace from within. I don't think Luke Hughes or Nemec should be playing with the big club this season unless absolutely necessary though.

 

[devilsblood]

That might be ok if we had no expectations for the season, but we're looking to stay in a playoff position now. If getting those young guys in proves to be too much of a step down in defensive quality, Fitz might need to consider looking for a trade.

This is, of course, assuming that both Graves and Marino have significant injuries. If it's just Graves out, then that's easier to replace from within. I don't think Luke Hughes or Nemec should be playing with the big club this season unless absolutely necessary though.

Ya, IF Graves and Marino are out long term, AND the replacements prove incapable, then Fitz will probably look for a move.

But that's a double negative hypothetical. Let's see how it plays out.

I definitely don't rule out Luke Hughes playing in the NHL this year, but if he does play it won't be till the end of the year. So he's not a solution to this issue.

Nemec? Could play him in a protected 3rd pairing role with Smith. Sounds unlikely, but maybe for a couple games?

 

[HBK27]

Is Mukhamadullin eligible for the playoffs?

I know Luke would be as we saw that with Makar in the 2019 playoffs. Just not sure how it works with KHL players.

 

[devilsblood]

Is Mukhamadullin eligible for the playoffs?

I know Luke would be as we saw that with Makar in the 2019 playoffs. Just not sure how it works with KHL players.

I assume he would be as soon as the KHL season is over.

 

[Triumph]

Is Mukhamadullin eligible for the playoffs?

I know Luke would be as we saw that with Makar in the 2019 playoffs. Just not sure how it works with KHL players.

Yes, but I cannot imagine a scenario where this happens. Only something like the 06 Sabres where they lost several defensemen at the same time.

 

[devilsblood]

Yes, but I cannot imagine a scenario where this happens. Only something like the 06 Sabres where they lost several defensemen at the same time.

I think something as simple as Graves being out, and Shak being better then everyone else.

The latter half seems more likely before Luke's season end.

 

[HBK27]

Yes, but I cannot imagine a scenario where this happens. Only something like the 06 Sabres where they lost several defensemen at the same time.

Yeah, I agree it would be unlikely - was just curious if he could be counted on as part of the depth going into the playoffs if injuries strike. Muk has 4 seasons experience playing in the 2nd best league in the world. I wouldn't automatically rule him out.