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

[NJDevs26]

Dude these guys gotta start learning how to win at some point. A mega collapse on top of all the other losing the past several years will do infinitely more harm psychologically than good anywhere else. Not to mention a collapse means a lot of these guys aren’t as good or as durable as we need them to be if we’re ever going to take the next step.

And they’re not going to finish bad enough to get elite talent at the draft regardless unless they luck into it - either with the most fortuitous drawing yet or someone dropping a ton. They’re certainly not going to be sellers at the deadline unless they literally lose like twenty five out of thirty, and there isn’t that much to sell anyway. Getting a couple of second day picks for Severson and one second day pick for Graves is hardly a franchise changing haul.

There’s nothing meaningless about one of the youngest teams in the league making the playoffs, this isn’t Taylor Hall and a career half season from Keith Kinkaid that’s driving the playoff push, it’s a lot of guys we’ll need for the next 7-8 years.

 

[Bleedred]

Playoffs almost have to be mandatory with the start we had.

I think Fitz is in trouble if we were to miss. He won’t be fired, but the seat would be somewhat warm and I think next year would playoffs or fired for him.

 

[NjDevsRR]

Get 3pts out of the next 6, and focus on a fortuitous Jan Feb schedule.

Edit: Bad timing on my screenshot. That’s obviously January even though it says December.

 

[NjdevilfanJim]

Playoffs almost have to be mandatory with the start we had.

I think Fitz is in trouble if we were to miss. He won’t be fired, but the seat would be somewhat warm and I think next year would playoffs or fired for him.

That would be a mistake Fitz has done a very good job....Young team that most of us at best thought would be a bubble playoff team....They need to learn to be consistent game in game out period by period that comes from growing pains....We are still in a good spot....The deal alone for Marino should make us thankful for Fitz.....

 

[Guttersniped]

Snowed in and bored and thought this would be fun. My prospect predictions/projections. Some people may not like some but these are my guesses.

Hughes:
Comes in and plays like Severson on steroids but worse defensively. Never shows the poise and decision making needed to be a number 1 defensmen. But, gradually improves his defensive game, cuts down the mistakes and turns into a solid 2-3 defensemen in the mold of a much better version of John Moore. Plays around 1000 NHL games give or take.

Nemec:
Struggles to have a significant impact at a younger age but holds his own. Role and offensive impact grows over time but doesn’t possess the high end skills to dominate and become one of the leagues best. Solid 2-3 defensemen for around 1000 games. (Still think he has elite #1 potential though)

Holtz:
Never able to find his game with the devils. Ends up elsewhere eventually (unless the devils system changes and he has a little success). Has on and off success for a period of time (2-4 seasons) but never takes off before fizzling out and ending up in the SHL. Extended version of Gusev-like NHL career in his later years. 200-400 games in the league.

Casey:
Hard to guess. Comes in hot similar to Will Butcher (maybe not as hot). Can’t maintain that long-term. Turns into a decent player who bounces between 2nd and 3rd pair guy who can run a powerplay. Maybe closer to a 2nd pair guy who doesn’t get the credit/respect he deserves. Plays 500-700 NHL games.

Mukhammadullin:
Comes over and spends a limited amount of time in Utica. Gets his shot with the Devils. Does decently in a third pair defensive role to start. Never becomes a good top 4 guy but might spend some time on the second pair. Capable but not that good of an NHL player. Hard to say how long he stays in North America and hard to predict how many games he plays. Anywhere from 100-500+ games in the NHL.

Gritsyuk:
Comes over to the NHL. Starts with the Devils. Never gets anything significant going. Role and icetime fizzles out over time. Ends up in Utica by the end of the season. Either gets another short stint with the devils or another team and then KHL or goes straight back to the KHL. 40-90 NHL games.

Stillman:
Plays a full season in Utica. Starts second season in Utica but gets a couple short NHL stints. Eventually ends up on the devils roster full time in season 3 or 4. Carves out a decent career as a 3rd/4th line guy who plays hard. Plays 400-500 games in the NHL give or take.

Vilen:
Surprise prospect. Spends some time in Utica before breaking into the Devils lineup and holding down a roster spot. Turns into a solid 2nd pair, really good third pair defensmen for a fairly long stretch. Plays 600-800 NHL games.

Filmon:
Spends time in Utica. Gets shot in NJ at some point. Might turn into a streaky middle 6 scorer for a little but lacks in other areas of the game. 50-400 NHL games depending on how good the team is and how well he produces. Could be a Sharangovich type for a while.


And some Utica guys

Okhotiuk:
Plays around 150-250 NHL games. Up and down between the Devils and Utica for a while when there’s injuries. Never locks down a spot. Gets a shot elsewhere when he’s claimed off waivers by a team looking for some grit and physicality. Plays a decent stretch there but eventually fizzles out. Somewhat small chance he has a longer career if he cleans up a few smaller aspects of his game. Even so it would likely be with another team.

Walsh:
Might get a few more call-ups and could stick for a bit with some good play. 1-80 NHL games.

Thompson:
Holds down a depth roster spot for at least a bit. 100-400 NHL games.

Clarke:
Gets called up at some point. Plays decently. Turns into a depth forward who’s a decent call-up. Could carve out a full-time role at some point. 50-300 NHL games.

Foote:
A few short call-ups. Never good enough to stick. 15-60 NHL games.

Much better version of John Moore is such a weird way to describe anything on earth.

Moore wasn’t good at a single f***ing thing other than his fluky shooting % in 2016-17, 11.8%, which gave him 12 goals and made some Devils fans like him way more than they should have.

 

[Bleedred]

That would be a mistake Fitz has done a very good job....Young team that most of us at best thought would be a bubble playoff team....They need to learn to be consistent game in game out period by period that comes from growing pains....We are still in a good spot....The deal alone for Marino should make us thankful for Fitz.....

Oh, I don’t think he should be fired, not even close. And this is all assuming we will miss the playoffs this year, which I don’t think we will. I think we’ll get in, even if it’s just a squeak in.

And even if we don’t make it I think he’s safe for next year, but I do think his job security is dependent on making the playoffs one of the next two years definitely.

 

[Guttersniped]

Is was more of a stylistic comparison than anything but Moore has been a decent defensmen in the league for quite some time. A “much better” player than him isn’t nearly as disappointing as you’re suggesting. Weird thing to focus on though with it being more of a stylistic comparison and me saying a solid #2 or 3. Which really isn’t unrealistic. Might be a bit disappointing given the skill and hype but not unrealistic whatsoever.

Lol not sure how having 2 people in the same sentence makes something unrealistic.

You can compare Luke to players who didn’t play for the Devils, I don’t know why people on this board so often limit their comparables that way.

Shea Theodore is an offensively creative, active defender who has some flaws and had a bit of a bumpy development, he’s even a lefty who played the right side quite a bit.

Theodore is a much better comparison to a defensively questionable at times Luke because Moore didn’t anything in terms of driving offense in transition or playmaking or being any good at all on the PP.

He could skate fast and had his career peak on our team because he scored some goals and we had crap defensive depth. Poor Severson spent three seasons with this loser chained to him like an anvil. Moore was not good.

 

[Devs3cups]

Mentioned it earlier, but we’re 22-10-2 at the Christmas break. Best start the team has had since 2009-2010.

Tangible progress and many bright spots with even more good prospects coming along shortly.

This is exciting. We have a good team here.

 

[Bleedred]

Much better version of John Moore is such a weird way to describe anything on earth.

Moore wasn’t good at a single f***ing thing other than his fluky shooting % in 2016-17, 11.8%, which gave him 12 goals and made some Devils fans like him way more than they should have.

Scored a bunch of OT winners, but somehow I doubt he actually scored as many as it felt like.

Maybe 3-4 his entire time as a Devil?

 

[MadDevil]

Scored a bunch of OT winners, but somehow I doubt he actually scored as many as it felt like.

Maybe 3-4 his entire time as a Devil?

All 6 of his career OT goals came with us.

 

[NjDevsRR]

Moore wasn’t good at a single f***ing thing

John Moore is an excellent skater and a fantastic locker room guy. Thats all.

 

[Guttersniped]

John Moore is an excellent skater and a fantastic locker room guy. Thats all.

John Moore also had very nice hair.

 

[NjDevsRR]

John Moore also had very nice hair.

 

[Skala24]

CONGRATS!

 

[Captain3rdLine]

Much better version of John Moore is such a weird way to describe anything on earth.

Moore wasn’t good at a single f***ing thing other than his fluky shooting % in 2016-17, 11.8%, which gave him 12 goals and made some Devils fans like him way more than they should have.

People are taking that completely out of context. A much better version of a defensmen in the mold of John Moore. It’s a simplified physical comparison more than anything. Big fast defensemen who can shoot. But I also don’t think Hughes is gonna be as dynamic in transition and offensively as he gets a bit into his career and as his game matures. It’s more about what I think he’ll become than what he is right now.
Never said Moore was good. Never said he was on Luke’s planet talentwise.

 

[MadDevil]

Cangi's OT winner calls were always good.

 

[Guadana]

You can compare Luke to players who didn’t play for the Devils, I don’t know why people on this board so often limit their comparables that way.

Watching experience

 

[glenwo2]

He is a bit of a Bratt though. Naughty boys don't get presents!

I don't think Bratt gets it (at first).

There was a camera cut so they probably informed him of why he gets coal and t he significance of it.

Funny as hell.

 

[glenwo2]

thought you guys needed to see this....

 

[Blender]

In addition to the goaltending and defensive issues, here's the biggest problem over the recent stretch:

 

[Mgd31]

In addition to the goaltending and defensive issues, here's the biggest problem over the recent stretch:

View attachment 626325

Yea they have hit a finishing rut

 

[glenwo2]

Yea they have hit a finishing rut

The rut could've ended had we had anyone other than Blackwood in net.

 

[Homedresser]

Honestly hoping we collapse again this year. Solves a lot of problems at once. Lindy is certain to be fired, Severson and Graves can be traded at the deadline. There's a ridiculous amount of elite talent in the draft, we can get another center, which is something we badly need.

This year was about always about taking steps forward. I started out wanting them to be competitive and play meaningful games at Christmas and competeting till the end. With the start to the season they have had a collapse would be devastating. No good can come out of a collapse and to wish for one at this point is crazy. Even with the start I never felt they were getting to 120 pts and winnng division and conference. Making the playoffs is a HUGE step and that should be the goal. Even after their start 8th spot in playoffs would be huge accomplishment.

The rut could've ended had we had anyone other than Blackwood in net.

over an 82 game season your goaltending issues will always rear their ugly head

 

[Jason MacIsaac]

So, I was extremely impressed with Okhotiuk last night against an elite team. The organization needs to stop dicking around with him, its obvious he is better than Bahl. Bahl is passive in every sense of the word, struggling in open space. Okhotiuk takes away time and space quickly, skates extremely well and hurts people with his hits. While he isn't an offensive defensmen he still has nice hands to create some space in the offensive zone.

 

[Oneiro]

Just annoyed we couldn’t meet the challenge. Plenty to be excited about the future, they’re learning and all that, etc. but I hate that a lot of these losses come down to breakdowns exiting the zone and self owns.