Devils team discussion (news, notes and speculation) - 2023-24 season begins!

[Camille the Eel]

As I expected the Devils continue to come alive, first-time goals of the season for Holtz and, the Captain, Nico. Toffoli's hat trick first of the season for a Devil. Vitek had a good game in goal.

Tonight against the Capitals I am a little concerned, a back to back for the Devils and just maybe the Caps come alive. We shall see.

Lets Go Devils

The Capitals were badly embarrassed last night and their early season is on the verge of disaster if they lose a few more in short order. I expect them to be totally desperate tonight. If they don’t play that way they are in “fire the coach” territory.

 

[Emperoreddy]

 

[Hischier and Hughes]

at what point do the early starts mean Ruff cant get these guys ready?!

this has been going on too long now!!

 

[TF1970]

GM gonna watch this thing crumble once they start playing actual good teams. Christ look at how they’ve looked against mostly shit opposition so far.

 

[None Shall Pass]

Things I would like to see:

More offense from lines that aren't Jack's.

Defensemen not being morons defensively (Looking at you, Marino, Smith)

Goalies who can stop a puck

Actual coaching, honestly. There's nothing in sync out there besides the PP. Pond hockey.

 

[Billdo]

Palat and Haula need to get going. Haula was a doofus on the first goal, Palats been a nothing player so far.

Our defense REALLY misses Severson and Graves. Marino looks horrible, Bahl less horrible but not great. I knew the D would struggle so hopefully it can collectively be turned around.

Meier needs to step up.

We aren't getting even average goaltending. That's a problem.


Still not super worried but these slow starts and the above mentioned things are cause for some worry.

 

[My3Sons]

GM gonna watch this thing crumble once they start playing actual good teams. Christ look at how they’ve looked against mostly shit opposition so far.

When they decide to skate they can beat any team in the league

 

[Emperoreddy]

The D misses last year's version of Marino and second half Bahl more then it misses Graves and Severson.

They should figure it out

 

[guitarguyvic]

The D misses last year's version of Marino and second half Bahl more then it misses Graves and Severson.

They should figure it out

Seriously I don’t know what they are talking about. It’s the the guys who are still here from last year sucking.

The only case to be made so far for missing those two guys is the PK. Limited options and it looks completely passive and weak.

 

[Emperoreddy]

Hope Miller isn't too hurt. Would like to see him get in here and outplay Smith

 

[Hischier and Hughes]

Things I would like to see:

More offense from lines that aren't Jack's.

Defensemen not being morons defensively (Looking at you, Marino, Smith)

Goalies who can stop a puck

Actual coaching, honestly. There's nothing in sync out there besides the PP. Pond hockey.

i agree!

i dont see what Ruff brings that isnt the talent alone

maybe hes a peoples coach, and that was good when we were coming up!..

but if were gonna be great we need a game-managing coach!!

 

[Devs3cups]

Things I would like to see:

More offense from lines that aren't Jack's.

Defensemen not being morons defensively (Looking at you, Marino, Smith)

Goalies who can stop a puck

Actual coaching, honestly. There's nothing in sync out there besides the PP. Pond hockey.

Nico, Meier, Toffoli and the 4th line are starting to find their game, Bratt keeps doing his thing, so I'm not too worried about the offense.

The coaching thing and the D, I kind of get it, but Lindy keeps harping on the D structure in his post game pressers, I think the boys just have to execute. It's certainly something they're working on.

 

[NJDevils#4]

Is it time to start worrying about Mercer? 6 games 0 points

 

[Clam Jensen]

Is it time to start worrying about Mercer? 6 games 0 points

Worry? No. Expect more? Yes.

 

[AfroThunder396]

Graves and Severson have been total flops with their new teams. Both are on track to be healthy scratches before Thanksgiving. The issues with the defense are:

Major
1.) Marino playing with his head up his ass
2.) Poor usage and deployment by the coaching staff
3a.) Luke not getting enough time
3b.) Bahl getting too much time

Minor:
1.) Penalties
2.) Smith playing
3.) Siegenthaler occasionally forgetting what his job is

 

[MasterofGrond]

I think you gotta put Luke with Marino. Figure out what needs to happen personnel wise to make that happen, but two of our pairings are clearly Not Working, and the other one is sketchy

 

[DevilsHughes86]

Palat and Haula need to get going. Haula was a doofus on the first goal, Palats been a nothing player so far.

Our defense REALLY misses Severson and Graves. Marino looks horrible, Bahl less horrible but not great. I knew the D would struggle so hopefully it can collectively be turned around.

Meier needs to step up.

We aren't getting even average goaltending. That's a problem.


Still not super worried but these slow starts and the above mentioned things are cause for some worry.

Palat has no business being on that top line, put Mercer back with Nico

Severson maybe, I watched a bit of Graves and he is not doing well at all

 

[AfroThunder396]

Bratt has 8 PP points and 2 ES points.

 

[HBK27]

Is it time to start worrying about Mercer? 6 games 0 points

Not worried...slightly concerned, though Mercer struggling a bit (at least early) during a contract year might not be the worst thing for this team long-term.

 

[DevilsHughes86]

Bratt has 8 PP points and 2 ES points.
View attachment 758074

That line needs to get going, Nico only has 2 goals. I know Mercer is struggling but he would be much better playing with Nico and Jesper on that top line

 

[Better Call Sal]

Alright, I've committed to Dougie Heffernan. Thanks as always @NjDevsRR

 

[SteveCangialosi123]

Mercer has been the stinkiest player on the team, but it’s not that big of a deal. Last year he had a goose egg between games 11-15. 0 between games 29-35. 0 between games 69-72. It only seems like a big deal because it’s to start the year.

If we get goaltending that’s in the ballpark of average and we’re mostly healthy, we have enough to get in the playoffs, which is all that matters. No reason to get too high or too low this early in the year.

 

[Triumph]

Bratt has 8 PP points and 2 ES points.
View attachment 758074

Bratt has an on-ice shooting percentage of 3%. I didn't even look this up before posting it. Okay, it's actually 6%. I don't think goalies will keep saving 94% of the shots when Bratt is on the ice.

 

[Better Call Sal]

I do wonder if Dawson might be a guy who is missing a linemate like Tatar. I'm not worried about him long-term, but he might need to be with a winger who can help with a lot of the little things. Holtz is still trying to figure that out himself.

It's tough because Jack is clicking with everyone simply by how good he is. The 2nd line is alright, but I would prefer Palat to be down a line. Would Bratt-Nico-Mercer work? I think it could. I don't think Mercer has played with Bratt regularly at even-strength since the line with Johnsson of all people.

 

[Triumph]

Mercer has been the stinkiest player on the team, but it’s not that big of a deal. Last year he had a goose egg between games 11-15. 0 between games 29-35. 0 between games 69-72. It only seems like a big deal because it’s to start the year.

If we get goaltending that’s in the ballpark of average and we’re mostly healthy, we have enough to get in the playoffs, which is all that matters. No reason to get too high or too low this early in the year.

Not about points with how Mercer is playing right now, he's just been bad, flat out. No impact on games. Part of that is his line isn't helping him, I also imagine some of it is that he's now an LW which he hasn't really played.