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

[Its Always Sundstrom]

To get someone NOW we'd need someone undrafted and established but it's difficult, because KHL is a very good league with great competition and the players are paid well. Why come over here on a lark when you've got a guaranteed spot? That said, there are some interesting players there that might be available.

I wish we took Askarov with #7 2020. Holtz is starting to come on though and I think he'll be a player, and I still think we need another winger in our top 9, but my god without a goalie we probably aren't winning a cup. Unless, as Bleedred always points out, guys get hot for no apparent reason and that definitely can happen with our two. But not likely.

I am buying a stadium series jersey I don't care what it looks like. My son is too but I'm going to cuff him on the back of the head of it becomes his THIRD Hamilton jersey.

Get you and agree just don’t see it happening with what’s available in NHL. I would go three pronged approach:
1. Keep looking high and low for one
2. Keep an eye out for the “Saros” type for the right price
3. Draft a “VV” - yeah this one is the hardest one but if they keeps striking out with options 1 and 2, Jack could be in his late twenties with no cup or final appearances which would suck.

All obvious options which I’m sure Fitz is already on these.

Ugh, ok, please no more replies from anyone. That’s the most hockey talk I’ve done in months here. It fits me like a cheap velour suit, which is not well.

Back to my spunky one liners.

 

[Guttersniped]

I was just thinking this, this is the angriest I've seen this place at the start of a year. Granted 0-2 was bad last year but that was more like wtf is going on at this point of our rebuild. But that's just expectations crushing us a little bit. 4-2-1 isn't the best start but considering the guys that have looked downright abysmal, I'll take it. Need to string a win streak here.

No, come on, last year everyone was absolutely furious after Game 2. Everyone wanted Lindy gone and many wanted Fitzgerald to follow him.

I actually don't see a lot of anger, maybe I have the right people ignored, but I don't have many on there. There's definitely concern but I am not seeing outright anger. That said, I don't follow the Game Thread.

Yeah, you have to be memory holing how worse last year was. People thought the team was going to suck yet again and the pent up frustration over not being good for a decade blew wide open.

All seasons are up and down. We aren’t falling behind or on a losing streak.

Going into the season we knew we had a shaky goaltending situation and we’re in a transition year with the defense. Focusing on how much you liked the forwards wasn’t going to change that.

And Ruff is looking for lines that work.

 

[glenwo2]

the good news is last night they put up 5 with barely any help from jack, if the rest of the offense clicks they are going to put up some gaudy scores

The bad news is that if they have to put up 5 to win games because our Goaltender gives up 4, we're not going to win a lot of games that way.

Two things :

1.) Defense has to play better in front of Vitek / Akira (I'm pointing this part out first because I know @devilsblood will scold me if I don't. )

2.) Vitek / Akira (especially Akira) need to tighten up and not allow leaky, shitty, disgusting, smelly softies in.

An acceptable outing by our Goaltenders should be 3 Goals-against. (No more.)

 

[Camille the Eel]

Can’t win a season early but can certainly lose it

Win a season early was pretty much what we did last year. Salted away so many points on that streak so all we needed to do was play 500 the rest of the way.

If you are going to really tilt the odds early of making the playoffs in your season you need a winning streak here or there.

But we don’t need early odds. I think we are playing at just a fine rate. We are not outclassed by any opposition and learning how to win big games is part of the job.

 

[Guttersniped]

I always like the blue statue of liberty jersey the Rangers had back in the early 2000s.

They brought those back twice with both Reverse Retros.

Original

Reverse Retro 1


Reverse Retro 2


Other teams have turned their Reverse Retro into a 3rd Jersey (Wild) but I guess they wanted to do something new.

I really wanted them to do a reverse Retro of the old Rangers shield jersey with the shoulder stripe.

The new one has dark blue because it’s their version of a “cool” black 3rd jersey.

 

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

Yeah, you have to be memory holing how worse last year was. People thought the team was going to suck yet again and the pent up frustration over not being good for a decade blew wide open.

All seasons are up and down. We aren’t falling behind or on a losing streak.

Going into the season we knew we had a shaky goaltending situation and we’re in a transition year with the defense. Focusing on how much you liked the forwards wasn’t going to change that.

And Ruff is looking for lines that work.

Maybe, but I think last year was way more warranted than this year so maybe why I distanced the two from first glance.

 

[Its Always Sundstrom]

Yeah, you have to be memory holing how worse last year was. People thought the team was going to suck yet again and the pent up frustration over not being good for a decade blew wide open.

All seasons are up and down. We aren’t falling behind or on a losing streak.

Going into the season we knew we had a shaky goaltending situation and we’re in a transition year with the defense. Focusing on how much you liked the forwards wasn’t going to change that.

And Ruff is looking for lines that work.

I like to think of it as if we took this 7-10game section and put it in Dec./Jan while there are in a playoff spot, how would we be reacting?

Mercer for example. If I recall correctly he had stretches in the last two seasons where he disappeared but this is more pronounced because is the start of the season.

@It’s Always Sundstrom Look at yourself in the mirror after these posts. What are you doing? Is this the type of poster you want to be? Go to the corner and think about it.

 

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

That’s reportedly a Rags 3rd jersey and not their Stadium jersey.

They usually officially announce these jerseys closer to the event.


For the Feb 17 2023 Canes vs Caps game

Dec 28 Logo released

Hurricanes, Capitals release Stadium Series logos ahead of official January jersey unveiling

In a little less than two months the Carolina Hurricanes will welcome the Washington Capitals outside to Carter-Finley Stadium for the NHL’s coveted Stadium Series — and in doing so, bo…

www.cbs17.com

Reveal


For February 26 2022 Tampa vs Nashville

Dec 2nd reveal

LOOK: Lightning and Predators reveal new Stadium Series jerseys for February matchup at Nissan Stadium

The Lightning had a clever very reveal for their special threads

www.cbssports.com

Kings vs Avs Feb 15 2020

Nov 12 leak

icethetics.com: Colorado’s 2020 Stadium Series jersey has leaked

Nov 12, 2019 – The Avalanche have a rather bold uniform design on the way for their next outdoor game, based on images that have started turning up online.

www.icethetics.com

Nov 20 leak

UPDATE: LA Kings 2020 Outdoor Jersey Leak

mayorsmanor.com

Jan 17 official reveal

icethetics.com: Avalanche, Kings officially unveil 2020 Stadium Series sweaters

Jan 18, 2020 – The new sweaters feature striking, futuristic designs as is standard for the annual outdoor event. The teams will meet on February 15 at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs.

www.icethetics.com

Hmm, ok. Still feels like a really bad third jersey design for them. Think it mirrors our black alternates even though they're starting to somewhat grow on me seeing them live.

 

[Guttersniped]

Hmm, ok. Still feels like a really bad third jersey design for them. Think it mirrors our black alternates even though they're starting to somewhat grow on me seeing them live.

I think it’s a bad 3rd jersey design too. Some very tiny weird stripes arm stripes is a super boring version of the shield logo jersey

Rangers fans likely wanted this (or should lol):

 

[Oneiro]

I forgot that when you have a good team, the irrational target on your back begins as early as possible without care for logic.

Main board is hilarious morning reading.

We’re back.

 

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

I think it’s a bad 3rd jersey design too. Some very tiny weird stripes arm stripes is a super boring version of the shield logo jersey

Rangers fans likely wanted this (or should lol):
View attachment 759233

That's a really cool design. For better or worse, the Rangers usually stick to similar stuff which is what makes their jersey so recognizable. I'm surprised they did the outlandish stripes stuff on their arms but it was probably an Adidas thing more so their own doing.

 

[SteveCangialosi123]

He did block a shot

 

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

He did block a shot

Probably hungover about to spend the day on the couch watching college football, don't blame him.

 

[Guadana]

@Guadana Talks about the kid in at SKA I believe? He’s names ends with either -ov, -sky, or -in, or -vich, or something Russian.

But agreed. I think the next few drafts should focus on righty, speedy, smart centers and goalers. Not opposed to grabbing a first round g-man if they’re drafting from 18thOA and on at this point once they have their first again.


View attachment 759227

Luke Hughes is quietly point a game over the last 4 games, and playing almost 20 minutes a night.

We have to talk to all the defensemen about getting caught pinching. The odd man rushes are obviously coming from that, or confusion about assignments. It's odd, but not completely unexpected. I'd hope it was clearing up now though.

Goaltending continues to disappoint. It's our Achilles heel. And I'm not sure any of our prospects are going to be a top 10 goalie. Something we could think about addressing.

Are there outside the box ideas like an overage goalie in the KHL lighting it up? Are there any? Like Samonov - age 28, great stats, 5'11.5

Alexander Samonov Hockey Stats and Profile at hockeydb.com

Statistics of Alexander Samonov, a hockey player born Aug 23 1995 who was active from 2012 to 2025.

www.hockeydb.com

I have a lot of names who could be backup. With goalies you never know - someone is playing better and better with better teams and better levels like Ullmark who was always been stable on different levels. Someone can’t crack nhl level. Goalies are voodoo and needs a lot of step by step work with different options. Overall Fitz doesn’t work there.

 

[Poppy Whoa Sonnet]

I forgot that when you have a good team, the irrational target on your back begins as early as possible without care for logic.

Main board is hilarious morning reading.

We’re back.

It does seem like other teams' fans are trying to will the Devils into making an unforced error and submarining their future. It's particularly amusing as the strategy involves berating Devils fans for their opinions and misinterpreting clear arguments, as if that has any bearing on what the FO does.

 

[Bcap88]

Nico ruled out tomorrow

 

[Cheddabombs]

Nico ruled out tomorrow

 

[Satans Hockey]

Lovely but I'd rather Nico sit out tomorrow either way since we don't play again till Thursday.

 

[Devs3cups]

Lovely but I'd rather Nico sit out tomorrow either way since we don't play again till Thursday.

100%. Basically a whole week off for him, he needs the rest. Rest up, heal up, he’ll be good to go for the road trip.

View attachment 759274

Facts, but honestly this isn’t bad, he gets basically a full week off while only missing one game. Perfect timing for it sort of.

 

[Satans Hockey]

100%. Basically a whole week off for him, he needs the rest. Rest up, heal up, he’ll be good to go for the road trip.


Facts, but honestly this isn’t bad, he gets basically a full week off while only missing one game. Perfect timing for it sort of.

I know hindsight is 20/20 but I would have been fine with him not coming back in last nights game at all just to be cautious. This wasn't a must win game, no reason to put yourself at risk.

Even though the docs cleared him I still wouldn't have risked it for a game in October simply because I feel like we've seen this situation before over the years where someone gets their bell rung, gets cleared, comes back and it happens again and now they are out longer.

 

[glenwo2]

Nico ruled out tomorrow

Pissed-off-Bratt Trick incoming!

 

[Devs3cups]

 

[Devils731]

Brendan Smith has to play forward with Nico out.

I know, I know, we all want Luke continuing to play and learn from Smith but the team need must come first.

 

[Call Me Al]

one game for nico is ok but we have no idea how serious it is or how long it could be if it’s a concussion.

life is pain

 

[Whaddagoal]

2 game suspension is best we could get as compensation given the rules and precedent....

But it ultimately sucks if Nico is damaged short or long term by this.