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

[Blackjack]

Total AAV of these players: $16.7M
Total dollars committed: $100.4M

Uhh, holy shit

which I hate.

I get the idea of replay is to get "correct" calls, but we let the impossible dream of perfection interfere with the actual enjoyability of the game. Replay should exist to correct serious, obviously errors, imo. Not get reviewed for 3 minute back 2 inch offsides

Join us replay reformists as we shout against a brick wall and bang our heads into the wind.

 

[Devils731]

That seems like positive Nico news.

 

[MasterofGrond]

was the narrative lost offense? I don't remember that one, but I only post round here.

I thought the narrative was "oh god the defense is all rookies" which, to date, 50% fair

 

[JrFischer54]

also luke hughes now second in rookie scoring, 1 point behind the leader. with how good our power play is I expect him to be at or near the top all season (even if the current level of success is unsustainable).

15-1 fanduel has him for calder which is crazy everywhere else has him 6-1 fyi's

jack and his brother winning hart/calder after raising the cup. thats a good script

 

[AfroThunder396]

I don't really remember seeing anyone question the loss of offense, pretty much everyone agreed that those forwards were expendable players who were mostly in peripheral roles. Not necessarily bad players, but replaceable ones. The questions were mostly about the defense.

But regardless - Toffoli kind of had to be an upgrade over Sharangovich by default, the later was a healthy scratch for the final ~1/4 of the season. So just seeing the ice and getting a regular shift in the top-6 is an automatic improvement. Toffoli had as many points as Bratt did last year (73), but I figured that was a career year and he wouldn't reach it again.

I figured 30-35-65 was about what to expect from Toffoli in a bit of a lesser role. I don't expect him to keep this pace up all year. But still. 40 goals and 80 points seems like it's potentially in the cards.

 

[The Grinder]

I don't really remember seeing anyone question the loss of offense, pretty much everyone agreed that those forwards were expendable players who were mostly in peripheral roles. Not necessarily bad players, but replaceable ones. The questions were mostly about the defense.

But regardless - Toffoli kind of had to be an upgrade over Sharangovich by default, the later was a healthy scratch for the final ~1/4 of the season. So just seeing the ice and getting a regular shift in the top-6 is an automatic improvement. Toffoli had as many points as Bratt did last year (73), but I figured that was a career year and he wouldn't reach it again.

I figured 30-35-65 was about what to expect from Toffoli in a bit of a lesser role. I don't expect him to keep this pace up all year. But still. 40 goals and 80 points seems like it's potentially in the cards.

Guy is thanking his lucky stars he got to come to this iteration of the Devils for a contract year where the cap it guaranteed to go up big time the following season. His age might scare some suitors away but someone is going to give him a nice 5-7 year contract. It would be awesome if he wanted to extend with us for a couple of years and leave money on the table, but I’m sure his wife and his agent think otherwise.

 

[Forge]

Time is a flat circle

 

[TheUnseenHand]

Good lord Montreal, get over it. You're stuck with him.

 

[Cheddabombs]

That guy gets it. The Anderson dream is still alive. It may cost a pretty penny, can't see him going for anything less than a blue chip prospect and a first rounder, but it's what we need folks!

 

[Hockey Sports Fan]

I agree with whoever said Smith gets a raw deal and probably too much criticism. He’s the #7 defenseman, he’s SUPPOSED to be the worst player on the team. But right now his shortcomings are being magnified by a lack of 5v5 scoring outside of the top line, and a crummy penalty kill.

I actually think he’s close to exactly what you want in a depth D. He can play tough but isn’t a complete goon, and he isnt completely inept if he needs to skate with the puck (WHY he’s skating with the puck is another story, and a coaching issue more than a Smith issue IMO).

And the best part is he won’t complain if he sits in the press box for 40 games. You could do a LOT worse.

 

[Forge]

Good lord Montreal, get over it. You're stuck with him.

The crazy part to me is that people still act like we haven't already taken steps to rectify the things that Josh Anderson would bring.

They have added Timo, added Lazar. Palat has been a bit of a nightmare, but he's not going anywhere and is fully capable of playing a greasy game and throwing his weight around a big.

It's just weird that the narrative is still there.

 

[Guttersniped]

UPDATE :

 

[Devs3cups]

 

[Devs3cups]

Most likely a maintenance day, didn’t notice anything last night. Update coming after practice!



Blocked a shot last night but ended the game and was fine, maintenance day for Haula.

 

[Guttersniped]

Ruff isn't going to come out and say "oh yeah, Smitty is dogsh--". He says it in coach code. His answer made it quite clear he blew that play, but that others were involved in defensive breakdowns (Totally true) and that we tend to focus on the goals against not the opportunities that "would not go".

We just don't have a better option than Smith right now. We have our #7-9 options all injured. Foote probably is not ahead of Miller, Nemec, or Hatakka at this point on our pencil depth chart.

I'd love to see Nemec or Hatakka get a shot.

--- in other news ---

Was it Alex Holtz who had a lovely pass on the disallowed Bratt goal. That was really nice. The finish was awesome too.

Hatakka needs to come back and plays a stretch of games in the AHL without getting hurt first before he’s a possible call up.

Not sure he’s capable of that. Poor guy.

 

[FooteBahl]

UPDATE :

 

[Poppy Whoa Sonnet]

I agree with whoever said Smith gets a raw deal and probably too much criticism. He’s the #7 defenseman, he’s SUPPOSED to be the worst player on the team. But right now his shortcomings are being magnified by a lack of 5v5 scoring outside of the top line, and a crummy penalty kill.

I actually think he’s close to exactly what you want in a depth D. He can play tough but isn’t a complete goon, and he isnt completely inept if he needs to skate with the puck (WHY he’s skating with the puck is another story, and a coaching issue more than a Smith issue IMO).

And the best part is he won’t complain if he sits in the press box for 40 games. You could do a LOT worse.

He can play forward too, he can do every job but Center, and they have Tierney as the 8th D (lol) to do that job. He's depth, and he's been meh, but Ruff isn't going to bury him for doing his job pretty much as expected.

 

[Devils731]

That guy gets it. The Anderson dream is still alive. It may cost a pretty penny, can't see him going for anything less than a blue chip prospect and a first rounder, but it's what we need folks!

Casey plus how much for Anderson? Is there a way the Devils can somehow retain salary for Montreal as well? I know the Devils will have to pile up the value.

 

[Devs3cups]

 

[Devils731]

Well earned.

 

[Cheddabombs]

Holy macaroni, Mr Toffoli!

 

[Clam Jensen]

Time is a flat circle

This is me reading that:

 

[Devs3cups]

Well earned.

Little NHL writeup!

 

[Brick City]

That guy gets it. The Anderson dream is still alive. It may cost a pretty penny, can't see him going for anything less than a blue chip prospect and a first rounder, but it's what we need folks!

I know I've been lurking around here long enough when I see this post and figure oh the avatar Bleedred usually leads off with is missing.

 

[Brooklyndevil]

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.

He has to start learning how to avoid those hits, like Jack does. There’s no shame in giving up the puck instead of taking these head shots. Especially, since this has happened before with Nico. He’s one of our leaders, but gets abused sometimes. I wish we had a Tom Wilson to play with Nico.