Just because we are discussing defense, doesn’t give the goalies a free pass. The back end, needs to be better as a whole.
Furthermore, we all agree Luke and Nemec are dope. It’s also silly comparing them to Sevs and Graves. Management forcing Bahl into hard minuets this season is/was a problem. Luke and Bahl haven’t had full NHL seasons under their belts.
Add in:
Marino 22-23 >>Marino 23-24
Siegs 22-23 >>>Siegs 23-24
Dougie 22-23 (obviously)
With how much this team scores its absurd how little points the defense produces. The answer is simple, they can’t clear the zone, and they struggle making clean passes up ice. With out Sevs and Graves the Devils PK and transition game has suffered.
People need to get paid and the Devils couldn’t afford them, but did they need Timo/Taffoli or a 6M Palat? Graves sucked at the end of the year, well so did Timo.
BTY Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays.