Devils team discussion (news, notes and speculation) - 2023-24 season part III

[bossram]

More fuel for the sack Lindy train: His deference to Brendan Smith is beyond idiotic.

New Jersey Devils notes: On Smith's struggles and breaking up the Hughes line

Brendan Smith should be the one to sit when John Marino returns. Plus, why it might be time to pull the plug on this version of the Jack Hughes line.

infernalaccess.substack.com

 

[glenwo2]

Tomorrow is going to be bad. You either get an overworked Daws, the purest of pure rookies, or one of the worst goalies in the league that's banged up on top of it

 

[SteveCangialosi123]

I cannot imagine any scenario where they miss the playoffs and Ruff returns. I get not firing him in-season, even though several teams have historically switched coaches in-season with good results but they simply can't run him back and just say "the goaltending and injuries give him a reprieve."

I could see it if we actually finish strong with like 97-98 points but still somehow get edged out by the teams in front of us. We’ll probably miss with like 90-91 points but it’s possible that we just get killed by the out of own scoreboard while holding up our end.

 

[SteveCangialosi123]

You really are a knucklehead...first Fitz said "Bahl will be replacing Graves defensive minutes "...said it numerous times.

Luke did not in the least bit replace Graves deployment. Not 4v5 or 5 v5 or any other scenario...he replaced Seversons deployment moreorless.

We went into this season needing replace Severson and Graves....we did it with Luke,Bahl and Smith. It is not more complicated than that

And that replacement plan is piss poor.

In the real world, we replaced Graves and Severson with a combination of Luke, Miller, Bahl, and Nemec. A fine plan, that has worked well. Would’ve worked even better if we didn’t lose our entire 1st pairing for most of the season. Or if Marino didn’t weirdly struggle for a while.

Not sure why you’re weirdly suggesting that there is some massive gulf in value between Ryan Graves and Luke Hughes and Damon Severson and Simon Nemec. Miller alone is a relatively minor downgrade from Severson. Way less risk and mistakes in his game. And trigger warning — Nemec is just flat better than Severson already.

 

[NJDevs26]

As bad as the collective psyche here is after a loss, it's going to be a whole new level when Ruff is still the coach in August.

Why would you put that nightmare into the universe?

 

[Blackjack]

Tomorrow is going to be bad. You either get an overworked Daws, the purest of pure rookies, or one of the worst goalies in the league that's banged up on top of it

Hopefully we’re not playing the team with the 9th best shooting percentage in the league.

 

[NJDevs26]

Tomorrow is going to be bad. You either get an overworked Daws, the purest of pure rookies, or one of the worst goalies in the league that's banged up on top of it

That’s like being offered a choice in how you die - poisoning, stabbing or being pushed off the cliff

 

[NjdevilfanJim]

I agree we should trade him. Again, "giving away players" does not exist. "Two to tango" "give to get" all that applies here. If his name is brought up in trade discussions, I'm listening.

Yes it does if you over pay....Saros is probably not resigning and Calgary wants to trade Markstrom while his value is up....I feel it's better done in offseason that's all cooler minds usually prevail....Give get I get if it's fair trade both ways...Too early to drop a ton of assets imo until we address the main issue which is the coaching imo....Put it this way say we get Saros and we get into playoffs any chance of them moving on from Ruff is gone....

 

[JrFischer54]

I can def see ruff still being the coach going into next season. injuries lack of goalie being the reasons he wont be let go.


even if he is or isn't this team isn't going anywhere if jack doesnt stay healthy for a full year. so i dont know what he has to do in the summer but he has to change something up. missing 15 games then coming back maybe too soon? and being clearly hampered isn't helping things.

 

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

That’s like being offered a choice in how you die - poisoning, stabbing or being pushed off the cliff

Considering I saw the Rags fans boo the Devils off of home ice + win the President's trophy, saw them lose at Yankee Stadium, saw a few random losses at the Rock v NYR. It's probably a bad sign that I'm going tomorrow but if they lose, I'll hold solace in that Lindy is getting fired. I also saw them win that game that basically landed them Hughes eventually that they won cause of Connor Carrick GWG lol

 

[Whaddagoal]

Considering I saw the Rags fans boo the Devils off of home ice + win the President's trophy, saw them lose at Yankee Stadium, saw a few random losses at the Rock v NYR. It's probably a bad sign that I'm going tomorrow but if they lose, I'll hold solace in that Lindy is getting fired. I also saw them win that game that basically landed them Hughes eventually that they won cause of Connor Carrick GWG lol

Still debating on going tomorrow.... Mood went from 2 to 8 - stress Danos

 

[theoptimist]

Yes it does if you over pay....Saros is probably not resigning and Calgary wants to trade Markstrom while his value is up....I feel it's better done in offseason that's all cooler minds usually prevail....Give get I get if it's fair trade both ways...Too early to drop a ton of assets imo until we address the main issue which is the coaching imo....Put it this way say we get Saros and we get into playoffs any chance of them moving on from Ruff is gone....

Sources?

Same here, although there could be greater opportunity now to get the goalie you want while the market is relatively cool. You can wait until the summer but that likely increases interest from other teams, because they too want to improve their rosters. Yea, me too, I prefer a coaching change before any moves. Hard to sign UFAs if the head coach position is vacant (which it should be!).

 

[theoptimist]

Someone tell Chandler Stephenson NJ is handing out blank checks in July

 

[BurntToast]

Things need to change, my major concern: They won’t.

The Devils are getting to a point where they should reset and get ready for next year. (Trade Toffoli, fire Ruff)

Fitz was a train wreck this offseason. Spend to the cap, let proven players leave and hope 2/3 rookies with no competition, and little experience, would make it through the year. Its crazy. Luke passed his normal games played in December.

Lets ask @Bad Goalie how the Devils did at signing impact AHL players this year. There was no regard to depth at all. They traded/let go of all the youth and speed from the 3/4 line for plugs and Toffoli (who is redundant).

There is a strong chance, Ruffs will get a pass for injuries and the roster will have little turn over due to cap and contracts. I accepted this year for what it is but I have major concerns for next season and what a delay of action could do to this franchise.

 

[JimEIV]

In the real world, we replaced Graves and Severson with a combination of Luke, Miller, Bahl, and Nemec. A fine plan, that has worked well. Would’ve worked even better if we didn’t lose our entire 1st pairing for most of the season. Or if Marino didn’t weirdly struggle for a while.

Not sure why you’re weirdly suggesting that there is some massive gulf in value between Ryan Graves and Luke Hughes and Damon Severson and Simon Nemec. Miller alone is a relatively minor downgrade from Severson. Way less risk and mistakes in his game. And trigger warning — Nemec is just flat better than Severson already.

How do you put Miller's name in there when he doesn't kill penalties both Graves and Severson did and he's the 8th Dman used this season in ATOI. Miller is the definition of 7th Dman.

Miller is a significant downgrade from Severson to say otherwise is ridiculous.

That's why a team was willing to pay Severson a huge contract and Miller was picked up for nothing. Severson averaged 20+ minutes nearly his entire career, Millers has never been a 20 minute Dman in his career .. But it doesn't even matter because Smith is getting more of Severson's minutes than Miller has.

And the fact that Miller, Luke and Nemec don't really kill penalties is why Smith is being leaned on the way he has and why Bahl went from :52 to 1:56 average PK.. Hatakka with little NHL experience averaged nearly double the time on the PK in his 7 game stint than Miller has.

 

[AfroThunder396]

Fitz already played the "it's not your fault it's the goalies, I'll give you another chance" card back in 2022. Lindy went into last year on a short leash, but Vitek was good for the first half of that season. At some point you have to stop making excuses and just do it.

 

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

Fitz already played the "it's not your fault it's the goalies, I'll give you another chance" card back in 2022. Lindy went into last year on a short leash, but Vitek was good for the first half of that season. At some point you have to stop making excuses and just do it.

I mean, I really don't care if Fitz doesn't fire him per se. If he doesn't, then I'll know what I need to about him. Same shit as Shero where he could team build a decent amount but can't get the final/important piece done. You know how many executives would kill to walk into NJ and take over and arguably only one or two decisions to make a built Cup roster? I'd imagine anyone on who's not a top 5-10 team already would be clamoring for the NJ GM job. So if he doesn't fire Ruff then his stay isn't long either

 

[bossram]

Considering I saw the Rags fans boo the Devils off of home ice + win the President's trophy, saw them lose at Yankee Stadium, saw a few random losses at the Rock v NYR. It's probably a bad sign that I'm going tomorrow but if they lose, I'll hold solace in that Lindy is getting fired. I also saw them win that game that basically landed them Hughes eventually that they won cause of Connor Carrick GWG lol

If they lose to the Rags but decide to fire Lindy, I'll consider that a good day.

 

[Bleedred]

That’s like being offered a choice in how you die - poisoning, stabbing or being pushed off the cliff

Couldn’t read that without immediately thinking of this, about 17 seconds in.

 

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

If they lose to the Rags but decide to fire Lindy, I'll consider that a good day.

Indeed, I've seen a ton of shit games live. I'll take a few more if an awful HC gets canned at year's end, idc. Anyone who's lived through the 14-22 Devils would agree, which I assume it's all of you, if not most.

 

[Call Me Al]

seriously if you’re expecting ruff to be fired during the season you’re going to be disappointed because that ship has sailed

 

[Devils Army]

Firing Lindy (aside from the obvious mismanagement, terrible lines, lack of adjustments, etc etc) is needed just because I think this group is far too comfortable. They play with absolutely no urgency. They need a different voice and someone to light a fire under their ass.

 

[NjdevilfanJim]

Sources?

Same here, although there could be greater opportunity now to get the goalie you want while the market is relatively cool. You can wait until the summer but that likely increases interest from other teams, because they too want to improve their rosters. Yea, me too, I prefer a coaching change before any moves. Hard to sign UFAs if the head coach position is vacant (which it should be!).

Last night Friedman had him as still signing but he said Trotz and him met and prior to meeting was 90 percent sign him since then Friedman said it's been dropping to him 70 30 on signing but other sources he said it's down to 50/50 that they will move him....Nothing solid but I think Nashville if they sing him and bring up Askarov they lock up the goalie position and I think they should sign him...be like when they had Rinne but I think Trotz is looking to deal him....They have a lot of prospects trending well and I think he wants picks to move up or young roster players to use to address their center position through trades...

Wish Dubas would take Ruff for Sullivan

 

[Devils Army]

I also feel this team does not play at a cohesive pace like they did last year. Last year was push push push, which had downsides but it was everyone pulling in the same direction. Adding toffoli, timo being hurt, losing #20, losing Miles/Yegor/Boqvist, etc. Those aren't hugely important players but added a lot to our identity as a team that skated you out of the rink. I think we lack identity.

Also, if Jack isn't taking faceoffs because of his injury, he shouldn't be playing.

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

if youre going to make Jack stick on the wing and you insist on needing to put him with a responsible center, just put him with Bratt and Nico and form a super line