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

[Billdo]

Maybe Meier just isn't THAT good. His best year was 76 points. Granted that's on bad teams but he was the focal point. Here, he's the fourth option, for better or worse. I don't think he sucks this much, but I'm not expecting a 100 point player even with correct usage and healthy.

 

[My3Sons]

I find it hard to believe Erik Johnson is worse than Smith at this point though.

And yet you called Blackwood a shit bag and how many of the four goals he gave up last game were stoppable? Hmmm? Hmmm? Yeah I didn’t think so.

 

[BurntToast]

I don’t know how you can use Graves and Severson’s seasons as an argument that they are bad and give Timo a pass. Severson was also injured for a good chunk to start the season.

I would not take Sevs over 70 point Dougie. I would take Sevs at 6, over injured Palat and his 30 points in the top 6. (Yes, playoff warrior, but not for his cap hit and getting older.)

Timo struggled last year, he struggled to score in the playoffs and was instantly replaced by Toffoli. I am concerned. His and Palat's contracts can 100% sink this team.

I hope Toffoli gets traded regardless if the Devils make the playoffs or not. He is blocking Temo/Holtz and the assets/cap space could set this team up next season.

 

[MadDevil]

I find it hard to believe Erik Johnson is worse than Smith at this point though.

How about Jack Johnson?

 

[Bcap88]

Maybe Meier just isn't THAT good. His best year was 76 points. Granted that's on bad teams but he was the focal point. Here, he's the fourth option, for better or worse. I don't think he sucks this much, but I'm not expecting a 100 point player even with correct usage and healthy.

I don’t think any of us are expecting 100 points out of Meier that’s not him

30-35 goals 35 ish assist and driving play like he did all in San Jose and that starts with not playing him with terrible linemates

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

I don’t know how you can use Graves and Severson’s seasons as an argument that they are bad and give Timo a pass. Severson was also injured for a good chunk to start the season.

I would not take Sevs over 70 point Dougie. I would take Sevs at 6, over injured Palat and his 30 points in the top 6. (Yes, playoff warrior, but not for his cap hit and getting older.)

Timo struggled last year, he struggled to score in the playoffs and was instantly replaced by Toffoli. I am concerned. His and Palat's contracts can 100% sink this team.

I hope Toffoli gets traded regardless if the Devils make the playoffs or not. He is blocking Temo/Holtz and the assets/cap space could set this team up next season.

almost none of this is true. sheesh.

Timo was tremendous in the playoffs. Palat has been tremendous in the past few weeks. Palat also pants'd Fox and Kreider to help score the biggest goal for this franchise in a decade.

 

[theoptimist]

Here we go comparing Dougie with one of the greatest player to ever wear a Devils jersey

 

[NjdevilfanJim]

Maybe Meier just isn't THAT good. His best year was 76 points. Granted that's on bad teams but he was the focal point. Here, he's the fourth option, for better or worse. I don't think he sucks this much, but I'm not expecting a 100 point player even with correct usage and healthy.

One of the few on this team that takes the body....I know most are against a "goon" but I think a guy like wifi is needed....I think less hits would be tolerated on out star players If we had an enforcer type imo less injuries...

 

[Bleedred]

How about Jack Johnson?

He’s probably on par with Smith at this point, even if he’s a different style defenseman.

He’s been bad for a long time.

A lot of this stuff is hindsight.

Why didn’t we keep Sevs/Graves?

Why didn’t we keep Blackwood?

This shit is really making people crazy.

 

[NjdevilfanJim]

almost none of this is true. sheesh.

Timo was tremendous in the playoffs. Palat has been tremendous in the past few weeks. Palat also pants'd Fox and Kreider to help score the biggest goal for this franchise in a decade.

Said it b4 that play on Fox and Kreider made the contract worth it ....His play has been solid as of late too

 

[BurntToast]

almost none of this is true. sheesh.

Timo was tremendous in the playoffs. Palat has been tremendous in the past few weeks. Palat also pants'd Fox and Kreider to help score the biggest goal for this franchise in a decade.

False, he had 4 points in 11 and got smoked by a Rangers defenseman. Palat’s play is fine, making 6 mil to pants Kreider and miss most of two seasons isn’t.

Edit: Also 30-35 points in the top 6 when the Devils can’t score is not worth 6mil.

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

False, he had 4 points in 11 and got smoked by a Rangers defenseman. Palat’s play is fine, making 6 mil to pants Kreider and miss most of two seasons isn’t.

Edit: Also 30-35 points in the top 6 when the Devils can’t score is not worth 6mil.

just say you didnt watch and go my guy

Timo was tremendous in the playoffs. I dont care if he had 15 or 4 points. His play on the ice was great. He made Shesterkin's life hell.

Severson stinks. We dont need him anymore. This pining for him is weird stuff. We have 2 guys who are 20 who are already better than he ever was.

 

[SteveCangialosi123]

False, he had 4 points in 11 and got smoked by a Rangers defenseman. Palat’s play is fine, making 6 mil to pants Kreider and miss most of two seasons isn’t.

Edit: Also 30-35 points in the top 6 when the Devils can’t score is not worth 6mil.

He’s overpaid by like a million and a half. It’s not that big of a deal, he really just needs to stay healthy. Excellent player when he’s in, his defense is invaluable and he’s on one of the most effective lines in the entire NHL right now. Just pretend he makes 4 and Jack and Bratt make a million more each.

 

[TheUnseenHand]

There is legit reason to be concerned about Timo. Do I think he's this bad? No. But do I think he's ever going to be worth that contract? Probably not. He's just not a smart player, and that is the biggest issue. He does not seem to process the game at a very high level. I sometimes think Holtz may have caught him in hockey sense. He reminds me a lot of times of a slightly smarter Miles Wood with less speed.

I think for him to be effective we need a much more structured system in which he does not have to read and react nearly as much. He is a bull when he gets moving and a load to deal with in front of the net. I think a simpler, more structured style would much better suit his skill set. Playing on his proper wing would help too. And yes, getting healthy will also help. But it's a real question mark if he will ever come close to justifying that deal. I don't blame Fitz too much for that deal though, fwiw.

 

[Goptor]

I find it hard to believe Erik Johnson is worse than Smith at this point though.

He probably is worse. Can't skate at an NHL level anymore. Plays less minutes and puts up less points than Smith.

 

[MadDevil]

I'm giving Timo the benefit of the doubt for this season. He's been injured twice and who knows how much it's still affecting him. He's never really clicked with Jack, who has also been injured. He's played well with Nico before, but I understand not wanting to break that line up given how good they've been. That pretty much leaves him off the top two lines, and without a legit third line center you're just not likely going to get the best out of him.

 

[JimEIV]

Preparing for tomorrows 44 annual Miracle day.

A pasty recipe straight from the Ironbound to represent Minnesota.

My mother-in-laws New England clam chowder recipe to represent Boston

6 pack of Old Milwaukee to represent Wisconsin and an ode to Mark Johnson.

An Adirondack chair in the middle of the living to represent Lake Placid.

A giant American flag that was draped on my grandfathers casket.

And YouTube videos of everything about the 1980 team. Follow up with the movie.

It'll be a good day.

 

[JimEIV]

Why didn’t we keep Sevs/Graves?

Not even a matter of keeping Severson or Graves for me.

More of the fact that we thought going through this season with Marino, Siegenthaler, Hamilton and

Bahl, Luke Smith, Miller and Nemec....was a good idea.

Seems fairly obvious to me that this was a recipe for disaster from the beginning.

 

[Its Always Sundstrom]

How about Jack Johnson?

 

[MadDevil]

Not even a matter of keeping Severson or Graves for me.

More of the fact that we thought going through this season with Marino, Siegenthaler, Hamilton and

Bahl, Luke Smith, Miller and Nemec....was a good idea.

Seems fairly obvious to me that this was a recipe for disaster from the beginning.

Dougie missing the rest of the regular season and Siegenthaler breaking his foot aren't exactly something you plan on happening. The margin for error was definitely less without as much depth though.

 

[britdevil]

Not even a matter of keeping Severson or Graves for me.

More of the fact that we thought going through this season with Marino, Siegenthaler, Hamilton and

Bahl, Luke Smith, Miller and Nemec....was a good idea.

Seems fairly obvious to me that this was a recipe for disaster from the beginning.

I agree, they needed to add a veteran LD to stabilise the D. Especially with how bad the goalies are. Smith should have never been relied on as anything more than a 7th man.

We know Fitz tried to upgrade in net, but the trade was either too rich or what he considered a sideways move at best.

We also need to factor in that this roster is right up against the cap. So someone would have to have been moved out to add that vet LD. Again, easier said than done.

Couldn't give two shits that Graves and Severson left, they are 100% not worth their contracts.

EDIT: You can argue that Miller was supposed to be that guy, but he plays RD (an area of strength for this club) and doesn't kill penalties.

 

[NjDevsRR]

I will be going to tomorrows game and both games this weekend LOL may the Almighty Dano be with me.

 

[Devs3cups]

I will be going to tomorrows game and both games this weekend LOL may the Almighty Dano be with me.

Winning the next 3 would be absolutely huge, but I wouldn't bet on it

 

[NjDevsRR]

Winning the next 3 would be absolutely huge, but I wouldn't bet on it

I can see them beating the Rags and Habs but then laying a fat egg on Sunday. Just the way its been going all season

 

[BurntToast]

just say you didnt watch and go my guy

Timo was tremendous in the playoffs. I dont care if he had 15 or 4 points. His play on the ice was great. He made Shesterkin's life hell.

Severson stinks. We dont need him anymore. This pining for him is weird stuff. We have 2 guys who are 20 who are already better than he ever was.

Just say you didn’t watch and go. He he got multiple bad penalties, only scored 4pts and got blitzed. Don’t let your man crush fool you.