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

[R8Devs]

The Devils need to have .64 point percentage in the next 32 games to get to 95 points which may be doable but to me not worth a rash deadline move to do so especially since such a strong pace wouldn't even guarantee the playoffs. Trading Toffoli and having two first round picks come the offseason may be a better way to get a goalie (especially since you wouldn't need retention in the offseason). But keeping Toffoli, looking for retention on a goalie (which will cost the Devils) and then having to go on 105 point pace where they are essentially playing every other day seems really risky that can have negative effects on next season as well.

 

[TrufleShufle]

I think we can all safely say that this is unsurprising lol

It's crazy how it's fell into the political speak at this point. You can't just say "Devils are allowing quality chances," because people would lose their damn minds.

"listen I'm not a ______ supporter by any means, but"

People are weird.

 

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

I think we can all safely say that this is unsurprising lol

How can Vitek allow this

 

[NjDevsRR]

And the Flyers would have to go 17-12 to make it to 96 pts. Of course it’s doable but it’s not a lock for them. Thats a slightly higher pts % than they currently have.

Everyone is fixated on this 96 mark when Metro 3 this season can be well below that. Especially if the Flyers start a downward trend if they sell at the TDL (which looks like they will do). Pens and Isles are .500 teams lately. NJ is the only team here with the potential to improve their play since they are healthy at forward now.

It’s wild to think, but it’s still right there for them if they want it and can play like they did last night more often than not in this final 32.

 

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

The Devils need to have .64 point percentage in the next 32 games to get to 95 points which may be doable but to me not worth a rash deadline move to do so especially since such a strong pace wouldn't even guarantee the playoffs. Trading Toffoli and having two first round picks come the offseason may be a better way to get a goalie (especially since you wouldn't need retention in the offseason). But keeping Toffoli, looking for retention on a goalie (which will cost the Devils) and then having to go on 105 point pace where they are essentially playing every other day seems really risky that can have negative effects on next season as well.

I think a step back this year is what's needed for the long term health of this franchise. I don't fault fans or anyone who wants to make the playoffs since this core is that good it could be pull a 2023 Florida but I just don't see it from them personally.

 

[BurntToast]

70 pts and 20 goals are hard to replace.

The defense has been producing lately but they were pretty bad for a while (except the rookies).

Unfortunately, the forward group is banged up. I think its time for some surgery, Jacky Boy. There is a chance this was 4/5th time he injured that same shoulder. He was also injured in the Playoffs, but the Devils were eliminated.

 

[Devils Trap]

Its do-able BUT my point is the team at no point has proven to me the ability to rattle off victories like that.

This next stretch is as easy as it gets (for them) and they need to go on like a 5/6 game win streak here

 

[Forge]

*edit*

well, nvm, he deleted it (was just a stat about the XGA with both Dougie / Siegs healthy, just siegs healthy, and since both of them have been hurt)

*second edit*

He posted it again

 

[Mgd31]

The Devils don’t have the defense or goaltending to go on a run. They would need Vitek to completely transform his game.

 

[R8Devs]

And the Flyers would have to go 17-12 to make it to 96 pts. Of course it’s doable but it’s not a lock for them. Thats a slightly higher pts % than they currently have.

Everyone is fixated on this 96 mark when Metro 3 this season can be well below that. Especially if the Flyers start a downward trend after they sell at the TDL (which looks like they will do). Pens and Isles are .500 teams lately. NJ is the only team here with the potential to improve their play since they are healthy at forward now.

It’s wild to think, but it’s still right there for them if they want it and can play like they did last night more often than not in this final 32.

yeah that why's I said it's doable but its not worth sacrificing assets that have more value in the offseason or on the team next season. also with the schedule they have now who knows how many games a new goalie can come in play when they are playing every other day (and also a guy like Markstrom would need to clear immigration, last year Lazar joined the team like 8 days after he got traded here)

It's why I'd trade Toffoli before the deadline -- it could help the Devils for next season but that doesn't mean I'm throwing in the towel for this season I think the Devils lineup even sans Toffoli should still be able to play at a 105pt pace.

 

[Bleedred]

Its do-able BUT my point is the team at no point has proven to me the ability to rattle off victories like that.

This next stretch is as easy as it gets (for them) and they need to go on like a 5/6 game win streak here

We CAN do it, I just don't think we will.

Seattle at home is like the ULTIMATE TRAP game for this team this season. The only more fitting one would be if the Sharks or Ducks came through here tomorrow, but fortunately they only play us at home once a year, so there's a 0% chance we will lose to them at home again this season.

BAD team, Western Conference team, home game, team that just got their shit pushed in by Philly (just like Dallas did before they blew us out, only Dallas isn't a mediocre team like Seattle), Calgary was another team that fits the description, even though I maintain that was a goalie loss. San Jose kind of was too.

Regardless of if its been the goalie's fault or not, we have a pattern of losing this type of game this year, particularly at home. For whatever different reasons.

And then we got another game the next night in Nashville, that's definitely something the team has a pattern of losing this year. Because literally we have one f***in win on the second half of a back to back this season.

And it's so fitting that the one that we won, we lost the first half of that back to back in a true 23-24 Devils special. A home loss to shit hole Columbus.

 

[Mgd31]

We CAN do it, I just don't think we will.

Seattle at home is like the ULTIMATE TRAP game for this team this season. The only more fitting one would be if the Sharks or Ducks came through here tomorrow, but fortunately they only play us at home once a year, so there's a 0% chance we will lose to them at home again this season.

BAD team, Western Conference team, home game, team that just got their shit pushed in by Philly (just like Dallas did before they blew us out, only Dallas isn't a mediocre team like Seattle), Calgary was another team that fits the description, even though I maintain that was a goalie loss. San Jose kind of was too.

Regardless of if its been the goalie's fault or not, we have a pattern of losing this type of game this year, particularly at home. For whatever different reasons.

And then we got another game the next night in Nashville, that's definitely something the team has a pattern of losing this year. Because literally we have one f***in win on the second half of a back to back this season.

And it's so fitting that the one that we won, we lost the first half of that back to back in a true 23-24 Devils special. A home loss to shit hole Columbus.

They are all trap games at home

 

[Bleedred]

They are all trap games at home

Yeah, but at least I have confidence in them showing up to play a good team. Our last couple of home wins were against Vegas and Colorado. Although, Colorado has lost every game out of the break lol.

 

[NjDevsRR]

yeah that why's I said it's doable but its not worth sacrificing assets that have more value in the offseason or on the team next season. also with the schedule they have now who knows how many games a new goalie can come in play when they are playing every other day (and also a guy like Markstrom would need to clear immigration, last year Lazar joined the team like 8 days after he got traded here)

It's why I'd trade Toffoli before the deadline -- it could help the Devils for next season but that doesn't mean I'm throwing in the towel for this season I think the Devils lineup even sans Toffoli should still be able to play at a 105pt pace.

I’d definitely do the same. Unless a good value goalie trade is available. I’d only trade Toffoli. I don’t think his loss hurts this squad.

 

[SteveCangialosi123]

Depending on what sports book you look at, Vegas seems to see us as ~48% chance of making it. Pretty close to a coin flip. It would be nice if Philly can just completely shit the bed.

 

[guitarguyvic]

I don’t put a lot of faith in Philly suddenly going downhill. It’s certainly possible with Hart gone and if they trade away pieces, but they also have a legit coach who can draw blood from a stone with his rosters.

Unlike ours.

 

[SteveCangialosi123]

I don’t put a lot of faith in Philly suddenly going downhill. It’s certainly possible with Hart gone and if they trade away pieces, but they also have a legit coach who can draw blood from a stone with his rosters.

Unlike ours.

Philly had 75 points last year and he had 48 points in 56 games with CBJ in 20-21. I don’t think they’ll collapse, but Torts isn’t some miracle worker.

 

[Forge]

I have this weird feeling about Philly that even if they start losing a bunch of games, it's going to come with a bunch of loser points. No idea why I feel that way. Maybe Torts, I dunno.

 

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

3-1 at the worst is a must if they're being serious of the playoffs, 4-0 would do wonders for this team's mental

 

[None Shall Pass]

I think we can all safely say that this is unsurprising lol

This report really makes me feel better about my ability to watch a hockey game. I felt like "the defense is fine, it's just our goalies" explanation was wrong, but I couldn't quite explain it.

 

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

This report really makes me feel better about my ability to watch a hockey game. I felt like "the defense is fine, it's just our goalies" explanation was wrong, but I couldn't quite explain it.

The regression from the vet dmen makes it evident that the defense isn't good this year. More games like last night would go along way for restoring the faith on the side of the puck + I'm sure it'll help the goaltending as well but the obvious goalie trade is needed since you cannot go into another year with Vanecek no matter how he ends the year.

 

[Camille the Eel]

3-1 at the worst is a must if they're being serious of the playoffs, 4-0 would do wonders for this team's mental

We haven’t had a 4 game win streak this year. I don’t think.

When you think about it, our record success last season was predicated on that one 13 or 14 game streak (whatever it was) at the start of the season. It might with the sequel have been more like a 17 and 4 or 5 start .

I’d be interested in tossing that out and calculating what our record has been since then, including this season. Would not be at all surprised to find we have pretty much been a bubble team since then, once you toss out that streak.

Switching topics, since we played Carolina last night, have there recently been two aging players who have performed better at their stage of their careers than Pavelski and Burns. When San Jose unloaded both of them, I bet few people thought they had this much tread left on their tires. Both have been outstanding in their arrière-careers. Burns was terrific against us last night. No defenseman in the league is better at getting his shot through or QB’ing the power play but he was also amazing on defense last night - guarding the crease and shutting down our passes and plays to keep us and the puck away from their net. If I’m Carolina right now I think he’s every bit as key to me as Slavin if we want to make a run in the playoffs.

 

[Emperoreddy]

Philly had 75 points last year and he had 48 points in 56 games with CBJ in 20-21. I don’t think they’ll collapse, but Torts isn’t some miracle worker.

They also don't really need to collapse. Between games in hand and head to head, we can catch them on our own.

It's largely still up to us if we catch them or not.

 

[Better Call Sal]

I’m going to continue watching the Major League movies and listen to the music as inspiration for the remainder of the year.

Time to go on a run.

 

[Emperoreddy]