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

[Devils731]

I mean the thing is too, the last 2 games have been their closest efforts to last season.

I haven’t gotten to examine the tweaks in person, but based on the quotes the Devils will be chasing a lot less in the defensive zone.

This has the added bonus of not wearing the defenders out for no benefit, since the chasing was useless. So now the Devils should have more energy in the moments that matter.

This may have made them look like they were giving more effort since they weren’t blowing themselves out doing useless stuff.

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It’s a little frustrating to read the quotes and they basically say they’re fixing some of the stuff that has been obviously bad since the start of the season. Even if you wanted to make sure the system wasn’t working, why didn’t this come after 20-30 games instead of now?

 

[NjDevsRR]

why didn’t this come after 20-30 games instead of now?

Boomer Lindy stuck in his ways. I wonder if Fitz/Ownership told him enough

 

[Guadana]

I love big hits and physical elemt but I would think twice who should be send on the bench when Siegenthaler will join the team. Bahl is a need for the team, but Hattaka played really well his third pair duties.

 

[AfroThunder396]

I haven’t gotten to examine the tweaks in person, but based on the quotes the Devils will be chasing a lot less in the defensive zone.

This has the added bonus of not wearing the defenders out for no benefit, since the chasing was useless. So now the Devils should have more energy in the moments that matter.

This may have made them look like they were giving more effort since they weren’t blowing themselves out doing useless stuff.

————————

It’s a little frustrating to read the quotes and they basically say they’re fixing some of the stuff that has been obviously bad since the start of the season. Even if you wanted to make sure the system wasn’t working, why didn’t this come after 20-30 games instead of now?

Bad goaltending takes the heat off bad coaching (because it's not Lindy's fault, it's Vitek's) just like bad coaching takes the heat off bad goaltending (because it's not Vitek's fault, it's Lindy's).

 

[forceten]

I love big hits and physical elemt but I would think twice who should be send on the bench when Siegenthaler will join the team. Bahl is a need for the team, but Hattaka played really well his third pair duties.

Yup. He seems positionally solid, he has some legs on him - when he slides down the boards he seems more able to get back. While he's not as big or physically imposing as Bahl, his shot isn't any lighter, and Bahl only recently started throwing his weight around. Hatakka is definitely an NHL defenseman, albeit a third pair. I'd hate to see him go out.

That said - Siegenthaler and eventually Hamilton are coming back. Nemec isn't coming out either. So who comes out?

 

[Call Me Al]

some healthy competition between bahl and hatakka is good for everyone

 

[Unknown Caller]

I love big hits and physical elemt but I would think twice who should be send on the bench when Siegenthaler will join the team. Bahl is a need for the team, but Hattaka played really well his third pair duties.

It's a no brainer that it should be Bahl but it's a guarantee that it will be Hatakka. Bahl has zero redeeming qualities to his game other than the fact that he's big. His impacts are horrible, he has zero offensive upside, and he has a habit of taking penalties. Oh and he's legitimately bad defensively too. Just not a player that should be in the lineup.

But, Bahl is big and in theory can hit someone. So he'll stay in the lineup and Hatakka will go.

 

[Better Call Sal]

I think it'll be a great thing to go into next year with Siegs, Dougie, Luke, Nemec, Bahl, Hatakka and Marino as our set of 7 defensemen.

That's a solid group for what they all offer. Now here's to a cleaner bill of health for all.

 

[forceten]

Miller is so clutch though, would like to keep.

 

[Guadana]

It's a no brainer that it should be Bahl but it's a guarantee that it will be Hatakka. Bahl has zero redeeming qualities to his game other than the fact that he's big. His impacts are horrible, he has zero offensive upside, and he has a habit of taking penalties. Oh and he's legitimately bad defensively too. Just not a player that should be in the lineup.

But, Bahl is big and in theory can hit someone. So he'll stay in the lineup and Hatakka will go.

As a physical player Bahl is good. But he gas huge issue with starting speed and starting mobility, his stick work in the tight situations isn't good, he is loosing the puck or just can't be fast enough because of his lever.

Yup. He seems positionally solid, he has some legs on him - when he slides down the boards he seems more able to get back. While he's not as big or physically imposing as Bahl, his shot isn't any lighter, and Bahl only recently started throwing his weight around. Hatakka is definitely an NHL defenseman, albeit a third pair. I'd hate to see him go out.

That said - Siegenthaler and eventually Hamilton are coming back. Nemec isn't coming out either. So who comes out?

I think Bahl should be a trade bait.

He has experience, he is big and physical, he isn't bad skater overall. I think a lot of teams will find interesting trade piece in him.

So I would prefer to stay with Hattaka - he is more mobile on the short distances, he is better poditionally.
And Misyul should be the guy behind him. He is better defensively, as mobile, much more faster and more mobile than Bahl, more physical than Hattaka, experienced for 7th-8th D role, has "*sshole" element in his game, has less offensive upside than Hattaka. So he is pretty good for 7-8ty defenseman role but isn't good to be rally good piece in the trade. Both Hattaka and Misyul are more mobile and better for the system than Bahl. And I think both will be more accurate defensemen.

So I would like to trade Bahl for decent backup or use him as a trade package for starting goalie.

 

[Mr Bojanglez]

I think it'll be a great thing to go into next year with Siegs, Dougie, Luke, Nemec, Bahl, Hatakka and Marino as our set of 7 defensemen.

That's a solid group for what they all offer. Now here's to a cleaner bill of health for all.

I'd like Miller back for a year or two. Hatakka can simmer in the A until someone undoubtedly gets hurt.

 

[JimEIV]

Bahl

As a physical player Bahl is good. But he gas huge issue with starting speed and starting mobility, his stick work in the tight situations isn't good, he is loosing the puck or just can't be fast enough because of his lever.






I think Bahl should be a trade bait.

He has experience, he is big and physical, he isn't bad skater overall. I think a lot of teams will find interesting trade piece in him.

So I would prefer to stay with Hattaka - he is more mobile on the short distances, he is better poditionally.
And Misyul should be the guy behind him. He is better defensively, as mobile, much more faster and more mobile than Bahl, more physical than Hattaka, experienced for 7th-8th D role, has "*sshole" element in his game, has less offensive upside than Hattaka. So he is pretty good for 7-8ty defenseman role but isn't good to be rally good piece in the trade. Both Hattaka and Misyul are more mobile and better for the system than Bahl. And I think both will be more accurate defensemen.

So I would like to trade Bahl for decent backup or use him as a trade package for starting goalie.

We don't have a lot of physicality on our defense. I think moving Bahl would be mistake purely from a team building perspective.

Hatakka right now seems to me more of the new girl at school that is getting all the attention. I'd like to see more than 7 games before I say anything about his game or even entertain the idea of moving Bahl.

 

[Better Call Sal]

I just don't see how Miller sticks it out here unless he's comfortable being potentially an odd man out. And I agree with you both, I like him a lot.

If Dougie is healthy, you've got him, Nemec and Marino on the right side. Can Miller play the left? You probably have more rotation in that spot between Siegs, Luke, Bahl and Hatakka currently on the depth chart.

 

[GameSeven]

Yup. He seems positionally solid, he has some legs on him - when he slides down the boards he seems more able to get back. While he's not as big or physically imposing as Bahl, his shot isn't any lighter, and Bahl only recently started throwing his weight around. Hatakka is definitely an NHL defenseman, albeit a third pair. I'd hate to see him go out.

That said - Siegenthaler and eventually Hamilton are coming back. Nemec isn't coming out either. So who comes out?

I think we should expect Bahl's out for now. He could use a breather. In the long term, having guys who can rotate in and out would be a luxury with how this season has gone injury-wise.

 

[Guadana]

Bahl

We don't have a lot of physicality on our defense. I think moving Bahl would be mistake purely from a team building perspective.

Hatakka right now seems to me more of the new girl at school that is getting all the attention. I'd like to see more than 7 games before I say anything about his game or even entertain the idea of moving Bahl.

Misyul is physical. Siegs is physical when he will return. Nemec is getting physicaller and physicaller.

And we have month before the traveling. I don't think that we will make a trade before, so its pretty good time for watching what we have in Hattaka.

Ofcourse Haytaka is a new toy, but skills and instruments is what we can watch and analyze right from the start. Its not like Bahl is very consistent.

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

the problem is Bahl barely ever uses his size/physicality consistently. He did in that Carolina game for the first time in seemingly forever.

 

[Triumph]

Bahl's hits per game are way up this year, even adjusting for his ice time. I just don't think it matters that much in today's NHL. It's more a reflection of the fact that he's getting pinned more.

Hatakka has played quite well in his limited time. He's waiver-eligible in October 2024. I do think Bahl could move if the Devils are relatively high on Misyul or they're confident in Edwards signing here/being a decent pro.

 

[PKs Broken Stick]

There's just no reason for the Flames to be trading him unless it's for ridiculous massive overpayment

 

[njdevil26]

I still hope Fitz can work something out for Saros or Markstrom... but I don't think this team needs changes outside of that.

I think having a team that is confident in their goaltending changes the entire ballgame.
At one point last night they were outshooting Seattle like 29-9 or something and up 3-0. This was essentially last year's team.

 

[PKs Broken Stick]

I love big hits and physical elemt but I would think twice who should be send on the bench when Siegenthaler will join the team. Bahl is a need for the team, but Hattaka played really well his third pair duties.

Hataka and Bahl should rotate imo. Bahl could use the rest down the stretch.

Yup. He seems positionally solid, he has some legs on him - when he slides down the boards he seems more able to get back. While he's not as big or physically imposing as Bahl, his shot isn't any lighter, and Bahl only recently started throwing his weight around. Hatakka is definitely an NHL defenseman, albeit a third pair. I'd hate to see him go out.

That said - Siegenthaler and eventually Hamilton are coming back. Nemec isn't coming out either. So who comes out?

Probably Miller on the right side.

 

[Triumph]

There's just no reason for the Flames to be trading him unless it's for ridiculous massive overpayment

Sure there is. If Markstrom turns back into a pumpkin in the near future, he'll be totally worthless at his age and salary.

 

[JimEIV]

I don't want to give up any significant assets for goaltender right now. It makes little sense.

For what? To squeak into the playoffs and get abused in the first round? Meh.

 

[PKs Broken Stick]

Sure there is. If Markstrom turns back into a pumpkin in the near future, he'll be totally worthless at his age and salary.

They're in a playoff hunt too. There's no reason for them to trade him for anything outside of overpayment. Maybe next season if they're completely out of the playoffs or even maybe in the offseason, but for this season, no reason.

Idk if the discussion regarding him was for the TDL or just in general though. Me personally, I'm not interested in getting him if it was going to be next season.

 

[Triumph]

They're in a playoff hunt too. There's no reason for them to trade him for anything outside of overpayment. Maybe next season if they're completely out of the playoffs or even maybe in the offseason, but for this season, no reason.

Idk if the discussion regarding him was for the TDL or just in general though. Me personally, I'm not interested in getting him if it was going to be next season.

They've just traded Lindholm for not an overpayment. They're not going anywhere now or in the future. I agree that they will probably keep Markstrom. The problem they are making for themselves is if they somehow miracle their way into the playoffs, they will keep Markstrom, and if they fall out of the playoff race, it will probably be because Markstrom is struggling, and therefore they will keep Markstrom because he's lost his value.

 

[Blackjack]

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