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

[billingtons ghost]

Dude, I love how we get back to playing what looks like sane hockey for a few games and all the old-timers are hopped up on late 80s/early 90s hockey glory fumes...

Ps. @Guttersniped do you have a OptimismFor% chart bc today has to be hitting some peak since preseason game #7.

 

[Devils731]

So Ruffs original system had the 3 forwards as interchangeable and it was done mostly to take some defensive responsibility off the centers.

Lazar mentioned that one of the tweaks is now treating the wingers and center separately. The center will now be asked to cover a lot of the ice while the wingers focus on just their side.

Small sample size but I haven’t noticed the Devils centers performing badly with the extra responsibility and the wingers appear to be performing better now that they can make decisions more quickly.

It also appears to me that the wingers play slightly closer to the wall and point when the play isn’t in their zone. I think that is helping with puck recovery and breakouts.

———————-

We will see how teams adjust to this change. I think the Devils were pre-scouted very well by the league and these changes address some of what the old systems weaknesses were. It will be interesting to see how teams change to adjust.

 

[NjDevsRR]

Ps. @Guttersniped do you have a OptimismFor% chart bc today has to be hitting some peak since preseason game #7.

 

[Guadana]

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3-4. But im optimistic guy traditionally.

 

[Mr Bojanglez]

Alright, who’s with me to start a Traveling Lazars group?
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[Whaddagoal]

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We are back down to 4.

 

[Bcap88]

 

[Mr Bojanglez]

LA getting thumped by Buffalo 7-0. Not sure how that helps or hurts us tomorrow night. LA still has some quality players. They have been real bad lately... but also real good early in the season.

 

[Devils731]

LA getting thumped by Buffalo 7-0. Not sure how that helps or hurts us tomorrow night. LA still has some quality players. They have been real bad lately... but also real good early in the season.

I normally prefer the next Devils opponent either have an exhausting hard fought OT game or absolutely destroy their opponents the game before.

I tend to think teams that got crushed the game before come out with a chip on their shoulder and a little extra effort.

 

[Bcap88]

LA getting thumped by Buffalo 7-0. Not sure how that helps or hurts us tomorrow night. LA still has some quality players. They have been real bad lately... but also real good early in the season.

Started 20-7-4

Now

24-16-10

 

[JimEIV]

Shitkickers, members only or long black felt coat.


Me too though Paramus Park was my main haunt.

Starter Jackets with sleeves pushed all the way up to the elbows.... until you actually got a leather sleeved Letterman's jacket that I rocked everywhere.... and the suburban girls dug the Paterson Catholic jacket It worked well in the mall... It was pretty sweet...burgundy with yellow leather sleeves....still have it.

And they would ask..."what does MLB mean on your sleeve?". And I would say "Major League Balls".... pretty good ice breaker in 1986.

 

[Mr Bojanglez]

And they would ask..."what does MLB mean on your sleeve?". And I would say "Major League Balls".... pretty good ice breaker in 1986.

You were ahead of your time. You would kill on Tinder

 

[JimEIV]

You were ahead of your time. You would kill on Tinder

I thank God I never had to date.

 

[OlfactoryHughes]

I normally prefer the next Devils opponent either have an exhausting hard fought OT game or absolutely destroy their opponents the game before.

I tend to think teams that got crushed the game before come out with a chip on their shoulder and a little extra effort.

Same, always hoping our next opponent comes in tired with lack of urgency towards us. Kings have a new coach, that will certainly try to adjust and motivate his players to be better against us then they faired against buff

 

[NjDevsRR]

I thank God I never had to date.

 

[Guttersniped]

I normally prefer the next Devils opponent either have an exhausting hard fought OT game or absolutely destroy their opponents the game before.

I tend to think teams that got crushed the game before come out with a chip on their shoulder and a little extra effort.

There’s a question of who‘s in goal on Thursday.

 

[forceten]

I would love to acquire Saros, but I'm not sure I would love the cost. I'm fine with giving up draft picks and some prospects. Roster players - I am not really in the mindset of giving up Mercer or Nemec. As far as prospects, I think anyone but Casey or Gritsyuk would be OK. I'd be OK with Holtz but that guy is going to be a 30 goal scorer in the league and when he's working he does good things.

Trotz may not need a goaltender but he may need to move one. Askarov isn't going to sit in the minors forever, and while Lankinen is UFA after this season, he plays the backup role well. Askarov won't want to, I don't think.

1st + [Holtz OR Bahl] + [Vilen OR Misyul OR Hatakka] + Clarke (unless Holtz is roster player) + Vanacek (to replace Lankinen) for Saros with extension.

1st, Holtz, Misyul/Vilen/Hatakka, Vanacek
1st, Bahl, Clarke, Misyul/Vilen/Hatakka, Vanacek

I don't know. I just feel like as solid as our roster is it's threadbare in spots and opening a new hole to plug another hole might not be great.

 

[Bcap88]

I would love to acquire Saros, but I'm not sure I would love the cost. I'm fine with giving up draft picks and some prospects. Roster players - I am not really in the mindset of giving up Mercer or Nemec. As far as prospects, I think anyone but Casey or Gritsyuk would be OK. I'd be OK with Holtz but that guy is going to be a 30 goal scorer in the league and when he's working he does good things.

Trotz may not need a goaltender but he may need to move one. Askarov isn't going to sit in the minors forever, and while Lankinen is UFA after this season, he plays the backup role well. Askarov won't want to, I don't think.

1st + [Holtz OR Bahl] + [Vilen OR Misyul OR Hatakka] + Clarke (unless Holtz is roster player) + Vanacek (to replace Lankinen) for Saros with extension.

1st, Holtz, Misyul/Vilen/Hatakka, Vanacek
1st, Bahl, Clarke, Misyul/Vilen/Hatakka, Vanacek

I don't know. I just feel like as solid as our roster is it's threadbare in spots and opening a new hole to plug another hole might not be great.

Def would probably start with one of Holtz/casey and grits plus a pick

 

[JimEIV]

Saros in New Jersey might get mistaken for Greek and he would probably get welcomed with open arms and all the free cheese fries and gravy he could ever want at Diners all around Northern New Jersey....

That would be my selling point to his agent.

 

[R8Devs]

It'd be better to trade Gritsyuk than Holtz imo but I don't think Gritsyuk holds the same value but for Saros I'd be surprised if Nashville targets them. They have Kemell in the prospect pool and he projects to be a similar type of player to Holtz. They only have one d-man in their system that could be considered somewhat high end and their d-core on the NHL team is really old so I could see them wanting Casey and/or Bahl in a package.

But if Mercer is the target for them for Saros then I can't imagine the Devils have to add that much and def not Casey in that case.

 

[JimEIV]

I'm not giving up roster players for a goalie. That's nutty.

 

[PizzaAndPucks]

Last night could of been much different if Lazar doesn't block that shot. Game goes to overtime and who knows what would of happened...But I like the Devils chances in overtime to still win that game and it still would of been a big win if that was the case. It was a team effort for sure and that's what it will ultimately come down too to make the playoffs this season.

 

[AfroThunder396]

It's really frustrating to see what's going on with Holtz. But if we traded him for an ancient goalie in the middle of a year I think the odds of us regretting it are very high.

 

[JimEIV]

Last night could of been much different if Lazar doesn't block that shot. Game goes to overtime and who knows what would of happened...But I like the Devils chances in overtime to still win that game and it still would of been a big win if that was the case. It was a team effort for sure and that's what it will ultimately come down too to make the playoffs this season.

Could've been different if the video review called that a goal under Daws pad.

But I'm loving seeing everyone get behind Lazar. I think it's great.

 

[Triumph]

It's really frustrating to see what's going on with Holtz. But if we traded him for an ancient goalie in the middle of a year I think the odds of us regretting it are very high.

Eh. Holtz is fine. He ran hot early in the year, he's got some offensive chops, he'll probably score 20-25 goals a season, but he doesn't do a whole lot else. Maybe he puts it all together and can become a regular 30 goal guy, but he has a long way to go to get there.