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

[JimEIV]

And even in 3 years you're looking at a 25 year old Jack, a 23 year old Luke and a 22 year old Nemec. Those guys will be the difference makers if/when we win a championship.

 

[NjDevsRR]

Still need to solve the MM problem

I think Lazar is doing a very admirable job lately

 

[Whaddagoal]

Unknown Caller is going to need one or two extra people on his account to help get all the responses to the replies through, its all going fast and furious.

 

[Better Call Sal]

I think Lazar is doing a very admirable job lately

He certainly is. I think he's perfectly capable of filling the role that McLeod had. Perfect locker room guy to have with this group as well.

 

[Jersey Fresh]

Uhhh yes it does. Markstrom is the piece that answers the biggest weakness of this team for 3 straight playoff runs. There's nothing more important.

Mercer is probably too rich, but I would move Holtz for Markstrom in an instant.

It's not going to be Holtz for Markstrom straight up. You're having to add other top assets on top of that, potentially Casey and another 1st rounder, for two years of an aging Markstrom. That's asinine.

 

[Whaddagoal]

I like the usage of dead cat bounce though, and the retort, people are really on top of their forum game this morning!

 

[Bcap88]

Lmao "dead cat bounce" like the guy sucked for 5 years and is having one random good season.

Literally the highest GSAx in the entire NHL this season. Had one off year last year, which isn't atypical for goalies.

Would love to hear your goaltending solution, I'm sure it's acquiring a middling guy like Samsonov or Husso in past years and praying that they don't completely suck.

It’s just not a smart investment, we know goalies age terribly and when the cliff comes it comes fast. You are willing to gamble a high asset along with a first round pick for a goalie who will likely bottom out during his tenure here.

My goalie solution? Play better defense. There’s no reason why a team like Carolina can have a similar team save percentage but surrender almost a half goal less

Markstrom had his worst statistical season in awhile at age 33, they don’t tend to usually get better/stay better after that

 

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

Hopefully the week Daws has had has pulled the management off the ledge a little bit and they don't do anything absurdly rash

 

[theoptimist]

I think Lazar is doing a very admirable job lately

It's an experiment that will dry up soon. Haula is not a 2C. Lazar is not a 3C.

 

[Whaddagoal]

Hopefully the week Daws has had has pulled the management off the ledge a little bit and they don't do anything absurdly rash

After Daws made those two saves last night, Fitz called Conroy and said the deal is off - probably!

 

[BostonDevil]

So, what I'm getting from all this is:

We hate everyone. Our guys, their guys.

They all suck and aren't worth it.

 

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

It’s just not a smart investment, we know goalies age terribly and when the cliff comes it comes fast. You are willing to gamble a high asset along with a first round pick for a goalie who will likely bottom out during his tenure here.

My goalie solution? Play better defense. There’s no reason why a team like Carolina can have a similar team save percentage but surrender almost a half goal less

Markstrom had his worst statistical season in awhile at age 33, they don’t tend to usually get better/stay better after that

I don't have a problem with Holtz+ for Markstrom player to player but the trickle down effect it will probably have has me scared utterly shitless

 

[JimEIV]

It's an experiment that will dry up soon. Haula is not a 2C. Lazar is not a 3C.

Truth. And Nosek is extra forward.

 

[Whaddagoal]

So, what I'm getting from all this is:

We hate everyone. Our guys, their guys.

They all suck and aren't worth it.

We like Nico and Jack, although Jack seems to be on the washing board after yesterday's outburst based on GDT feedback and here. So we only like Nico, except for Jim. He doesn't like Nico! (Jim, I'm kidding - mostly!)

On an unrelated note, I noticed NO ONE dislikes Bratt anymore since he signed his contract. He literally went from the polarizing player who "refuses to sign with NJD" and "doesn't want to be here" commented by many fans. Now, Bratt has reached nirvana status with most fans here. Even when he doesn't shoot, we are happy with him. Strange world! Well, except for the Jersey Fan 12 guy who stopped posting here.

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

It's not going to be Holtz for Markstrom straight up. You're having to add other top assets on top of that, potentially Casey and another 1st rounder, for two years of an aging Markstrom. That's asinine.

there is absolutely no chance that Markstrom fetches anywhere near this level of return.

 

[Oneiro]

It's not unreasonable to want to push for it, and I'm also in the Holtz = Sykora/Hoffman at best camp. I don't mind trading him for a major piece.

I just don't think they're capable of winning it all within the remaining years of Markstrom's deal. They've only just started to play consistent solid defense, they have a coach who's always been negated by cycle heavy squads in both BUF and DAL, they've shown that they can't get the timely goals when it matters most and the special teams have become voodoo again. Luke is hitting a wall and Nemec will too.

I think it's more likely that our core is akin to Stamkos/Hedman/Kucherov winning at 29/30/26 than CHI or PIT in 08-09.

 

[Saugus]

So, what I'm getting from all this is:

We hate everyone. Our guys, their guys.

They all suck and aren't worth it.

Our team plays in New Jersey. This is totally on brand.

 

[NJDevils17]

The only way I’d be happy with a Markstrom deal is if Hanifin is coming back. Otherwise I don’t want to spend assets at all.

 

[JimEIV]

It's not unreasonable to want to push for it, and I'm also in the Holtz = Sykora/Hoffman at best camp. I don't mind trading him for a major piece.

I just don't think they're capable of winning it all within the remaining years of Markstrom's deal. They've only just started to play consistent solid defense, they have a coach who's always been negated by cycle heavy squads in both BUF and DAL, they've shown that they can't get the timely goals when it matters most and the special teams have become voodoo again. Luke is hitting a wall and Nemec will too.

I think it's more likely that our core is akin to Stamkos/Hedman/Kucherov winning at 29/30/26 than CHI or PIT in 08-09.

Chicago's defense was in place when Patrick Kane was drafted. Keith and Seabrook had 3 or 4 years jump on Kane and Toews....we went the opposite direction.

 

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

It's not unreasonable to want to push for it, and I'm also in the Holtz = Sykora/Hoffman at best camp. I don't mind trading him for a major piece.

I just don't think they're capable of winning it all within the remaining years of Markstrom's deal. They've only just started to play consistent solid defense, they have a coach who's always been negated by cycle heavy squads in both BUF and DAL, they've shown that they can't get the timely goals when it matters most and the special teams have become voodoo again. Luke is hitting a wall and Nemec will too.

I think it's more likely that our core is akin to Stamkos/Hedman/Kucherov winning at 29/30/26 than CHI or PIT in 08-09.

Agree wholeheartedly

 

[None Shall Pass]

Just dump Vitek, trade a 3rd or whatever for Jake Allen or the dude in SJ that isn't Dr. Blackwood, and try again in the offseason. Let Daws keep cooking!

 

[Oneiro]

Chicago's defense was in place when Patrick Kane was drafted. Keith and Seabrook had 3 or 4 years jump on Kane and Toews....we went the opposite direction.

Yup and PIT had a lot of older players in Gil, Talbot, Fedotenko, Guerin, Gonchar, Kunitz, Scuderi, Orpik.

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

I don't really think that the "window" argument is all that important at the moment. We've got Hughes and Bratt signed for $15.8 combined when they are probably worth $20+ million combined in reality. Plus Nico still has 3 years after this one on his deal.

 

[Whaddagoal]

It's not unreasonable to want to push for it, and I'm also in the Holtz = Sykora/Hoffman at best camp. I don't mind trading him for a major piece.

I just don't think they're capable of winning it all within the remaining years of Markstrom's deal. They've only just started to play consistent solid defense, they have a coach who's always been negated by cycle heavy squads in both BUF and DAL, they've shown that they can't get the timely goals when it matters most and the special teams have become voodoo again. Luke is hitting a wall and Nemec will too.

I think it's more likely that our core is akin to Stamkos/Hedman/Kucherov winning at 29/30/26 than CHI or PIT in 08-09.

The wall that Luke has hit this year was really hard. He started out of the gate (like at the tail end of our season\playoffs last yera) really good, really dynamic, sharp and flashy. Since about December he's been more tentative, spacey with plays, and just looking more lethargic. The full NHL season tilt hit him hard.

I think with Nemec its a little less, because he did the AHL grind last year, which is why there is a bit of contrast since Nemec was called up and stayed up. He looked really good himself, and only had a smaller tail-off/bump in the road. Luke's play dropoff has been quite large.

I agree i can't see us fully contending for at least 1-2 more season (I'm not as far out as Jim is with his 3), unless some stars align really well and things go right either this year, or next. Hard to fathom we'll do any damage this year if we make it like we were "supposed to".

We're still streaky in those areas you mentioned. Unable to bury key chances (Nico, Bratt, Jack, etc.) or just not do the wrong things that lead to goals against - Like the extra penalties, or bad soft passes (Toffoli/Bratt/Jack) at worst game moment times.

 

[SteveCangialosi123]

Chicago's defense was in place when Patrick Kane was drafted. Keith and Seabrook had 3 or 4 years jump on Kane and Toews....we went the opposite direction.

How old was Colorado’s best D when they won?