Devils team discussion (news, notes and speculation) - 2023 offseason part II

[Hockey Sports Fan]

Now that Boqvist is gone I believe we only have one player left in the organization from the 2017 NHL draft, and that is our beautiful Nico.

Looking back on that draft, I think we did solid. Definitely not amazing by any means, but definitely good enough. We made the right choice going with Nico of course. After that, we took Jesper Boqvist with our next pick. Not an amazing player by any means, but he has been serviceable enough. Other notable players from that round were Jason Robertson (3 picks later), Eetu Luostarinen, Mario Ferraro (the Mirco Mueller pick lmao), and Maxime Comtois. Only really missed out on one player that round, so I can't really complain too much. Fabian was the next pick, and again, nothing really notable came out of that round either aside from Morgan Geekie. We also took Riley Walsh that round, who in the grand scheme of things, turned out to be a nothingburger.

Round 4 was Popugayev. There were actually a couple solid NHLers taken a bit later in this round, but I think Pops was still a good pick given what he had showed earlier in the season and the fact that most outlets had him pegged for the 2nd round. Other noteable players were Mikey Anderson (Joey's brother, 5 picks later), Jeremy Swayman, Emil Bemstrom, and Drake Batherson. Pops was a fine risk to take, unfortunate it didn't work out.

Rounds 5-7 produced approximately 3 low end NHLers total, which were Sebastian Aho (NYI), Noah Cates, and Morgan Barron. So nothing to write home about with what we missed there. Got some games out of Studs and Senn, so that I guess is fine.

Either way, we did good with what was available in the 2017 draft. Nico is our boy, and Fabs helped us to get Timo Meier. Think it worked out well for us overall.

i was just looking at this draft after i saw the Boqvist signing. I completely memory-holed Gilles Senn playing NHL games in a Devils sweater. Also crazy that he just turned 27.

 

[captainscott12]

I'm personally looking forward to the internal camp battle of Foote, Holtz and Clarke to see who can take the available spots. I still wouldn't be surprised to see us bring in a veteran on a PTO or fill one more winger spot somehow, but it's always good to see a healthy competition in camp.

i liked Footes game a lot in the small sample sizes..

 

[BostonDevil]

Now that I have been able to log back in, I just want to chime in on Boqvist. Thought he was useless most of the year but it appeared that Zett being traded lit a bit of a fire under him because he played well after that.

I’m just thrilled we are at the point where serviceable young NHL players are now considered spare parts for NJ. We’ve come a long way.

I would wish him luck but I hope his new organization burns in hell for all eternity. Sorry Jesper, you chose poorly.

 

[Devs3cups]

Yea I'm not too worried about the defense speed. I have no idea how Miller/Nemec compare to Severson in terms of speed but obviously Luke > Graves, so it probably nets out.

But will be interesting to see the forward look. Wood, Tatar, Boqvist, Sharangovich versus Toffoli, Foote, Lazar Holtz/Clarke is a big drop in speed.

But at least we know the engines of all the lines (Hughes, Hischier, Haula, McLeod) can skate and Bratt, Meier.

Not sure about Miller, but Nemec is a great skater. Very calculated/methodical and his acceleration is impressive, as @Guttersniped has mentioned often after seeing him live I believe. My viewings confirm that in my eyes.

 

[Zippy316]

Still kind of bizarre that there’s been no media availability from Fitzgerald since free agency.

Granted he did have quite a few before free agency with the Bratt/Meier extensions and Toffoli deal, but you would think he’d have done one for free agency, if he’s finished.

 

[Oneiro]

Yeah but you're comparing a team that was a boarding penalty and a few bounces from winning it all with Kovy in his worst physical shape to a team that had no business being in the playoffs with Hall at his best.. what Hall did was really fun but Kovy >>>>>>> hall.

What’s the point you’re making? Kovy never had as dominant as a season in an NJ uniform. Hall in 18 >>>> NJ Kovy and it’s not very debatable.

 

[TheUnseenHand]

We need to stop drafting players from Djurgården. Urbom, Josefsson and Holtz. It brakes my heart to see my home town heroes fail with my favorite nhl team.

Holtz will be fine. He's clearly superior to the other two mentioned. He's got a skill few players have.

I think spending so much of the past decade starved for literally any young player with a pulse has jaded us to how common a player like Boqvist is. His best case scenario is essentially solid 2-way middle six winger and he still needs to take a step or two to get there. I'm just not convinced the league values this type of player the way fans do.

I don't disagree, but we could honestly use a player like that at center. He's young, had for super cheap, knows our system, can sit when the team is healthy and fill in admirably when it's not.

 

[TheUnseenHand]

What’s the point you’re making? Kovy never had as dominant as a season in an NJ uniform. Hall in 18 >>>> NJ Kovy and it’s not very debatable.

Just from the eye test, I've never seen a player in a Devils uniform as dominant as Kovy when he was on. And he was a player built for the playoffs too. It's amazing what he did with a broken back.

 

[Bcap88]

Hey, fantasy hockey question and I didn’t know where else to put it. Is Toffoli likely to play with Hughes and on the top PP unit?

Ruff flips lines all the time at one point they had Meier on the third line so it’s unlikely to know at this point.

I see at least top 6 playing time and pp2?

I would assume, Hughes,Meier,Bratt, hischier get priority over him on pp 1

 

[TheUnseenHand]

I just watched this because it's great. I can't wait for a full season for this.

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

Clearly youre wrong though because Hes gone. Boqvist is a top-6 playstyle without top-6 skill

Another advanced stat darling bites the dust, go figure

what does that even mean?

Kind of like Jesper Bratt, and Jack Hughes, and Nico Hischier, and....

oh.

 

[Guttersniped]

Tip: turn the sound down before watching this clip

 

[Billdo]

Just from the eye test, I've never seen a player in a Devils uniform as dominant as Kovy when he was on. And he was a player built for the playoffs too. It's amazing what he did with a broken back.

I'd agree with this. Niedermayer was so good it looked effortless so it wasn't as "exciting". Halls MVP year he was an absolute force, Jack is a legit superstar, but Kovy when he was at the top of his game was just different visually in my opinion.

 

[Emperoreddy]

Peak Kovy was one of the best players I've ever seen play.

 

[Billdo]

I think spending so much of the past decade starved for literally any young player with a pulse has jaded us to how common a player like Boqvist is. His best case scenario is essentially solid 2-way middle six winger and he still needs to take a step or two to get there. I'm just not convinced the league values this type of player the way fans do.

He's Kuokkanen. Guys who look good, guys who are worthy of a spot, but guys who are easily replaceable and don't every really pop off elsewhere.

 

[Whaddagoal]

I'd agree with this. Niedermayer was so good it looked effortless so it wasn't as "exciting". Halls MVP year he was an absolute force, Jack is a legit superstar, but Kovy when he was at the top of his game was just different visually in my opinion.

I think with Kovy, at his peak play with NJ (and also with ATL), he was "confidently lethal" in his style visually. You knew he would bury the puck on those big plays flying up ice. He was like a legit 225 lbs wide body skating with force and agility. Probably 230 by end.

(FYI The reason for my nickname here ..Whaddagoal was originally from a crazy goal call on a goal by Kovalchuk by their PBP guy in SportssSouth ... JP dellacamera ...who used to do Metrostars PBP I think. Kovy made a crazy move to go around 3 guys rip a shot in...I used to get nhl center ice to watch the Thrashers as my #2 team. I had his goal videos saved from thrasher site back in day. Probably on one of my old backups.)

And given his wrist shot was as lethal (power/accuracy equally), just gave fans a lot of confidence on the rush. Kovy would have been tailor made for Ruff's system this past season if we could bring a 27-30 year old Kovy back)

Man too much Kovy reminiscing making me think of the what ifs....2012 with a bit of sadness.. Really wish the devils could have gotten that 4th cup with him being at the driving edge.

 

[Better Call Sal]

I apologize if this was shared some time ago but I just came across it today. PK starts talking about us and specifically Jack around the 42:30 mark. Not only does he continue to sing Jack’s praises but he goes into how proud of him and Nico he is and tells a couple great stories (including PK mentioning how he’s a big team dinner guy, wink )

I love PK and I love what he says here.

 

[Whaddagoal]

I apologize if this was shared some time ago but I just came across it today. PK starts talking about us and specifically Jack around the 42:30 mark. Not only does he continue to sing Jack’s praises but he goes into how proud of him and Nico he is and tells a couple great stories (including PK mentioning how he’s a big team dinner guy, wink )

I love PK and I love what he says here.

Team dinner guy.....

 

[MadDevil]

Kovy was flashier than Hall, but I think what Hall did in his MVP season was more impressive. Dude had 41 more points than the next closest Devil.

 

[Mr Bojanglez]

Kovy was flashier than Hall, but I think what Hall did in his MVP season was more impressive. Dude had 41 more points than the next closest Devil.

It is important to remember how vastly difference the respective teams were. Take both players away.... and compare those teams. Assuming you add in a 25-25 guy as a replacement for each... one team still makes the playoffs

 

[Andre Palot]

I think with Kovy, at his peak play with NJ (and also with ATL), he was "confidently lethal" in his style visually. You knew he would bury the puck on those big plays flying up ice. He was like a legit 225 lbs wide body skating with force and agility. Probably 230 by end.

(FYI The reason for my nickname here ..Whaddagoal was originally from a crazy goal call on a goal by Kovalchuk by their PBP guy in SportssSouth ... JP dellacamera ...who used to do Metrostars PBP I think. Kovy made a crazy move to go around 3 guys rip a shot in...I used to get nhl center ice to watch the Thrashers as my #2 team. I had his goal videos saved from thrasher site back in day. Probably on one of my old backups.)

And given his wrist shot was as lethal (power/accuracy equally), just gave fans a lot of confidence on the rush. Kovy would have been tailor made for Ruff's system this past season if we could bring a 27-30 year old Kovy back)

Man too much Kovy reminiscing making me think of the what ifs....2012 with a bit of sadness.. Really wish the devils could have gotten that 4th cup with him being at the driving edge.

Still one of my favorite goals.

 

[Billdo]

Still one of my favorite goals.

Peter Harrold manning the point on the PP.

It is important to remember how vastly difference the respective teams were. Take both players away.... and compare those teams. Assuming you add in a 25-25 guy as a replacement for each... one team still makes the playoffs

The individual is the point not the teams though.

 

[Devs3cups]

I apologize if this was shared some time ago but I just came across it today. PK starts talking about us and specifically Jack around the 42:30 mark. Not only does he continue to sing Jack’s praises but he goes into how proud of him and Nico he is and tells a couple great stories (including PK mentioning how he’s a big team dinner guy, wink )

I love PK and I love what he says here.

Shared a clip of it the other day but not the whole part about us. Very good stuff, thanks for sharing!

Still one of my favorite goals.

Best PP goal I’ve ever seen for real.

 

[Camille the Eel]

Yeah I get the feeling like this was maybe Fitz more doing Boqvist a favor than actually wanting to move on from him.

Plus he’s not waiver exempt the way Holtz and Foote will be if one of them sticks.

The only caveat I have about the shot we gave Boqvist is how often he would be playing well and then get sat down in favor of Wood. And we always seemed to me the better team on ice with Boq instead of Wood. Good kid too.

 

[Goptor]

Kovy was flashier than Hall, but I think what Hall did in his MVP season was more impressive. Dude had 41 more points than the next closest Devil.

Hall went on a half-season hot streak that probably wont be matched in NJ again. He had no help and was winning games all by himself. Had that crazy point streak while willing the team into the playoffs.

Outside of that half season, all the other guys were better than Hall. Its fair to say Hall had the best season while also being a worse player than Elias, Hughes, Kovy, etc.