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

[StevenToddIves]

Scott Wheeler's 2020 NHL Draft re-draft and ranking review

Scott Wheeler provides updated evaluations of the top players in the 2020 draft class and breaks down what he got right and wrong.

theathletic.com

This one is brutal lol. I’d take Mercer and Jarvis over every forward besides Stutzle.

1.) Stutzle
2.) Sanderson
3.) Raymond
4.) Perfetti
5.) Lafreniere
6.) Byfield
7.) Mercer
8.) Jarvis
9.) Lundell
10.) Quinn

I give Wheeler credit for ranking Stutzle/Sanderson 1/2. Not only do they both deserve those rankings, but Wheeler was really relatively down on both those guys at the 2020 draft and he's being a stand-up writer by admitting the mistake.

I'd re-rank the 2020 draft like this:

1 Stutzle
2 Sanderson
3 Mercer
4 Jarvis
5 Faber
6 Raymond
7 Lundell
8 Askarov
9 Levi
10 Lafreniere

But it's important to keep in mind that 2020 was just 3 years ago and there's still a lot of time for development and movement. Particularly, Lafreniere and Byfield might make jumps if they get the change of scenery trades they desperately need, both players still possess great upside. Also, we need to keep in mind that Rossi lost over a year of development when he nearly died of illness, so I'm not hedging on my initial #3 overall ranking of him back in 2020.

Other big-upside 2020 draftees who could really make a jump include Perfetti, Quinn, Reichel, Nikishin and Mukhamadullin.

 

[StevenToddIves]

Holtz more valuable than Nikishin confirmed

It's actually really close. Holtz still has 40+ goal upside in the right situation, but Nikishin is a big, physical defenseman who can shut down the opposition and score. I'd rank Nikishin a bit higher right now.

 

[StevenToddIves]

Easily. I’d probably take them both over Raymond too based on his last season.

Mercer vs. Jarvis vs. Raymond would be an interesting debate to be honest. I'd say Raymond has the most pure scoring upside, with Jarvis in a close 2nd and Mercer not far back in 3rd. However, Mercer has the best overall game and is the most versatile, with Jarvis again in 2nd and this time Raymond in 3rd.

These are all outstanding young forwards and any way someone decided to order them would be defensible. In my rankings a bit higher up on this page (174) of this thread, I have Mercer at 3, Jarvis at 4 and Raymond at 6 overall.

 

[StevenToddIves]

His typo in his Tweet with "NJR" having the #1 pick was worse.

What's also interesting about Wheeler's list is he admitted his mistake with Mukhamadullin, which many writers who criticized NJ's selection of him have still refused to do despite all the evidence to the contrary.

Frankly, I'd have Mukhamadullin even higher here, above names like Farrell and Foerster.

In retrospect, the Devils did quite well in the 2020 1st round. #7 pick Holtz probably dips into the mid-teens while Mukhamadullin goes around where NJ took him at #20, but Mercer's skyrocket from #18 to the top 5 makes it a great round for the Devils.

As for the rest of the picks? I'd say Daws might rise a bit from the 3rd round to the 2nd. 4th rounders Pitlik and Edwards probably stay in the same area, maybe Edwards makes the late 3rd. Shlaine probably drops to the 7th, while Baumgartner would not be drafted even if the 2020 draft was 1,000 picks long.

Overall the Devils did exceptionally well, mostly because of Mercer, but Holtz is still a top prospect and Mukhamadullin was the key piece in acquiring Timo Meier.

 

[NjDevsRR]

 

[Triumph]

What's also interesting about Wheeler's list is he admitted his mistake with Mukhamadullin, which many writers who criticized NJ's selection of him have still refused to do despite all the evidence to the contrary.

Frankly, I'd have Mukhamadullin even higher here, above names like Farrell and Foerster.

In retrospect, the Devils did quite well in the 2020 1st round. #7 pick Holtz probably dips into the mid-teens while Mukhamadullin goes around where NJ took him at #20, but Mercer's skyrocket from #18 to the top 5 makes it a great round for the Devils.

As for the rest of the picks? I'd say Daws might rise a bit from the 3rd round to the 2nd. 4th rounders Pitlik and Edwards probably stay in the same area, maybe Edwards makes the late 3rd. Shlaine probably drops to the 7th, while Baumgartner would not be drafted even if the 2020 draft was 1,000 picks long.

Overall the Devils did exceptionally well, mostly because of Mercer, but Holtz is still a top prospect and Mukhamadullin was the key piece in acquiring Timo Meier.

It's an extremely minor point, but Jaromir Pytlik is struggling to earn ice time in the Czech league at age 21, scoring a whopping 5 goals in 63 games the last two seasons. He would also not be drafted if the draft were 1,000 picks long, and Shlaine would go way, way above him.

 

[StevenToddIves]

It's an extremely minor point, but Jaromir Pytlik is struggling to earn ice time in the Czech league at age 21, scoring a whopping 5 goals in 63 games the last two seasons. He would also not be drafted if the draft were 1,000 picks long, and Shlaine would go way, way above him.

Shlaine did have a big stat jump after transferring to NMU last year, so you could be right. He's also solid defensively and good in the face-off circle, which are the two areas Pitlik remains effective.

I don't expect either to make the NHL right now, unfortunately. I see Pitlik remaining in Europe, while I think Shlaine could be an AHL middle-lineup center.

The only Jersey band that matters to me is Overkill. Hard working band that never compromised and still brings it.

Now that I think about it, I'm just really glad no one mentioned Trixter.

 

[StevenToddIves]

Misfits screwed a record producer (also from NJ) on one of their compilation albums denying him a gold record which I can't really forgive.

There's tons of NJ bands. Fountains of Wayne, My Chemical Romance, Gaslight Anthem, Bouncing Souls, Pinegrove...

I went to high school (mostly) in Fair Lawn, and both Regina Spektor and Donald Fagan (main guy in Steely Dan for you younger folks) lived in Fair Lawn at some point.

 

[Mr Bojanglez]

I went to high school (mostly) in Fair Lawn, and both Regina Spektor and Donald Fagan (main guy in Steely Dan for you younger folks) lived in Fair Lawn at some point.

If the young folks don't know Steely Dan, they better find out soon. You put them on at a summer party - nobody is unhappy.

 

[Nubmer6]

Now that I think about it, I'm just really glad no one mentioned Trixter.

Hmm. I *think* a buddy of mine was their original guitarist (before they were signed).

 

[Bleedred]

Misfits screwed a record producer (also from NJ) on one of their compilation albums denying him a gold record which I can't really forgive.

There's tons of NJ bands. Fountains of Wayne, My Chemical Romance, Gaslight Anthem, Bouncing Souls, Pinegrove...

I've not heard many good things about really any of the main members of the Misfits. Misfits or Fakefits. I have a few friends that are musicians and have been in recording and touring acts for years now. One of them for over 30 years. They've either had bad experiences with the members or have stories from people they know that have bad experiences with them. Danzig acts like a rock star dickhead the size of Gene Simmons or Axl Rose, despite the fact that he's not nearly on their level of notoriety and fame.

And for some reason, they're also like Lars Ulrich levels of anti-music piracy/file sharing, which is kind of funny considering that they don't sell records on the level of Metalica (who idolized them and covered a bunch of their songs) or the artists that have spoken out against it. And I also remember hearing that during the most recent Misfits reunion (with Danzig back), where they've played big arena's like MSG and Prudential Center, that cell phone's were being confiscated and not allowed to be brought into the concourses, so people couldn't tape them. I saw some video from one of their shows this year, so I guess either that person snuck their phone in or they're not doing that anymore.

Most musical acts (ESPECIALLY an act like the Misfits) don't make a whole lot of money on record sales. The members probably make as much or more money playing one or two arena gigs than they do all year on royalties from their records. The money has always been in touring. Which is why almost every act is going out on the road performing. Because they can't make money (at least not a lot) just sitting home and collecting royalty money from the records. Especially a band like the Misfits that hasn't made an album (with that lineup) in 40 years.

Some friends of mine have a friend that knew of the Misfits when he was a teenager. He knew some people from Lodi where they're from and is near the same as the original members. He doesn't even listen to punk music and said the Misfits were such big pieces of shit that he won't even listen to that type of music haha.

 

[My3Sons]

I went to high school (mostly) in Fair Lawn, and both Regina Spektor and Donald Fagan (main guy in Steely Dan for you younger folks) lived in Fair Lawn at some point.

Ronnie Spector?

 

[Dialamo]

That comeback win against Edmonton was maybe the best win of the season... I know some will argue the Severson goal against the Rangers... but that Edmonton win was the game that made me realize this team was actually good.

The Edmonton GDT was legendary.

I had some weird Houdini shit happen in that GDT. We were down 3-2 in the 3rd. Graves was having a bad night and people were lambasting him. I quote replied someone criticizing his play and said "Graves will tie the game and you will like it!" as a joke. About a minute later.....Graves ties the game. 10 seconds later, Marino and Bratt magic.

What a great GDT to be a part of!

 

[forceten]

I've not heard many good things about really any of the main members of the Misfits. Misfits or Fakefits. I have a few friends that are musicians and have been in recording and touring acts for years now. One of them for over 30 years. They've either had bad experiences with the members or have stories from people they know that have bad experiences with them.

...

Some friends of mine have a friend that knew of the Misfits when he was a teenager. He knew some people from Lodi where they're from and is near the same as the original members. He doesn't even listen to punk music and said the Misfits were such big pieces of shit that he won't even listen to that type of music haha.

Yeah. This guy I know is a musician, writer, performer, producer. I was fortunate to get him as a guitar instructor for a year or two before I moved south. He eventually told me the story. Just sad. That kind of thing is career impacting. And for no good reason. Just a sh-- thing to do.

 

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

Scott Wheeler's 2020 NHL Draft re-draft and ranking review

Scott Wheeler provides updated evaluations of the top players in the 2020 draft class and breaks down what he got right and wrong.

theathletic.com

This one is brutal lol. I’d take Mercer and Jarvis over every forward besides Stutzle.

1.) Stutzle
2.) Sanderson
3.) Raymond
4.) Perfetti
5.) Lafreniere
6.) Byfield
7.) Mercer
8.) Jarvis
9.) Lundell
10.) Quinn

Mercer's the 4th best player in that class right now, at the worst, what a joke. You could argue he's better than Sanderson and Raymond right now as well but the other two have higher ceilings.

 

[Whaddagoal]

The Edmonton GDT was legendary.

I had some weird Houdini shit happen in that GDT. We were down 3-2 in the 3rd. Graves was having a bad night and people were lambasting him. I quote replied someone criticizing his play and said "Graves will tie the game and you will like it!" as a joke. About a minute later.....Graves ties the game. 10 seconds later, Marino and Bratt magic.

What a great GDT to be a part of!

100+ pager? We were all on a bender of sorts. As streak just started, (or we were in winning form).. Some Edmonton hfb was talking trash about NJ, NJD. Bunch of Jespers phrase came from their GDT. We got amped up before game, then during game there was the late quick goals.

What a rush. That GDT was epic.

 

[Guttersniped]

It's an extremely minor point, but Jaromir Pytlik is struggling to earn ice time in the Czech league at age 21, scoring a whopping 5 goals in 63 games the last two seasons. He would also not be drafted if the draft were 1,000 picks long, and Shlaine would go way, way above him.

Yeah, having seen them both at development camp again Shlaine is the much better player. That isn’t saying much because Pytlik sucks.

And I don’t typically drag any recent picks (well other than Hurtig), but Pytlik looked pretty bad last year and he wasn’t much better this year. His skating is still ugly at the 3v3 and he got dominated by much smaller camp invite Cam Recchi at the scrimmage.

You can at least see Shlaine’s on-ice vision when he plays live, that’s probably his best quality. He’s also pretty good at driving to the net even though he’s not the strongest guy. He has a shot to get to Utica at least.

 

[Guadana]

Misfits screwed a record producer (also from NJ) on one of their compilation albums denying him a gold record which I can't really forgive.

There's tons of NJ bands. Fountains of Wayne, My Chemical Romance, Gaslight Anthem, Bouncing Souls, Pinegrove...

My chemical romance have a couple of very good songs. But their music overall is... way way out from me.
Their vocalist(who is comics artist too) is very artistic and has a lot of vocal tools. Its not my music, but I admit his level of professionalism.

 

[njdevils1982]

Ronnie Spector?

be my baby and take me home tonight

 

[Beastdog75]

Misfits screwed a record producer (also from NJ) on one of their compilation albums denying him a gold record which I can't really forgive.

There's tons of NJ bands. Fountains of Wayne, My Chemical Romance, Gaslight Anthem, Bouncing Souls, Pinegrove...

I can't forgive them for this garbage... (granted it's from the post-Danzig trash era of the band)

 

[Bleedred]

I can't forgive them for this garbage... (granted it's from the post-Danzig trash era of the band)

I forgot about this gross pile of shit song. The best thing about the Devils being low key and unpopular is we don’t have stupid shit theme songs like this. Although catch fire is very cringe.

I think this was supposed to be for the Ramones, but something happened and they had to get the Fakefits to perform it instead.

That was probably the biggest name they could get beyond the Ramones, despite the fact that they were a trash scab lineup.

 

[njdevils1982]

I can't forgive them for this garbage... (granted it's from the post-Danzig trash era of the band)

 

[My3Sons]

be my baby and take me home tonight

Try Some Buy Some

 

[MartyOwns]

 

[njdevils1982]

Try Some Buy Some

never heard this version.....holy "wall of sound"


gonna throw this on... it's been a while