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

[glenwo2]

Yes, it was my dog, I had to put her down at 7 yrs old because she had a liver disease that could not be fixed. She was a beautiful dog, a great friend and just terrific to live with and be around. Her name was Nala.

I'm sure she was. My condolences.

 

[NJ DevLolz]

I have a hard time believing he thinks the game poorly enough to be a PPG AHLer at 19/20 but not succeed in our top 9 with his talent level. Out of the 2 guys he should be competing with too one of those guys is basically just a worse version of Holtz.

Holtz would hardly be the first prospect to dominate the AHL and struggle in the NHL. The pace is much quicker and more structured in the latter and he isn’t being fed 1PP or top line minutes. His weaknesses are much harder to hide. I’m far from a scout but to me, his straightaway speed is good enough but his agility is poor and he appears to not move his feet or glide efficiently. This causes him to lose a lot of 1 on 1 battles with defenders in the corner. I also don’t see him dart in and out of the slot like a Hughes or Hischier. His game is stagnant. I’m not denying his shot, puck skills, and vision, I just see so many red flags in his game. You don’t have to squint hard to see a useful player and I think he can get there with even minimal improvement in the aforementioned areas. Just my .02 cents.

However, like I said, he needs to be given a run of games which he hasn’t gotten.

Edit: another thing I’ve observed his that Holtz seems to struggle making plays at high speed. That is- when he has the puck on his stick and is moving at or near his top speed, he doesn’t make the correct decision of when to pass, shoot, or stick handle.

Getting Up to Speed With Kotkaniemi

Why is the Habs' center less than the sum of his skills?

jhanhky.substack.com

This is from Jack Han and the player he evaluates is Kotkaniemi but I find much of it applies to Alex.

 

[NjDevsRR]

 

[FinnishDevil]

I found this way too funny.

 

[Nubmer6]

I found this way too funny.

That's SO Miles.

 

[Clam Jensen]

I found this way too funny.

That got an audible laugh out of me

 

[PizzaAndPucks]

They still never announced Ruff's contract for the team. I can't imagine Fitz giving him anything over 2 years.

 

[Devs3cups]

They still never announced Ruff's contract for the team. I can't imagine Fitz giving him anything over 2 years.

I also think it’s kind of weird we haven’t heard anything.

 

[glenwo2]

I found this way too funny.

That was way funnier than it had any right to be.

 

[Hischier and Hughes]

I also think it’s kind of weird we haven’t heard anything.

its because they havent finished the offseason yet!!

if you catch my drift

 

[devilsfan950003]

Training camp and preseason are going to be fun. I'm intrigued by how Holtz , Foote & Clarke look in the games they get in.

I'm excited for Toffoli. He had a really really good season but if you look at previous years he is more of a 2nd line player (which is fine). If he can mesh with Hughes , Nico , Bratt , Meier etc than a 30 goal season again is doable. Our 2nd powerplay unit is going to to be pretty deep too. You figure the top unit is a lock for Hughes , Bratt , Hamilton , Hischier and Meier. The 2nd unit might look something like Mercer , Toffoli , Luke , Holtz/Clarke , Palat/Haula/Bastian. It wouldn't be suprising to see either guy from unit #2 to be moved to the top powerplay when injuries or inconsistency hits. Sometimes those net front guys like Bastian or Haula can force their hand to the top unit but still. Luke and Holtz on the 2nd unit is insane with their shooting ability. I'm hoping Luke really makes a big impact there , it can be a really big advantage.

I agree, we need Holtz right handed shot on the second power play unit. I'd keep him on the third line and let him learn. He did well in the AHL, it's his time to shine. Let's see if his off-season work with Bratt improves his skating. Keep him on the third line even if he stumbles. He'll have two veterans on his line who will teach him as well. We just have to be patient.

 

[StevenToddIves]

I just want to come on here to say Rest In Peace, Rodion Amirov. Outstanding prospect and by all accounts a terrific kid. I'm shattered that a person with so much ahead of him in life had to be tragically taken from us.

 

[Maine Fan]

Thank you everyone for your likes about my dog Nala. I only wish that each of you had an opportunity to have spent a day with her. You would have been in love.

Thanks everyone. It means a lot to this 88 yr old

 

[Guadana]

Thank you everyone for your likes about my dog Nala. I only wish that each of you had an opportunity to have spent a day with her. You would have been in love.

Thanks everyone. It means a lot to this 88 yr old

88 years! wish I could live that long. Do you have some secrets of health or may be your family is full of people who live long? Sorry from my bad English, people are used to my bad Russian accent.

 

[Maine Fan]

88 years! wish I could live that long. Do you have some secrets of health or maybe your family is full of people who live long? Sorry for my bad English, people are used to my bad Russian accent.

No secret, I was adopted in 1936. I do know who my biological parents were. My biological father lived to 91. My biological mother lived to 89. I am mostly bedridden due to pain, most back pain from advanced stenosis, 3 herniated lower back disks, and 1 herniated neck disk. I have two dead hips and lots of arthritis throughout my body. I played a lot of sports in my lifetime, right up to 79 yrs old when I stopped downhill skiing 100 days a year.
I get by, on good days I go out for lunch. I go to doctors, I go to stores I use a walker or rollator. I do take a lot of pain meds like morphine, opioids, CBD, and Gabapentin. I have a spine stimulator installed in my back. I watch a lot of sports and have TV and the Internet. I am a lot better off than many older people.

I want to see the NJ Devils on TV of course get another Stanley Cup in my lifetime. I was in person for two Cups '94-'95 and '99-'00 and watch on TV the other '02-'03.

Lots of info, more than you needed. Good health to you and yours.

Let's Go Devils

 

[njdevil26]

Yes, it was my dog, I had to put her down at 7 yrs old because she had a liver disease that could not be fixed. She was a beautiful dog, a great friend and just terrific to live with and be around. Her name was Nala.

Condolences. I get more upset when animals die than people.

 

[Maine Fan]

Condolences. I get more upset when animals die than people.

Thank you. You are so correct. I just said that yesterday. I have had 8 dogs and 3 cars in my lifetime and I have had to put down all and I cried for days sometimes uncontrollable.

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

Thank you everyone for your likes about my dog Nala. I only wish that each of you had an opportunity to have spent a day with her. You would have been in love.

Thanks everyone. It means a lot to this 88 yr old

Much love my man! Love that you still visit this place.

 

[HBK27]

So...I guess we lost the rights to Moyniham and McCarthy?

Obviously not a big deal, as neither had a future with the organization.

Moynihan had an impressive freshman season at Providence, but somehow managed to put up significantly worse stats his senior year.

Not sure how to judge McCarthy given he's a defenseman. Guessing both return to college for another season?

 

[OmNomNom]

the dream is dead

 

[NjDevsRR]

On the next episode of Dano’s Diaries…

I’m running out of offseason inspiration

 

[Devs3cups]

https://x.com/njdevil00/status/1691801829019988133?s=46&t=S0D17Hd0FnMFplE2HlRV5g

(No idea why this didn’t embed)

 

[NjDevsRR]

https://x.com/njdevil00/status/1691801829019988133?s=46&t=S0D17Hd0FnMFplE2HlRV5g

WHAT HE KNOW

 

[Devs3cups]

WHAT HE KNOW

 

[Devs3cups]

WHAT HE KNOW

Also posted this yesterday…

https://x.com/njdevil00/status/1691482160262221825?s=46&t=S0D17Hd0FnMFplE2HlRV5g

(Why aren’t Tweets embedding)