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

[Bleedred]

When do vets report to camp ?

This is not confirmed, but I think they usually report on a Wednesday for physicals. Looking at the calendar for September, I'm gonna say it's September 20th. Maybe give or take a day if they don't report on a Wednesday, but I think they normally do. First preseason game for us is on the 25th, which is the Monday after.

I think it's a Wednesday every year though, other than maybe in lockout years or the covid year when the season started in January and there were no preseason games.

 

[Devils731]

When do vets report to camp ?

Buffalo rookie games after the rookies report is the first “fun” thing of camp.

 

[Bleedred]

Buffalo rookie games after the rookies report is the first “fun” thing of camp.

So I was right, it's always a Wednesday. At least in a normal year where camp starts in September.

 

[glenwo2]

This was a great find, ZBC.

Nice interview.

BTW, I like Bratt's thought process in regards to his new contract in that he views every year as a 1-year-deal and is aware of players who "relax" too much after getting that big contract.

 

[glenwo2]

Oh look all Hughes brothers wearing Nashville Preda...oh I mean Michigan Wolverine colors.

 

[Eggtimer]

The defense could certainly have issues. That's essentially the only aspect of this team where I can see a pretty significant issue if there were to be one. I also think bringing in Miller helps alleviate that and I think Nemec gets another year in the A.

Siegenthaler-Hamilton
Hughes-Marino
Bahl-Miller

Can be pretty solid though.

That group of 6 I think can be good to very good . However , it starts getting kinda scary if someone gets hurt for an extended amount of time and if there are two injuries or more , we are looking at Nemec and Smith playing. It’s not terrible to have those playing but not ideal . Once Nemec and Luke are solid , I think our D core will be damn good or even potentially amazing .

 

[glenwo2]

This sequence was nuts..

 

[Billdo]

That group of 6 I think can be good to very good . However , it starts getting kinda scary if someone gets hurt for an extended amount of time and if there are two injuries or more , we are looking at Nemec and Smith playing. It’s not terrible to have those playing but not ideal . Once Nemec and Luke are solid , I think our D core will be damn good or even potentially amazing .

An injury on the left side is particularly troublesome as well but fingers crossed we have a healthy group for the year and through 4 playoff rounds.

 

[RSeen]

That group of 6 I think can be good to very good . However , it starts getting kinda scary if someone gets hurt for an extended amount of time and if there are two injuries or more , we are looking at Nemec and Smith playing. It’s not terrible to have those playing but not ideal . Once Nemec and Luke are solid , I think our D core will be damn good or even potentially amazing .

Will be curious how Miller performs. His advanced stats are good but he did not have a good playoffs from what I've heard. That could be a spot we look to upgrade at the trade deadline if he isn't playing good enough from a shutdown perspective.

 

[Guadana]

Will be curious how Miller performs. His advanced stats are good but he did not have a good playoffs from what I've heard. That could be a spot we look to upgrade at the trade deadline if he isn't playing good enough from a shutdown perspective.

They will try Miller and Cal Foote. If both aren't good enough for the limited role, then may be Fitz will try to find something more and will give some time to Nemec , but its really to early to talk about it, depth is good.

 

[glenwo2]

Really?

 

[Lou is God]

Really?

Yeah, it's 39 days. They're right.

 

[Bleedred]

I had to look up Brian Gibbons to see if he still played professional hockey. Says he’s under contract with ERC Ingolstadt of the Deutsche league. He’s been in various European leagues since the 20-21 season.

 

[Its Always Sundstrom]

I had to look up Brian Gibbons to see if he still played professional hockey. Says he’s under contract with ERC Ingolstadt of the Deutsche league. He’s been in various European leagues since the 20-21 season.

Jawohl.

 

[Maine Fan]

I am always giving praise to Fitz for his efforts and moves with the Devils.

This question was asked of the public and recorded against every NHL team also factored in was the fan base.

How confident are you in your team’s front office?

If you said the NJ Devils were #1 you were correct. The results are out in The Athletic.

Congrats Fitz and the Devils Staff for a job well done to date.

Now it is time for everyone to EXECUTE. Hear that coaches and players.

Let's Go Devils

 

[Blender]

Really?

 

[Hisch13r]

An injury on the left side is particularly troublesome as well but fingers crossed we have a healthy group for the year and through 4 playoff rounds.

I think it would depend on how good Bahl looks and how long the injury is. If he can Bahl can be an adequate enough #4 in a pinch then it shouldn't be that bad. If it's long term then yeah that's probably an issue but for almost any team a long term injury to a top 4D would hurt a lot.

 

[Hisch13r]

Let's get Holtz with Bratt's mental coach. He's already with his skating coach. He might need the mental coach more than the skating coach

Will be curious how Miller performs. His advanced stats are good but he did not have a good playoffs from what I've heard. That could be a spot we look to upgrade at the trade deadline if he isn't playing good enough from a shutdown perspective.

Numbers wise he still had a solid run. I don't think he'll be a problem area that'll need upgrading.

 

[NJDevs26]

Really?

Only four players have worn #39 in Devils history and it ain’t exactly a who’s who lol

Gibbons
Kurtis Gabriel
Nick Merkley
Seth Helgeson

 

[njdevils1982]

Only four players have worn #39 in Devils history and it ain’t exactly a who’s who lol

Gibbons
Kurtis Gabriel
Nick Merkley
Seth Helgeson

oh.....just you wait for the list of #38!

 

[NJDevs26]

oh.....just you wait for the list of #38!

I saw, 38 and 36 look like shit and 37 they’ll probably break out an old Eric Gelinas photo

 

[NjDevsRR]

Only four players have worn #39 in Devils history and it ain’t exactly a who’s who lol

Gibbons
Kurtis Gabriel
Nick Merkley
Seth Helgeson

 

[Billdo]

I think it would depend on how good Bahl looks and how long the injury is. If he can Bahl can be an adequate enough #4 in a pinch then it shouldn't be that bad. If it's long term then yeah that's probably an issue but for almost any team a long term injury to a top 4D would hurt a lot.

If any of the defenseman on the left side is out for a prolonged period of time that means Brendan Smith is playing more and that's less than ideal.

 

[Hisch13r]

If any of the defenseman on the left side is out for a prolonged period of time that means Brendan Smith is playing more and that's less than ideal.

Smith's a perfectly fine bottom pair D. The penalty issues are real but other than that the hate is soooooooooo overboard. He's not a bad player.

 

[Bleedred]

I thought Merrill was 37 or some number like that.

Or was it 33 or 34?