nugg
NJ Hammerhead Bats!
If I had a redo, I'd only pick Makar ahead of him. Will Nico ever score 100 or even 90 points? Probably not, but I could see him have a few PPG seasons. He was at that pace for a good part of the season after a slow start.
Devils team discussion (news, notes and speculation) - offseason edition
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lol Wasn’t Nolan even the popular choice here? Couldn’t take the “small” soft European center over the prototypical center. The “Nico’s small and won’t play center” stuff that was EVERYWHERE in 2017 still just baffles me. The guy was listed at half an inch smaller than Nolan at 6’1.5. Sure he was 20 pounds lighter but he was 18 years old.
nugg
NJ Hammerhead Bats!
It's funny, but I was hesitant about Nolan in part because his dad, Stephen, was a 1st round Rangers bust. Like father, like son.
I don't remember how close it was between them here, but I know I was one of the ones leaning towards Nolan, so I will gladly say I was wrong on that one. I do remember people being all worried that Nolan was going to the Flyers and we'd have to play him 8 times a year (or whatever the divisional schedule was at the time).
I think a lot of posters were afraid of Nolan’s injury history and rightfully so
The poll isn't appearing for some reason when I look at the old Nico vs Nolan thread but I remember it being pretty significantly in Nolan's favor. like 65-75 to 35-25 or something
Sgt Brylin
Trade is one for one
- Dec 28, 2012
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In hindsight, Nico over Nolan and Jack over Kaapo wasn't such a bad show. Who'd have thunk.
Oh, wait.
Oh, wait.
ninetyeight
Registered User
I truly hope Patrick finds his health and bounces back and has a good NHL career. Feels almost unfair to call him a bust when he didn't really even have a chance. It's even easier to root for him now that he's no longer a Flyer.
Man, this Nico revision stuff, plus all the other back and forth about ridiculous minutiae lately is really off putting. It's odious and I fully expect it's putting old/new/potential posters off coming here and joining what can be a good community.
This past decade has been pretty brutal, but it isn't a patch on what most of the fans around the league have had to put up with for multiple decades.
This past decade has been pretty brutal, but it isn't a patch on what most of the fans around the league have had to put up with for multiple decades.
Capt Nico Poo
Holik to HHOF
I think it was pretty even 50-50. I think Nolan would have been the preferred pick w/o his injury history.
ninetyeight
Registered User
Patrick had pretty insane stats before his draft year:
D-1
72gp 41g 61a 102pts
D-2
55gp 30g 26a 56pts
Those are almost McDavid like (well D-2 is, D-1 McD did the same in 16 games less. OHL is arguebly the better league too)
D-1
72gp 41g 61a 102pts
D-2
55gp 30g 26a 56pts
Those are almost McDavid like (well D-2 is, D-1 McD did the same in 16 games less. OHL is arguebly the better league too)
Captain3rdLine
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- Sep 24, 2020
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He had 46 in 33 in his draft year. Played 3 years in the WHL before being drafted.
ninetyeight
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NJDevs26
Once upon a time...
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Depends on when the poll was taken. Post lottery it was solid for Nolan since he was the consensus one pre-lottery, than gradually we sold ourselves on Nico when it became obvious we were going that way.
What kind of 'new' poster looks at this forum, sees its 'Devils team discussion' thread at 255 pages and every other mega-thread that's going, and is like 'yeah this is a good community, gonna jump in here?'
This forum is not organized for new users and hasn't since I have been posting here, nor has it gotten very many.
Better Call Sal
Salnalysis
I mean, I get your gripe, but historical revisionism is like half the posts on HF. They might as well make it the subheading on the site's masthead.
Or if that's not your cup of tea, we can go back to absurdly overhyping prospects, currently touted as can't miss stars, but over half of whom will completely bust.
It's the offseason, and weeks until the draft and free agency. We have nothing real to argue about, but it is imperative that we argue. So here we are.
I guess what I'm saying is that the only way to stay sane on here is to have a healthy sense of cynicism about the whole thing.
Andre Palot
Registered User
In the beginning I wanted Nolan. I'll admit that, I thought he had the potential to be a Stall level player.
Once I actually saw Nico play and saw his rise, I changed my mind. I came to the conclusion his upside was far more greater vs Nolan who was the 'safer' pick. TBH, I'm getting that vibe with Slaf vs Wright. Although I think Wright Vs Nolan is no comparison and Wright will have a way better career in the league.
Cheddabombs
Status Quo
- Mar 13, 2012
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The undersized offensive defenseman take is one thing, but could you imagine at the time taking a defensemen out of the Alberta Junior Hockey League 1st overall? This place would've gone up in flames.
TrufleShufle
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What are you taking about, it gets new users all the time. They are mostly just new accounts from people who lost arguments or got banned, but still, there is a lot of them.
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youryeah
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ChicksDigTheTrap
No quick fixes, no cutting corners and no cheating
I was not posting here at the time, but I never thought the Devils were taking Nolan. It seemed clear they liked Nico's personality and "fast attacking supportive" was the big phrase used at the time. Nolan was not fast and attacking, even when healthy.
Oneiro
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I wanted Nolan because 1) I don't like taking risers and 2) I didn't think the game would shift this quickly to a skate+skill-heavy style of play. I saw Patrick as a Getzlaf-lite guy. Glad to be wrong.
I still think Nico has a lot of work to do on his defensive game. From the draft, people have talked about a Selke-level two-way guy and I don't think we've seen that yet.
I still think Nico has a lot of work to do on his defensive game. From the draft, people have talked about a Selke-level two-way guy and I don't think we've seen that yet.
SKNJD9
Hi, I'm mat.
Poor kids brain has to be mush by now. Horrible
I totally forgot about the Gabriel hit.
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