Devils team discussion (news, notes and speculation) - offseason edition

[Captain3rdLine]

Jim, do you think anyone likes the results we have NOW?

no playoffs...and another high draft pick.

We've become the Edmonton Oilers EAST.

I would rather change that and get to the damn playoffs again.

And if that means boring hockey? Then so be it.

Oh and WELCOME BACK! I thought something happened to you.

One way to possibly assure that we don’t make the playoffs any time soon is to get a coach that doesn’t fit with the young core players we have. Just because he’s a good coach who’s had success doesn’t mean he’s a good fit and it would work here with what we have.

It’s certainly worth looking at and considering but he may not be a good fit in the end.

 

[glenwo2]

That's all fine, but you better pray we get some (at least) average goaltending next season, cause you could have Scotty Bowman behind the bench and we'd still finish in the bottom 5. The system isn't perfect, especially on the back end, but it's not the biggest problem by a long stretch.

Oh I agree.

The goaltending has to be fixed.

But at the same time, when you have a coach of Trotz pedigree available, it would be foolish not to at least inquire.

 

[Unknown Caller]

That is one of the reasons. They don't know how to defend as a 5 man unit.

If the options are Trotz and Ruff, I definately choose Trotz. On the other hand, there are probably better stylistical options for the Devils than him.

It's not one of the reasons, their 5v5 defense and quality of shots against is actually pretty solid. When your goalies allow a goal on every single high danger chance against, it just looks much worse than it is.

 

[glenwo2]

Ruff is basically the complete opposite of what you said here to be fair.

RUFF does not count. He's a fossil who spent the majority of his career on a LOSING Organization (The Sabres).
That is NOT the Vet I wanted to coach this team.

Besides, he was only here because of his relationship with Fitz.

Give me a break...

 

[Oneiro]

It's intriguing only because Fitz didn't just single out goaltending in his presser. He was talking about poor habits all around - awareness, stickwork, boxing out, etc. If you're going to pick someone to instill those things, it's not like you're going to find a better guy to do it.

It is like oil and water, though, this roster and his methods. But it might be a worthwhile "phase" for the group over the next 2-3 years.

 

[JrFischer54]

He's probably the worst GM in hockey at this point. Yet as recently as last May, 75% of this board wanted us to mimic the Islanders and were salivating over their "roster construction". It was so incredibly apparent that the team was going to tank even with them in the conference finals.

never has someone lived off the success from so long ago for so long. the last championship roster he built was 2003. even if you want to count a fluke finals run in 2012 thats 10 years ago! which to also be fair was largely on the back of kovy who lou himself didn't even want to trade for or sign! so if lou got his way noway this team makes that run in 2012

 

[NjDevsRR]

Not sure if posted yet

 

[Monsieur Verdoux]

It's not one of the reasons, their 5v5 defense and quality of shots against is actually pretty solid. When your goalies allow a goal on every single high danger chance against, it just looks much worse than it is.

Yes, it is one of the reasons. You can use advanced stats, and in many cases those are useful. But I have hard time to agree with you, when I have just watched 82 games where their defensive structure breaks up again and again.

 

[glenwo2]

It's intriguing only because Fitz didn't just single out goaltending in his presser. He was talking about poor habits all around - awareness, stickwork, boxing out, etc. If you're going to pick someone to instill those things, it's not like you're going to find a better guy to do it.

It is like oil and water, though, this roster and his methods. But it might be a worthwhile "phase" for the group over the next 2-3 years.

 

[Oneiro]

EDIT: double post for some reason.

 

[Captain3rdLine]

Not sure if posted yet

Yes it was. Was just overshadowed. We knew this was coming but still exciting.

 

[Davegarri]

I want Trotz badly. I think a strong structure will go a long way with this roster. I also don't really think Trotz's style will hurt Hughes or Bratt in any way.

However, I still don't get what the plan is with Ruff. If they didn't fire him already it doesn't seem like they will. I'm starting to question Fitz a lot here with how this is handled.

 

[JrFischer54]

This team needs a 100% hard nosed tough coach. i'm not going to pretend i know the styles and habits of every coach out there. if these kids are good then they should still be able to score while playing a system that trotz installs. if not? thats not saying much about our players then because when you start to select specific coaches to fit a team that is bottom 5 for the last 10 years? thats not going to change much on the ice

also i really doubt they hire trotz. because i dont think they were going to fire ruff and i don't think this changes that.

 

[Unknown Caller]

Yes, it is one of the reasons. You can use advanced stats, and in many cases those are useful. But I have hard time to agree with you, when I have just watched 82 games where their defensive structure breaks up again and again.

There's another team on the ice trying to score, every single team in the league has mistakes and gives up high danger chances. The issue is that when your goaltending is the worst in the league by miles and every defensive breakdown ends up in the back of your net, it looks way worse than it is.

They can tweak their system to shore up the defensive side of the puck without getting Trotz.

 

[glenwo2]

It's intriguing only because Fitz didn't just single out goaltending in his presser. He was talking about poor habits all around - awareness, stickwork, boxing out, etc. If you're going to pick someone to instill those things, it's not like you're going to find a better guy to do it.

It really doesn't matter if the analytics-heavy-crew want to single out goaltending and talk about league average shot suppression - the GM himself emphasized it repeatedly.

It is like oil and water, though, this roster and his methods. But it might be a worthwhile "phase" for the group over the next 2-3 years.

once again (because I think you reposted the same post) :

 

[Captain3rdLine]

The thing is what you quoted is very different from what you’ve been saying. It’s oil and water but might be a good phase to go through.
I could see it working but I could also see it going absolutely terribly.

I personally think Fitz should look at it but it may not be a good fit in the end. That’s for him to decide.
Probably isn’t an assignment Trotz wants anyways. A more veteran heavy Vegas or Winnipeg type team is probably more of his cup of tea.

 

[Eggtimer]

I'll take that if it means winning games & getting to the playoffs. If Fitz doesn't jump on this I lose all faith in this organization. One of the best coaches is available we would be straight up dumb to not go after him.

It’s not that simple. I’m pretty sure there are multiple teams lookig into Trotz. Even teams like the Avs. If they don’t win the Cup, maybe they move on from Bednar.
Or same as the Pens and Sullivan … Knights and Deboer , Winnipeg , Philly , Panthers , Detroit , Vancouver .
Who knows if a team back channeled a handshake deal already. Maybe Lou told Trotz out of respect that he was being let go and Trotz already had some “talks” with a team like Winnipeg .
What will be very interesting is who all shakes loose after the playoffs.
I think I’d rather have Sullivan than Trotz , just based off of the best fit for our team . Pens roster is more similar to ours and Sullivan always hets the most out of them.
We cannot blame Fitz if we don’t get Trotz …. Who knows if we even want him plus who is to say Trotz doesn’t already have a plan and if he would want to even come here? I would not ”blame” Fitz at all if Trotz signs elsewhere .

 

[Triumph]

I want Trotz badly. I think a strong structure will go a long way with this roster. I also don't really think Trotz's style will hurt Hughes or Bratt in any way.

However, I still don't get what the plan is with Ruff. If they didn't fire him already it doesn't seem like they will. I'm starting to question Fitz a lot here with how this is handled.

What's clear from Fitz's press conference is that Ruff is not going to be 'fired'. He may not be the head coach, but he will be part of the organization in some capacity moving forward.

 

[Eggtimer]

The Caps were in a much different situation though. They were a veteran team with established stars who were already fully developed.

I also don't see Trotz coming here with teams like Vegas and other more established contenders likely knocking on his door. And that's in the event that he even decides to coach again.

Someone like Boudreau is just a much better fit for the Devils right now.

Even the Knights would be a good fit for Trotz. Veteran team that has the pieces but not the structure. I just can’t see Trotz picking us out of all the teams OR us wanting him as I dint thnk he is the very best fit for where we are at and our roster we have and style of game we play

 

[Mgd31]

I would probably still take Boudreau over Trotz.

 

[HersheyBob27]

Hire Trotz today!

Oh ya gotta get this done

 

[glenwo2]

Fitz better at least inquire at this point..

I mean...it seems that many here are speculating that Ruff isn't getting fired from Head Coaching duties.

Based on what exactly? The silence?

What if Fitz was waiting just for something like THIS to happen?

Maybe Fitz is going to go hard after Trotz and if he can get him here, THEN Ruff is history as Head Coach (and maybe he has some sort of agreement with him to put him elsewhere in the organization or something).

 

[NjDevsRR]

I want Trotz badly.

 

[Unknown Caller]

I would probably still take Boudreau over Trotz.

Absolutely and it isn't even close.

 

[Monsieur Verdoux]

There's another team on the ice trying to score, every single team in the league has mistakes and gives up high danger chances. The issue is that when your goaltending is the worst in the league by miles and every defensive breakdown ends up in the back of your net, it looks way worse than it is.

They can tweak their system to shore up the defensive side of the puck without getting Trotz.

It's also pretty common that with good defensive structure your goalies looks much better. The Islanders have been a great example of that. And I think that with Trotz our goalies would look much better than this past season.

But as I wrote earlier, I think there are better stylistical fits than Trotz. But if the other option is Ruff, I definately choose Trotz.