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

[TheUnseenHand]

we were playing AHL garbagemen in the bottom 6 last year when all the injuries hit

this declaration that the bottom 6 will be worse than last year is baseless.

Didn't you say not too long ago that Nosek was garbage? And wasn't he part of that bottom 6?

The bottom 6 was bad. It's fair to say they were forced to play over their heads, but it was extremely noticeably worse than when it had Rango, Wood, Boqvist, etc. It is what it is. It's our biggest missing piece, IMO, even prior to adding Markstrom.

 

[Hisch13r]

I see it as one spot in the top six is open. Hischier and Hughes in the middle are set. Bratt, Meier, and Mercer to me are the wings. So one spot, with Palat and Haula dropping to the third line. Would like an upgrade for their wing. The rest can make a much, much, MUCH better fourth line that can play hockey.

I think we need a more middle 6er or 3rd line caliber player playing up in the top 6 with the limited space. Then a cheap guy for the 3rd line and a 4C

 

[McDuffz88]

Fitz is like that dude at the entrance of a Rollercoaster saying you need to be this tall to ride the ride. The ride is the fans emotions lol

 

[PKs Broken Stick]

One of my favorites, Duclair, is a ufa too apparently. I'd love him

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

Didn't you say not too long ago that Nosek was garbage? And wasn't he part of that bottom 6?

The bottom 6 was bad. It's fair to say they were forced to play over their heads, but it was extremely noticeably worse than when it had Rango, Wood, Boqvist, etc. It is what it is. It's our biggest missing piece, IMO, even prior to adding Markstrom.

I didnt say it was good last year? I am saying to just imply that the bottom 6 are going to be worse this coming year than this past year is nonsense.

I dont care about Nosek either way.

We have much bigger issues than the bottom 6. Need to lock down Pesce and Dillon and probably a winger. That pushes everything into place.

 

[Hisch13r]

One of my favorites, Duclair, is a ufa too apparently. I'd love him

I’m a bit lower on Duclair because I don’t really want any guys who are defensive black holes unless they’re going to be stars. He should certainly be able to produce a ton with Jack-Bratt though

 

[Billdo]

What's Brandon Burlon up to these days? We need a bottom pairing LD

He's paired with Steve Santini on the second pair behind Xavier Bernard and Reilly Walsh.

 

[Jason MacIsaac]

NJ may very well trade another pick to bolster up the bottom 6 for cheap.

 

[Devs3cups]

When Dawson extension?

 

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

I’m a bit lower on Duclair because I don’t really want any guys who are defensive black holes unless they’re going to be stars. He should certainly be able to produce a ton with Jack-Bratt though

He's a guy you pick up at the deadline to improve a team but I wouldn't hate him as a tweener middle 6 guy. Depending if Timo looks better defensively in Keefe's system, a Duclair-Nico-Timo line could be fire

 

[JimEIV]

When Dawson extension?

Some time around my birthday.

7/27

 

[Better Call Sal]

if he's in the bottom 6 all year he won't "bounce back"

And the only reason I’d expect him to be in that position is if he underperforms again. I don’t see that happening because I’m confident in him as a player and worker. He feels like the kind of player that Keefe will put in situations to thrive.

 

[tailfins]

I think Fitz watched the same playoffs we did and came to the same conclusion: the Devils as they were constructed in 2023-24 wouldn't have survived against the Panthers (or even the Rangers).

It feels like he's trying to build a team that could win the Cup next year. I know that's always the goal, but Pesce, Kovacevic, Cotter - these feel like moves you make when you've got a contender.

Which - good for him. I'm not certain the Devils are a Cup contender quite yet, but I'm excited that the GM is setting the bar that high.

 

[SKNJD9]

Bigger, harder to play against, more violent.

What Fitzy told the TSN overdrive crew were his goals for this summer.

He's doing them

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

if he's in the bottom 6 all year he won't "bounce back"

he deserved to be lower than the bottom 6 for much of last year tbh. He stunk.

 

[Devs3cups]

 

[Davegarri]

He's a guy you pick up at the deadline to improve a team but I wouldn't hate him as a tweener middle 6 guy. Depending if Timo looks better defensively in Keefe's system, a Duclair-Nico-Timo line could be fire

I could be wrong, but I'd rather have Duclair in the regular season than in the playoffs. Not much of a playoff type guy in my opinion. Could help us out in the regular season when things are a little more open.

I still don't really want him though lol

 

[SKNJD9]

Slot defense is a HUGE upgrade. Pesce one of the best in the league for not allowing shots from the slot

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

Duclair kinda stinks. Yeah he is fast and can provide offense but he is a black hole defensively. It isnt a surprise he plays on a new team every year.

 

[The Wumpus]

Since we're doing a Supermarket Sweep of the Hurricanes, throw Stef Noesen in the cart too

 

[PKs Broken Stick]

I think Fitz watched the same playoffs we did and came to the same conclusion: the Devils as they were constructed in 2023-24 wouldn't have survived against the Panthers (or even the Rangers).

It feels like he's trying to build a team that could win the Cup next year. I know that's always the goal, but Pesce, Kovacevic, Cotter - these feel like moves you make when you've got a contender.

Which - good for him. I'm not certain the Devils are a Cup contender quite yet, but I'm excited that the GM is setting the bar that high.

I just don't see them winning the cup next year, even if they have the talent to do so. They're so inexperienced

 

[Hisch13r]

I think Fitz watched the same playoffs we did and came to the same conclusion: the Devils as they were constructed in 2023-24 wouldn't have survived against the Panthers (or even the Rangers).

It feels like he's trying to build a team that could win the Cup next year. I know that's always the goal, but Pesce, Kovacevic, Cotter - these feel like moves you make when you've got a contender.

Which - good for him. I'm not certain the Devils are a Cup contender quite yet, but I'm excited that the GM is setting the bar that high.

I think people REALLY underestimate the talent of that Panthers team to focus on the physicality. Their 5-8 forwards were Tarasenko, Rodrigues, Lundell, and Bennett. Their 8th guy would be our 5th. I do agree the 23-24 Devils probably don't beat the Rangers but the 22-23 Devils would've.

 

[ndkjr70]

im really stoked about pesce tbh. kind of exactly what the team needed

 

[PKs Broken Stick]

I don't understand why these other teams are doing this pre FA trades and the devils arent? Are they that confident

 

[Hisch13r]

lol What are we doing here? Shot attempts, giveaways, and blocks. The Holy Trinity of stats.