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

[Captain3rdLine]

If Keefe can find a way to get Jack and Timo to mesh, you could reunite Tuna-Nico-Mercer which was a very productive line two years ago and things should run pretty smoothly

I’m not sure they work together regardless of the system or who’d coach.

 

[StevenToddIves]

All good points but you left out the return of the Nose!

We signed Steven Gionta?

 

[EnglishDevil]

I'm still curious as to how we solve for the fact that Meier, Bratt, Mercer & Noesen all seemingly perform best at RW. Given our lack of depth at center I wonder if it makes sense to give Mercer another crack there? I know Cotter can play C too.

Tatar did have some chemistry with Mercer (although how much Nico carried that line remains to be seen) so perhaps they could form a decent third line for us.

Haula - Hughes - Bratt
Palat - Hischier - Meier
Tatar - Mercer - Noesen
Cotter - Lazar - Bastian
Foote/McDermid

It spreads the wealth around a little bit at least.

 

[BurntToast]

I have a confession. My newest man crush is Dougie Hamilton. The guy is such a goof and it feels like he completely embraced NJ and the Devils. I rank him up there with DJ Zubrus.

Does he volunteer to do 80% of the Devils press releases videos?

We are in a golden era of personalities but Dougie is the cream of the crop.

I recommend checking out the Devils schedule drop.

 

[Captain3rdLine]

I'm still curious as to how we solve for the fact that Meier, Bratt, Mercer & Noesen all seemingly perform best at RW. Given our lack of depth at center I wonder if it makes sense to give Mercer another crack there? I know Cotter can play C too.

Tatar did have some chemistry with Mercer (although how much Nico carried that line remains to be seen) so perhaps they could form a decent third line for us.

Haula - Hughes - Bratt
Palat - Hischier - Meier
Tatar - Mercer - Noesen
Cotter - Lazar - Bastian
Foote/McDermid

It spreads the wealth around a little bit at least.

Wouldn’t be the most surprising thing ever especially if Mercer would prefer to play at center and has stated so after his tough season and going into contract negotiations. But I’m assuming otherwise right now.

I also think Bratt is the one I would put on the left

 

[devilsblood]

I have a confession. My newest man crush is Dougie Hamilton. The guy is such a goof and it feels like he completely embraced NJ and the Devils. I rank him up there with DJ Zubrus.

Does he volunteer to do 80% of the Devils press releases videos?

We are in a golden era of personalities but Dougie is the cream of the crop.

I recommend checking out the Devils schedule drop.

I think I saw that headline on youtube, I'll have to give it a look.

 

[MadDevil]

I never thought we'd have another adorable dork like Zajac again but Dougie has become that. Credit to Lazar for the assist on that video.

 

[Comparison Ford]

so happy tatar is back. wish we had him last year, he seems like a great locker room guy even when he’s not on top of his game.

 

[BostonDevil]

so happy tatar is back. wish we had him last year, he seems like a great locker room guy even when he’s not on top of his game.

Hope you're right - I am of the opposite opinion. Gave him a raise! This year's Brendan Smith.

PTO at best.

 

[Xirik]

I have a confession. My newest man crush is Dougie Hamilton. The guy is such a goof and it feels like he completely embraced NJ and the Devils. I rank him up there with DJ Zubrus.

Does he volunteer to do 80% of the Devils press releases videos?

We are in a golden era of personalities but Dougie is the cream of the crop.

I recommend checking out the Devils schedule drop.

I'm ready to sign Hamilton and Lazar to lifetime deals.

 

[RSeen]

I'm still curious as to how we solve for the fact that Meier, Bratt, Mercer & Noesen all seemingly perform best at RW. Given our lack of depth at center I wonder if it makes sense to give Mercer another crack there? I know Cotter can play C too.

Tatar did have some chemistry with Mercer (although how much Nico carried that line remains to be seen) so perhaps they could form a decent third line for us.

Haula - Hughes - Bratt
Palat - Hischier - Meier
Tatar - Mercer - Noesen
Cotter - Lazar - Bastian
Foote/McDermid

It spreads the wealth around a little bit at least.

Bratt and Meier can play either side. Mercer should start at RW in the top 6 and Noesen is a 3rd liner.

 

[Jason MacIsaac]

Bratt and Meier can play either side. Mercer should start at RW in the top 6 and Noesen is a 3rd liner.

Meier can’t really play LW, Bratt is who I’d shift to left side

 

[Cheddabombs]

I have a confession. My newest man crush is Dougie Hamilton. The guy is such a goof and it feels like he completely embraced NJ and the Devils. I rank him up there with DJ Zubrus.

Does he volunteer to do 80% of the Devils press releases videos?

We are in a golden era of personalities but Dougie is the cream of the crop.

I recommend checking out the Devils schedule drop.

Finally watched this all the way through, what a lovable goof Big Douglas is! Him and Lazar are a good one-two punch for team goofball.

 

[RSeen]

Meier can’t really play LW, Bratt is who I’d shift to left side

Based on what? I know he started playing better late in the year and he was on the right side, but I had thought it was more so due to getting healthier.

 

[SteveCangialosi123]

Based on what? I know he started playing better late in the year and he was on the right side, but I had thought it was more so due to getting healthier.

Even when he was playing well at the end of the year, Bratt was on the right wing for much of that stretch. It was definitely just getting healthy.

 

[Guttersniped]

In comparison

2023-24


2022-23


2021-22

https://x.com/i/web/status/1418390810937151491

Fascinating I know.

 

[Emperoreddy]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1808289144239444271

 

[devilsblood]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1808289144239444271

Interesting.

And yeah, my first thought was, "probably won't play in the playoffs for us".

 

[Emperoreddy]

Interesting.

And yeah, my first thought was, "probably won't play in the playoffs for us".

One way or another, I'm convinced Fitz will get more forward depth in here by the trade deadline at the latest.

 

[TrufleShufle]

Anaheim is almost 6 million below the cap floor......

 

[devilsblood]

One way or another, I'm convinced Fitz will get more forward depth in here by the trade deadline at the latest.

I like the current "depth", though we are probably lacking a true 4th line center. The big issue now seems to be lacking a top 6 winger. I think Mercer could prove to be that, that's not too far fetched. Maybe Grits does too, but that would be tough to rely on.

 

[Devs3cups]

I like the current "depth", though we are probably lacking a true 4th line center.

I like Lazar at that spot. I thought he showed some good things last season.

 

[Forge]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1808289144239444271

Not a fan. I'd rather take that one elc year in 25-26 with Luke in the first year of his extension

 

[Devils731]

Not a fan. I'd rather take that one elc year in 25-26 with Luke in the first year of his extension

I think you have to burn the ELC year to keep a good relationship with the player. Otherwise you risk the threat to stay in Russia or demand a trade; with a good relationship I don’t think you can delay signing him if he is contractually available.

From a cap perspective I think you’re correct though.

 

[Richer's Ghost]

Green outlines are the 2nd on back to backs. Only 5 where they travel after playing which is a lot better than last year. 12 b2b's but the first one is neutral for both teams so no advantage either way. 1 where both games are at home, 2 where both games are on the road (March which is a grind).

Finishing with 6 of the last 7 at home could be huge.