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

[NjDevsRR]

Saying any of those guys outside of Mercer contribute more intangibles than Wood is pretty silly. Tatar is making space for other players?

Rango on the PK if l is ok, but his turnovers have been horrible, and he's been strapped to bottom lines for it.

I'll give you McLeod for faceoffs

The coaching staff disagrees with you. As Lindy made clear when Z came in for Boqvist.... And miles Wood scored...

“Saying any of those guys outside Mercer”

*goes on to name two more outside Mercer*

I mean cmon now. You did half my response for me.

Tatar and Haula give you responsible minutes and don’t get creamed in their own end. The latter provides good PK mins as well.

Boqvist also provides more responsible play and has scored more than Wood in the last month since you brought up Wood scoring.

 

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

“Saying any of those guys outside Mercer”

*goes on to name two more outside Mercer*

I mean cmon now. You did half my response for me.

Tatar and Haula give you responsible minutes and don’t get creamed in their own end. The latter provides good PK mins as well.

Boqvist also provides more responsible play and has scored more than Wood in the last month since you brought up Wood scoring.

Boqvist not playing over Wood when the former has been pretty good since November on has been mind boggling

 

[Hisch13r]

Need I even f*cking mention David Clarkson? And he didn't bring Wood's speed.

That's true. But it cuts both ways. If the guy could play a lick of defense he could be getting a Tom Wilson or Ryan Hartman or David Clarkson treatment. He's been strapped to McLeod largely bc of his own defensive play but also bc the Hughes line needs Haula for faceoffs and D.

I don't see Tatar winning every offensive metric alongside McLeod either, with all the Dzone starts and usage against top lines.

Except Clarkson was actually a good player. Wood was legitimately good in 2021. He hasn't been an NHL caliber player for 2 months.

 

[billingtons ghost]

Except Clarkson was actually a good player. Wood was legitimately good in 2021. He hasn't been an NHL caliber player for 2 months.

Idk. Clarkson was much maligned for much of his time here, and certainly after signing his contract. Patented Clarkaround and a nice little toedrag aside, I'd say he was more physical and a better fighter. He didn't have Miles's speed though and that's a pretty big attribute. I was a big fan of Clarktard, but it's not like they are night and day, good and bad.

 

[Bankers Box]

Idk. Clarkson was much maligned for much of his time here, and certainly after signing his contract. Patented Clarkaround and a nice little toedrag aside, I'd say he was more physical and a better fighter. He didn't have Miles's speed though and that's a pretty big attribute. I was a big fan of Clarktard, but it's not like they are night and day, good and bad.

Clarkson, for all his flaws was still a decently amount better at hockey than Miles Wood.

Wood no longer is effective and he isn’t going to reinvent his game anytime soon.

He is an ok fourth liner so we should keep him to the playoffs but I really hope they move on form him after the season ends.

 

[billingtons ghost]

“Saying any of those guys outside Mercer”

*goes on to name two more outside Mercer*

I mean cmon now. You did half my response for me.

Tatar and Haula give you responsible minutes and don’t get creamed in their own end. The latter provides good PK mins as well.

Boqvist also provides more responsible play and has scored more than Wood in the last month since you brought up Wood scoring.

Sure ok, I was trying to agree with your point that these guys all bring *something*. Mercer is head and shoulders above the others.

So take woods speed and/or size up against
Rangos penalty killing
Tatar's scoring (10 total goals, I think his 'defense' is a product of his linemates, and he cannot win a puck battle)
Boqvist's overall play (and two goals)
Haulas defense/faceoffs
Z's anything
McLeod's faceoffs

And it's kinda a wash. McLeod's faceoffs and D are more important. Maybe Haula keeping Hughes from getting pinned.

I don't think you can objectively pick any of those guys outside of Mercer and say that they have played that much better.

And if Wood had everything working and finds himself he is probably 10x more valuable come playoff time than any of those guys. Except Mercer.

(I still like Rangos shot and wish he could get the rest of his game together bc I think he might have the highest ceiling)

 

[Triumph]

I know time flies but Clarkson was UFA ten years ago, and he was coming off two straight good seasons. The league has gotten much smarter in the meantime, and Wood is coming off a season he missed due to hip surgery and this one, where he is net 0 goals on PP2 and isn't even scoring goals at that good a clip. The two situations are just nothing alike at all.

 

[billingtons ghost]

Clarkson, for all his flaws was still a decently amount better at hockey than Miles Wood.

Wood no longer is effective and he isn’t going to reinvent his game anytime soon.

He is an ok fourth liner so we should keep him to the playoffs but I really hope they move on form him after the season ends.

I spent so many hours defending Clarkson like this that I wish I had back.

I love how polarizing fourth liners are. He's probably with us for another fifty something games so I hope for our sake he proves people wrong and gets a good contact somewhere else.

I will point out that you guys are understating his value of being in the lineup as far as stretching the defense and being physical in the corners, and there was a much different song being sung in November when he had five goals and nine points.

 

[Poppy Whoa Sonnet]

I thought Wood was gonna get paid but it's looking very unlikely unless he's a key member of the playoff run, and even then it might not come like we were expecting. Though all he needs is one GM to be enamored with his unique game (very possible), and a talented agent...

 

[MadDevil]

I spent so many hours defending Clarkson like this that I wish I had back.

I love how polarizing fourth liners are. He's probably with us for another fifty something games so I hope for our sake he proves people wrong and gets a good contact somewhere else.

I will point out that you guys are understating his value of being in the lineup as far as stretching the defense and being physical in the corners, and there was a much different song being sung in November when he had five goals and nine points.

Well no shit people are more forgiving of players when the team is winning and a player is producing. Too bad Wood has basically done jack shit since the middle of November. 2 goals in 34 games from a limited player, while also not providing much physical play, is going to open that player up to criticism.

 

[Bleedred]

Wood might just be done.

It wouldn’t be the strangest thing to see a player like him grenade at age 27. Add the hip injury? That’s not nothing.

Clarkson himself blew up around 28.

 

[DevilsHughes86]

I know time flies but Clarkson was UFA ten years ago, and he was coming off two straight good seasons. The league has gotten much smarter in the meantime, and Wood is coming off a season he missed due to hip surgery and this one, where he is net 0 goals on PP2 and isn't even scoring goals at that good a clip. The two situations are just nothing alike at all.

10 years later, the franchise that signed Clarkson hasn't really gotten smarter lol.....

 

[Triumph]

10 years later, the franchise that signed Clarkson hasn't really gotten smarter lol.....

I mean, this is an absurd thing to say. What UFA signings have the Leafs made in the Dubas era that come anywhere close to the debacle that Clarkson was? Nonis famously said after signing the deal that he wasn't worried about Year 5 or 6, he was worried about Year 1, and Clarkson managed five goals in that first year.

 

[njdevils1982]

I mean, this is an absurd thing to say. What UFA signings have the Leafs made in the Dubas era that come anywhere close to the debacle that Clarkson was? Nonis famously said after signing the deal that he wasn't worried about Year 5 or 6, he was worried about Year 1, and Clarkson managed five goals in that first year.

didnt he end up in columbus of all places? some capfoolery thing

 

[SteveCangialosi123]

If we bring in another wing, I don’t see any reason why Wood should be a 4th line wing instead of Zetterlund. Z plays a harder game, uses his teammates better, has a better shot, forechecks more effectively. Just better at everything but straight line speed. We have the gritty guy “built for the playoffs”, and it isn’t Wood.

 

[DevilsHughes86]

didnt he end up in columbus of all places? some capfoolery thing

Ya, he was traded to Columbus for Nathan Horton

 

[MauDevils]

Wood hasn't been the same since he took that hit. I'm not really a defender of his, but it's funny to see which players get a pass and which don't.

 

[RSeen]

If we bring in another wing, I don’t see any reason why Wood should be a 4th line wing instead of Zetterlund. Z plays a harder game, uses his teammates better, has a better shot, forechecks more effectively. Just better at everything but straight line speed. We have the gritty guy “built for the playoffs”, and it isn’t Wood.

I still want to see how the BMW line looks in a few weeks after Bastian has had time to get going. That line at its peak was very effective for us. Wood's speed and style can be an asset come playoffs, but he has some obvious limitations.

 

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

If we bring in another wing, I don’t see any reason why Wood should be a 4th line wing instead of Zetterlund. Z plays a harder game, uses his teammates better, has a better shot, forechecks more effectively. Just better at everything but straight line speed. We have the gritty guy “built for the playoffs”, and it isn’t Wood.

Forget Zetterlund, I rather Boqvist play on the wing even though he's not great there. If Wood looks off the first couple of games after the break, you have to sit him down for a game. Ruff has done that with better players like Severson, Zetterlund, etc. Pretty sure he benched Bratt once in his tenure here. Not sure why Wood has gotten this much space to free wheel.

 

[My3Sons]

Wood hasn't been the same since he took that hit. I'm not really a defender of his, but it's funny to see which players get a pass and which don't.

What players get a pass? I don’t see any player that is struggling in their role being lauded? I have watched Wood closely the last two games based on the recent brouhaha. What I saw was a guy doing OK. Nothing too dynamic and nothing too bad. The goal was a nice shot but I sort of expect more from his skating and physical nature. He’s a bit off which might be residual from the hit on him or his hip. Either way I’d say the criticism is a bit much but isn’t it always? Who other than Jack Bratt Nico and Dr Evil is consistently creating offense? Maybe if NJ is lucky Mercer or Shara or Tatar can go on a run and get to 20 goals but maybe none of them do. The team is still a work in progress despite the success this season. They don’t really have a top six. More like a top three or four depending upon your view of Tatar. The defense has been pretty good but Siegs and Marino have had injuries slow them down and they are the two best defenders.

 

[Killing Joke]

The “when Buffalo gets Meier” part was partially a joke, but they will be a tough team to outbid. It’s just getting out of hand how many people think were favorites when talks haven’t even heated up yet. The Devils are interested, and that’s about as far as it’s gotten. So is Buffalo. So are the Rangers (but they have cap considerations).

They won’t be tough to outbid. We have better d prospects and San Jose wants D.

 

[SteveCangialosi123]

Wood hasn't been the same since he took that hit. I'm not really a defender of his, but it's funny to see which players get a pass and which don't.

Most of our players are good, not a whole lot to complain about. Bratt gets shit on when he goes a couple games without a goal.

 

[Guttersniped]

Wood played 3 games in 2021-22, it’s not easy to comeback from an injury and a missed season.

I feel like some of the is hostility comes from a shitty shooting %, which is frustrating, but happens. (Haula is way more ridiculous, at some patience wears out, we aren’t saints.)

I broke up Wood’s season (not in exact right spot, but that’s life) and he’s basically doing the right things, the puck is not going in.

He’s a one trick pony but the pony is shot creation and the pony is, uh, right there doing it’s one trick. He even edges out Jack in shot/60, he’s genuinely very good at that.

My biggest problem was Wood, with McLeod, were having some real defensive issues under Line Bingo during Bastion’s absence. They were bleeding goals and the underlying stats were whipped with an ugly stick. Hopefully my boy Nate can stablize that line (though he’s coming back from an injury and not a miracle worker.)

I like Wood, I think he’s useful. If Fitz is considering on spending on defense though then I really don’t see how we keep him since it’s going to be real tight cap wise.

He doesn’t play center, he doesn’t PK and his defense has gotten iffy again, so he’s luxury we likely can’t afford.

I do feel like people who look at possession stats and at not individual shot creation stats ignore what Woody is best at. Pew pew!

I accidentally didn’t put 11/23 vs Toronto game in when he actually missed the 12/1 game vs Nashville.

Oh well, NSH is game 24 btw but I’m not doing this shit again, no siree.

So I split it up like this, with all stats 5v5:
First 19 GP // Final 28 GP // All 48 GP
(Ranks are among forwards.)

Goals/60: 1.68 // 0.37 // 0.87
Points/60: 2.79 // 1.28 // 1.85
SH%: 14.63% // 3.08% // 7.55%
His ixG/60: 0.91 // 0.9 (4th) // 0.89 (6th)
Shots/60: 11.45 // 11.93 (1st) // 11.56 (1st)
iCF/60: 17.59 // 19.45 (1st) // 18.43 (1st)
iFF/60: 14.8 // 15.04 (1st) // 14.72 (1st)
iSCF/60: 10.33 // 9.54 (4th) // 9.7 (3rd)
iHDCF/60: 5.58 // 4.59 (6th) // 4.91 (4th)
Rush Attempts: 2.51 // 3.67 (1st) // 3.16 (1st)
Rebounds Created: 1.68 // 2.2 (2nd) // 1.96 (2nd)
Penalties Drawn: 2.79 // 1.65 (1st*) // 1.85 (2nd)

*In the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king.

 

[MadDevil]

Wood hasn't been the same since he took that hit. I'm not really a defender of his, but it's funny to see which players get a pass and which don't.

Fourth liners and third pairing players usually get more shit than they deserve, but sometimes they actually do deserve it. We heard from certain posters about how Wood is so valuable because he brings a skill set we don't have and how he's been one of our best goal scorers. If he was actually doing that, people wouldn't be dumping on him. Part of it is also when he's not doing that, he doesn't bring much value to the lineup. He's not good on the PP, he doesn't kill penalties. I could live with his not scoring if he was doing the other things he usually does well, but he's really not even doing that. I don't know if he's lost some of that because of the hip injury or the big hit he took, or maybe a combination of both, but he's simply not been good for a while now. Hopefully the week off helps him and the others who are likely banged up rest and recover for the stretch run.

 

[njdevils1982]

Wood played 3 games in 2021-22, it’s not easy to comeback from an injury and a missed season.

I feel like some of the is hostility comes from a shitty shooting %, which is frustrating, but happens. (Haula is way more ridiculous, at some patience wears out, we aren’t saints.)

I broke up Wood’s season (not in exact right spot, but that’s life) and he’s basically doing the right things, the puck is not going in.

He’s a one trick pony but the pony is shot creation and the pony is, uh, right there doing it’s one trick. He even edges out Jack in shot/60, he’s genuinely very good at that.

My biggest problem was Wood, with McLeod, were having some real defensive issues under Line Bingo during Bastion’s absence. They were bleeding goals and the underlying stats were whipped with an ugly stick. Hopefully my boy Nate can stablize that line (though he’s coming back from an injury and not a miracle worker.)

I like Wood, I think he’s useful. If Fitz is considering on spending on defense though then I really don’t see how we keep him since it’s going to be real tight cap wise.

He doesn’t play center, he doesn’t PK and his defense has gotten iffy again, so he’s luxury we likely can’t afford.

I do feel like people who look at possession stats and at not individual shot creation stats ignore what Woody is best at. Pew pew!

I accidentally didn’t put 11/23 vs Toronto game in when he actually missed the 12/1 game vs Nashville.

Oh well, NSH is game 24 btw but I’m not doing this shit again, no siree.

So I split it up like this, with all stats 5v5:
First 19 GP // Final 28 GP // All 48 GP
(Ranks are among forwards.)

Goals/60: 1.68 // 0.37 // 0.87
Points/60: 2.79 // 1.28 // 1.85
SH%: 14.63% // 3.08% // 7.55%
His ixG/60: 0.91 // 0.9 (4th) // 0.89 (6th)
Shots/60: 11.45 // 11.93 (1st) // 11.56 (1st)
iCF/60: 17.59 // 19.45 (1st) // 18.43 (1st)
iFF/60: 14.8 // 15.04 (1st) // 14.72 (1st)
iSCF/60: 10.33 // 9.54 (4th) // 9.7 (3rd)
iHDCF/60: 5.58 // 4.59 (6th) // 4.91 (4th)
Rush Attempts: 2.51 // 3.67 (1st) // 3.16 (1st)
Rebounds Created: 1.68 // 2.2 (2nd) // 1.96 (2nd)
Penalties Drawn: 2.79 // 1.65 (1st*) // 1.85 (2nd)

*In the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king.

The captain is a one-armed dwarf
He's throwing dice along the wharf
In the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is King
So take this ring