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

[McDuffz88]

Brunette is killing it with the predators. I can't believe we let him walk for Lindy. I really wish we can go back in time. I think Brunette was the perfect coach for us. The one that got away.

 

[NjDevsRR]

Brunette is killing it with the predators. I can't believe we let him walk for Lindy. I really wish we can go back in time. I think Brunette was the perfect coach for us. The one that got away.

Now watch they lose to Detroit tonight because f*** us lmao

 

[Bleedred]

Brunette is killing it with the predators. I can't believe we let him walk for Lindy. I really wish we can go back in time. I think Brunette was the perfect coach for us. The one that got away.

If Florida got eliminated in the first round of the playoffs in 2022 and they fired him immediately, I wonder if Fitz fires Ruff and hires Brunette then and there to be head coach?

Probably not, for two different reasons. He had already committed to Ruff coming back about 5 days after the season ended, maybe even sooner than that. Each round was only 1-2 games in at most.

And Brunette wasn't even let go by the Panthers until about a month after they were eliminated in the second round. I guess they were flirting with Maurice behind the scenes after they got eliminated and when he said he wanted to be head coach in Florida, they told Brunette he wasn't gonna be head coach there anymore, but that he could come back in the same assistant role he had before Quenneville stepped down. He declined and started fielding interviews, but there was only 1-2 head coaching job vacancies at that time, because it was already close to July.

Still think they should have told Lindy one more year, then the keys to the golf cart go to Brunette.

 

[Bleedred]

Kuemper is really giving me hesitation about Markstrom.

They're the same age and Kuemper has really looked like a roasted marshmallow this year and the fluff was starting to blacken even before last season ended. I remember declaring Kuemper TOAST with about a month left to go in last season. And toast he sure looks this year.

And those FOOLS signed him to a 5 year deal to buy ''Contending years'' at the end of Ovechkin's career. And this year he's been usurped by a 30 year old goalie that's making about a million per and is in only his second full NHL season at 30 years old.

I'm not saying I'm definitely against Markstrom. It was easy to see Kuemper breaking down because he's been an injury case for much of his career.

 

[Ripshot 43]

Brunette, the one that got away

 

[My3Sons]

Kuemper is really giving me hesitation about Markstrom.

They're the same age and Kuemper has really looked like a roasted marshmallow this year and the fluff was starting to blacken even before last season ended. I remember declaring Kuemper TOAST with about a month left to go in last season. And toast he sure looks this year.

And those FOOLS signed him to a 5 year deal to buy ''Contending years'' at the end of Ovechkin's career. And this year he's been usurped by a 30 year old goalie that's making about a million per and is in only his second full NHL season at 30 years old.

I'm not saying I'm definitely against Markstrom. It was easy to see Kuemper breaking down because he's been an injury case for much of his career.

So if you cover him in chocolate sauce and put him on a cracker he’d be a s’more?

 

[glenwo2]

Kuemper is really giving me hesitation about Markstrom.

They're the same age and Kuemper has really looked like a roasted marshmallow this year and the fluff was starting to blacken even before last season ended. I remember declaring Kuemper TOAST with about a month left to go in last season. And toast he sure looks this year.

And those FOOLS signed him to a 5 year deal to buy ''Contending years'' at the end of Ovechkin's career. And this year he's been usurped by a 30 year old goalie that's making about a million per and is in only his second full NHL season at 30 years old.

I'm not saying I'm definitely against Markstrom. It was easy to see Kuemper breaking down because he's been an injury case for much of his career.

Ullmark didn't look so hot tonight either.

 

[Forge]

Kuemper is really giving me hesitation about Markstrom.

They're the same age and Kuemper has really looked like a roasted marshmallow this year and the fluff was starting to blacken even before last season ended. I remember declaring Kuemper TOAST with about a month left to go in last season. And toast he sure looks this year.

And those FOOLS signed him to a 5 year deal to buy ''Contending years'' at the end of Ovechkin's career. And this year he's been usurped by a 30 year old goalie that's making about a million per and is in only his second full NHL season at 30 years old.

I'm not saying I'm definitely against Markstrom. It was easy to see Kuemper breaking down because he's been an injury case for much of his career.

I've already accepted markstrom is a devil lol

 

[Bleedred]

Ullmark didn't look so hot tonight either.

He stunk.

Bad go-ahead goal with under 5 minutes left and when the bailed him out to tie it he gives up another not so good one a minute or two later and that was the game.

Second goal could be softy of the night.

 

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

Can't believe this team really let Brunette come in and walk for a decrepit coach who hasn't won anything in his 30 year coaching career because of being the main guy on the bench.

 

[Mgd31]

Can't believe this team really let Brunette come in and walk for a decrepit coach who hasn't won anything in his 30 year coaching career because of being the main guy on the bench.

It sucks but nobody is firing Lindy after that season and Lindy still wanted to coach

 

[ZYXWVUT]

It sucks but nobody is firing Lindy after that season and Lindy still wanted to coach

Yeah this is where I am at. It just wasn’t realistic and wouldn’t have happened anywhere. As much as it sucks. I put a lot of blame on the GM for the mess that has ensued this season, but that I don’t pin on him.

 

[NjDevsRR]

Now watch MacDermid is out for the season and we can’t even goon up that Rangers game properly

Team can’t do anything right this season

 

[NJDevs26]

It sucks but nobody is firing Lindy after that season and Lindy still wanted to coach

People act like these 'coach in waiting' arrangements happen SO often (and yet I never hear one cited), especially when the guy who's in charge isn't exactly going to agree to be a lame duck and move upstairs after a predetermined amount of time. Or that you could just prevent a guy from getting a promotion interview the way Bill Parcells used to with his assistants in the NFL.

I've said it before, the only time to replace Lindy with Brunette was in that second offseason when you hired Brunette in the first place, coming off two poor years.

 

[Mgd31]

People act like these 'coach in waiting' arrangements happen SO often, especially when the guy who's in charge isn't exactly going to agree to be a lame duck and move upstairs after a predetermined amount of time. Or that you could just prevent a guy from getting a promotion interview the way Bill Parcells used to with his assistants in the NFL.

I've said it before, the only time to replace Lindy with Brunette was in that second offseason when you hired Brunette in the first place, coming off two poor years.

Yea I thought there was a chance Lindy would be fired that summer and I dreamed they would bring Montgomery in. Oh well.

Fitz has one last shot at this.

 

[ZYXWVUT]

Kuemper is really giving me hesitation about Markstrom.

They're the same age and Kuemper has really looked like a roasted marshmallow this year and the fluff was starting to blacken even before last season ended. I remember declaring Kuemper TOAST with about a month left to go in last season. And toast he sure looks this year.

And those FOOLS signed him to a 5 year deal to buy ''Contending years'' at the end of Ovechkin's career. And this year he's been usurped by a 30 year old goalie that's making about a million per and is in only his second full NHL season at 30 years old.

I'm not saying I'm definitely against Markstrom. It was easy to see Kuemper breaking down because he's been an injury case for much of his career.

It’s gonna be interesting to see how this all plays out. I personally think Nashville doing what they have and getting into the playoffs could change their thought process on Saros. I bet they keep him. Or just set a borderline asinine price that nobody is willing to meet. In all honesty, it wouldn’t surprise me if they extend him and move Askarov. And I also don’t think it’s impossible Boston ends up moving swayman. Highly unlikely, but I don’t think it’s completely out of the question once it gets to be the off-season. Mindsets change from TDL/in season times.

 

[Billdo]

I really want a total overhaul this offseason. I'd literally move on from every coach and I'd listen to everyone except 13, 17, 28, 43, 63, and 86.

 

[Emperoreddy]

I really want a total overhaul this offseason. I'd literally move on from every coach and I'd listen to everyone except 13, 17, 28, 43, 63, and 86.

Probably means punting next season. That much overhaul means a lot of growing pains.

 

[My3Sons]

Probably means punting next season. That much overhaul means a lot of growing pains.

There is no universe where that much changes. They will return Hamilton and and add an additional goalie and probably another veteran on defense. Beyond that I’d expect some upgrade of the bottom six but I’m very skeptical they move any of the core players or even Mercer. Maybe Holtz goes. As others have noted the biggest issue is finding the right coach.

 

[NjDevsRR]

I mean, if anything this season literally shows the strength of the core and the future.

Literally every single possible thing has gone wrong this season and they will still most likely be a mid 80 pt team….

Imagine fully healthy, our kids on D not being killed and who have a season under their belt, Allen and a starter, better bottom 6 and a new coach. All of these things will be done.

Yeah, anyone sulking about the future right now while removing all context is out of touch with reality and are depressed by the tough season, and are just sulking about the future because they simply want to. Hell, there was a half dozen posters sulking LAST season.

 

[JimEIV]

I really want a total overhaul this offseason. I'd literally move on from every coach and I'd listen to everyone except 13, 17, 28, 43, 63, and 86.

You have 6 numbers there....if you have 6 numbers that are "untouchable" there is no such thing as a total overhaul. If there are 6 guys that are the crux of your team they just need to be supplemented properly...

Here's the thing... I think at some point we have to ask if that 6 is a winning group...if there is going to be a "total overhaul", I think you have to look at the 6 you think are untouchable.

But I look at it much differently. I think you have to separate the defense from the forwards...I don't think the defense is as advanced as the forwards. And I don't want to throw away any of them...I much rather get some forwards with strong defensive qualities to help out with a young defense. Get a real veteran Dman to help out with the youngsters....not a 300 game veteran

The forwards need a little bit more of soul searching in my opinion... I'm not sure your untouchable group has all the qualities needed to win without adding significant players... I think that group as a whole is small and soft and needs to be balanced with bigger, tougher skilled players.

Choices are difficult. But as is, I don't think this team can really compete for the ultimate prize.

 

[My3Sons]

You have 6 numbers there....if you have 6 numbers that are "untouchable" there is no such thing as a total overhaul. If there are 6 guys that are the crux of your team they just need to be supplemented properly...

Here's the thing... I think at some point we have to ask if that 6 is a winning group...if there is going to be a "total overhaul". I think you have to look at the 6 you think are untouchable.

But I look at it much differently. I think you have to separate the defense from the forwards...I don't think the defense is as advanced as the forwards. And I don't want to throw away any of them...I much rather get some forwards with strong defensive qualities to help out with a young defense. Get a real veteran Dman to help out with the youngsters....not a 300 game veteran

The forwards need a little bit more of soul searching in my opinion... I'm not sure your untouchable group has all the qualities needed to win without adding significant players... I think that group as a whole is small and soft and needs to be balanced with bigger, tougher skilled players.

Choices are difficult. But as is, I don't think this team can really compete for the ultimate prize.

The team only started to see a core develop two season ago and even last season they added Meier. If Mercer rebounds it will help but it’s still a work in progress. And yes they could use something closer to Wood McLeod and Bastian as a line but they lost the plot a bit this season adding a guy like Tierney or even Nosek. Going into the offseason they return

Bratt Hischier Meier
Palat Hughes Mercer
Haula Lazar Holtz
Xxxx. xxxxxxx Bastian

It would be nice to add a big strong abrasive winger who can mesh with Hughes and an upgrade for Lazar or Haula as the center of a third line but that won’t be so easy.

In defense they will have

Siegenthaler. Hamilton
Hughes. Marino
Bahl Nemec

You figure they’d like to add a veteran to upgrade from Siegenthaler on the first pair. Maybe they move Bahl to do that?

In goal they will return Allen and have Daws and Schmid to play in the AHL but you presume they will add a veteran goalie given how this season went.

How much of that is a retool how much is just tinkering around the edges we will see. Other than Casey I’m not sure they have any players of note they will add to the system at the end of this season so it’s hard to see any internal additions right now.

 

[JimEIV]

Bratt Hischier Meier
Palat Hughes Mercer
Haula Lazar Holtz

You seriously think that is a group capable of competing for anything?
I don't.

Are we talking just making the playoffs? Sure...but just making the playoffs with no real chance of competing against the upper echelon teams is wasting away years of our best players.

That group looks like a soft easy to play against team with a lot of suspect defensively forwards. A much less talented team could feast on them in the playoffs. I think so anyway.

 

[Devils731]

You seriously think that is a group capable of competing for anything?
I don't.

Are we talking just making the playoffs? Sure...but just making the playoffs with no real chance of competing against the upper echelon teams is wasting away years of our best players.

That group looks like a soft easy to play against team with a lot of suspect defensively forwards. A much less talented team could feast on them in the playoffs. I think so anyway.

That lineup has 4 or 5 all-star caliber forwards in the top 6. One of them is a top point producer for the league.

The Rangers last year were going to roll over the Devils “weak” forwards but instead only the Rangers goaltending even kept them in the series. The Devils skaters rolled over them.

You’re big on guys needing a certain amount of learning games before they understand things, these forwards rolled a veteran Rangers team last year in their first try. Imagine where they’ll be when they get more playoff games of experience.

 

[njdevils1982]

Brunette, the one that got away