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

[forceten]

Butcher was supposed to be an offensive d-man ... first year looked promising and then he cratered. Same with Gusev, albeit he was a forward.

Luke has an outside shot at getting #2 in that list of d-men 35 points or more since 2008...

 

[My3Sons]

Maybe the C is too much for Nico

On the list of thr team’s problems that’s maybe five or six down the list and hardly a quick fix.

 

[Guadana]

Butcher was bad but at least was smart enough for pp. But his overall game wasn’t about NHL. Same for Ty Smith.

Nico is great center.

 

[Nocashstyle]

I miss Zidlicky and his patented one handed shuffle around players with the puck

Zidlicky was either the best player on the ice, or the worst. There was no in between.

 

[Better Call Sal]

On the list of thr team’s problems that’s maybe five or six down the list and hardly a quick fix.

That still might be generous of it being on the list at all.

 

[Peter Sidorkiewicz]

Maybe the C is too much for Nico

He is a much better option than Jack Hughes who is next in line.

 

[Nocashstyle]

Maybe the C is too much for Nico

Lol, you really think it matters who is wearing the C? Nico is one of the few actually doing their job and showing up most nights.

 

[JimEIV]

17-18 Butcher was good but it's a shame he never tried to fix that wonky skating stride he had. It's definitely the reason why he's out of the league.

17-18 Butcher was some of the most silly protected minutes ever for NJ Dman

In Even Strength TOI the guy was 8th among our not so good defense with 13:22...Dalton Prout averaged the same amount of ES Time....Micro Mueller averaged a full minute more and he wasn't a real NHL player.

The dude had one of the most ridiculous Ozone/Dzone starts splits I've ever seen in NJ with 76.9 offensive zone starts. I have never seen anyone that high over 81 games here... I doubt there ever has been. Short stints perhaps but not 81 games.

17-18 Butcher wasn't a real defenseman....he was like a specialty utility player used very specifically....and in no way could take a real regular shift without ridiculous protection.

 

[Better Call Sal]

The fact that Nico is a mere -1 playing the second most ice-time among forwards given he's usually matched up against the top opposing line, while playing for a team who bleeds goals against, and has probably been on the ice for every empty net goal allowed to this point is borderline miraculous.

 

[JimEIV]

The fact that Nico is a mere -1 playing the second most ice-time among forwards given he's usually matched up against the top opposing line, while playing for a team who bleeds goals against, and has probably been on the ice for every empty net goal allowed to this point is borderline miraculous.

And what does that say about Bahl's +4?

 

[NJDevs26]

He is a much better option than Jack Hughes who is next in line.

Seriously…I don’t mean this to bash Jack but all the ‘replace Nico as C’ people…WITH WHO?! There’s not even another close option on the roster…Palat? Where the hell has Mr. Winner been in terms of getting the kids in line? And he’s also a lot closer to the end of his usefulness as a player. Jack lol…after some of the shenanigans he’s pulled this year he’d be closer to the last choice.

 

[JimEIV]

Butcher was like a court jester on a construction site....he could juggle but he couldn't do the job he was hired for.

And the workers were like we need a hand with the welding, the riveting, the cutting and the sawing...

And the foreman is like but this guy can juggle.

 

[Devs3cups]

Seriously…I don’t mean this to bash Jack but all the ‘replace Nico as C’ people…WITH WHO?! There’s not even another close option on the roster…Palat? Where the hell has Mr. Winner been in terms of getting the kids in line? And he’s also a lot closer to the end of his usefulness as a player. Jack lol…after some of the shenanigans he’s pulled this year he’d be closer to the last choice.

And also the fact that, Nico is a perfectly fine captain. I don’t understand this narrative.

 

[AfroThunder396]

Will Butcher discourse in 2024? Did someone slip LSD in my coffee this morning? If so, thanks, but please never again.

 

[Better Call Sal]

And what does that say about Bahl's +4?

I'm not one to hate on Bahl. I think he's been thrust into a heavier workload and he's done alright in managing it. If I have any criticism of his overall game, it's that I wish he would use his size more often. I feel he can get bullied off the puck in the corners a bit too easily for someone his size.

I think that it's been a trying year for everyone, and would like to see what can be done under a new coach. But I'm sure it would be tough for us to just "run it back" with the same group of defenders.

 

[NJDevs26]

And also the fact that, Nico is a perfectly fine captain. I don’t understand this narrative.

Eh it’s absolutely fair to question just about everything on this team after this year. Nico as a player and a person is almost beyond reproach but let’s face it, he needs to be more of a prick when it comes to getting the most out of most of his teammates.

I just don’t see how you find a better option for captain on the roster or what purpose it serves insulting your hardest working player by making an example of HIM

 

[MartyOwns]

Maybe the C is too much for Nico

stripping the C from nico would be a huge step backwards for the organization, and it's completely unwarranted.

 

[SteveCangialosi123]

And what does that say about Bahl's +4?

It says that he’s only been out there for 1 empty net goal against vs Nico’s 15.

22 against for Bratt, 21 for Luke! Oh my. +/- stinks

 

[JimEIV]

I'm not one to hate on Bahl. I think he's been thrust into a heavier workload and he's done alright in managing it. If I have any criticism of his overall game, it's that I wish he would use his size more often. I feel he can get bullied off the puck in the corners a bit too easily for someone his size.

I think that it's been a trying year for everyone, and would like to see what can be done under a new coach. But I'm sure it would be tough for us to just "run it back" with the same group of defenders.

They really should just trade him... he's in an unfortunate situation... too much youth and he's the least compelling of the youth.

It's unfortunate for us too...we don't have anyone like him. Of the youth he's obviously our best PKer and the most sound defensively at this stage of the game... I know that will bother some but it's absolutely true..

4 hours to break my fast.... I'm getting a little punchy.

 

[HBK27]

ZZPops!

 

[MasterofGrond]

Kunitz and dupuis. I was wrong, crosby IS the 5th greatest player of all time (for now)

 

[JimEIV]

ZZPops!

I wish they added the year with the line.... I'm trying to figure out how many cups those lines represent. I don't think there is many?

 

[Zippy316]

I'm not one to hate on Bahl. I think he's been thrust into a heavier workload and he's done alright in managing it. If I have any criticism of his overall game, it's that I wish he would use his size more often. I feel he can get bullied off the puck in the corners a bit too easily for someone his size.

I think that it's been a trying year for everyone, and would like to see what can be done under a new coach. But I'm sure it would be tough for us to just "run it back" with the same group of defenders.

Feels like someone is going to have to go on defense if anything just to shake things up.

Luke and Nemec obviously aren’t going anywhere. Hamilton can’t go anywhere. Siegenthaler is a great duo with Dougie and on a terrific deal. Marino’s off the rush defending is almost a perfect fit for this team.

Unless the Devils look to swap out Marino for a Tanev/Carrier type to play with Luke, it feels like the next option would be to move Bahl for a more veteran guy (Chychrun?) to play with Nemec.

Siegenthaler - Hamilton
Chychrun - Nemec
Hughes - Marino
RHD depth (Stetcher, Brown, DeSimone)
————
Hatakka, Misyul, Casey? as call up options

 

[JimEIV]

Feels like someone is going to have to go on defense if anything just to shake things up.

Luke and Nemec obviously aren’t going anywhere. Hamilton can’t go anywhere. Siegenthaler is a great duo with Dougie and on a terrific deal. Marino’s off the rush defending is almost a perfect fit for this team.

Unless the Devils look to swap out Marino for a Tanev/Carrier type to play with Luke, it feels like the next option would be to move Bahl for a more veteran guy (Chychrun?) to play with Nemec.

Siegenthaler - Hamilton
Chychrun - Nemec
Hughes - Marino
RHD depth (Stetcher, Brown, DeSimone)
————
Hatakka, Misyul, Casey? as call up options

I'd sign up for that.

And that would right the wrong of the 2016 draft.

 

[Zippy316]

I'd sign up for that.

And that would right the wrong of the 2016 draft.

I’ve been riding the Chychrun train for years. Stylistically I love the fit, but one year away from UFA with Luke also likely getting a big payday next year scares me a little.

Maybe package Bahl in the deal for a goalie and then sign Dillon as a UFA or target McNabb from Vegas. Either way, Devils could use a veteran LHS defender on that left side, someone closer to Dougie’s experience.