Devils team discussion (news, notes and speculation) - part V
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Better Call Sal
Salnalysis
Maybe, but I think in the long run, it taught him a lesson the hard way. And it seems to only have fueled his fire to be the best player possible.
He talks about his rookie year in this ESPN piece from last year if you've never seen it, and how much he hated it.
Devils731
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- Jun 23, 2008
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Wheeler could be Hughes’ PR firm with how glowing his write up was.
Seeing what Jack is today, it’s pretty hard to call it a “mistake” playing him in the NHL at 18. He definitely wasn’t ready, but it obviously did not hurt his development in any way.
But it did make one person seem like he didn't know what he was talking about, so who can say if it was bad?
The only two realistic choices were college and the NHL, and while it would be nice for Jack to have a Hobey Baker, I think they made the best out of a bad situation.
Probably not, but given where he is today it's hard to argue against the path he took to get there. Even if he didn't contribute as much as was expected on the ice, I'm sure he learned a lot from that season and it better prepared him for his sophomore NHL season. Plus, burning that year off his ELC helped us to get him signed long-term at the current bargain rate, so can't complain.
Zajacs Bowl Cut
Lets Go Baby
when your three best forwards (four if you include Mercer I guess?) are 24 and under, it really makes it a lot easier pill to swallow
AfroThunder396
[citation needed]
It's pretty obvious that he was not ready for the NHL at 18. But I don't think that was necessarily a bad thing for his development.
This is a kid who was playing on easy mode his entire life, lightyears of every other kids he's ever played against, dominating all competition....then he gets punched in the mouth. A rude wake-up call. He was definitely humbled his first year, and I think that motivated him to get better. Jack has said as much himself:
It was obvious how that he was faster and stronger at the start of Year 2, until everyone got COVID and completely ruined his conditioning. So while it was frustrating to watch, I think the failures of his first two seasons really motivated him.
We saw him shooting pucks with Recchi after practice, we know he spent a lot more time in the weight room. If he came in and scored 50 points in 60 games as a rookie or whatever I'm not sure he gets that motivational push he needed to reach the next level.
This is a kid who was playing on easy mode his entire life, lightyears of every other kids he's ever played against, dominating all competition....then he gets punched in the mouth. A rude wake-up call. He was definitely humbled his first year, and I think that motivated him to get better. Jack has said as much himself:
It was obvious how that he was faster and stronger at the start of Year 2, until everyone got COVID and completely ruined his conditioning. So while it was frustrating to watch, I think the failures of his first two seasons really motivated him.
We saw him shooting pucks with Recchi after practice, we know he spent a lot more time in the weight room. If he came in and scored 50 points in 60 games as a rookie or whatever I'm not sure he gets that motivational push he needed to reach the next level.
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Lets Go Baby
Agree it’s a relief we aren’t making early moves and I’ll be fine if we make no roster moves. We shouldn’t be so concerned with Meier. He’d be good here but if we don’t land him now it won’t be any tragedy. There will be other players and opportunities to upgrade our team. We shouldn’t mortgage our future for any one of them.
Brooklyndevil
Registered User
We just don’t know what Bratt wants. Maybe he wants to test the market. He can’t hold Fitz hostage from making the team better.
His poor performance as an 18 year old is a big reason why he’s now on the best contract in the league.
This all passes the smell test besides Marino. Not sure if there is something skewing it for him
Better Call Sal
Salnalysis
Vitek rocking his new mask at practice today.
PWiz30
I love to hockey!
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OmNomNom
Taco is Love, Taco is Life
logo up top could be chico tribute though, since dave gunnarson said it was an homage to "a number" of masks
also, those are new pads aren't they?
SpeakingOfTheDevils
Devils Advocate
I think there's something to be said for the kid getting served a huge slice of humble pie. He'd been effortlessly dominant his whole life prior to that year, and he has exploded at the NHL level ever since.
He would've "arrived" at the NHL level regardless, but I think the difficult season - which he has since said he "hated" - put a chip on his shoulder that has only affirmed his drive and commitment to win.
Plus, he's now on one of the best contracts in the league. That year sucked for all involved but the gain has been worth the pain.
SpeakingOfTheDevils
Devils Advocate
Never thought you'd ditch the Nova mashup logo, but the Bratt in the Hat is a good reason to.
Team should start to jel more as palat and marino get their feet wet. The Vancouver game was the first time since October they had their full lineup ready to go
Is Jack where he is now if he didn’t struggle in his 18/19 yoa season? Probably not
Experience is a hell of a thing and building up a Rolodex on what works in this league and what doesn’t clearly has benefited him
Is Jack where he is now if he didn’t struggle in his 18/19 yoa season? Probably not
Experience is a hell of a thing and building up a Rolodex on what works in this league and what doesn’t clearly has benefited him
Jesper Hatt*
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Lets Go Baby
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It doesn’t matter because it led to this.
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