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

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

so Mercer or Sharangovich to center? I'm actually surprised they are putting Holtz in and not Boqvist

 

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

so Mercer or Sharangovich to center? I'm actually surprised they are putting Holtz in and not Boqvist

Pretty sure Amanda said it was Mercer when I just checked

 

[Devils731]

No reason for Ruff to lie. Could’ve simply said “week-to-week” and not add the “shorter end part”.

I believe in Ruff that this is the teams current prognosis but if it is the shoulder from the fall at the all-star game then I worry it could be something that doesn’t heal like they currently expect.

 

[NJDevs26]

LOL if I didn’t know better Blackwood, Holtz and Bahl all playing would smell like trade showcasing

 

[NjDevsRR]

I’d do

Tatar Hischier Bratt
Palat Mercer Holtz
Sharangovich Haula Zetterlund
BMW

Ideally I want Boq in for Wood but that ain’t happening.

Tatar and Palat can interchange depending how it goes.

 

[guitarguyvic]

If you believe them. This organization has done nothing to make anyone believe they when it comes to injuries.

I highly doubt the team intentionally misleads the public about timelines. Sometimes the healing process doesn't go as planned or there are setbacks so the circumstances change. Yes they are opaque about the specifics of injuries but not really any more than the other NHL teams. This is just what NHL teams do.

 

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

I’d do

Tatar Hischier Bratt
Palat Mercer Holtz
Sharangovich Haula Zetterlund
BMW

Ideally I want Boq in for Wood but that ain’t happening.

Tatar and Palat can interchange depending how it goes.

Flip Bratt and Holtz, no one on that second line can carry play.

 

[britdevil]

Elias’ points record will last another season.

Fml.

 

[Better Call Sal]

I think the logic with Holtz going in rather than just inserting Boqvist is that he can hopefully fill a void on the PP, since it's where he has provided the most value when he's been given a chance.

 

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

If you believe them. This organization has done nothing to make anyone believe they when it comes to injuries.

Yeah they really don't deserve the benefit of the doubt. This could also just load management without saying it out right. I wouldn't flip a shit just yet about this one. If he's out at the end of February then yeah

 

[Bleedred]

LOL if I didn’t know better Blackwood, Holtz and Bahl all playing would smell like trade showcasing

Has it been confirmed Blackwood is playing? I've been figuring he would get this game since before the all star break, as they really don't wanna sit him for more than 2 weeks (even though every sat for 10 days of it) and haven't done it when he's actually been dressed.

I figured it would be this game or the Vancouver game due to his sparkling numbers and perfect record against them, but that they probably wouldn't come back with him in the first game back from the break in a non-back to back.

 

[Louskoolaid89]

I highly doubt the team intentionally misleads the public about timelines. Sometimes the healing process doesn't go as planned or there are setbacks so the circumstances change. Yes they are opaque about the specifics of injuries but not really any more than the other NHL teams. This is just what NHL teams do.

Thankfully Jack is a very young cat and can heal quicker and week to week is more like a week.

 

[Saugus]

Well, that sucks that Hughes will be out for a bit. Hope they handle the injury correctly, and he is able to come back at full strength and available for the playoffs.

With us likely being comfortably in a playoff spot, I'd rather they not rush him back.

 

[SJinNewJersey]

Man you know what? I wouldn’t be surprised if it was the Tkachuk play at the ASG.

That's what I was thinking as well.

 

[NJDevs26]

Has it been confirmed Blackwood is playing? I've been figuring he would get this game since before the all star break, as they really don't wanna sit him for more than 2 weeks (even though every sat for 10 days of it) and haven't done it when he's actually been dressed.

I figured it would be this game or the Vancouver game due to his sparkling numbers and perfect record against them, but that they probably wouldn't come back with him in the first game back from the break in a non-back to back.

As much confirmation as you’re getting from Lindy before 630

 

[Devs3cups]

Yeah they really don't deserve the benefit of the doubt. This could also just load management without saying it out right. I wouldn't flip a shit just yet about this one. If he's out at the end of February then yeah

Every single team treats injuries the same way. The conspiracy constantly going around here about injuries is a weird one.

 

[NJDfan86]

Since the Devils are at home:

Palat - Nico - Holtz
Shara - Mercer - Bratt
Tatar - Haula - Zetterlund
BMW

Use the Nico line against weaker comp than he traditionally plays, Tatar-Haula-Zetterlund should be a strong possession line, hope BMW wakes up.

 

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

Every single team treats injuries the same way. The conspiracy constantly going around here about injuries is a weird one.

Eh after what happened with Hall, I don't blame any fan not trusting this team with injury transparency. I think if they told this fanbase they were keeping him out till 2019-2020 for the sake of the season not meaning much we'd all understand that but that's the one injury that really soured me on the Devils with how they handled stuff.

As much confirmation as you’re getting from Lindy before 630

It would be something hilarious if this is the Devils best game in weeks without their superstar center and Blackwood in net.

 

[Saugus]

Wait, you guys buried the lead here! Forget Hughes, Smith is out with an injury too?!

We're doomed!

 

[Bcap88]

Probably misses 3-5 game absence…hopefully

If he takes a 5 game breather would give him about 9 actual rest days

 

[SJinNewJersey]

Has it been confirmed Blackwood is playing? I've been figuring he would get this game since before the all star break, as they really don't wanna sit him for more than 2 weeks (even though every sat for 10 days of it) and haven't done it when he's actually been dressed.

I figured it would be this game or the Vancouver game due to his sparkling numbers and perfect record against them, but that they probably wouldn't come back with him in the first game back from the break in a non-back to back.

If Blackwood plays tonight, we shouldn't have to see him again until the back-to-back games on the 18th and 19th.

 

[Billdo]

Probably hurt himself carrying the team

 

[Bleedred]

As much confirmation as you’re getting from Lindy before 630

His game in Seattle was his most overrated game of the season. Two short side goals in regulation and a monumental stinker in OT, that was so bad that it fooled the shooter into believing it was deflected (it wasn't, though his stick blade touched the Devils player's stick blade) and cost us the game.

I thought he played better in Nashville than he did in that game, but it's almost always the same with him. Once you get enough shots on him he just starts giving up hordes of goals. He might start out okay, but it seems to just fall apart and catch up with him. Same shit in the season finale last year.

 

[Devils731]

Wait, you guys buried the lead here! Forget Hughes, Smith is out with an injury too?!

We're doomed!

They couldn’t even get Geertsen here in time for the game!

Probably hurt himself carrying the team

I don’t think Smith has been that good.

 

[Bleedred]

If Blackwood plays tonight, we shouldn't have to see him again until the back-to-back games on the 18th and 19th.

There's not many back to backs left this year, so I would expect to see him more than just then.

Maybe they'll throw him in there against Columbus, because if you can't play well against them then get the f*** on waivers.