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

[Saugus]

Meier needs to be in Bratt's spot on the right side as a shooting option on the PP. I'd like to see Mercer replace Bratt or even Palat could be a better fit. You improve PP2 as well.

I think Meier definitely deserves another look at the half boards shooting position after a strong showing the other night. But Bratt has also been good there most of the season, one-timing seam passes from Hughes into the net. Maybe put him in that spot on PP2.

As you suggested, that would mean we put Mercer or Palat in as the bumper on PP1 (with the other guy as the bumper on PP2), and I think that could work. Both of them have the hand-eye coordination to look for tips and deflections, the high motor to win puck battles for rebounds, and the hands to distribute the puck well with one-touch passes.

 

[RSeen]

I think Meier definitely deserves another look at the half boards shooting position after a strong showing the other night. But Bratt has also been good there most of the season, one-timing seam passes from Hughes into the net. Maybe put him in that spot on PP2.

As you suggested, that would mean we put Mercer or Palat in as the bumper on PP1 (with the other guy as the bumper on PP2), and I think that could work. Both of them have the hand-eye coordination to look for tips and deflections, the high motor to win puck battles for rebounds, and the hands to distribute the puck well with one-touch passes.

I agree but I think Meier is likely to bring more to PP1 than Bratt if it is one or the other. Bratt's zone entries and playmaking can be replaced with Hughes carrying those responsibilities. Mercer's right shot in the bumper position could be a useful look.

Bratt with Mercer and Boqvist?

You know something? I'm not against that.

Bratt started his tear early this season, I believe, with Mercer and Johnsson.

Johnsson is gone but Boqvist would be an obvious upgrade.

I'm not changing the Tatar-Nico-Mercer line. It has been too productive.

 

[glenwo2]

I agree but I think Meier is likely to bring more to PP1 than Bratt if it is one or the other. Bratt's zone entries and playmaking can be replaced with Hughes carrying those responsibilities. Mercer's right shot in the bumper position could be a useful look.


I'm not changing the Tatar-Nico-Mercer line. It has been too productive.

*sad noises*

Yeah...I guess you're right. oh well.

 

[My3Sons]

I agree but I think Meier is likely to bring more to PP1 than Bratt if it is one or the other. Bratt's zone entries and playmaking can be replaced with Hughes carrying those responsibilities. Mercer's right shot in the bumper position could be a useful look.


I'm not changing the Tatar-Nico-Mercer line. It has been too productive.

I love Mercer’s game and acknowledge Bratt is struggling a bit right now. That said to me the PP needs to include Hughes (obvious), Hischier (you need a faceoff guy who can stand in front AND puck retrieve), Dr. Evil ( obvious point guy who can get his shot through), and Meier (heck of a shot I’d look to set him up for it. That leaves on spot. I’m not sure that Mercer’s right handed shot outweighs Bratt’s zone entries and passing. To me the bigger problem is PP2. It should include Severson, Mercer( let him take faceoffs), and Tatar. Beyond that I’d probably use Shara for shooting and Palat for puck retrieval. I’m not sure it’s personnel on the first PP so much as lack of a plan .

 

[glenwo2]

Posting this from the GDT regarding Bratt who is frustrating the f*ck out of me and everyone else here :



Am I pleased with Bratt's disappearing act? What the F do YOU think?

I am viewing it in this way : Each day he struggles, is more leverage for Fitz to get his asking price DOWN.

At the rate he's going, he's going to end up with a little over 7 mill per instead of the 8 mill + he was probably looking for.

Bratt is a PPG player BUT it seems like he's "Kyle Palmieri" Streaky (if there is such a thing).


Bratt needs to wake up and realize he's losing money every day that he doesn't score or do anything on the ice so if I were him, I'd get my ass on the phone with that stupid agent of his, tell him to take whatever 8-year-deal Fitz is offering ('cause it would only get worse from here on) and end this charade.

(and I echo the sentiments regarding him getting benched. He's playing like an AHL player)

 

[Peter Sidorkiewicz]

I agree but I think Meier is likely to bring more to PP1 than Bratt if it is one or the other. Bratt's zone entries and playmaking can be replaced with Hughes carrying those responsibilities. Mercer's right shot in the bumper position could be a useful look.


I'm not changing the Tatar-Nico-Mercer line. It has been too productive.

Tatar-Hischier-Mercer
Huala-Hughes-Meier
Palat-Boqvist-Bratt
Sharangovich-McLeod-Lazar

I want to try^ this next game.
If Boqvist isn’t getting it done at 3C during the game, flip him with Lazar.

 

[Jason MacIsaac]

I've been in Florida on vacation the last 3 days and only caught today's 3rd period. Have we shifted to a pro Schmid crowd?

 

[My3Sons]

Tatar-Hischier-Mercer
Huala-Hughes-Meier
Palat-Boqvist-Bratt
Sharangovich-McLeod-Lazar

I want to try^ this next game.
If Boqvist isn’t getting it done at 3C during the game, flip him with Lazar.

Boquist has played well lately.

 

[NHL Fanatik]

you preferably would want one bigger body and one forward whos solid on the boards on each top-9 line in the playoffs. Meier/Palat on one of two top-9 lines is good, and Hischier/Mercer/Tatar are solid board guys who wont get muscled too easily.

That leaves Hughes Bratt Boqvist Haula. Hughes.. duh. Bratt is good when skating along the boards but when it comes to digging out or physicality or anything without speed, hes not nearly as efficient. Boqvist is best in open ice and Haula is kind of soft tbh

So in a playoff world youd want one more bigger body (only Meier and Hischier above 6') and if its even possible replace Bratt with a Mercer/Hischier type. If we keep Bratt (very likely) then Tatar and Haula would be the two to go. Boqvist isnt going anywhere nor should he.

Our top-9 is very tiny on weight compared to most contenders and we dont have a true big guy (over 6'1" lol). Only Meier pushes 200 though Palat is thick for his weight.

you dont solve playoff physicality issues as a recently-rebuilding team in one year

 

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

I've been in Florida on vacation the last 3 days and only caught today's 3rd period. Have we shifted to a pro Schmid crowd?

My honest opinion: NJ doesn't have their Cup contending goalie on their roster. Would I be surprised if Schmid becomes really good? No, he has most of what you need but there's still some lapses in his game time and again. I really like his rebound control + poise in net, he doesn't seem that flustered by the moment though. Vanecek was 100% a bandaid like I've said in the past and Blackwood doesn't even deserve a post/writeup.

 

[NjDevsRR]

I've been in Florida on vacation the last 3 days and only caught today's 3rd period. Have we shifted to a pro Schmid crowd?

The kid looks great. Really hope he is our franchise goalie.

 

[glenwo2]

My honest opinion: NJ doesn't have their Cup contending goalie on their roster. Would I be surprised if Schmid becomes really good? No, he has most of what you need but there's still some lapses in his game time and again. I really like his rebound control + poise in net, he doesn't seem that flustered by the moment though. Vanecek was 100% a bandaid like I've said in the past and Blackwood doesn't even deserve a post/writeup.

I said this before and I'll say it again :

This year in the playoffs we'll probably go Goaltender-By-Committee.

Vitek gets the first game and if he wins, he gets the next one and so forth.

If he loses, then we give Akira a shot and the same thing with him if he wins.

 

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

The kid looks great. Really hope he is our franchise goalie.

If it's not him, it'll be someone outside. The Islanders pick dropping a bit cause of their ECF run blew in 2021, this team could've added Wallstedt to its already loaded future core

I said this before and I'll say it again :

This year in the playoffs we'll probably go Goaltender-By-Committee.

Vitek gets the first game and if he wins, he gets the next one and so forth.

If he loses, then we give Akira a shot and the same thing with him if he wins.

Eh, I think they'll go with Vanecek for better or worse. Unless it's something like someone coming in and giving a chance and then running with it afterwards. Something similar to what happened with Kinkaid and Schneider in 2018.

 

[NHL Fanatik]

My honest opinion: NJ doesn't have their Cup contending goalie on their roster. Would I be surprised if Schmid becomes really good? No, he has most of what you need but there's still some lapses in his game time and again. I really like his rebound control + poise in net, he doesn't seem that flustered by the moment though. Vanecek was 100% a bandaid like I've said in the past and Blackwood doesn't even deserve a post/writeup.

Schmid seems pretty damn solid though it looks like he plays in slow motion lol

He wont get sniped often and hes great on tips and screened shots; but idt his lateral movements and speed are good enough to keep up with cross creases or dekes. Great vision and placement but.. slower speed and response time?

Idk maybe Im wrong entirely, Im never sure with goalies - they feel like voodoo besides when a goalie has it all

 

[Devs3cups]

Schmid seems pretty damn solid though it looks like he plays in slow motion lol

He wont get sniped often and hes great on tips and screened shots; but idt his lateral movements and speed are good enough to keep up with cross creases or dekes. Great vision and placement but.. slower speed and response time?

Idk maybe Im wrong entirely, Im never sure with goalies - they feel like voodoo besides when a goalie has it all

The thing with Schmid is that he's also only 22. He has a lot of time to improve and he has improved a lot only since last season. I still shutter at his NHL starts last year lol. He has taken huge steps.

Shesterkin was 26 when he really solidified himself as a top goalie, same thing with Sorokin. Hellebuyck was 24/25. Oettinger is 24. Schmid should likely improve, maybe significantly in the next 2 seasons. Do I think he'll be an elite goalie? Not necessarily, but I think he could be a solid starter.

 

[Guttersniped]

I love Mercer’s game and acknowledge Bratt is struggling a bit right now. That said to me the PP needs to include Hughes (obvious), Hischier (you need a faceoff guy who can stand in front AND puck retrieve), Dr. Evil ( obvious point guy who can get his shot through), and Meier (heck of a shot I’d look to set him up for it. That leaves on spot. I’m not sure that Mercer’s right handed shot outweighs Bratt’s zone entries and passing. To me the bigger problem is PP2. It should include Severson, Mercer( let him take faceoffs), and Tatar. Beyond that I’d probably use Shara for shooting and Palat for puck retrieval. I’m not sure it’s personnel on the first PP so much as lack of a plan .

When did Dr Evil become a thing. How did I miss that? I’m on the board way too much lol.

I've been in Florida on vacation the last 3 days and only caught today's 3rd period. Have we shifted to a pro Schmid crowd?

I didn’t know we were anti-Schmid.

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

I've been in Florida on vacation the last 3 days and only caught today's 3rd period. Have we shifted to a pro Schmid crowd?

lol nobody here was anti-Schmid

your goaltending takes are super weird

 

[NjDevsRR]

lol nobody here was anti-Schmid

your goaltending takes are super weird

Damnit, and I responded in good faith. I see it now

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

 

[NHL Fanatik]

Is this good or bad or neither?

 

[NHL Fanatik]

My janky ass attempt at a meme

 

[Guttersniped]

Holy f***, ok then.

 

[Emperoreddy]

So what are they missing? Just a baseball team?

 

[Billdo]

I've been in Florida on vacation the last 3 days and only caught today's 3rd period. Have we shifted to a pro Schmid crowd?

When was anyone anti Schmid? When did you turn into one of those posters?

 

[MadDevil]

When was anyone anti Schmid? When did you turn into one of those posters?

You can't be both pro Vitek AND pro Schmid. It's just not how this place works. Now pick a damn side!