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

[Eggtimer]

I want VV to take a page out of Schmids book and be more calm in net . Seems like VV has started to scramble a lo mkre than usual. I guess it is somewhat due to size where Schmid is so big he can almost sit in the goaline and take away the top of the net by just being square to the shot . VV has to come out and challenge a bit more but he has over played the shot a few too many times and has problem recovering and getting square and set for the shot.

The point is, what could we get with that 8-8.5 mil? Could we get 2-3 pieces that as a unit brings us further than Bratt could? I doubt it, but it’s an interesting discussion.

I do not want to admit it , but it could be possi that we could o prove as a team with that money. Like a Bertuzzi plus a Backlund instead ?
I just really like Bratt and want him to play like we have seen him play. I don’t know if he is fighting an injury or the contract issue is on his mind , but the team needs him to play like he can

 

[Bleedred]

Also, haven't seen it mentioned here, but last night's game seemed to show that Miles Wood and Nate Bastian may be more valuable than the analytics crowd will admit?

You're right

One game definitely proves that. Especially a game where the analytics certainly didn't at all favor us to begin with?

For what it's worth, I thought the 4th line definitely sucked last night, but not really any worse than anybody else.

I actually thought that line was great in the second Tampa game and way better than I expected it to be.

 

[Bleedred]

The look on Dougie's face after he turned the puck over in the 2nd period last night was funny. He smirked and looked bummed and embarrassed. Like ''Oh shit! I'm an idiot!''.

You don't notice those things on TV, you have to actually be there to see that.

Dougie is pretty much an Erik Karlsson, though not quite as good. He helps you much more than he hurts, but his aggressiveness causes turnovers and rushes against.

As long as you don't expect him to be Scott Niedermayer then you really shouldn't be bummed by that.

He crushed one of the Panthers (Luostarainen or whatever his name is) in front of me and I would not wanna get crushed by that guy. I wouldn't even get up.

Boqvist always catches my eye in person the 4 or 5 times I've seen him. More it seems on TV. Definitely feels like someone that can be a 40 point player if they gave him enough minutes for it.

 

[SteveCangialosi123]

But then wouldn’t it logically follow that the Devils as a whole are not as good as they’re record indicates if they were buoyed by a Hughes that isn’t the norm? This team was in the position they were not in small part thanks to Hughes’ level.

If we can’t count on that, it’s a problem. Especially, if you start applying that same logic to Vanacek, Bratt, Siegethaler, etc. and say “well, they were playing a bit over their head, not surprising they’re dipping”. That would in fact be a giant problem moving forward.

Hughes is obviously better than he’s been over the last 15-20. So is Bratt. Nothing about about what Hughes did earlier in the year was particularly unsustainable from a percentages standpoint. This all ignores that we did all that winning without the elite player we added at the deadline. Timo may not get really comfortable until next year though, we’ll have to see.

Hughes is clearly a 100+ point talent that is just off right now, either due to fatigue or injury. We don’t need to manufacture supposed “giant problems” moving forward. Things are going just fine.

 

[Jersey Fresh]

Hughes is obviously better than he’s been over the last 15-20. So is Bratt. Nothing about about what Hughes did earlier in the year was particularly unsustainable from a percentages standpoint. This all ignores that we did all that winning without the elite player we added at the deadline. Timo may not get really comfortable until next year though, we’ll have to see.

Hughes is clearly a 100+ point talent that is just off right now, either due to fatigue or injury. We don’t need to manufacture supposed “giant problems” moving forward. Things are going just fine.

Not “manufacturing” anything, just responding to a post. If we assume that every player’s peak was an anomaly and their true level of output was actually somewhere lower and thus these dips aren’t actually that concerning (which you’d have to do for a lot more players this season than just Jack), you’d definitely have to adjust for the team accordingly. It’s not exactly a hand wave about regression, that would be a whole lot more concerning than guys just having down weeks.

 

[NjDevsRR]

Carolina: Played great
Tampa 1: DOMINATED first period. God said NO.
Tampa 2: Fantastic game played
Florida: No show

I see 7 amazing periods out of the last 12. It’s not the end of the world, folks.

 

[SteveCangialosi123]

Not “manufacturing” anything, just responding to a post. If we assume that every player’s peak was an anomaly and their true level of output was actually somewhere lower and thus these dips aren’t actually that concerning (which you’d have to do for a lot more players this season than just Jack), you’d definitely have to adjust for the team accordingly. It’s not exactly a hand wave about regression, that would be a whole lot more concerning than guys just having down weeks.

We aren’t the only team that has players that are off or injured and not playing their best. It’s fairly common during a long grueling season.

I don’t get your calculus. We were one of the best teams in the NHL at Jack and Bratt’s peak earlier in the year and we’re currently one of the best teams in the NHL with Jack and Bratt nowhere near their peaks. Our record and level of play since the new year isn’t remotely concerning. The underlying numbers are looking quite good actually.

And again, we have added an elite all star level player. That can offset a drop off in someone else’s game. We all want Jack back to his A game, but we can still very easily beat the Rangers with Jack at 80%.

But if we’re talking actually long term with Jack beyond this year, he will be a top 5 player in the NHL when healthy. Very little doubt about that.

 

[Bleedred]

Wait what !? They love Bob!? I would have thought at the very most they tolerate him. He has been medicore at best while making 10+ mil .( which prevents them from adding another very good player ). Thats weird IMO. I can maybe see if Bon was putting up all-world numbers and single handedly dragging them into wins , but he isn’t .

He got a huge ovation when they announced the starting lineups and I forgot what skaters were even in the starting lineups for them. I'd assume guys like Barkov and Ekblad, who have been there forever are the big favorites, as well as Tkachuk, who seems to be a huge favorite already.

I heard someone yell ''Bring back Huby!'' near me last night in the 3rd period. It was kind of funny.

After Let's Go Devils chants, there was a ''JACK HUGHES SUCKS!'' from one dude a couple of times. Of course legendary Panthers hating ball buster @Cage Helmet yelled ''BOB'S CONTRACT SUCKS MORE!'' lol.

I would bet for the most part people aren't happy about his deal, but like I said, goalies are overrated and become fan favorites even when they're not good or hurting the team with their stupid contract and mediocre play. But one thing I'll point out again is that he is the highest profile free agent to ever agree to sign there. They've had other big names by trade, but not in free agency they haven't. So that might have a lot to do with it.

One other touch during the American national anthem is the chant of ''KNIGHT!'' after the ''Gave proof through the night'' line. They also scream RED! during ''rockets red glare''.

I'm guessing that's a KNIGHT chant. Noticed it last time too.

 

[Bleedred]

After these next two games, I think we have just 11 games to play? Still gonna be about every other night to the finish line starting with Ottawa (I think it's Ottawa?) on Thursday.

I'm at the point where I don't think we need to see any Blackwood, outside of a conditioning start or two.

Just keep rolling with the two guys we have up now. They've been the organizations two best goalies this year.

 

[BurntToast]

I posted it in the game thread. But maybe you shutdown Jack. Every other league cooks in some rest. There is no way he is 100%. His effort is the but his shot and passes are so freaking weak. If he gets a clean pass off, the PP scores more often than not. Lately, it gets picked off. Not good if Bratt doesn’t back check (or Dougie has a brain fart).

Bratts hasn’t been great, sure. Let’s give some of that anger to the defense. Dougie and Siegs have been terrible for a bunch of games. Sevs and Marino haven’t been much better.

 

[Jersey Fresh]

We aren’t the only team that has players that are off or injured and not playing their best. It’s fairly common during a long grueling season.

I don’t get your calculus. We were one of the best teams in the NHL at Jack and Bratt’s peak earlier in the year and we’re currently one of the best teams in the NHL with Jack and Bratt nowhere near their peaks. Our record and level of play since the new year isn’t remotely concerning. The underlying numbers are looking quite good actually.

And again, we have added an elite all star level player. That can offset a drop off in someone else’s game. We all want Jack back to his A game, but we can still very easily beat the Rangers with Jack at 80%.

But if we’re talking actually long term with Jack beyond this year, he will be a top 5 player in the NHL when healthy. Very little doubt about that.

Again, I was responding to someone else positing that Jack specifically, and potentially others, were regressing to their “true” level after overachieving earlier this year. The simple point I was making was that if we’re to take that at face value, we should be adjusting to that norm for the team. My view isn’t that Jack or really anyone on this team (not a lot of to go in for Vanacek though I guess) has hit their peak and is regressing to their mean.

The real slump for Hughes has been like the last two weeks - I have a hard time placing them among the league’s best in that time. Not sure what their relative record is. Anyway, I think you’re a lot more confident in this team with a cold, no goal scoring Hughes than I am. A lot of the secondary scorers on this team up to and including Hischier run very hot and cold. That could go any number of ways in a best of 7.

And yes, Timo is a big add, that we haven’t seen click at his height yet.

 

[Devs3cups]

Our record is 21-7-5 since the New Year.

That's the 2nd best point total and 3rd best Pt% in the whole league in that span.

That's pretty darn good.

 

[My3Sons]

They are above water, up it probably isn’t good to have what is supposed to be your offense driving line to be at the bottom here. This is since Jack has returned from injury.

View attachment 671981

That combo needs to be split. It isn’t working.

I am not saying you are wrong with respect to Jack and Bratt but that chart suggests Smith is playing better than Marino. I’m not seeing that.

 

[Call Me Al]

I am not saying you are wrong with respect to Jack and Bratt but that chart suggests Smith is playing better than Marino. I’m not seeing that.

he’s being held up by severson

 

[jkrdevil]

I am not saying you are wrong with respect to Jack and Bratt but that chart suggests Smith is playing better than Marino. I’m not seeing that.

Obviously you have to use logic and context of Marino and Graves getting the shutdown minutes for defense.

 

[vtdevils2k]

Reminds me of how so many people were criticizing Erik Haula earlier in the year on here.

Yet now there are excuses being made for Jack and Jesper while Jesper Boqvist and Timo Meier are flourishing.

And on a related note, perhaps it's time to use two (or three) power play units rather than stretching one unit for 1:45 (or longer).

Also, haven't seen it mentioned here, but last night's game seemed to show that Miles Wood and Nate Bastian may be more valuable than the analytics crowd will admit?

Now Jack Hughes who has carried this team is now your whipping boy....

Can you say anything positive about this team WE all root for? Every post of yours is negative.

 

[NjDevsRR]

Also, haven't seen it mentioned here, but last night's game seemed to show that Miles Wood and Nate Bastian may be more valuable than the analytics crowd will admit?

They lost last night because they decided not to skate hard until they were losing. Outskating the opposition is their game.

So you are honestly implying the existence of Wood and Bastian is why they outskate their opponents?

My man, those must be some good drugs.

 

[NJDevs26]

Now Jack Hughes who has carried this team is now your whipping boy....

Can you say anything positive about this team WE all root for? Every post of yours is negative.

He likes Haula and McLeod lol

 

[vtdevils2k]

He likes Haula and McLeod lol

I like them too, but constantly destroying Jack Hughes who was one of the only ones who carried this team recently...makes no sense.

The man is clearly hurt, and it may be contributed to the number of games he has played and prior injury...but to go after him after everything the man has done, is embarrassing/pathetic.

 

[NjDevsRR]

...but to go after him after everything the man has done, is embarrassing/pathetic.

Once can say, a disgrace.

 

[vtdevils2k]

Once can say, a disgrace.

It's a disgrace.

Bratt is open season for me. Even Glen agrees. Think it's smart on Fitz's part....not going 9.5-10 for him.

Great player....disappears though. Want him on NJ though

 

[Jersey Fan 12]

Now Jack Hughes who has carried this team is now your whipping boy....

Can you say anything positive about this team WE all root for? Every post of yours is negative.

Clearly you cherry pick my posts then for your own narrative.

Said this morning that Hughes is fun to watch and exciting.

He does not "carry" the team, however.

Further, I do not have whipping boys.

During this season, at one time or another, Haula, Mike McLeod, Lindy Ruff, Brendan Smith, Mackenzie Blackwood, and Kevin Bahl have all been "whipping boys" on here.

I've defended all of them.

Similarly, last season when Damon Severson wasn't playing so well I was critical. He's been playing some of the best hockey of his career lately and I've commented on that too.

 

[vtdevils2k]

Clearly you cherry pick my posts then for your own narrative.

Said this morning that Hughes is fun to watch and exciting.

He does not "carry" the team, however.

Further, I do not have whipping boys.

During this season, at one time or another, Haula, Mike McLeod, Lindy Ruff, Brendan Smith, Mackenzie Blackwood, and Kevin Bahl have all been "whipping boys" on here.

I've defended all of them.

Similarly, last season when Damon Severson wasn't playing so well I was critical. He's been playing some of the best hockey of his career lately and I've commented on that too.

Respectfully, I don't have time to "cherry pick" or create a narrative.

Jack Hughes doesn't/didn't carry the team....ok lol....he did clearly.

Have a good night.

Praying the Devils win tonight.

 

[My3Sons]

Obviously you have to use logic and context of Marino and Graves getting the shutdown minutes for defense.

That’s fair but if the numbers aren’t adjusted for usage it’s hard to know how to scale them.

 

[NjDevsRR]

He does not "carry" the team, however.

Guess January never happened. The team played their worst hockey and Jack single handily won the games in that stretch.

Your discourse on here is disingenuous.