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

[forceten]

Not to derail this thread entirely but just getting into enjoying Woodford Reserve as of late. I'm a complete rookie when it comes to enjoying bourbon and was told by my buddy it was good stuff. Has not disappointed.

It's literally one of the few mainline Kentucky distilleries I don't love. Main issue is that their product is pot still distilled, which is common for single malt in Scotland, Ireland, elsewhere, but not usual for bourbon. People are split on column (a/k/a "beer") still vs pot still in bourbon, but there's likely a reason almost all bourbon is column still distilled. The other issue is that they only bottle half their stuff. Their sister company, Old Forester (who I love) is the other half. So it's mixed there and there you go.

Their double oaked is excellent though, and some of their limited editions have been decent.

 

[devilsblood]

Tatar didn't seem injured in the previous game. Might be just a maintenance day.

And given that we've all but clinched the playoffs (and are likely locked into second place in the division), I'm fine with being cautious with the guys who are dinged up before the playoffs.

And with Wood coming back(potentially), we have guys to fill spots.

I know people will get upset about the idea of Wood replacing Tatar, but the point is we have a bunch of depth, so we can give a guy like Tatar a day off even if he doesn't need it.

 

[Bleedred]

And with Wood coming back(potentially), we have guys to fill spots.

I know people will get upset about the idea of Wood replacing Tatar, but the point is we have a bunch of depth, so we can give a guy like Tatar a day off even if he doesn't need it.

Never mind. Sorry. Jumped to conclusions there.

Didn't realize Tatar was not skating today before replying.

My f*** up there.

 

[Nubmer6]

WHAT. THE. f***.

You like Wood so much that you wanna scratch Tatar for him?

Now I've heard it all........

I think even the coaching staff would get upset about the idea of that and they like Wood as much, if not more than you do.

Wood stirs the drink.

 

[devilsblood]

WHAT. THE. f***.

You like Wood so much that you wanna scratch Tatar for him?

Now I've heard it all........

I think even the coaching staff would get upset about the idea of that and they like Wood as much, if not more than you do.

The idea is Tatar is either sick or banged up.

Try to follow along.

 

[Bleedred]

The idea is Tatar is either sick or banged up.

Try to follow along.

Sorry. I edited that.

As I said, I didn't realize he wasn't practicing today.

My fault.

 

[SteveCangialosi123]

And with Wood coming back(potentially), we have guys to fill spots.

I know people will get upset about the idea of Wood replacing Tatar, but the point is we have a bunch of depth, so we can give a guy like Tatar a day off even if he doesn't need it.

We should be giving guys rest days at this point, so I’m not too concerned. But Wood isn’t filling any hole left by Tatar. I guess it can give Yegor or Foote more of an opportunity.

 

[bossram]

That's because Bratt plays somewhat of a similar style as Jack and he's the only one who can actually keep up with him on the rush.

And has the skills to handle some of the high difficulty passes.

That's why I'd rather keep Bratt and Jack together as a default. They have a unique chemistry. No one else on the team meshes with them in transition. Haula - Hughes - Bratt was running a 74% xG (!!) and 60+% of the goals. Like, there's obviously something to that Ruff.

 

[Forge]

 

[devilsblood]

We should be giving guys rest days at this point, so I’m not too concerned. But Wood isn’t filling any hole left by Tatar. I guess it can give Yegor or Foote more of an opportunity.

I just meant taking one of the 12 fwd spots.

Shara would be the obvious to play higher up the lineup.

The question of whether the team would play Foote or Wood up the lineup? Foote may work better stylistically(even though I don't think they see Foote as a top 9 type player), but given toi it doesn't seem they have a ton of faith in Foote at this point. In terms of the 4th line spot, for the rest of this year, I think they will clearly go Wood, but I could see them possibly prefering Foote higher up the lineup.

 

[forceten]

TaN can be a follow up but Woodford is always the first "pricey" bourbon I suggest for folks not sure if they like bourbon. Then I tell them try Eagle Rare, Basil Hayden, and Michter's. Bulleit is my next step up to Evan Williams. Priced decent enough you don't feel guilty making a cocktail with it but very fine straight if you're not looking for super nuanced flavor notes. Also available at Costco on the cheap.

The problem with Bulleit is that it's really rough and has a very high proportion of Rye in the grist compared to the vast majority of bourbons. It works well in cocktails, because many cocktails made with bourbon really originated with rye, and only switched when rye nearly died out. They're also horrendous people, but that's a different issue.

Basil is a good light bourbon. Same recipe but different strength is Old Grand Dad Bottled in Bond which is one of the best deals in bourbon. Yum.

Evan Williams and other heaven hill products (Elijah Craig especially) are a great intro to bourbon, as are the (overrated) Buffalo Trace products (Buffalo Trace, Eagle Rare, even the new Benchmark). These two have fewer odd yeast characteristics (like Beam's peanut funk) that make it into the final product that help ease folks in.

 

[Devs3cups]

Ruff reads HFBoards confirmed.

 

[forceten]

I really don't get how Seattle waived Bastian. I was literally dancing with joy when we reacquired him.

 

[Guttersniped]

PK all aboard the Nate train.

 

[Guttersniped]

Mercer on the PP1 and Foote on PP2? f*** yeah!

 

[devilsblood]

That's why I'd rather keep Bratt and Jack together as a default. They have a unique chemistry. No one else on the team meshes with them in transition. Haula - Hughes - Bratt was running a 74% xG (!!) and 60+% of the goals. Like, there's obviously something to that Ruff.

Ya, Haula is interesting as a linemate not because he meshes well with Hughes, but because he allows Hughes to do his thing.

Where as Bratt is actually able to keep up in terms of skills and tempo.

Was thinking of Caufield above when talking about skill guys who can play with Hughes. Specifically a guy who can get one timers off of hard passes through traffic. Bratt can do that as well.

Not really a Tatar trait. Zacha was not good at it. Not really a Palm's thing despite being a shooter. Shara is a shooter, but like Palm's not that kind of shooter. Not sure about Meier yet.

A water bug skater who can get those type of shots off might be the optimal winger for Hughes.

Also kind of thinking a bigger version of Haula might be the optimal center to play with Hughes. And yes, I did say that.

 

[JK3]

I can't believe the other day Ruff said we've been working a very long time trying to figure something out that really works with all our left handers on the PP. Ahhhh it took you this long to realize maybe throw Mercer in there? I'd rather have Bastian back though so he can park himself net front.

 

[devilsblood]

Ruff reads HFBoards confirmed.

I think this is really about giving Meier the Bratt shooting spot.

Mercer will likely be around the net, where he is pretty good.

Now can Bratt make PP2 a threat?

Mercer on the PP1 and Foote on PP2? f*** yeah!


View attachment 674478

Is Foote on PP2 a signal that he could stay in the lineup?

 

[Clam Jensen]

Wood stirs the drink.

Some stirrers are wooden…

 

[glenwo2]

If there's one aspect of our game that desperately needs improvement, it's our PP unit....ESPECIALLY the 2nd unit.

You could put Bratt there but I don't know...I just have a feeling that *WON'T* make much difference.

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

my guess is Foote is only on PP2 because Tatar was out, unfortunately...though I think we could use his (or Sharangovich, for that matter) shot there.

 

[Guttersniped]

I think this is really about giving Meier the Bratt shooting spot.

Mercer will likely be around the net, where he is pretty good.

Now can Bratt make PP2 a threat?


Is Foote on PP2 a signal that he could stay in the lineup?

Honestly Foote might just be there because Tatar is out, so I wouldn’t read to much into that.



Particularly since that happened. The Sabres are pretty speedy, so that might be a consideration, but a bummer for Foote who deserves another game.

 

[Nubmer6]

If there's one aspect of our game that desperately needs improvement, it's our PP unit....ESPECIALLY the 2nd unit.

You could put Bratt there but I don't know...I just have a feeling that *WON'T* make much difference.

Our 2nd PP has scored 3 of our last 4 PP goals (the only PP goals we've scored since acquired Meier).

Just say'n

 

[devilsblood]

my guess is Foote is only on PP2 because Tatar was out, unfortunately...though I think we could use his (or Sharangovich, for that matter) shot there.

ah, true, place holder.

Could get into the psychology of letting the kid play the place holder role, as opposed to a guy like Shara, but, meh.

 

[TheUnseenHand]

The higher up the lineup Foote goes the more exposed his glacial skating speed will be.