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

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devilsblood

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Guttersniped said:
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.


Click to expand...

Ya, agree on Foote.

Wood McLeod Shara as a 4th line is interesting. Shara might not bring the backbone element that Bastian does, but he does bring more speed and a better shot. That is a blazing 4th line in terms of straight ahead speed.

I'll assume though, that if Tatar does miss time, Shara get's some of that 3rd line toi, while Foote plays more on the 4th.
 
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glenwo2

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Nubmer6 said:
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
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Really?

It seems like that Unit is only on the ice for about 30 seconds before the PP ends as the first Powerplay unit gets the bulk of that time.

For them to score 3 PP goals that fast is impressive.
 
bossram

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devilsblood said:
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.
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Bratt can get off the one-timers, but it's not really that factor that is the key to the Hughes/Bratt success.

They both like to slice and weave through the neutral zone, and are often looking for quick 1-2s or give-and-gos in transition. Making and receiving passes at speed, while evading traffic, is a tough skill. Bratt and Hughes help each other do it. But no one else really plays like that in transition.

I'm not saying throw Haula up on line 1 again, but he did the dirty work for them too. And no, Jack is the center. You want him building speed from low in the zone, not waiting stationary on the wall like a winger. Sure, Haula can take draws for him,

I'm more saying, Jack-Bratt is a combo they should be running consistently. They have a ton of other options for the opposite wing.
 
Nubmer6

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glenwo2 said:
Really?

It seems like that Unit is only on the ice for about 30 seconds before the PP ends as the first Powerplay unit gets the bulk of that time.

For them to score 3 PP goals that fast is impressive.
Click to expand...

From Novo ($$$):
www.nj.com

What’s wrong with Devils’ power play? Lindy Ruff, Jesper Bratt explain recent miscues after loss to Wild

The Devils fell to the Wild 2-1 Tuesday. Their power play – which has been brutal in March – is a big reason why.
www.nj.com www.nj.com

Since Timo Meier made his debut on March 5, the Devils have four power play goals – three of which came from the second unit – two against and the 15th fewest HDCF in the NHL (15).
Click to expand...
 
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devilsblood

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bossram said:
Bratt can get off the one-timers, but it's not really that factor that is the key to the Hughes/Bratt success.

They both like to slice and weave through the neutral zone, and are often looking for quick 1-2s or give-and-gos in transition. Making and receiving passes at speed, while evading traffic, is a tough skill. Bratt and Hughes help each other do it. But no one else really plays like that in transition.

I'm not saying throw Haula up on line 1 again, but he did the dirty work for them too. And no, Jack is the center. You want him building speed from low in the zone, not waiting stationary on the wall like a winger. Sure, Haula can take draws for him,

I'm more saying, Jack-Bratt is a combo they should be running consistently. They have a ton of other options for the opposite wing.
Click to expand...
I didn’t mean to say ability to rip shots off high difficulty passes is the lone important skill that benefits playing with Hughes, but it is a key one. And its been an element that many of the “shooters” who have played with Jack have not had.

As per Hughes playing wing, I am stirring the pot a little, but only because there is merit to it. Yes it makes sense to want Hughes skating full ice but it kind of makes sense for Bratt too right? Plenty of great skaters play wing.

I understand that it’s not happening now, and playing Hughes with a defensive oriented center at times will have to due for now, but there are limitations to Jack at the center position.
 
Rhodes 81

Rhodes 81

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I keep seeing articles and comments about the lack of playoff experience, which I think is overblown. All of these skaters have playoff experience:
Palat - 138
Haula - 61
Smith - 56
Hamilton - 54
Tatar - 40
Meier - 35
Graves- 25
Lazar - 24
Marino - 17
Seigenthaller - 11
Wood - 5
Hischier - 5
Severson - 4
Bratt - 1

So essentially the entire defense and half the forwards have played at least a series, if not much more. Yeah it will be new ground for Hughes, Mercer, and Bratt, but it's not like they're all walking in blind.
 
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Eggtimer

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Rhodes 81 said:
I keep seeing articles and comments about the lack of playoff experience, which I think is overblown. All of these skaters have playoff experience:
Palat - 138
Haula - 61
Smith - 56
Hamilton - 54
Tatar - 40
Meier - 35
Graves- 25
Lazar - 24
Marino - 17
Seigenthaller - 11
Wood - 5
Hischier - 5
Severson - 4
Bratt - 1

So essentially the entire defense and half the forwards have played at least a series, if not much more. Yeah it will be new ground for Hughes, Mercer, and Bratt, but it's not like they're all walking in blind.
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I wonder how much experience really impacts a team in the playoffs. I wonder if maybe not knowing any better and coming into the playoffs without any heavy expect is almost better ?
Teams like the Leafs have massive pressure to do well and that has a negative effect with most teams ane players. We are essentially playjg with house money and are probably seen as under dogs in each series . I don’t agree with it as we are the third best team in the league and close to 2nd best , but everyone is writing us off because we are young , lack experience compared to other teams , our first playoff in years, amd were not expected to even be in the hunt for a playoff spot at the start of the season.
 
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Poppy Whoa Sonnet

Poppy Whoa Sonnet

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Nhlpowerweek said:
Thats cool sire. I thought so. Is schmid going to get plenty of games before that though? Blackwood is not even close no?
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My speculation is that Blackwood is healthy enough to play but the team will test out Schmid down the stretch, keeping him up until he shows he needs to go down. Basically Schmid can be the backup in the playoffs if he doesn't fall apart, if that happens then Blackwood takes over.
 
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devilsblood

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Nhlpowerweek said:
Thats cool sire. I thought so. Is schmid going to get plenty of games before that though? Blackwood is not even close no?
Click to expand...
Ya Schmid will get games to keep him sharp and Vitek fresh.

Typical goalie rotation mgmt.

I haven’t heard news on Blackwood, and maybe the teams usage of him in the past suggests otherwise but I suspect he will be 3rd on the depth chart.
 
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HBK27

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1679597224686.png


Great news - Blackwood is almost back!
 
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Eggtimer

Eggtimer

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I have no idea what the teams plans are for Blackwood for the rest of this season.
Based off his play , inconsistency , injury history , I can see us not qualifying him and not part of our plans moving forward. A few reasons why . Salary , level of play , having VV / Schmid / Daws / Brennan waiting and we just don’t have the cap room to pay him to be a mediocre , oft injured , wildly inconsistent goalie.
But for the rest of this year? No idea. There are only a handful of games left for us to figure out who our goalies will be.
We can’t rely on using him in the playoffs , even as a backup. he is rusty PLUS is inconsistent at the best of times.
I really hope we go with VV as the game 1 starter , and use Schmid as the backup if VV falters or is injured. Too much to risk relying on Blackwood IMO. If he was like a Sorokin level goalie , then hell ya, use him even if just coming back from injury . But not Blackwood .

HBK27 said:


View attachment 674559

Great news - Blackwood is almost back!
Click to expand...

An crap. Just read this after I wrote about how I don’t think he should or would be given a start anymore .
 
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