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

[Devs3cups]

East this year is giving me some 2018 vibes.

Division winners probably run over the WC teams who have little playoff experience.
Solid matchups for the 2-3 series.
ECF is going to be an absolute bloodbath of the 2 surviving teams.

Only difference is the 2nd round will likely be even crazier this time around

I could see the East steamrolling the West in the final again too but the Avs look like they're regaining form, still they're not the same team they were last year.

Also crazy that this Boston team feels miles better than the 2019 team that went to game 7 of the cup final

The way it looks now, the East is a beast. Every playoff round will be an uphill battle.

Bring back the “1 vs. 16” format.

 

[DevilsHughes86]

I would think they would try to get something for him at the draft, maybe a bag pf pucks?

With or without pucks in the bag?

 

[Devs3cups]

it's not vanecek. it's the lack of organizational depth.

vanecek has no history of sustaining his current performance. there are extremly few goalies, who are dependable year to year. demko is a perfect example for a guy looking great one season and the very next like a dud. devils have first hand experiences with blackwood and his injuries and inconsistencies.

to be a contender you better have two vanecek's or a vasilevsky.

I think it definitely helps but we see teams winning it all or getting far without an elite goalie. Look at Colorado last year, Kuemper/Francouz isn’t exactly an elite tandem.

 

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

it's not vanecek. it's the lack of organizational depth.

vanecek has no history of sustaining his current performance. there are extremly few goalies, who are dependable year to year. demko is a perfect example for a guy looking great one season and the very next like a dud. devils have first hand experiences with blackwood and his injuries and inconsistencies.

to be a contender you better have two vanecek's or a vasilevsky.

I have no questions Fitz makes a move in net if it's the thing that's stopping us from winning a Cup. I've said Saros but that might happen sooner rather than later with Nashville's impending firesale.

 

[glenwo2]

 

[MachoDiablo]

I always feel for players who get dealt this late in a season, when they've had a chance to bond with their teammates, feel at home in an organization, maybe get to know a fanbase, find a place to live...and then in a deal like this you're moving across a continent. Tough stuff, whether you're a young single athlete or moving an entire family with you.

Still, for the young guys we're sending to SJ, I hope they get to treat this as a huge opportunity: the Sharks are a major rebuild project, but it means there'll be tons of chances to stake their claim to long, successful careers that might've been harder to settle into in a crowded organization like the Devils.

 

[Saugus]

I always feel for players who get dealt this late in a season, when they've had a chance to bond with their teammates, feel at home in an organization, maybe get to know a fanbase, find a place to live...and then in a deal like this you're moving across a continent. Tough stuff, whether you're a young single athlete or moving an entire family with you.

Still, for the young guys we're sending to SJ, I hope they get to treat this as a huge opportunity: the Sharks are a major rebuild project, but it means there'll be tons of chances to stake their claim to long, successful careers that might've been harder to settle into in a crowded organization like the Devils.

It does suck to have to uproot your life so suddenly, but these guys know the deal. That's how it goes as a professional athlete.

It's no wonder that so many guys look for NTCs as soon as they have leverage in contract negotiations. Past a certain point in their life and career, they don't want to deal with that shit.

 

[JrFischer54]

I thought Ray was very good, the only strategy I really disagree with in hindsight was building such a small defense. But in fairness to him, the defensive pipleline and roster was such a complete train wreck that he had zero to work with. The poor guy barely had draft picks to work with when he first got here.

things would've been different if shero had a timo or karlsson he could unload to big time hauls. would've probably shaved a couple years

 

[Clam Jensen]

Did our former Swedish meatball get hacked:

 

[NjDevsRR]

Did our former Swedish meatball get hacked:

Confirmed

 

[Rhodes 81]

I always feel for players who get dealt this late in a season, when they've had a chance to bond with their teammates, feel at home in an organization, maybe get to know a fanbase, find a place to live...and then in a deal like this you're moving across a continent. Tough stuff, whether you're a young single athlete or moving an entire family with you.

Still, for the young guys we're sending to SJ, I hope they get to treat this as a huge opportunity: the Sharks are a major rebuild project, but it means there'll be tons of chances to stake their claim to long, successful careers that might've been harder to settle into in a crowded organization like the Devils.

For Zetterlund, it sucks because he was probably going to continue to play plenty here. But for Okhotiuk this is a boon. He was fighting with Bahl for #7 here and Bahl seems to be more highly thought of by the org, and I didn't see either one of them getting in a much better position any time soon with Smith signed for next year and Hughes coming in. He should have much more of a chance in San Jose to get NHL experience which he needs to make best use of his top attributes. This kind of move could be the difference between spending his career as a fringe depth piece vs. an NHL regular.

Also hope Mango gets a chance to rejuvenate his career. He wasn't good here, but he isn't so bad that he would have been buried in the minors if it weren't for his contract.

 

[PKs Broken Stick]

It does suck to have to uproot your life so suddenly, but these guys know the deal. That's how it goes as a professional athlete.

It's no wonder that so many guys look for NTCs as soon as they have leverage in contract negotiations. Past a certain point in their life and career, they don't want to deal with that shit.

Also why MOST prioritize money, because at the end of the day, it's a business. Screw that family nonsense. Teams will trade you if it makes them better.

 

[Lou is God]

For Zetterlund, it sucks because he was probably going to continue to play plenty here. But for Okhotiuk this is a boon. He was fighting with Bahl for #7 here and Bahl seems to be more highly thought of by the org, and I didn't see either one of them getting in a much better position any time soon with Smith signed for next year and Hughes coming in. He should have much more of a chance in San Jose to get NHL experience which he needs to make best use of his top attributes. This kind of move could be the difference between spending his career as a fringe depth piece vs. an NHL regular.

Also hope Mango gets a chance to rejuvenate his career. He wasn't good here, but he isn't so bad that he would have been buried in the minors if it weren't for his contract.

Zetterlund is pretty excited about going to SJ, mostly because he'll probably be given a chance to play everyday and perhaps in the Sharks Top 6. (yes, from the little bird)

I think it's easier for younger players who are a bit buried on the depth chart, for them they just want the opportunity to play without worrying about being scratched.

 

[glenwo2]

 

[Better Call Sal]

 

[NjDevsRR]

Damn twitter boobs made this kid wonder if he was being traded.

 

[Saugus]

I'm sure he was relieved. It must suck to see your name bandied about casually in trade rumors, even if you know there's probably nothing to them.

Although, if his recent hot streak is how he responds to trade rumors, I say we should start bullshit trade rumors every week of the season and watch him put up 75 points.

 

[Devs3cups]

Did our former Swedish meatball get hacked:

Noticed that this morning. It sure looks like it lmfao.

 

[Better Call Sal]

That's pretty sweet.

 

[Clam Jensen]

Noticed that this morning. It sure looks like it lmfao.

He’s really embracing the move to silicon valley.

 

[Devs3cups]

That's pretty sweet.

Clean tee is clean.

 

[MartyOwns]

That's pretty sweet.

#96?? dope as f***

 

[Better Call Sal]

#96?? dope as f***

Yessir, Timo confirmed in his media call he was gonna wear it!

 

[glenwo2]

Did our former Swedish meatball get hacked:

Noticed that this morning. It sure looks like it lmfao.

He’s really embracing the move to silicon valley.

okay...I am dying of curiousity because the image was removed.

What was it?

 

[Better Call Sal]

FYI, that guy's designs end up on Breaking T and they have a real good collection of stuff on there from this year for Devils designs. Dougie doesn't miss, Dawgson Mercer, Brattman, Sorry Lindy, pretty much whatever you could ask for.

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