Our March schedule is absolutely brutal, not just in terms of QoC but also the amount of games.
Devils team discussion (news, notes and speculation) - part VI
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I feel sorry for those teams we have to play.
Zippy316
aka Zippo
Clifton, Gudas, and TvR would all be solid 3RD options. Fitzgerald seems to prefer defenders with size so wonder if he stays away from Clifton, although he does play bigger than his size.
Plus they are guys that you can easily push to the bench if Nemec is ready, except for Gudas most likely.
Emperoreddy
Show Me What You Got!
Teams behind us lose plenty lately. It's really just us and Carolina who refuse to lose
its definitely gonna hurt losing severson. almost wish there was a way it made sense to extend him, but with the term attached to Hamilton/Marino, plus Nemec presumably making the jump up within the next year or two, it probably just doesn't fit given the state of the right side.
DevilsHughes86
Dance with the Devil
We should be alright, that's where Ruff will have to rotate and use everyone. Shara and Lazar will play, possibly Holtz gets a call up as well as Luke who will be signed and brought up!
Mr Bojanglez
Registered User
Feels like it could be something similar to that 2009-2010 season - where it came down to that last game between Philly and NYR.
Not the same comparison. But Philly and NYR played their last 2 games of the season against eachother. That was crazy
youryeah
Registered User
- Jun 21, 2019
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Emperoreddy
Show Me What You Got!
Yeah I doubt Tampa fans are looking forward to playing us that many times in short order either
AfroThunder396
[citation needed]
Tampa is weird right now. They lost 5-3 against Buffalo, and in the third period the entire Kucherov/Point/Stamkos line was benched. Cooper said that decision gave them the best chance to come back and win the game. They responded in their next game by losing 6-0 to Carolina. IDK what the hell is going on down there.
Devils731
Registered User
- Jun 23, 2008
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Maybe just getting older and running down from 3 long post seasons in a row.
It would be reasonable if they have an energy issue at this point.
Better Call Sal
Salnalysis
I caved to jump on a somewhat cheaper pair of tickets for Sunday's game against the Canes. Going to be as close to a playoff type of atmosphere that I've been a part of since Game 3 of 2018. Potential battle to take the top of the division? I can't f***ing wait.
Zajacs Bowl Cut
Lets Go Baby
Bastian is much better than Wood
I don't think Lazar is going to get into the lineup much without injuries.
SteveCangialosi123
Registered User
I don’t think so, at least not permanently. I’m sure he’ll play for him a bit down the stretch, but the staff must be aware that Bastian is a better player than Lazar.
devilsfan35
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- Jun 15, 2015
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Nico’s become such a sneaky good goal scorer. I’d still like to see him improve his shot over the summer, he can easily become a 40 goal guy going forward similar to Aho
Tampa had Zero, that's right No shots on goal in the 2d period. 4 shots in the first. Whew.
I don't know when I've seen a club have no shots in a period. Much less a recent champion club like Tampa.
Better Call Sal
Salnalysis
Yeah, I'm not assuming Lazar is going to immediately be put into the lineup. I know he has term but he could just be used as veteran depth this year and insurance for next year if we let any of the other 4th liners go since all of their deals are up in the offseason.
Clam Jensen
Registered User
It’s almost like they’re load managing for the playoffs. For one last shot at the cup.
I think he’ll be treated like a 13th forward too, but I imagine they’ll immediately give him a look though. And seeing as Wood has never been a healthy scratch and has actually scored a few goals recently, seems like Bastian would be the guy to come out.
O’Reilly not at practice for the leafs today.
Tavares skating in a non contact extra
Could be a break for the devils on Tuesday
Tavares skating in a non contact extra
Could be a break for the devils on Tuesday
Zippy316
aka Zippo
One thing about this team that might be overlooked a bit, is the team is shaping up to have two really reliable, solid lines in the bottom six.
I could see match up purposes where Devils may like a Palat - Haula - Boqvist/Sharangovich line to go against other teams top lines. Or even have McLeod’s line weather the storm for a bit if they’re rolling. Would help tremendously on the road where you may not get the matchups you want, but ones you’re ok with.
This team genuinely doesn’t have many weaknesses as far as skaters go.
I could see match up purposes where Devils may like a Palat - Haula - Boqvist/Sharangovich line to go against other teams top lines. Or even have McLeod’s line weather the storm for a bit if they’re rolling. Would help tremendously on the road where you may not get the matchups you want, but ones you’re ok with.
This team genuinely doesn’t have many weaknesses as far as skaters go.
- Apr 20, 2005
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I wonder what the Devils do with all the young talent in the system. It feels like we're about hit some bottlenecks in terms of playing time.
Example: Holtz went to Utica and had (what sounds like) a fantastic game yesterday. He needs to be a top 6 player eventually. But, with Mercer, Timo, Bratt as the top 6 wings for the next 5-8 years (assuming re-signings), it's pretty difficult for Holtz. Especially if Timo plays RW.
If I were one of these "retooling" teams - Vancouver, St Louis, etc. - I'd be looking at the Devils to see if I could pluck some talent off the roster. Sharnagovich seems like an obvious immediate candidate - I have no idea if he could fit into the Devils cap next year or beyond. May be worthwhile if the Devils could send him out for a 2nd round pick this offseason. I also wonder about Bastian. He feels like he could be a good third line player in this league. If he gets a 1 or 2 year deal this off-season, I wonder if the Devils end up looking to move him at some point to capture value before he leaves as UFA?
Example: Holtz went to Utica and had (what sounds like) a fantastic game yesterday. He needs to be a top 6 player eventually. But, with Mercer, Timo, Bratt as the top 6 wings for the next 5-8 years (assuming re-signings), it's pretty difficult for Holtz. Especially if Timo plays RW.
If I were one of these "retooling" teams - Vancouver, St Louis, etc. - I'd be looking at the Devils to see if I could pluck some talent off the roster. Sharnagovich seems like an obvious immediate candidate - I have no idea if he could fit into the Devils cap next year or beyond. May be worthwhile if the Devils could send him out for a 2nd round pick this offseason. I also wonder about Bastian. He feels like he could be a good third line player in this league. If he gets a 1 or 2 year deal this off-season, I wonder if the Devils end up looking to move him at some point to capture value before he leaves as UFA?
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