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

[SteveCangialosi123]

Since his ridiculous start in October he's at a 65 point pace over the last 54 games.

131 points in his last 139 games

 

[glenwo2]

I love Bratt. I think he should be resigned. I think he is a legit top line player and we will be a worse team without him.

With that said, it’d be nice if we saw some sign of perspective from he and his agent. He’s basically a ppg player. I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again…with scoring up all across the league, this is equivalent to a 70 point player a decade ago. It’s fairly obvious that a Larkin/Fiala style contract in the range of 8-8.5 per is plenty fair and I have a hard time believing Fitz is offering less than that. If you’re serious about staying with this team, then sign it already. Otherwise you’re playing hardball and asking for more than the reasonable going rate.

The silence from his Agent is pissing me off.

Say SOMETHING, you dumbass!!

 

[britdevil]

How much grinding does this thing need? Holy shit.

 

[glenwo2]

What annoys me is the way Bratt's agent is essentially not negotiating. I realize Fitz has a reason to put out a narrative that they made an offer and Bratt's camp is sitting on it, but still. It takes two to make a deal, and if one is basically not responding, what can you do?

I assume they will get around to making a serious counter-offer at some point, but this has gone on frustratingly long.

Bratt is saying the right things, but his agent is doing the opposite.

Is Bratt not knowing what his Agent is doing right now(or NOT doing, as the case seems to be)?

The old "Left Hand doesn't know what the Right hand is doing" thing?

He better get a bit more involved here 'cause at this rate, his agent is going to end up driving him FROM the Devils to a sh-tty team just because his Agent wants the highest commission.

Agents are NOT your friend, though they work for you.

 

[NjDevsRR]

131 points in his last 139 games

So 77 pt pace. Still a great player, but in today’s league, those numbers aren’t eye popping. His play driving analytics are what impresses me. Hope he signs at 8.5 Million or less.

 

[TF1970]

I was also thinking about guys who aren't as productive as Bratt, but locked up multiple years at lower cap hit that may still blow up (think Alex Tuch), but I really couldn't find anyone that met that criteria that would also want Bratt back.

Frankly, they may have to do the Kevin Fiala type trade and then flip those assets for someone else.

doubt they'd move him within division, but i suppose konecny from philly could fit this bill you described above. and again, not really thinking too hard into value, just more of a spitball.

 

[Devs3cups]

I have to say, how dramatic this place gets after L’s isn’t fun, but there’s something to be said about how frustrated and fiery we get after winnable games.

It’s a testament to how much the team has grown and what they’ve done this season. We get frustrated because we know they can do better and because they brought us back in lol, it’s a good sign overall.

 

[MauDevils]

That tweet seems contradictory. So is it being worked on...or is it just sitting there?

 

[NjDevsRR]

That tweet seems contradictory. So is it being worked on...or is it just sitting there?

Sounds like what I am doing right now at work

 

[Devs3cups]

That tweet seems contradictory. So is it being worked on...or is it just sitting there?

I think it’s clear Fitz wants to make it work. Feels like it’s not reciprocated from the other side right now.

 

[NjDevsRR]

I have to say, how dramatic this place gets after L’s isn’t fun, but there’s something to be said about how frustrated and fiery we get after winnable games.

It’s a testament to how much the team has grown and what they’ve done this season. We get frustrated because we know they can do better and because they brought us back in lol, it’s a good sign overall.

Imagine posting “joke of a team” yesterday.

LOL, people are wild.

 

[njdevil26]

Obviously we don't know what's really going on... But every single time anyone says anything about this negotiation over the last few years, we have heard the Devils are making offers and opening dialogue.... and Bratt and his agent are basically Jim Carrey in Dumb and Dumber yelling "Big Gulps huh?! Welp, see ya later!"

It's starting to get so old... and before someone tells me how much of a hard ass Bratt's agent is, it is ultimately up to Jepser to day "get this done"

 

[Cheddabombs]

Sounds like what I am doing right now at work

Samesies friend. You get it

 

[My3Sons]

Obviously we don't know what's really going on... But every single time anyone says anything about this negotiation over the last few years, we have heard the Devils are making offers and opening dialogue.... and Bratt and his agent are basically Jim Carrey in Dumb and Dumber yelling "Big Gulps huh?! Welp, see ya later!"

It's starting to get so old... and before someone tells me how much of a hard ass Bratt's agent is, it is ultimately up to Jepser to day "get this done"

I would be shocked if Bratt isn’t completely on board with what his agent is doing. I’m sure they’ve spoken at length and have a plan. I have no issue with whatever Bratt wants to do. It’s his life and he’s earned his ability to decide. I’d just like him to be candid with Fitz. Have a real dialogue. They are all adults. It shouldn’t be hard.

 

[njdevil26]

I would be shocked if Bratt isn’t completely on board with what his agent is doing. I’m sure they’ve spoken at length and have a plan. I have no issue with whatever Bratt wants to do. It’s his life and he’s earned his ability to decide. I’d just like him to be candid with Fitz. Have a real dialogue. They are all adults. It shouldn’t be hard.

I just wonder what the hold up could be. This has gone on for every negotiation between him and the team.

They are really making it seem like the team is making offers and Bratt's agent is just like "nah" without any feedback. Honestly if he is looking for 9m++ and they aren't entertaining offers below then that's a huge problem... but yeah we really don't know what's going on. I just seems like a no brainer to me that he and Meier sign 8 year 8-8.75 per year extensions and we move on.

 

[None Shall Pass]

Death, taxes, Bratt contract drama.

I'll say something controversial, because I am very brave and also wise.

I do like Bratt a lot, but if we're going to re-sign Timo long term, I wouldn't hate using the $8-9M Bratt would be paid to re-sign Graves or Severson (Or somehow both).

If our window is open starting now, I don't know how you can look at next year's defense corps and not see it as tremendously weaker with both of those guys gone and being replaced with Smith full-time and / or two rookies, no matter how talented the rookies are.

I bet Bratt could nab us a young-ish cheaper but not as good forward to plug next to Jack next year in a trade.

 

[My3Sons]

Death, taxes, Bratt contract drama.

I'll say something controversial, because I am very brave and also wise.

I do like Bratt a lot, but if we're going to re-sign Timo long term, I wouldn't hate using the $8-9M Bratt would be paid to re-sign Graves or Severson (Or somehow both).

If our windows is open starting now, I don't know how you can look at next year's defense corps and not see it as tremendously weaker with both of those guys gone and being replaced with Smith full-time and / or two rookies, no matter how talented the rookies are.

I bet Bratt could nab us a young-ish cheaper but not as good forward to plug next to Jack next year in a trade.

Bratt is presumably a long term signing. Severson or Graves are short term signings . I’m sure Fitz realizes that he has an issue with next season’s defense. But he has an overarching plan that he is looking at.

 

[Devils Pride 26]

I've calmed down a little bit after yesterday's disappointing loss however these are the main points that still concern me.

- Structure in both the neutral zone and the defensive zone
- Vanecek's ability to not lose a series
- Poor execution of plays in high leverage situations
- Inability to keep 4th line away from top lines
- The powerplay, including entry and personnel selection.

I could not agree more. The structure has been a problem for 3 years now. It’s non existent. They are going to get crushed. It looks like roller hockey out there.

 

[Devs3cups]

I could not agree more. The structure has been a problem for 3 years now. It’s non existent. They are going to get crushed. It looks like roller hockey out there.

The team is top-5 in basically every defensive category available, whether that is shots against, goals against, expected goals against, scoring chances against, high danger chances against and more.

Nothing, whether it’s measurable, metric wise, or on the ice suggests the team’s defense is bad/unstructured enough to make them get crushed. Do they have to clean some stuff up? Sure, every team does. Some narratives around here are spiralling out of control.

 

[TF1970]

definitely doesn't help with essentially zero practice time in terms of acclimating meier and/or truly working on things 'hands-on', as opposed to just video. for instance today - travel day so no ice, then just a morning skate tomorrow.

The team is top-5 in basically every defensive category available, whether that is shots against, goals against, expected goals against, scoring chances against, high danger chances against and more.

Nothing, whether it’s measurable, metric wise, or on the ice suggests the team’s defense is bad/unstructured enough to make them get crushed. Do they have to clean some stuff up? Sure, every team does. Some narratives around here are spiralling out of control.

difference is the teams where it is less noticeable has goaltending that bails them out when it happens.

 

[Billdo]

I could not agree more. The structure has been a problem for 3 years now. It’s non existent. They are going to get crushed. It looks like roller hockey out there.

This is just unequivocally false. The numbers back it up. Are they perfect night in and night out? Hell no. Do they need to address some repetitive issues? Absolutely. Having said that, they're statistically one of the stronger teams by almost all defensive metrics.

 

[SteveCangialosi123]

The team is top-5 in basically every defensive category available, whether that is shots against, goals against, expected goals against, scoring chances against, high danger chances against and more.

Nothing, whether it’s measurable, metric wise, or on the ice suggests the team’s defense is bad/unstructured enough to make them get crushed. Do they have to clean some stuff up? Sure, every team does. Some narratives around here are spiralling out of control.

It’s also funny because our likely 1st round opponent added some of the worst defensive wingers in the game. And they already had Paranin would couldn’t give a shit defensively and cherry picks every shift. We look like Boston compared to those floaters.

But the goalie alone could be the difference, unfortunately.

 

[Devs3cups]

difference is the teams where it is less noticeable has goaltending that bails them out when it happens.

Just looked it up for fun. We have the 2nd best HDCF% in the league with 56.77%.

We’re 3rd best in HDCA, but we’re 19th in HDSV% with .811 HDSV%.

Boston is 1st in that category (.873 HDSV%), Leafs are 2nd (.859 HDSV%), Canes are 9th (.831 HDSV%).

Giving un the 3rd lowest amount of high-danger chances in the league and getting the 19th best save percentage on those chances is unfortunate.

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

I could not agree more. The structure has been a problem for 3 years now. It’s non existent. They are going to get crushed. It looks like roller hockey out there.

This is baseless.

At 5 on 5, the Devils are top 8 or so in most defensive metrics, including:

CA/60
SA/60
GA/60
xGA/60
high danger CA/60

 

[Devs3cups]

This is baseless.

At 5 on 5, the Devils are top 8 or so in most defensive metrics, including:

CA/60
SA/60
GA/60
xGA/60
high danger CA/60

I didn't even look at 5v5, I looked up all situations, and we're top-5 everywhere. Good to see that trend translates to 5v5 play. Thanks for posting.