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

[Saugus]

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.

The cherry picking could be a major issue for us to handle though. Our defense has not been great about suppressing odd man rush and breakaway chances, especially when our defensemen get aggressive with pinching.

All it takes a few high danger chances converted to put us in a hole. Overall they've been good, but we need to tighten up that aspect of the defense.

 

[bossram]

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.

Yep. With scoring up, Bratt's production does not lend itself to some kind of precedent-setting contract.

His value comes from being able to drive a line forward and his unique chemistry with Hughes. $8.5M x 8 is perfectly fair and if that is offered right now, with no action from Bratt's camp, I don't see how there will be a resolution.

 

[bossram]

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.

Yep. I'd actually argue the "structure" has been getting better over time this season as well.

Although they still use The Swarm DZ coverage, I'm noticing they're not as committed to it and pick their spots better when to have D1 + D2 + F1 converge. That was a first-half weakness from my perspective. I'm also noticing that they don't default to the aggressive 2-1-2 forecheck as much, which cuts down on odd-man rushes when F1 and F2 are beat. Again, that was another former weakness in my view.

I think what some people may be calling bad "structure" are really just mistakes. On the Bunting goal last night, that was just a lazy backcheck from Jack. The NZ structure was fine, it just wasn't executed. The Marner goal was just a mistake from Hischier.

When the Devils lose, it's usually because they beat themselves.

 

[Richer's Ghost]

The silence from his Agent is pissing me off.

Say SOMETHING, you dumbass!!

His agent is waiting for a 8pts in 5 games spike to milk another .5M out in negotiations no doubt.

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

its like, people see the Devils having defensive breakdowns and don't realize that literally every other team has defensive breakdowns as well.

"They're gonna get crushed!!"

okay man.

 

[Devs3cups]

its like, people see the Devils having defensive breakdowns and don't realize that literally every other team has defensive breakdowns as well.

"They're gonna get crushed!!"

okay man.

Literally was just watching last night's highlights from around the league and the Canes' 3 GA last night were all because of missed assignments/breakdowns. Most goals in the NHL happen off of breakdowns and/or mistakes, it's a normal part of the game.

You want to minimize them. Eliminating them constantly in their entirety is pretty much impossible.

For reference:



0:04: Bad play by Stepan in the zone, followed by a missed assignment by Chatfield.

0:54: Bad pass by Necas, Chatfield falls down and Necas not covering his man afterwards on the backcheck to cover on the fall.

3:01: Bad pass by Kotkaniemi in the NZ and soft coverage by Slavin.

 

[glenwo2]

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"

The thing is, though, that Bratt was quoted as stating he's leaving *ALL* the negotiations up to his agent.


That is turning out to be a big mistake.

 

[guitarguyvic]

Fun fact: If the NHL was still using the old 1-8 playoff seeding...we would still be slated to face the Rangers. However, it wouldn't be as locked in as it appears now since both teams would be jockeying for position against other teams from the Atlantic Division, not just the Metro.

 

[glenwo2]

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.

Yeah but if Bratt isn't in the room to HEAR what Fitz's offer is, his agent could just relay to him some BS number that is a total lie from what Fitz offered.

For all we know, Fitz provided a number that Bratt would've accepted YESTERDAY but his agent decided to keep that to himself and try to break the bank instead while telling Bratt that FITZ is basically the one being unreasonable.

 

[Devs3cups]

Yeah but if Bratt isn't in the room to HEAR what Fitz's offer is, his agent could just relay to him some BS number that is a total lie from what Fitz offered.

For all we know, Fitz provided a number that Bratt would've accepted YESTERDAY but his agent decided to keep that to himself and try to break the bank instead while telling Bratt that FITZ is basically the one being unreasonable.

This kind of feels like a stretch. HIGHLY doubt Bratt’s agent would lie to him. Never heard of that happening ever.

I also feel like Bratt and Fitz must’ve had conversations about this.

 

[glenwo2]

This kind of feels like a stretch. HIGHLY doubt Bratt’s agent would lie to him. Never heard of that happening ever.

Yeah....maybe so but I have no other explanations as to the silence nor do I believe Bratt is deliberately being a douche here.

This is all his agent's doing.


Bratt must do something here.

This is becoming an unwanted distraction.

 

[Devs3cups]

Yeah....maybe so but I have no other explanations as to the silence nor do I believe Bratt is deliberately being a douche here.

This is all his agent's doing.


Bratt must do something here.

This is becoming an unwanted distraction.

If that was the case Bratt most likely would’ve stepped in and talked to Fitz directly. This seems like a Bratt/agent issue.

 

[tailfins]

What I'd be interested in seeing is how the Devils have done against playoff teams.

Are they still analytic darlings? I mean compared to how other teams do against playoff teams. So, relative to the same (general) comparison set.

I'd feel very comfortable if the Devils are still ranked fairly high in that evaluation. It would put to rest any idea that the Devils are where they are by beating up on the bad teams.

Good teams should be bad teams. So, that's never a negative. But, when there are no more bad teams left to play, I'm not sure how things change.

 

[glenwo2]

If that was the case Bratt most likely would’ve stepped in and talked to Fitz directly. This seems like a Bratt/agent issue.

As in his agent is doing one thing while Bratt is doing another.

I refuse to believe Bratt and his agent are of one mind in this.

Especially after his comments recently.

 

[Devs3cups]

What I'd be interested in seeing is how the Devils have done against playoff teams.

Are they still analytic darlings? I mean compared to how other teams do against playoff teams. So, relative to the same (general) comparison set.

I'd feel very comfortable if the Devils are still ranked fairly high in that evaluation. It would put to rest any idea that the Devils are where they are by beating up on the bad teams.

Good teams should be bad teams. So, that's never a negative. But, when there are no more bad teams left to play, I'm not sure how things change.

I did this quickly, but it paint a pretty good picture:

Devils stats against Boston this year

Devils stats against Hurricanes this year

Devils stats against Rangers this year

Devils stats against Leafs this year

Devils stats against Avalanche this year

Looking at these, it certainly feels like the general trend of good play continues here. Winning the CF%, xGF%, SCF% and HDCF% in the majority of these games, which is good against top competition.

Recap:

Won the CF% battle in 9 of those 13 games
Won the xGF% battle in 10 of those 13 games
Won the SCF% battle in 9 of those 13 games
Won the HDCF% battle in 11 of those 13 games

 

[glenwo2]

ALSO, it doesn't help that NO ONE is asking Bratt himself how things are going as far as contract negotiations.

I would think that Novo would've brought that up in passing to at least get a quote from him, to gauge his reaction but nothing.

I get that his focus is rightly-so at the task at hand to get ready for the Playoffs.

But it's so damn frustrating when there is NOTHING from one side after the other side showed their hand, so to speak.

 

[MadDevil]

I highly doubt Bratt's agent is doing anything Bratt doesn't approve of. If he was he likely wouldn't be an agent for very long.

 

[glenwo2]

I highly doubt Bratt's agent is doing anything Bratt doesn't approve of. If he was he likely wouldn't be an agent for very long.

If I had my way, Bratt's agent wouldn't be an agent after the first Holdout.

 

[My3Sons]

As in his agent is doing one thing while Bratt is doing another.

I refuse to believe Bratt and his agent are of one mind in this.

Especially after his comments recently.

Without knowing the specifics it's hard to say. I am skeptical that Bratt's agent doesn't tell him what any offer is. Now, I can see the agent being one of those guys that believes no matter what is offered you say no since there will be more. The only deciding issue is what Bratt would get as a UFA. I'm skeptical a good team offers Bratt $9 mil per. That's still a lot in the current NHL for a guy who doesn't play center or first line defense. Just my thoughts.

 

[glenwo2]

Without knowing the specifics it's hard to say. I am skeptical that Bratt's agent doesn't tell him what any offer is. Now, I can see the agent being one of those guys that believes no matter what is offered you say no since there will be more. The only deciding issue is what Bratt would get as a UFA. I'm skeptical a good team offers Bratt $9 mil per. That's still a lot in the current NHL for a guy who doesn't play center or first line defense. Just my thoughts.

I just want to know this :

Are they waiting for the offseason to make a decision or not?

If they are, then just come out and say so...so we can stop agonizing over this.

 

[Devs3cups]

I just want to know this :

Are they waiting for the offseason to make a decision or not?

If they are, then just come out and say so...so we can stop agonizing over this.

If they are, Bratt will most likely get traded around the draft. If you’re Fitz, you can’t be put in that situation.

 

[Better Call Sal]

My Timo Time shirt arrived, lfg.

 

[guitarguyvic]

What I'd be interested in seeing is how the Devils have done against playoff teams.

Are they still analytic darlings? I mean compared to how other teams do against playoff teams. So, relative to the same (general) comparison set.

I'd feel very comfortable if the Devils are still ranked fairly high in that evaluation. It would put to rest any idea that the Devils are where they are by beating up on the bad teams.

Good teams should be bad teams. So, that's never a negative. But, when there are no more bad teams left to play, I'm not sure how things change.

Without looking it up...I'm inclined to think that you can't really have the 3rd best record in the league 60 games into the season WITHOUT having a good track record against other playoff teams. Being that half the teams they play are playoff caliber, just doing the math a team that beats up on bad teams but struggles against good ones is gonna be closer to .500 than .700.

 

[Devs3cups]

My Timo Time shirt arrived, lfg.

How's it looking? We want pics of the shirt!

 

[glenwo2]

If they are, Bratt will most likely get traded around the draft. If you’re Fitz, you can’t be put in that situation.

So then....we're stuck in the "No news is Good news" cycle then?

Geez....this is so aggravating.