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

[Emperoreddy]

He definitely doesn't quite know where to be yet and is playing some pond hockey. He'll produce though until he can figure out the system. I know our schedule is tight these next couple of weeks but hopefully they can get some practice in.

He absolutely will. Just going to take time. I expect he will be fully up and running come playoff time.

Today I think certain posters are so desperate to find problems with the team that they are creating mountains out of mole hills.

A few things need cleaning up, but by and large Ruff should be staying the course with the current lines.

 

[Devs3cups]

Or maybe he's just a winger. 35% faceoffs aren't cutting it


I like it, but who centers Palat/Bratt/Boqvist? Boqvist is worse at faceoffs than Jack.

I don’t really care about their faceoff %. I’d probably move Mercer in that scenario. So I don’t know if it’d be possible considering the Nico line has been cooking… I’d do either:

Tatar-Nico-Bratt
Hughes-Haula-Meier/Haula-Hughes-Meier
Palat-Boq-Mercer

or

Tatar-Nico-Mercer
Hughes-Haula-Meier/Haula-Hughes-Meier
Palat-Boq-Bratt

Distribute the wealth a little. At the end of the day though, I think we’ll see the same lines tomorrow night. The Nico line has been good for a while, the 3rd line has been very good lately and I liked what I saw from the Jack line in the 1st last night. I’d like to see them keep on building chemistry.

You don’t want to mess with the lines too much before the playoffs I think.

 

[MB3]

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.

You seem to be inventing entire storylines based on the exact same lipservice that every player gives to the media during contract negotiations.

Do you expect Bratt to come out and say "nah my agent said I should take this but I think I can squeeze out another couple hundred thousand dollars lmao"?

 

[Devs3cups]

Jack has looked awful and out of place every time he has been tried at wing.

Faceoffs aren't really the issue so much as that line tries to be too fancy in the D-zone and that's been extrapolated with Timo not being in sync yet.

It's all very fixable stuff that shouldn't require putting the lines into a blender.

Jack not scoring goals as much lately is simply bad luck. He is still generating plenty of chances

Don’t get me wrong, Jack would be at “C” in my scenario, it was mostly for faceoff purposes. Jack would rotate back to “C” right after the faceoff. I believe Haula has taken the bulk of the faceoffs when playing with Jack, unless I’m mistaken.

 

[Guttersniped]

Watch the Arizona game again. It was pretty clear that Jack and Bratt were operating under the impression that Timo would be in one place yet he was somewhere else.

But it's kind of obvious his unfamiliarity with the system is more the issue then Jack or Bratt.

Yegor being a defensive drag isn't really news

Our system is quirky, and forwards do move all over the place depending on where the puck is, so it’s understandable that Timo wouldn’t immediately magically know where to go.

That line was already better in the Leafs game in terms of statistics and eye test then it’s been for most games in weeks.

And the results 5v5, in terms of actual GF%, weren’t any worse than they’ve been for that line since mid-January.

Timo came when that line hit a nadir, it’s not like Ruff benched someone who was doing better, or well, to get him on that line.

 

[Emperoreddy]

 

[SteveCangialosi123]

Who cares about Jack’s faceoffs? He’s won 40% of them over his last 10 (which is higher than all season) and he hasn’t had a stretch of worse results all year. They don’t mean much of anything and don’t contribute nearly as much to goals as some of you think.

 

[Devs3cups]

I love how Fitz is always open for interviews. I love listening to him.

For anyone interested, he talked about how Timo’s contract status was attractive and how he’s a guy that fits now and for the future. Also talked about how being better away from the puck is a focus point.

Mentions that the game against the Islanders in NY in October was when he realized we might be something this year.

 

[Emperoreddy]

Who cares about Jack’s faceoffs? He’s won 40% of them over his last 10 (which is higher than all season) and he hasn’t had a stretch of worse results all year. They don’t mean much of anything and don’t contribute nearly as much to goals as some of you think.

Not even remotely an issue that requires bingo balling the lines.

Stay the course

 

[NjDevsRR]

Mentions that the game against the Islanders in NY in October was when he realized we might be something this year.

One of the most dominating NHL games I have ever seen.

 

[Devs3cups]

One of the most dominating NHL games I have ever seen.

Recap:

CF%: 61.60%
SCF%: 62.12%
HDCF%: 80%
xGF%: 77.86%
xGF: 5.61
xGA: 1.60
Shots: 43-17 NJ

 

[Emperoreddy]

Recap:

CF%: 61.60%
SCF%: 62.12%
HDCF%: 80%
xGF%: 77.86%
xGF: 5.61
xGA: 1.60
Shots: 43-17 NJ

View attachment 665665

How was it only 73%? We totally curbstomped them

 

[Devs3cups]

How was it only 73%? We totally curbstomped them

No idea, but here’s the description as to how the meter works!

 

[Devilsgrl35]

I was at that game. We skated circles around them.

 

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

I was at that game. We skated circles around them.

Same here, my Islander buddy has seasons and had me tag along. He was pretty impressed with NJD and said they'd do something this year with how they caved in the Islanders.

 

[Eggtimer]

What if Bratt is pissed that we got Timo, the same way Parise was pissed that we got Kovalchuk?

If he was thats childish and pouting like a little ummm Bratt. Wouldn’t he want to have the best players for team mates as possible? I could MAYBE see if they did something like rip down Bratt pictures / murals / etc down at the Rock and pasted up Meier ones instead, photoshopped Bratts face off of programs and inserted Meier , Bratt gets demoted to the third line , taken off of the PP , has his minutes reduced drastically , Fitz extends Meier with an offer substantially higher and prioritized Meier over him , they move Bratts stall in the locker room to the bathroom , give Meier his old one, local deli removes the Bratt sandwich with the Meier sub Lol.
Even then , the guy is a pro hockey player that is playing on the yongest and most talented team in the league with a bright future for probably the entirety of his pro career. Gets to play with his good friend in Nico and / or one of the best C’s in the league with Jack….
Why the hell would he pout ? Thats stupid if he does .
Only way Bratt has any “right “ to complain or be upset is if he is being offered something low like a 6-7 mil deal.

If Fitz’s offer really was very low and Bratts agent wanted to gain leverage ,wouldn he release or make public the offer dollar amount ? Gain some sympathy ?

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

Or maybe he's just a winger. 35% faceoffs aren't cutting it.

you do realize that faceoffs are like, one small part of what makes a player a center vs a winger, right?

Hughes was tried on the wing multiple times and never looked good there. He has been a top 5ish forward in the league this year. Maybe hes a really, really good center?

 

[MasterofGrond]

Most shifts don't even start with a faceoff lol

 

[HersheyBob27]

Time and time again this season we have seen first hand how important faceoffs are yet people still insist on downplaying them like they know better. Evidence couldn’t be clearer

 

[Eggtimer]

I haven’t had a real chance to watch Meier in his Devils games so far.
I only able to catch a couple shifts.
How has he looked so far ? I know he will take some time to adjust but what does his game look like so far?
Can he keep up with his skating ? Does he drive the net more so than so than our other wingers ? Is he gettig open for Bratt and Jack ? Does he create open ice for those other two? Does he initiate contact or just respond to it if need be ?
Not so much in his devils games , but just in general , does he score more goals on the PP using a one-timer or where is he best placed on the PP ? Bumper guy or ?
I hope he and whoever emds up on his line gets on a roll amd the other big line does as well. I really think we will have 4 lines that can all be a handful for the opposition .
Im confident Meier will fit right in and help us in a big way , I hope it’s really soon here but I will t lose faith if it takes him some time to figure out our style and his line mates

 

[BostonDevil]

Not sure why there’s a need to change lines since we lost a game to a pretty good team due to a new guy making a few mistakes and our goalie not having his best night.

- First line seems to be doing fine
- Second line shows spurts of dominance and other times looks like they have a guy who just showed up from an awful team. It’s been 2 games.
- Right now they are clicking beyond what anyone could have expected. Don’t touch it!
- 4th line is the coach’s favorite thing since Mason Geertsen, he plays them too much as it is and there’s little chance he changes it without injury or a spot Lazar appearance

Let ‘em roll and get comfortable over the remaining weeks.

 

[Emperoreddy]

I haven’t had a real chance to watch Meier in his Devils games so far.
I only able to catch a couple shifts.
How has he looked so far ? I know he will take some time to adjust but what does his game look like so far?
Can he keep up with his skating ? Does he drive the net more so than so than our other wingers ? Is he gettig open for Bratt and Jack ? Does he create open ice for those other two? Does he initiate contact or just respond to it if need be ?
Not so much in his devils games , but just in general , does he score more goals on the PP using a one-timer or where is he best placed on the PP ? Bumper guy or ?
I hope he and whoever emds up on his line gets on a roll amd the other big line does as well. I really think we will have 4 lines that can all be a handful for the opposition .
Im confident Meier will fit right in and help us in a big way , I hope it’s really soon here but I will t lose faith if it takes him some time to figure out our style and his line mates

Talent wise it's obvious how great a fit he is. Lots of skill, not afraid to get physical.

He isn't in sync with the system yet though and it's caused disruption on whatever line he is playing on as well as the PP

It's too be expected and it will eventually correct itself. You can plainly see the potential and the added elements he brings.

 

[Capt Nico Poo]

I haven’t had a real chance to watch Meier in his Devils games so far.
I only able to catch a couple shifts.
How has he looked so far ? I know he will take some time to adjust but what does his game look like so far?
Can he keep up with his skating ? Does he drive the net more so than so than our other wingers ? Is he gettig open for Bratt and Jack ? Does he create open ice for those other two? Does he initiate contact or just respond to it if need be ?
Not so much in his devils games , but just in general , does he score more goals on the PP using a one-timer or where is he best placed on the PP ? Bumper guy or ?
I hope he and whoever emds up on his line gets on a roll amd the other big line does as well. I really think we will have 4 lines that can all be a handful for the opposition .
Im confident Meier will fit right in and help us in a big way , I hope it’s really soon here but I will t lose faith if it takes him some time to figure out our style and his line mates

Timo is a guy who is smart enough and hungry enough to keep his stick on ice and expect the unexpected pass from Jack.

 

[Guttersniped]

I haven’t had a real chance to watch Meier in his Devils games so far.
I only able to catch a couple shifts.
How has he looked so far ? I know he will take some time to adjust but what does his game look like so far?
Can he keep up with his skating ? Does he drive the net more so than so than our other wingers ? Is he gettig open for Bratt and Jack ? Does he create open ice for those other two? Does he initiate contact or just respond to it if need be ?
Not so much in his devils games , but just in general , does he score more goals on the PP using a one-timer or where is he best placed on the PP ? Bumper guy or ?
I hope he and whoever emds up on his line gets on a roll amd the other big line does as well. I really think we will have 4 lines that can all be a handful for the opposition .
Im confident Meier will fit right in and help us in a big way , I hope it’s really soon here but I will t lose faith if it takes him some time to figure out our style and his line mates

I can tell you live that his physicality is a real factor. He had 5 hits last night and thought he nice job of trying change the momentum in the 2nd by just banging into their skill guys.

And he for sure initiates contact and makes space for his line.

I don’t know why needing some time to learn a system causes a loss of faith.

Most of the issues from that will be defensive, which is unfortunate, but not a surprise considering what our weirdo system is.

He hadn’t played since 2/18. It’s been two games and he did score a goal in the first one. He’s not Draisaitl, he wasn’t going to immediately provide buckets of goals.

 

[NJDevilsFan21]

People also seem unwilling to just admit that Timo is really out of sync with the team and it has created issues.

It's normal and shouldn't have been unexpected

To add to that Meier has been put in his off wing and bumper (again another position that wasn't his in SJ). So not only is it a new team and new system, but's it's also new positions. It probably doesn't matter on Jack's line where everyone ends up all over the ice, but he has looked a bit unsure on the PP.

If Jack's line doesn't figure it out over the next week or so, I'd like to see Lindy experiment with bumping Bratt down to the third line, moving Meier over on the RW on Jack's line, and even consider unstacking our PP1 if it gets Meier in a more comfortable role on the second unit - which could use a boost. Let Jack, Bratt, and Dougie run PP1 and give Nico, Timo, and Marino PP2. Eventually L. Hughes is going to come up and we're going to need to distribute the power anyway.