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

[Lou is God]

I didn't realize how disgusting this team's road record was, 25-4-4 is insane.

Just to put that in more perspective, if you times that record by two you have the Bruins regular season record.

 

[NJDevs26]

I didn't realize how disgusting this team's road record was, 25-4-4 is insane.

I got blowback for saying in December it was more likely the team could continue its mediocre home record than the insane road record and I still stand by that even though against all logic they have maintained the insane road record. You can't even really find a comparable in sports - the 2011 Giants? They play twenty games total, not eighty.

Fortunately the six-game home winning streak over a six-week span got them back in the black at home or they'd still be at .500 at the Rock. They could easily have another sag with some of these home games coming up though, hell not like the Toronto game was all that great.

 

[glenwo2]

I wonder if Lindy changes the lines back tonight or if he keeps them as is? #stubborn

 

[Devs3cups]

I don’t know. That 10 million dollar qualifying offer could look mighty appealing to Timo if he can’t turn on the production.

I doubt Timo not turning on the production for a month with a new team will impact negotiations. Timo’s track record speaks tor itself and I don’t see Fitz making a big deal out of it. I also don’t see Timo leaving a long term deal on the table for the QO.

I’d expect Timo to turn it around here and I’m willing to give him more than 1 week to do so. Being in his situation is not easy.

 

[glenwo2]

I also find it downright comical for some (@Jason MacIsaac , for example) to say Bratt is undisciplined with the puck while at the same time making excuses for other players' miscues.

As i stated before, there would hardly be any b*tching if Bratt was signed. All this vitriol toward him is based on that.

I have zero doubt in my mind.

And now others here are turning against him because of this as well.

 

[Whaddagoal]

I wonder if Lindy changes the lines back tonight or if he keeps them as is? #stubborn

I feel pretty certain they will change due to B2B fatigue.

Guessing Bahl for Smitty and maybe Rango in for someone.

 

[glenwo2]

Bratt is now the HEEL apparently. lol

 

[Clam Jensen]

I also find it downright comical for some (@Jason MacIsaac , for example) to say Bratt is undisciplined with the puck while at the same time making excuses for other players' miscues.

As i stated before, there would hardly be any b*tching if Bratt was signed. All this vitriol toward him is based on that.

I have zero doubt in my mind.

And now others here are turning against him because of this as well.

We’re not turning against him, we’re just trying to think through the situation objectively and discuss realistic alternatives.

 

[glenwo2]

I feel pretty certain they will change due to B2B fatigue.

Guessing Bahl for Smitty and maybe Rango in for someone.

Bahl has really impressed me with his progress and his play.

But I absolutely LOVED to see him use his body to be physical. (and no, that didn't sound weird at all)

 

[Devs3cups]

I also find it downright comical for some (@Jason MacIsaac , for example) to say Bratt is undisciplined with the puck while at the same time making excuses for other players' miscues.

As i stated before, there would hardly be any b*tching if Bratt was signed. All this vitriol toward him is based on that.

I have zero doubt in my mind.

And now others here are turning against him because of this as well.

I definitely feel like this does influence the Bratt talk. If you want 8-8.5 mil, show how you can take over, but you have to admit he’s been pretty bad lately.

Jack has struggled as well lately (I’m assuming you’re talking about him in your post), and the injury is most likely an excuse since I don’t think he’s injured (struggling happens), but Jack has put this team on his back a whole lot this year and he has looked like a top 5 C overall. Bratt hasn’t had the same impact. I think most would give Jack a little more rope here to turn it around than Bratt because of what he’s done for the team this season.

 

[glenwo2]

Don't get me wrong here....

I am none too happy with his struggles as of late either.

But I, at least, can see that the 3rd line with him on it instead of Boqvist was NOT WORKING.

 

[Devs3cups]

Don't get me wrong here....

I am none too happy with his struggles as of late either.

But I, at least, can see that the 3rd line with him on it instead of Boqvist was NOT WORKING.

I mean, you mentioned in an earlier post how the Timo-Hughes-Bratt line didn’t get any time to gel and they should stick to build chemistry, couldn’t the same be said about the Timo-Hughes-Boqvist line?

I don’t mind Bratt going back on that line as I think they’d figure it out eventually as 3 very talented guys, but Boqvist has been a whole lot better than Bratt for what feels like almost 3-4 weeks now.

 

[glenwo2]

I definitely feel like this does influence the Bratt talk. If you want 8-8.5 mil, show how you can take over, but you have to admit he’s been pretty bad lately.

Jack has struggled as well lately (I’m assuming you’re talking about him in your post), and the injury is most likely an excuse since I don’t think he’s injured (struggling happens), but Jack has put this team on his back a whole lot this year and he has looked like a top 5 C overall. Bratt hasn’t had the same impact. I think most would give Jack a little more rope here to turn it around than Bratt because of what he’s done for the team this season.

"A little more rope" is one thing.

"Putting our heads in the sand and ignoring the obvious" is another.

And that obvious are the following :

Players mishandle pucks (Even McDavid mishandles them at times).

The moment the 2nd and 3rd lines were changed (Bratt/Boqvist switched), they both didn't produce sh*t on offense.

 

[Whaddagoal]

Don't get me wrong here....

I am none too happy with his struggles as of late either.

But I, at least, can see that the 3rd line with him on it instead of Boqvist was NOT WORKING.

Boq is doing well on all lines. He seemed to be extra dynamic on the 3rd.

Bratt had some good looks over last few games. I havent posted much in GDTs the last few, but Bratt only needs to bury his chances and people will relax a bit. He had like 2 half breakaways over last couple games.


... And he needs to freaking sign a contract. Its killing me that this is essentially dragged out since last summer.

 

[glenwo2]

I mean, you mentioned in an earlier post how the Timo-Hughes-Bratt line didn’t get any time to gel and they should stick to build chemistry, couldn’t the same be said about the Timo-Hughes-Boqvist line?

I don’t mind Bratt going back on that line as I think they’d figure it out eventually as 3 very talented guys, but Boqvist has been a whole lot better than Bratt for what feels like almost a 3-4 weeks now.

Yeah...ON THE 3RD LINE!!

Where he's been the most effective!

You just supported my case there.

 

[Better Call Sal]

I wonder if Lindy changes the lines back tonight or if he keeps them as is? #stubborn

Look, we all know you'll defend Bratt to the death, but Ruff stated when he switched the lines up that it was being done to even the lines out and administer ice time more equally with the tough schedule ahead. Bratt is a play driver and has not clicked with Jack at even strength for a number of games. This is the time, with a playoff spot all but in place, to tinker with the lines to see what chemistry is there.

Bratt being on the 3rd line isn't a big deal. And it's not going to last forever. You can step back from that angry ledge at any time.

 

[Triumph]

I don’t know. That 10 million dollar qualifying offer could look mighty appealing to Timo if he can’t turn on the production.

He's never going to get that. The Devils will take him to team-elected arbitration first.

 

[theoptimist]

12 forwards. No such thing as “lines”

 

[Whaddagoal]

Look, we all know you'll defend Bratt to the death, but Ruff stated when he switched the lines up that it was being done to even the lines out and administer ice time more equally with the tough schedule ahead. Bratt is a play driver and has not clicked with Jack at even strength for a number of games. This is the time, with a playoff spot all but in place, to tinker with the lines to see what chemistry is there.

Bratt being on the 3rd line isn't a big deal. And it's not going to last forever. You can step back from that angry ledge at any time.

@glenwo2

 

[Jason MacIsaac]

I also find it downright comical for some (@Jason MacIsaac , for example) to say Bratt is undisciplined with the puck while at the same time making excuses for other players' miscues.

As i stated before, there would hardly be any b*tching if Bratt was signed. All this vitriol toward him is based on that.

I have zero doubt in my mind.

And now others here are turning against him because of this as well.

Hughes doesn't get a complete free pass but yes, he started playing poorly after injury. There is a correlation there. Bratt has no excuse, it's just bonehead play after bonehead play. Who does a no look backhand pass from his own corner right up the middle? Who turn the puck over countless times up a goal late in the 3rd at the opposing teams blueline. Who is completely irresponsible with the puck on the half wall up a goal instead of making the safe play off the boards?

Bratt does a lot good, the analytics prove this. However, he is near unplayable in the 3rd up a goal come playoff time.

I don't want NJ to sign Bratt even at a sweetheart deal. Hughes, Hischier, Meier and Mercer are the core to build around plus you have Hughes and Nemec coming. I'm in the stop negotiating look to trade him in the offseason camp.

 

[Whaddagoal]

Hughes doesn't get a complete free pass but yes, he started playing poorly after injury. There is a correlation there. Bratt has no excuse, it's just bonehead play after bonehead play. Who does a no look backhand pass from his own corner right up the middle? Who turn the puck over countless times up a goal late in the 3rd at the opposing teams blueline. Who is completely irresponsible with the puck on the half wall up a goal instead of making the safe play off the boards?

Bratt does a lot good, the analytics prove this. However, he is near unplayable in the 3rd up a goal come playoff time.

I don't want NJ to sign Bratt even at a sweetheart deal. Hughes, Hischier, Meier and Mercer are the core to build around plus you have Hughes and Nemec coming. I'm in the stop negotiating look to trade him in the offseason camp.

I see what you are saying about his lack of puck management in tough game times, but I wouldn't go as far to say wouldn't sign him to a sweetheart deal. It would be silly for NJD not to try to re-sign Bratt at a team friendly / reasonable contract. The guy is too good for large parts of the season.

In reality, we don't really know how good or bad Bratt or any of young core will be be come playoff time. There was a sliver of games that Nico and Bratt got in that year they made it, but that was their rookie year. There's an inclination to what you're saying might be true, given how he has played in regular season, but you never know what kind of gear they find (or don't find) come playoff time unless you have a huge body of work to showcase that.

RIght now I'm not worried about Bratts play, I'm more worried that some of our core guys will get injured before playoff time.

 

[Jason MacIsaac]

I see what you are saying about his lack of puck management in tough game times, but I wouldn't go as far to say wouldn't sign him to a sweetheart deal. It would be silly for NJD not to try to re-sign Bratt at a team friendly / reasonable contract. The guy is too good for large parts of the season.

In reality, we don't really know how good or bad Bratt or any of young core will be be come playoff time. There was a sliver of games that Nico and Bratt got in that year they made it, but that was their rookie year. There's an inclination to what you're saying might be true, given how he has played in regular season, but you never know what kind of gear they find (or don't find) come playoff time unless you have a huge body of work to showcase that.

RIght now I'm not worried about Bratts play, I'm more worried that some of our core guys will get injured before playoff time.

You could be correct and then I would change my tune. Right now I don't trust Hughes or Bratt to be out the last 10 minutes up a goal.

 

[Triumph]

You could be correct and then I would change my tune. Right now I don't trust Hughes or Bratt to be out the last 10 minutes up a goal.

I don't either, but that's just what the Devils have to live with. The Devils have a 59% xG up one which is just totally unheard of back in the era of protecting leads - this is how they got there, by not changing how they play when they get a lead.

 

[Whaddagoal]

You could be correct and then I would change my tune. Right now I don't trust Hughes or Bratt to be out the last 10 minutes up a goal.

I definitely see what you are seeing with Bratt management of the puck, and it does concern me, and has concerned me. I got rallied up here earlier in the season when someone on twitter was hyping some stat said Bratt was the best defensive forward in the league. I was like "how is that possible based on how he plays" (kinda dumbfounded)

Anyway, my point though, wanting to not re-sign him maybe premature based on expectations of playoff play (that we haven't seen evidence pro or con yet)

 

[Whaddagoal]

BTW, on another nervous topic, over under that Nico woke up with a swollen foot? Bionic Repairs needed?