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

[SteveCangialosi123]

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.

Seems like a totally insane overreaction. He’s one of the primary reasons why we’re one of the best teams in the league. Complete prisoner of the moment thinking. Mercer couldn’t be hotter — he is not better than Bratt. Offensively or defensively.

 

[glenwo2]

@glenwo2

 

[NjdevilfanJim]

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.

Fitz made this trade with signing him LT....Timo will resign here I believe....You are right this is a tough situation especially new system new teammates making a run pressure is high and only going to get amped up

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.

whole team though as a whole has to learn how to play with a lead ....the defenseman have made many mistakes too....

 

[glenwo2]

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.

okay.

At least I know where you stand.

I can respect that.

I don't agree with it but that's fine.

Hope things turn around for him, though.

Like him or not, we need him to play well if we are to make some noise in the playoffs.

 

[Jason MacIsaac]

okay.

At least I know where you stand.

I can respect that.

I don't agree with it but that's fine.

Hope things turn around for him, though.

Like him or not, we need him to play well if we are to make some noise in the playoffs.

I agree, Ruff needs to really start earing his salary and put the players in situations suited for their game. We know who makes sure handed plays on the wall in their own end. We know which plays ensure the puck isn't turned over at the line, we know what players are great in-zone with the puck on their sticks. Stop rolling the damn lines.

 

[Patrik26]

The difference between Bratt's miscues being a focal point here and everyone elses being minimized to a degree is not everyone else is involved in negotiating a contract for the 3rd time in 4 years with no clear end in sight. It gets old and at some point isn't worth the headache.

 

[glenwo2]

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)

LOL! I remember that.

I think I was the one who posted the tweet and I was as befuddled as you were.

Probably they meant he was one of the best defensive forwards ON THE TEAM, not the League.

That would've made more sense.

 

[NjDevsRR]

Hmmm, I can’t see who everyone is replying to.
Who would have me on ignore cause I don’t have anyone on my list. Imagine Missing out on some legendary HF Devils memes

 

[SteveCangialosi123]

The difference between Bratt's miscues being a focal point here and everyone elses being minimized to a degree is not everyone else is involved in negotiating a contract for the 3rd time in 4 years with no clear end in sight. It gets old and at some point isn't worth the headache.

There just has to be a whipping boy at all times, no matter how much the team is winning. It’s looking like Bratt will be that guy when Severson is gone. He was here for lots of losing so he has that stink on him. He dared to try to get a nice deal for himself, he is now an enemy.

 

[devilsblood]

LOL! I remember that.

I think I was the one who posted the tweet and I was as befuddled as you were.

Probably they meant he was one of the best defensive forwards ON THE TEAM, not the League.

That would've made more sense.

Which is also incorrect.

Bratt, like Hughes, will put up good defensive #'s because they dominate the puck offensively. That's different then being a good defensive fwd.

They also don't get tough defensive assignments which would skew their stats negatively. In fact they get the opposite, and it skews their stats to the upside.

 

[glenwo2]

The difference between Bratt's miscues being a focal point here and everyone elses being minimized to a degree is not everyone else is involved in negotiating a contract for the 3rd time in 4 years with no clear end in sight. It gets old and at some point isn't worth the headache.

And just like that, you further illustrated my point that the source of all this vitriol and criticism IS him not being signed to a long-term deal yet.

It's getting old for you but this whole situation has gotten old last season for me.

I really wish Bratt would just fire his agent into the sun already.

 

[Nicomo Cosca]

12 forwards. No such thing as “lines”

Unless you find a line that clicks as much as Tatar - Hischier - Mercer. Please don’t touch that one.

 

[Cheddabombs]

May need a separate Bratt thread at this rate lol

 

[glenwo2]

Which is also incorrect.

Bratt, like Hughes, will put up good defensive #'s because they dominate the puck offensively. That's different then being a good defensive fwd.

They also don't get tough defensive assignments which would skew their stats negatively. In fact they get the opposite, and it skews their stats to the upside.

How dare you insert Logic and Common Sense into my Bratt Worship, you heathen! BEGONE!

 

[glenwo2]

May need a separate Bratt thread at this rate lol

 

[swiiscompos]

I agree, Ruff needs to really start earing his salary and put the players in situations suited for their game. We know who makes sure handed plays on the wall in their own end. We know which plays ensure the puck isn't turned over at the line, we know what players are great in-zone with the puck on their sticks. Stop rolling the damn lines.

Come on, what are we? Third best in the league? If anything Ruff deserves a raise. And it’s not as if we’re recently winning despite playing like crap (cough cough Rangers).

Things take time. This team is winning because they are not focused on short term production but on players playing the right way. I don’t know who should play with Timo, but it’s not something that can be figured out in a couple of games. Who knew that Hischier Mercer Palat would be so dominant? Not me, I would have thought that they would be better with a Hughes or Bratt on this line.

If it wasn’t for Boston historical year, Ruff would get the Jack Adams.

 

[Guttersniped]

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

Fitz literally said he didn’t care about Timo’s short term production when he got here, because he understands it takes time for players to fit into a new team and system.

Only fans think these contract numbers would fluctuate wildly over a small number of games.

People thought Bratt was getting 11m during his hot start too and that wasn’t changing his numbers either.

 

[Triumph]

I agree, Ruff needs to really start earing his salary and put the players in situations suited for their game. We know who makes sure handed plays on the wall in their own end. We know which plays ensure the puck isn't turned over at the line, we know what players are great in-zone with the puck on their sticks. Stop rolling the damn lines.

Completely ridiculous - the Devils are on a back to back playing a shitty opponent last night while facing their division rival tonight. Shortening the bench is a horrible idea. If anything, the lines didn't roll enough.

 

[Patrik26]

And just like that, you further illustrated my point that the source of all this vitriol and criticism IS him not being signed to a long-term deal yet.

It's getting old for you but this whole situation has gotten old last season for me.

I really wish Bratt would just fire his agent into the sun already.

I agree, but the fact he hasn't done so would imply he's on board with his agent. However, without concrete proof of what the Devils are offering (which we'll never know) it's impossible to know where responsibility for the impasse lies.

 

[SteveCangialosi123]

Fitz literally said he didn’t care about Timo’s short term production when he got here, because he understands it takes time for players to fit into a new team and system.

Only fans think these contract numbers would fluctuate wildly over a small number of games.

People thought Bratt was getting 11m during his hot start too and that wasn’t changing his numbers either.

Fitz says a lot of things. Notably the “won’t pay any forward more than Jack” philosophy that doesn’t appear to be a real thing.

Meier’s lack of points goes further than his games here too - 1 assist in his last 16 games. He has 7 goals though.

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

missed the WSH and MTL games as I was away

pretty pumped for this game tonight!

 

[glenwo2]

meanwhile from the GDT :

Nico is fine guys

We all know that.

We're just wondering about his health.

 

[Better Call Sal]

meanwhile from the GDT :


We all know that.

We're just wondering about his health.

 

[NjDevsRR]

missed the WSH and MTL games as I was away

pretty pumped for this game tonight!

They played well. May not show on the scoresheet but Devils limited chances against the Caps and Habs while dominating the play. And thats with Bratt Jack Meier and DOUGLAS still finding their games. Schmid was also a rock. Such great composure for a young netminder.

Can’t wait til everyone starts firing on all cylinders for the playoffs.

 

[glenwo2]

missed the WSH and MTL games as I was away

pretty pumped for this game tonight!

You also missed people criticizing Bratt for being "undisciplined" with the puck while making excuses for others.

You would've had a blast.


BTW, the Timo/Jack/Boqvist and Palat/Haula/Bratt experiment needs to end....yesterday.

Both lines produced NOTHING against the Habs.

But that's just me.