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

[Rydev]

For what it's worth, Schmid has had a better AHL season than Blackwood ever did. Although Schmid is a little bit older than Blackwood was for most of his time in the AHL.

Kinkaid had one season right around near Schmid's current season. He also had one .923% season in the AHL in 14-15, but it was only 13 games and he was in the NHL for most of that season.

I have liked what Ive seen from Daws more than Schmidt, in both the AHL and NHL (though thats not fair to both using NHL criteria)

Does this fall in-line with how we feel about Daws vs Schmidt, organizationally? Is Akira the starter because he is older? Or did he win the starting role and thats why Daws came up moreso than management's thoughts on their potential?

 

[Brodeur]

I was a little surprised when Mann gave up his senior season to turn pro without a promise of an ELC. Not sure if the coaching staff had told him they'd be leaning more heavily on Erik Portillo this year. Mann's probably worth an ELC with somebody (looking in Seattle's general direction) but as others have said, I don't know he makes as much sense with the Devils.

Unfortunately Bernier's hip injury is a big variable. I might feel better with a Scott Wedgewood type as the #3 next season.

 

[RangerDoggo]

Go get that SHL goalie, who cares about fit. We have to operate under the assumption that there is some kind of gypsy curse on our goaltenders and cast a wide net (no pun intended).

 

[Bleedred]

I have liked what Ive seen from Daws more than Schmidt, in both the AHL and NHL (though thats not fair to both using NHL criteria)

Does this fall in-line with how we feel about Daws vs Schmidt, organizationally? Is Akira the starter because he is older? Or did he win the starting role and thats why Daws came up moreso than management's thoughts on their potential?

I think Daws is up here right now (and not Schmid) because he showed an ability to put together a string of good NHL play, which Schmid looked like he was in over his head in every single game he played.

 

[Monsieur Verdoux]

15. Jack Hughes played his last game of the season on April 3, a real shame for fans as he’s been one of the league’s most entertaining players to watch. That left a pretty massive-sized hole in the Devils lineup — and a massive opportunity for Nico Hischier, one he hasn’t taken for granted. In the four games since Hughes’s season-ending injury, Hischier has one goal, six assists, and has outscored opponents 6-1 with the help of a 60 percent expected goals rate. Oh, and he also did this.



His strong play hasn’t been just the last four games either — he’s been on a tear since the all-star break with 33 points in his last 25 games with excellent impacts at five-on-five. Hischier is now up to 57 points in 64 games this season, a strong 73-point pace that signifies his arrival in this league as a top-line center. It’s easy to forget Hischier was also a first overall pick and he and Hughes should form an elite duo for years to come. The Devils have the hard part solved. It’s the rest of the team that’s just not up to par yet — but they’ll get there.

16 Stats: Vegas' playoff push, analytics era highs, and most improved players

Once thought to be a top, contending team, the Golden Knights are fighting for their playoff lives with a handful of games to go.

theathletic.com

 

[Cheddabombs]

15. Jack Hughes played his last game of the season on April 3, a real shame for fans as he’s been one of the league’s most entertaining players to watch. That left a pretty massive-sized hole in the Devils lineup — and a massive opportunity for Nico Hischier, one he hasn’t taken for granted. In the four games since Hughes’s season-ending injury, Hischier has one goal, six assists, and has outscored opponents 6-1 with the help of a 60 percent expected goals rate. Oh, and he also did this.



His strong play hasn’t been just the last four games either — he’s been on a tear since the all-star break with 33 points in his last 25 games with excellent impacts at five-on-five. Hischier is now up to 57 points in 64 games this season, a strong 73-point pace that signifies his arrival in this league as a top-line center. It’s easy to forget Hischier was also a first overall pick and he and Hughes should form an elite duo for years to come. The Devils have the hard part solved. It’s the rest of the team that’s just not up to par yet — but they’ll get there.

16 Stats: Vegas' playoff push, analytics era highs, and most improved players

Once thought to be a top, contending team, the Golden Knights are fighting for their playoff lives with a handful of games to go.

theathletic.com

 

[Triumph]

Go get that SHL goalie, who cares about fit. We have to operate under the assumption that there is some kind of gypsy curse on our goaltenders and cast a wide net (no pun intended).

Okay, so who gets the callup when a goalie gets hurt next year? Daws, Mann, or Schmid? By signing Mann, you've taken yourself out of the market for a veteran. Or maybe you put Bernier in the minors? It just doesn't add up at all.

 

[My3Sons]

15. Jack Hughes played his last game of the season on April 3, a real shame for fans as he’s been one of the league’s most entertaining players to watch. That left a pretty massive-sized hole in the Devils lineup — and a massive opportunity for Nico Hischier, one he hasn’t taken for granted. In the four games since Hughes’s season-ending injury, Hischier has one goal, six assists, and has outscored opponents 6-1 with the help of a 60 percent expected goals rate. Oh, and he also did this.



His strong play hasn’t been just the last four games either — he’s been on a tear since the all-star break with 33 points in his last 25 games with excellent impacts at five-on-five. Hischier is now up to 57 points in 64 games this season, a strong 73-point pace that signifies his arrival in this league as a top-line center. It’s easy to forget Hischier was also a first overall pick and he and Hughes should form an elite duo for years to come. The Devils have the hard part solved. It’s the rest of the team that’s just not up to par yet — but they’ll get there.

16 Stats: Vegas' playoff push, analytics era highs, and most improved players

Once thought to be a top, contending team, the Golden Knights are fighting for their playoff lives with a handful of games to go.

theathletic.com

How can we easily forget he was a first overall pick when we’ve heard since 2018 what a failure he has been for a first overall pick.

 

[Eggtimer]

Okay, so who gets the callup when a goalie gets hurt next year? Daws, Mann, or Schmid? By signing Mann, you've taken yourself out of the market for a veteran. Or maybe you put Bernier in the minors? It just doesn't add up at all.

Agreed , plus we only have so many contracts we can hand out as well. I have no clue how many each team has or how ma y we have used but I don’t see the point on using one for a goalie that is not NHL ready unless that goalie is a massive stud prospect . That he is not.

 

[Eggtimer]

Have you guys ever heard of NHL goalie analyst Kevin Woodly? He is by far , the most impressive goalie analyst I have ever seen. He uses advanced stats plus a very good knowledge of playing the position to give amazing insight into goaltending. In the off-season , he had a piece on why Markstorm is a very good fit in the Flames based off of the style he plays and what his weaknesses and strengths are in comparison to how the Flames defend and what type of high danger chances they give up from certain areas of the ice , how many second opportunity chances they allow and from what areas of the ice etc etc.
I can’t explain how good he is in examples. He is for sure worth reading . Guy is very good at his job.

 

[Emperoreddy]

The only logical move is to make one of Blackwood or Bernier disappear. Sign or trade for a proven NHL goalie and then sign a Wedgewood type to spilt time with Daws and Schmid starts in the ECHL

 

[devilsblood]

15. Jack Hughes played his last game of the season on April 3, a real shame for fans as he’s been one of the league’s most entertaining players to watch. That left a pretty massive-sized hole in the Devils lineup — and a massive opportunity for Nico Hischier, one he hasn’t taken for granted. In the four games since Hughes’s season-ending injury, Hischier has one goal, six assists, and has outscored opponents 6-1 with the help of a 60 percent expected goals rate. Oh, and he also did this.



His strong play hasn’t been just the last four games either — he’s been on a tear since the all-star break with 33 points in his last 25 games with excellent impacts at five-on-five. Hischier is now up to 57 points in 64 games this season, a strong 73-point pace that signifies his arrival in this league as a top-line center. It’s easy to forget Hischier was also a first overall pick and he and Hughes should form an elite duo for years to come. The Devils have the hard part solved. It’s the rest of the team that’s just not up to par yet — but they’ll get there.

16 Stats: Vegas' playoff push, analytics era highs, and most improved players

Once thought to be a top, contending team, the Golden Knights are fighting for their playoff lives with a handful of games to go.

theathletic.com

I hadn't seen the play prior to the give and go with Bahl. That was impressive.

Nico is definitely playing with more offensive confidence of late.

 

[Eggtimer]

Is / was there any stud RHD college kids that are looking for contracts after their season ended? Any news that were are or were in on trying to sign any? We signed a winger that was a Hobey Baker nominee which is a nice move.

 

[devilsblood]

The only logical move is to make one of Blackwood or Bernier disappear. Sign or trade for a proven NHL goalie and then sign a Wedgewood type to spilt time with Daws and Schmid starts in the ECHL

I think I'd rather gamble that Blackwood can get healthy and be a legit NHL goalie then give him the boot to bring in a guy like Wedge.

I'm also fine with Daws and Schmid in the AHL. For one Schmid has played well enough there this season that sending him to the ECHL is an unjustified demotion. Daws starting in the ECHL makes even less sense. I'm currently perfectly fine with Daws as the callup next year if we once again run into issues.

I'm all about bringing in a legit NHL goalie and then crossing fingers that one of Blackwood or Bernier get healthy. If they are both healthy I'm sure there would be a market for one of them.

 

[Saugus]

The only logical move is to make one of Blackwood or Bernier disappear. Sign or trade for a proven NHL goalie and then sign a Wedgewood type to spilt time with Daws and Schmid starts in the ECHL

I'm not convinced Bernier is going to come back from a hip injury in anywhere near the same form. He may retire or end up on LTIR.

 

[Peter Sidorkiewicz]

The only logical move is to make one of Blackwood or Bernier disappear. Sign or trade for a proven NHL goalie and then sign a Wedgewood type to spilt time with Daws and Schmid starts in the ECHL

I agree Fitzgerald needs to sign or trade for a new goalie that can be a starter or potential starter. I'm good with carrying 3 goalies to start next season to see if Bernier can make a full recovery.

If Bernier recovers from his hip surgery and returns back to normal, then I think he can be easily flipped to a new team for a draft pick.

If he's healthy but isn't putting up good numbers then waive him and he becomes the teams 3rd goalie on the depth chart and the veteran that can work with Daws at Utica.

Agree with Schmid playing in ECHL or 'taxi' between AHL/ECHL like Mitens has done this season.

I would also support NJ signing Dryden McKay to play ECHL and release Mitens.

 

[youryeah]

The only logical move is to make one of Blackwood or Bernier disappear.

I know a few guys

 

[Emperoreddy]

I think I'd rather gamble that Blackwood can get healthy and be a legit NHL goalie then give him the boot to bring in a guy like Wedge.

I'm also fine with Daws and Schmid in the AHL. For one Schmid has played well enough there this season that sending him to the ECHL is an unjustified demotion. Daws starting in the ECHL makes even less sense. I'm currently perfectly fine with Daws as the callup next year if we once again run into issues.

I'm all about bringing in a legit NHL goalie and then crossing fingers that one of Blackwood or Bernier get healthy. If they are both healthy I'm sure there would be a market for one of them.

You aren't bringing Wedge to play NHL games unless multiple guys get hurt, but you need a vet tweener for Utica's sake too as this goalie situation screwed them up.

The original plan was for Schmid to start in the ECHL, and I see no reason why that shouldn't be the plan next year

But carrying 3 NHL goalies isn't realistic and I would suspect Bernier does not want the Cory treatment of being sent to the minors he would want to go somewhere else to get an opportunity if we decide to gamble on Blackwood for another year.

 

[Emperoreddy]

I'm not convinced Bernier is going to come back from a hip injury in anywhere near the same form. He may retire or end up on LTIR.

I am not either. I think him going to the glue factory is the most likely move and you bring someone to 50/50 split with Blackwood.

 

[Bleedred]

I'm not convinced Bernier is going to come back from a hip injury in anywhere near the same form. He may retire or end up on LTIR.

I am not either. I think him going to the glue factory is the most likely move and you bring someone to 50/50 split with Blackwood.

If he does come back, it'll likely be to the same results Rask got when he came back this year, which saw his retirement shortly after.

I think he'll try to come back and he'll probably be skating again pretty soon and medically cleared to play again by the middle of the summer, but I don't see him being effective.

The list of goalies at that age to come back successfully from hip surgery is very short.

Luongo (HOF goalie) did it.

Rinne kind of did it, but it took several years to get his play back again and he was a few years younger when it happened.

 

[Tao Jersey Jones]

I have liked what Ive seen from Daws more than Schmidt, in both the AHL and NHL (though thats not fair to both using NHL criteria)

Does this fall in-line with how we feel about Daws vs Schmidt, organizationally? Is Akira the starter because he is older? Or did he win the starting role and thats why Daws came up moreso than management's thoughts on their potential?

Daws is management's favorite. Marty hand picked Daws. Schmid has been playing .500 hockey since he returned to Utica after a rough go in the NHL.

As was previously stated the original plan was to have Wedgewood mentor Daws and Schmid statring in Adirondack and alternating with Daws as needed.

I'm not opposed to Daws or Schmid getting games in the ECHL next season. Blackwood played in the E in his second season after backing up in NJ.

Those two won't be rookies next season but a Wedgewood/Lack/Danis type would be a good presence even if they only play 10-15 games for Utica.

 

[Emperoreddy]

Daws is management's favorite. Marty hand picked Daws. Schmid has been playing .500 hockey since he returned to Utica after a rough go in the NHL.

As was previously stated the original plan was to have Wedgewood mentor Daws and Schmid statring in Adirondack and alternating with Daws as needed.

I'm not opposed to Daws or Schmid getting games in the ECHL next season. Blackwood played in the E in his second season after backing up in NJ.

Those two won't be rookies next season but a Wedgewood/Lack/Danis type would be a good presence even if they only play 10-15 games for Utica.

It's also safer if injuries happen again (which can absolutely happen with either Bernier or Blackwood) and I don't think you want Utica to run Schmid and a ECHL goalie for the year when someone blows a tire

Lack of depth has been just as much a problem as lack of anyone good

 

[Guttersniped]

If he does come back, it'll likely be to the same results Rask got when he came back this year, which saw his retirement shortly after.

I think he'll try to come back and he'll probably be skating again pretty soon and medically cleared to play again by the middle of the summer, but I don't see him being effective.

The list of goalies at that age to come back successfully from hip surgery is very short.

Luongo (HOF goalie) did it.

Rinne kind of did it, but it took several years to get his play back again and he was a few years younger when it happened.

I gave a list of guys who had hip surgery and continued their career so it’s not like Rask is the only example of what can happen. Multiple players won Vezinas after hip surgery.

A ton of guys get it very young now because they encourage guys to treat hip impingement with surgery earlier in their career. Surgery and treatment can have improved.

I’m not super optimistic or anything but I’m not a medical professional, I don’t know what was wrong with his hip or what kind of surgery he had, or what the long term prognosis for him in particular is.

 

[Monsieur Verdoux]

Is / was there any stud RHD college kids that are looking for contracts after their season ended? Any news that were are or were in on trying to sign any? We signed a winger that was a Hobey Baker nominee which is a nice move.

Maybe Jake Livingstone?

Jake Livingstone, D, Minnesota State

A sophomore, Livingstone is a right-shot defenseman with size (6-3, 201) and a good stick. The 22-year-old has scored 30 points (9 goals, 21 assists) in 40 games.

Top free agents who can sign in NHL playing in NCAA Tournament | NHL.com

Blankenburg, McKay, Trivigno among those who could soon get pro contracts

www.nhl.com

 

[Mgd31]

Any interest in Andre Burakovsky to replace the LW Zacha role? I was watching him closely last night and I was pretty impressed. I think he may be the odd man out in Colorado and they sign Nichuchskin instead.