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

[Bad Goalie]

If I'm Fitz right now, I get another young keeper signed and then signed to the Comets on an ATO right now!

The guy I am talking about may be signed as I'm typing this or even before.

Dylan McKay was a finalist for the Hobey Baker award as the NCAA's best player for 3 straight seasons (a very rare occurrence). He was just announced as this year's winner after his senior season ended.

The guy is and has been a winner since he became an NCAA keeper at Minnesota State University Mankato, a top Division I NCAA player every season. His record this season was 34-4-0 with a 1.28 GAA (#2 in the nation), .933 SV% (tied for 4th in the nation), and pitched 9 shutouts (3rd in the nation). He allowed 2 or less goals in 32 of the 38 games he played!

He set an NCAA record with 33 career shutouts besting Ryan Miller's previous record of 26. Miller won the Hobey Baker Award in 2001 and went on to become a very good NHL keeper over a 15 season career finishing with a 2.64 GAA and .914 SV%.

I'd give this kid a shot right now. He could be a true diamond in the rough. What would it hurt to sign him to a contract and send him to Utica on an ATO. IMO he is far less risky than fellow finalist this season, Brian Halonen who, is already a NJ signing and currently a Utica Comet. I'm betting McKay is superior to Mitens right now and it appears the Comets are not going to see Daws until the devils are done. He could prove to be very useful ofr the Comedts down the stretch. Scmid is gassed and could use some competent help. The Comets goal scoring is way down and a solid keeper is integral to their future success..

Remember that Schmid was supposed to be an ECHL keeper this past season while Daws worked with Wedgewood. That blew up with the Devils' keepers injured for the season and Wedgewood grabbed off waivers. Daws and Schmid were forced into a situation way over their heads. IF Fitz can't get 2 reliable NHL quality keepers in the off season, Daws will be back again next year even though he still won't be any more ready than he is right now.

The original plan for Daws and Schmid needs to be readjusted, backed up if you will. The best thing for Nico's career would be for him to be back in Utica for the season and McKay would be a perfect tandem partner. That would let Schmid become the unquestioned #1 in Adirondack with Mitens as his backup. These 4 would give the NJ Devils a very sound foundational minor league goaltending group.

Nico would be 21 turning 22 in December.
Schmid will turn 22 in May.
Mitens turned 24 in January and doesn't appear to be NHL quality.
The old man in the bunch would be McKay who will turn 25 in in November.

The kicker here is that McKay may just be a key future player for the Devils at a very low cost just like Demko was for the Canucks when he came out as a Hobey Baker finalist. Demko will turn 27 in December. Even if he were to develop into a steady #3 for the Devils while holding down the fort in Utica, it would have turned out to be a very good acquisition. If he busts, so what. The Devils aren't going anywhere for 3-4 seasons according to Fitz anyways. It's a definitely a chance worth taking.

Who needs to take a flyer on a future keeper more than New Jersey. This guy is just sitting out there ready for the taking.

 

[Whaddagoal]

The only way Ruff is back, is if the players go to bat for him.

Yup. I personally feel they could do that.

I still feel the problems with this team isn't Ruff, but that's just me. Though I'd fully understand if Fitz or owners ask for a change for next year, but I think Ruff is making an impact positively, as weird as it may look (record wise).

We had the worst luck ever with goaltending, and some key injuries to key players in addition to goalie injuries. Jack, Hamilton, Nico was in and out earlier, Wood, etc. etc.

 

[mdj12784]

Yup. I personally feel they could do that.

I still feel the problems with this team isn't Ruff, but that's just me. Though I'd fully understand if Fitz or owners ask for a change for next year, but I think Ruff is making an impact positively, as weird as it may look (record wise).

We had the worst luck ever with goaltending, and some key injuries to key players in addition to goalie injuries. Jack, Hamilton, Nico was in and out earlier, Wood, etc. etc.

It’s frustrating because when they’re on, they’re really really good. Just no consistency. When things go bad, they go really bad. Have to find some kind of middle ground…

 

[Hisch13r]

Yup. I personally feel they could do that.

I still feel the problems with this team isn't Ruff, but that's just me. Though I'd fully understand if Fitz or owners ask for a change for next year, but I think Ruff is making an impact positively, as weird as it may look (record wise).

We had the worst luck ever with goaltending, and some key injuries to key players in addition to goalie injuries. Jack, Hamilton, Nico was in and out earlier, Wood, etc. etc.

I'm not sure if the players will be rational enough to look at the goaltending as the biggest reason. I think it might be more likely they look at the record and want a new voice. I don't think he's the problem and I also don't think he's the solution. I don't think him coming back for another year if you can't get say Gronborg or Boudreau is the worst thing possible. Recchi needs to f***ing go though. I think the recent Toronto game was the nail in the coffin for him and the Panthers was for Ruff.

 

[Whaddagoal]

It’s frustrating because when they’re on, they’re really really good. Just no consistency. When things go bad, they go really bad. Have to find some kind of middle ground…

Crazy frustrating. It's literally the story of this season.

This team can look like world beaters and then lose it big next game or (3rd period collapse), and somehow lose all confidence for a few games, and then swing back and look like world beaters.

Young team, i know yadayada..... but man when they're on they're on.

I didn't post much for the last month, but I've been going to most of the home games as of late (minus the last two), but its been fun while they're on. The collapse from 6-2 kinda blew my mind, but oh well.....

I hope they can find a stable goaltender for next year. Whether its Blackwood finding form again, or getting another "1b"...... just don't pull a Bernier/Crawford/whatever injury retirement. We need real goaltending.

 

[Hisch13r]

Crazy frustrating. It's literally the story of this season.

This team can look like world beaters and then lose it big next game or (3rd period collapse), and somehow lose all confidence for a few games, and then swing back and look like world beaters.

Young team, i know yadayada..... but man when they're on they're on.

I didn't post much for the last month, but I've been going to most of the home games as of late (minus the last two), but its been fun while they're on. The collapse from 6-2 kinda blew my mind, but oh well.....

I hope they can find a stable goaltender for next year. Whether its Blackwood finding form again, or getting another "1b"...... just don't pull a Bernier/Crawford/whatever injury retirement. We need real goaltending.

I mean Bernier and Crawford was "real goaltending". We didn't make bad decisions there. We just got incredibly unlucky.

 

[Whaddagoal]

I'm not sure if the players will be rational enough to look at the goaltending as the biggest reason. I think it might be more likely they look at the record and want a new voice. I don't think he's the problem and I also don't think he's the solution. I don't think him coming back for another year if you can't get say Gronborg or Boudreau is the worst thing possible. Recchi needs to f***ing go though. I think the recent Toronto game was the nail in the coffin for him and the Panthers was for Ruff.

Yeah, I agree Ruff may not be solution either, but I guess given the crazy extremes this team has seen, I was thinking I'd give him another chance next year,. I guess you can say, my opinion is I'm hoping Ruff gets another chance, but will accept if he doesn't.

Recchi should go, even if he's a nice guy and has all that hockey pedigree. The PP just so inconsistent all season long now. I wouldn't mind seeing Nas go either, but if they're going to do that, they probably will change all 3 anyway.

 

[Hisch13r]

Yeah, I agree Ruff may not be solution either, but I guess given the crazy extremes this team has seen, I was thinking I'd give him another chance next year,. I guess you can say, my opinion is I'm hoping Ruff gets another chance, but will accept if he doesn't.

Recchi should go, even if he's a nice guy and has all that hockey pedigree. The PP just so inconsistent all season long now. I wouldn't mind seeing Nas go either, but if they're going to do that, they probably will change all 3 anyway.

I disagree on the PP. It's been consistent. Consistently shit. There's been stretches they've scored but that's due to the talent pulling it off. The coaching and chance generation has been awful all year long. I'd rather see Nas stay but I'd also get if they bring in a new guy and he wants his staff.

 

[Whaddagoal]

I mean Bernier and Crawford was "real goaltending". We didn't make bad decisions there. We just got incredibly unlucky.

I know i know, I liked how Bernier played until he never recovered properly and looked like a statue in net.

Just bad situation and bad luck.....

 

[Triumph]

Yeah, I agree Ruff may not be solution either, but I guess given the crazy extremes this team has seen, I was thinking I'd give him another chance next year,. I guess you can say, my opinion is I'm hoping Ruff gets another chance, but will accept if he doesn't.

Recchi should go, even if he's a nice guy and has all that hockey pedigree. The PP just so inconsistent all season long now. I wouldn't mind seeing Nas go either, but if they're going to do that, they probably will change all 3 anyway.

I think firing Ruff is definitely unfair, but sometimes shit happens. I think Ruff has done a fine job given the circumstances but also I just can't watch the Devils give up the blueline over and over again. They don't challenge at the line and it's so goddamn frustrating.

 

[Billdo]

I honestly don't want Ruff back but I'm expecting he will be. And then he'll be fired by Xmas.

 

[Devils731]

My aunt isn’t a big hockey follower but she was down from Toronto and went to 3 games this past week.

Her question to me today was “Why do other teams seem to know where they’re supposed to be and the Devils don’t?”

And that’s really a systems problem. The Devils don’t have enough set roles and have too many decisions. This is the second coach in a row that has decided this complicated, decision based system is the way to go even as the skaters show they need a simpler system.

If this is Ruff’s idea of how defense should be run then it would be crazy to allow him to set the system for next season. It won’t work well enough for anyone, which is why you haven’t seen any other NHL team steal any of what the Devils are doing.

 

[Monsieur Verdoux]

I honestly don't want Ruff back but I'm expecting he will be. And then he'll be fired by Xmas.

The Penguins gets a first round exit and they fire Sullivan, and after that the Devils hire him. Really really unlikely, but that would be the best option. Boudreau is my second choice. There are probably more good coaches as well.

 

[Hisch13r]

The Penguins gets a first round exit and they fire Sullivan, and after that the Devils hire him. Really really unlikely, but that would be the best option. Boudreau is my second choice. There are probably more good coaches as well.

Sullivan’s the dream hire but yeah it seems unlikely

 

[Guttersniped]

I think firing Ruff is definitely unfair, but sometimes shit happens. I think Ruff has done a fine job given the circumstances but also I just can't watch the Devils give up the blueline over and over again. They don't challenge at the line and it's so goddamn frustrating.

This basically. It’s not particularly fair but, you know, life’s not fair.

You have to do what’s best for the team, not what’s fair for the coach who had shitty luck with goalies for two seasons.

I’m not quite convinced Ruff is done, but I think maybe he is?, but I will be very unhappy if the whole staff comes back. Some heads have to roll, them’s the breaks. It would be kind of ridiculous otherwise.

 

[Hisch13r]

This basically. It’s not particularly fair but, you know, life’s not fair.

You have to do what’s best for the team, not what’s fair for the coach who had shitty luck with goalies for two seasons.

I’m not quite convinced Ruff is done, but I think maybe he is?, but I will be very unhappy if the whole staff comes back. Some heads have to roll, them’s the breaks. It would be kind of ridiculous otherwise.

I don’t know if you’ll find anyone who wants to keep Recchi.

 

[Guttersniped]

My aunt isn’t a big hockey follower but she was down from Toronto and went to 3 games this past week.

Her question to me today was “Why do other teams seem to know where they’re supposed to be and the Devils don’t?”

And that’s really a systems problem. The Devils don’t have enough set roles and have too many decisions. This is the second coach in a row that has decided this complicated, decision based system is the way to go even as the skaters show they need a simpler system.

If this is Ruff’s idea of how defense should be run then it would be crazy to allow him to set the system for next season. It won’t work well enough for anyone, which is why you haven’t seen any other NHL team steal any of what the Devils are doing.

We’re a psychotically one-minded run and gun possession team.

Everything is built around having possession. We have defensemen go after the puck, while forwards are left defend the net (in theory) and they cheat as much as possible so they can race up the ice as soon as they have the puck.

Sure, we’re great at creating off the rush. We have speedy players and that’s all we try do.

There are worse coaches and guys I would want even less (we played against one today) but I’m not sold on the team’s systems myself.

 

[Monsieur Verdoux]

Important news:

 

[Billdo]

The Penguins gets a first round exit and they fire Sullivan, and after that the Devils hire him. Really really unlikely, but that would be the best option. Boudreau is my second choice. There are probably more good coaches as well.

I'm on record as wanting someone that people said would be a horrific mistake so what do I know? I just don't see Ruff as the guy going forward.

 

[Guttersniped]

Important news:

This is big. The team never told him that dentists could do this so that’s why he wants a trade.

 

[Guttersniped]

The Penguins gets a first round exit and they fire Sullivan, and after that the Devils hire him. Really really unlikely, but that would be the best option. Boudreau is my second choice. There are probably more good coaches as well.

A dream we need to wish into existence.

 

[Bad Goalie]

duplicate post

 

[MVP Zacha]

For all of you genius capologists here, how much cap space have the Devils spent on the 7 goalies used this year? No reason other than curiosity.

 

[Hisch13r]

For all of you genius capologists here, how much cap space have the Devils spent on the 7 goalies used this year? No reason other than curiosity.

Just adding up all their cap hits they're at a combined 10,100,833. Or ~400,00 less than 1 Carey Price, or ~100,00 more than 1 Sergei Bobrovsky

 

[Guttersniped]

For all of you genius capologists here, how much cap space have the Devils spent on the 7 goalies used this year? No reason other than curiosity.

Not a genius capologist but I can add numbers, sometimes even correctly.

Projected final cap hit (this assumes the roster stays the same):

Two broken ass starters = 6.925m

Five other random dudes = 2,195,825

The Ghost of Cory Schneider = 2m

= $11,120,825

Sure, that’s a lot for the second worst SV% in the NHL, but we are paying 8 people and the most expensive guy had 8 regular season starts.


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