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

[Nubmer6]

Is it just me or does this team get sick a lot?

Ya know, kids are a breeding ground for germs

Anyone with children could tell you that

 

[RSeen]

I’m excited for this off-season. Can’t see how Fitzgerald doesn’t make major changes. Hopefully starting with firing Ruff or at the very least Recchi, I’d love to see the Devils bring Boudreau on board if Vancouver doesn’t keep him too. I wouldn’t hate DeBoer either, both coaches consistently get regular season results which we desperately need.

Forward group needs a major overhaul, swapping guys like Zacha, Tatar, and/or Johnsson for interior forwards with some size. Defense should be stable, maybe send out Smith in the right deal and definitely add a defensive RD. I don’t envy Fitzgerald trying to stabilize the goaltending with both Blackwood and Bernier signed and being major question marks going into next year.

Ideally for me the depth chart looks like this next year.

Sharangovich - Hughes - Bratt
UFA (Niederreiter) - Hischier - XXXX
Tatar - Mercer - XXXX
Wood - McLeod - Bastian
Kuokkanen - Boqvist

Siegenthaler - Severson
Graves - Hamilton
Okhotiuk/Bahl/Smith - UFA (Defensive RHD)
White/7D

Could probably use one more bonafide top six forward, maybe a trade of Zacha/Johnsson/Smith adds that. Forsberg would be a pipe dream, but not sure how that fits cap-wise long term.

I'm not sure why in the world Boqvist would be on the outside looking in. He's earned a shot in the top 9. He is far superior than McLeod.

I think it is pretty likely Holtz is getting a top 9 spot as well.

 

[Jersey Fan 12]

SEVEN shots through two periods?

 

[Zippy316]

I'm not sure why in the world Boqvist would be on the outside looking in. He's earned a shot in the top 9. He is far superior than McLeod.

I think it is pretty likely Holtz is getting a top 9 spot as well.

There’s a really good chance Boqvist plays his way into the top nine. I would prefer to pencil him in as the extra forward and be completely happy if he pushes McLeod or Bastian or someone else to the bench. Or if Holtz or Zetterlund don’t make the team he takes their spot.

Same goes for Kuokkanen.

 

[Captain3rdLine]

There’s a really good chance Boqvist plays his way into the top nine. I would prefer to pencil him in as the extra forward and be completely happy if he pushes McLeod or Bastian or someone else to the bench. Or if Holtz or Zetterlund don’t make the team he takes their spot.

Same goes for Kuokkanen.

He’s been wayyy better than McLeod so why in the world would it make any sense for him to start behind McLeod.

I also like Mercer as a winger in the top 6 more than as our 3C.

 

[TF1970]

Watching yet another season unravel as the franchise continues to fade into an embarrassing realm of irrelevance, I am once again disgusted at the picture that the GM is going to paint when he speaks at the end of season media. Last time it was at the STH open practice when he came through with the laughable “you’re watching future Stanley cup champions” soliloquy. Arrogant jackass.

 

[Captain3rdLine]

Watching yet another season unravel as the franchise continues to fade into an embarrassing realm of irrelevance, I am once again disgusted at the picture that the GM is going to paint when he speaks at the end of season media. Last time it was at the STH open practice when he came through with the laughable “you’re watching future Stanley cup champions” soliloquy. Arrogant jackass.

Huh?

 

[Bleedred]

Watching yet another season unravel as the franchise continues to fade into an embarrassing realm of irrelevance, I am once again disgusted at the picture that the GM is going to paint when he speaks at the end of season media. Last time it was at the STH open practice when he came through with the laughable “you’re watching future Stanley cup champions” soliloquy. Arrogant jackass.

We don't know yet that he's not firing that staff (if that's what you're alluding to), but I BELIEVE he WILL.

If I didn't have the slightest bit of skepticism though, I obviously wouldn't be talking about it's unforgivable if he brings them back though.

 

[Bleedred]

There’s a really good chance Boqvist plays his way into the top nine. I would prefer to pencil him in as the extra forward and be completely happy if he pushes McLeod or Bastian or someone else to the bench. Or if Holtz or Zetterlund don’t make the team he takes their spot.

Same goes for Kuokkanen.

Boqvist should definitely be in over McLeod.

He shouldn't have to push McLeod to bench, as he's already better than McLeod.

 

[None Shall Pass]

Boqvist has definitely impressed me. Loving his game recently.

 

[Monsieur Verdoux]

Boqvist has definitely impressed me. Loving his game recently.

I have also liked his game, but I hope he would drive to the net more often. He is so fast that he could challenge a defenseman and not turn to look for another wave so often.

 

[SKNJD9]

I really don't know what to expect this summer but I do think there will be sweeping changes to the roster. The writing is on the wall for some guys..pk..zacha. do we keep both tatar and mango ? Probably not both. Does Blackwood really want out? Does Bernier have a chance of still being here can he recover ? Wtf happens behind the bench ? Is Bratt willing to sign long term ? Does Serverson really want to stay as being reported so that question doesn't linger all next season until the deadline ?

 

[Captain3rdLine]

I really don't know what to expect this summer but I do think there will be sweeping changes to the roster. The writing is on the wall for some guys..pk..zacha. do we keep both tatar and mango ? Probably not both. Does Blackwood really want out? Does Bernier have a chance of still being here can he recover ? Wtf happens behind the bench ? Is Bratt willing to sign long term ? Does Serverson really want to stay as being reported so that question doesn't linger all next season until the deadline ?

Very likely Tatar will be kept over Mango. Has played in the top 6 over him for most of the season, has a better track record in the league, and hasn’t been here for as long.

 

[Jason MacIsaac]

Mercer isn't a center, Boqvist isn't an extra forward, McLeod snd Bastian aren't good.

 

[My3Sons]

I really don't know what to expect this summer but I do think there will be sweeping changes to the roster. The writing is on the wall for some guys..pk..zacha. do we keep both tatar and mango ? Probably not both. Does Blackwood really want out? Does Bernier have a chance of still being here can he recover ? Wtf happens behind the bench ? Is Bratt willing to sign long term ? Does Serverson really want to stay as being reported so that question doesn't linger all next season until the deadline ?

I’m a bit skeptical there are sweeping changes. Fitz was looking for hockey trades at the deadline. It was shocking that none of the overpaid underperforming guys he dangled were wanted. Who is taking those guys now and what is NJ getting back that is an actual improvement? When a bunch of contracts are up at the end of next season I could see bigger changes but that will likely be of necessity. Maybe they can trade Smith this off-season but my worry is they get back a slightly less overpaid slightly less broken down version Of PK in return. I can’t see any UFA choosing NJ for anything less than an overpayment and I’d just as soon pass on that. I’d be happy if they can agree on a long term deal with Bratt and maybe add a value third liner who isn’t grossly overpaid. Tatar will be the placeholder for Holtz next season if he needs more time in Utica or can’t get above a bottom six role as a rookie.

edit - I also expect something on the goaltending front but nothing great. I also expect a coaching change but it probably surprises us as far as the choice.

 

[Eggtimer]

I am hoping for a Hellebuyck type goalie acquisition but it will end up being something underwhelming like Holtby.
Same thing with the forward group.
I would love to see the soft players gone - Johnson Tatar Zacha . But Tatar is not really movable , Johnson will not return much so Fitz will just keep him ,same as Zacha.
Even though we need to try to get Nicushkin , Neiderrieder , Marchment , Trochek , types.
Lybuschkin would be the ideal add for a defensive RHD but we will end up with some unknown fringe guy that had “ok” analytics.
So help me God , if the player changes are NOT there PLUS Recchi is kept on…. I swear to baby Jesus I am taking up watching curling or darts ….
Both would be way more exciting to watch than a Recchi ran PP with baby shit soft forwards and ECHL level goaltending

 

[glenwo2]

I really don't know what to expect this summer but I do think there will be sweeping changes to the roster. The writing is on the wall for some guys..pk..zacha. do we keep both tatar and mango ? Probably not both. Does Blackwood really want out? Does Bernier have a chance of still being here can he recover ? Wtf happens behind the bench ? Is Bratt willing to sign long term ? Does Serverson really want to stay as being reported so that question doesn't linger all next season until the deadline ?

All I want to hear FIRST is for Nas to BE FIRED along with Ruff and Recchi.

Getting that Hynes-Stink off this team is the first REAL STEP at finally......*FINALLY* and TRULY restoring this team to what it was.

And I don't want to hear from ANYONE about Penalty-Kill Success or some BS. You can bring in the Equipment Manager and he'd do just as "good" a job.

Enough with making excuses for this clown.

I was against him being retained instead of letting him head to Nashville with his "buddy" Hynes....and I'm against him being here now.

GET HIM THE F OUT OF HERE!!

Once that piece of Hynes-Dog-Turd is off the team (with Ruff and Recchi), it will be up to Fitz to find a coach that hires an actual staff that knows WTF they're doing for a change.

THEN the focus could shift to PK, Zacha, and everything else you stated.

 

[PizzaAndPucks]

Subban is an UFA. We have known he has been good as gone for 2 months now.

 

[Emperoreddy]

Wait we don't like Bastian anymore?

 

[SteveCangialosi123]

Wait we don't like Bastian anymore?

Guys that can put up 12 goals and 200 hits while being respectable defensively are who you want on the 4th line. I don’t know why anyone would complain.

 

[NjDevsRR]

Guys that can put up 12 goals and 200 hits while being respectable defensively are who you want on the 4th line. I don’t know why anyone would complain.

And who added a much needed net front presence on the PP. Hes a good 4th liner to have.

 

[Captain3rdLine]

All I want to hear FIRST is for Nas to BE FIRED along with Ruff and Recchi.

Getting that Hynes-Stink off this team is the first REAL STEP at finally......*FINALLY* and TRULY restoring this team to what it was.

And I don't want to hear from ANYONE about Penalty-Kill Success or some BS. You can bring in the Equipment Manager and he'd do just as "good" a job.

Enough with making excuses for this clown.

I was against him being retained instead of letting him head to Nashville with his "buddy" Hynes....and I'm against him being here now.

GET HIM THE F OUT OF HERE!!

Once that piece of Hynes-Dog-Turd is off the team (with Ruff and Recchi), it will be up to Fitz to find a coach that hires an actual staff that knows WTF they're doing for a change.

THEN the focus could shift to PK, Zacha, and everything else you stated.

Why do you hate Nas so much? Isn’t he the only one on the staff who has actually seemingly done a decent job? Like our PK that he runs is 14th in the league. Seems like he’s the least of our coaching problems. Yet you seem to think he’s the biggest problem.

Also not sure what it has to do with Hynes who is on the brink of leading Nashville to the playoffs again. Not saying he’s a great coach but he hasn’t done terribly since he left the devils.

 

[Guttersniped]

Guys that can put up 12 goals and 200 hits while being respectable defensively are who you want on the 4th line. I don’t know why anyone would complain.

People are upset about Bastian’s huge, unwieldy 825k cap hit. (The Athletic has his Market Value this season at 2.8m.)

 

[devilsblood]

He’s been wayyy better than McLeod so why in the world would it make any sense for him to start behind McLeod.

I also like Mercer as a winger in the top 6 more than as our 3C.

I do think Boq is a more talented offensive player, but McLeod is doing something different.

I've got them both in my lineup next season.

 

[devilsblood]

Why do you hate Nas so much? Isn’t he the only one on the staff who has actually seemingly done a decent job? Like our PK that he runs is 14th in the league. Seems like he’s the least of our coaching problems. Yet you seem to think he’s the biggest problem.

Also not sure what it has to do with Hynes who is on the brink of leading Nashville to the playoffs again. Not saying he’s a great coach but he hasn’t done terribly since he left the devils.

Nas is fine, I'm even fine with Ruff coming back, Rechi clearly needs to go.

I do understand that Fitz may need to fire the whole staff though.