Devils team discussion (news, notes and speculation) - season begins!

[devilsblood]

I seriously refuse to entertain the idea that switching Dowling for Bowers means anything at all. Even switching out Willman for MacDermid probably isn't that meaningful - Willman was ridiculously underwater last season and his most common linemates were Lazar, Tierney, Holtz, Haula, Bastian, and he had a 27% on-ice xG last season. No, there isn't a ringer in there like Tatar, but that's still really bad.

The only Utica callup that peaks my interest at all is Foote.

And I'm not sure he'd provide much impact either, (though given he'd be replacing Mac he might), but I thought he was OK last year, and he's putting up some numbers in Utica this year so, if there was a move that would be it.

 

[devilsfan950003]

I seriously refuse to entertain the idea that switching Dowling for Bowers means anything at all. Even switching out Willman for MacDermid probably isn't that meaningful - Willman was ridiculously underwater last season and his most common linemates were Lazar, Tierney, Holtz, Haula, Bastian, and he had a 27% on-ice xG last season. No, there isn't a ringer in there like Tatar, but that's still really bad.

Just looking internally to improve what they have out on that 4th line currently.

 

[Captain3rdLine]

If we think he can help the team, and we can fit him in under the cap, I don't care about his cap hit, he's a UFA at years end.

He doesn't take a whole lot of faceoffs though, and he's not very good when he does take them. Is he a true center? I'm guessing no.

His cap hit absolutely matters lol. It completely limits our ability to improve the team any further.

I seriously refuse to entertain the idea that switching Dowling for Bowers means anything at all. Even switching out Willman for MacDermid probably isn't that meaningful - Willman was ridiculously underwater last season and his most common linemates were Lazar, Tierney, Holtz, Haula, Bastian, and he had a 27% on-ice xG last season. No, there isn't a ringer in there like Tatar, but that's still really bad.

Than you’re just being closed minded and not appreciating the impact a 4th line can have on the game.

 

[Triumph]

Than you’re just being closed minded and not appreciating the impact a 4th line can have on the game.

A 4th line can have an impact on a game. The difference between Dowling and Bowers, two definite AHL players being forced into an NHL role, is extremely minimal, and almost all the evidence is that Dowling is a better player.

 

[Captain3rdLine]

A 4th line can have an impact on a game. The difference between Dowling and Bowers, two definite AHL players being forced into an NHL role, is extremely minimal, and almost all the evidence is that Dowling is a better player.

In that role it’s about what they bring as much as anything. Bowers bring more size and speed which could be more beneficial on our 4th line. What evidence is there that Dowling is better in that role?

 

[bigd]

Hamilton is creating offense again

Ya, but for what team?

 

[dgibb10]

4 minute ozone shift is good

 

[Deviled]

Shout out to Dougie Hamilton! Hes racking up those assists baby; so keep giving him all the time in the world to score no goals!!

Youd think we dont have a Hughes brother on defense who scored 45 points his rookie year and who's brother won a Norris and will again this season

Until the Devils learn to take stone-feet Hamilton off PP1 and last minute pushes, for a smooth-skating Hughes, the Devils can get f***ed

 

[Triumph]

Shout out to Dougie Hamilton! Hes racking up those assists baby; so keep giving him all the time in the world to score no goals!!

Youd think we dont have a Hughes brother on defense who scored 45 points his rookie year and who's brother won a Norris and will again this season

Until the Devils learn to take stone-feet Hamilton off PP1 and last minute pushes, for a smooth-skating Hughes, the Devils can get f***ed

lol someone has luke hughes on their fantasy team, the Devils PP1 has been solid with Hamilton.

 

[MB3]

the sooner #7, #90 and #56 are off of this hockey team, the sooner I can actually start to really really like this group.

 

[CalamityX23]

Let's go Timo

Still a fan but time to start racking up those like you did in SJ

No Ruff, no excuse, come on!

 

[Emperoreddy]

the sooner #7, #90 and #56 are off of this hockey team, the sooner I can actually start to really really like this group.

Haula has been good this year. Extremely bizarre player to call out

 

[NJDevils17]

Starting every game down a forward is so nonsensical. Can we move on from this MacDermid BS. 4th line is currently a black hole.

 

[devilsblood]

Haula has been good this year. Extremely bizarre player to call out

To not like this team because of Haula and Tatar is so internetty.

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

Shout out to Dougie Hamilton! Hes racking up those assists baby; so keep giving him all the time in the world to score no goals!!

Youd think we dont have a Hughes brother on defense who scored 45 points his rookie year and who's brother won a Norris and will again this season

Until the Devils learn to take stone-feet Hamilton off PP1 and last minute pushes, for a smooth-skating Hughes, the Devils can get f***ed

the Devils PP was top 5 in the NHL coming into today.

You don't need to post about shitting on Hamilton after every game. I think he hasn't been great this year either, but yeah.

 

[Bleedred]

Tatar has been fine, especially since he’s been buried on the 4th line. He’s even out scoring Lee Majors while averaging about 100 fewer seconds of ice time per game and making roughly 25% of the salary and only signed for this season.

Haula has been more than fine, other than taking a stupid (often times offensive zone) penalty every few games.

Not sure how anyone can complain about those guys right now.

 

[devilsblood]

His cap hit absolutely matters lol. It completely limits our ability to improve the team any further.

It's $2.3 mil. less then a year left. If he can help the team, and by replacing Mac he certainly would, then $2.3 is not significant. He's scored high teens goals the last 2 years. Compared to 3 total from Mac.

I'm not a big advocate of Frederic, not sure why he is on the outs up there, but I'm not at all worried about his contract.

 

[Bleedred]

And just because I need to bitch about goaltending, it’s still frustrating that Allen has had the better numbers than Markstrom.

I know he’s only played 6 games to Markstrom’s 12 and if Allen had played 12 games he may even have worse numbers than Markstrom does right now, but it’s kind of sad that even the underlying numbers are considerably better.

And this is all while having an 8 goal against game on his game log this season.

 

[BurntToast]

Why not call up Casey and have him play offense?!

He even played offense in College. Swap in Mickey D, for the tougher teams.

 

[PizzaAndPucks]

Nico's little goal scoring run was fun and all but he fell back down to earth pretty fast. He's more of a 30 goal scorer but maybe this season he can flirt with 40 after the hot stretch he was on. I saw a tweet about how his line at even strength the last 5 games has gotten killed in the xG%. It's running at basically 33.7%...that's not good. You're going to get these games by Jack where he will be trying to do too much by himself to will his team to victory like tonight. You need consistency with your top 2 lines.

Seamus Casey has the same amount of goals (3) in 8 games as our whole group of defensemen do on the season so far. Dougie , Kovacevic & Siegenthaler all have 1 goal. This is a bit pathetic and seeing Luke's offensive game fall off a cliff is a bit alarming. He and Pesce had the same night that they have had for like the past 5 games...Keefe needs to find a way to get Luke going. You can't get by in this league with only having 1 defensmeman carrying the offensive load on the backend.

 

[Better Call Sal]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1855973759468937289

Wow, that was that long ago? Time flies.

 

[My3Sons]

Nico's little goal scoring run was fun and all but he fell back down to earth pretty fast. He's more of a 30 goal scorer but maybe this season he can flirt with 40 after the hot stretch he was on. I saw a tweet about how his line at even strength the last 5 games has gotten killed in the xG%. It's running at basically 33.7%...that's not good. You're going to get these games by Jack where he will be trying to do too much by himself to will his team to victory like tonight. You need consistency with your top 2 lines.

Seamus Casey has the same amount of goals (3) in 8 games as our whole group of defensemen do on the season so far. Dougie , Kovacevic & Siegenthaler all have 1 goal. This is a bit pathetic and seeing Luke's offensive game fall off a cliff is a bit alarming. He and Pesce had the same night that they have had for like the past 5 games...Keefe needs to find a way to get Luke going. You can't get by in this league with only having 1 defensmeman carrying the offensive load on the backend.

three of the past five he's been underwater on XGF%. Not a great stretch but he's the guy who is being given all the worst matchups and being ground down so that other lines can have better matchups. I'm sure he's a bit worn out with the travel and schedule. He's a pretty average sized hockey player so he's not going to hold up like a guy weighing 225 might. He's definitely having a bit of a disconnect with Meier and Mercer lately. Too many flubbed passes and lack of cohesion offensively for whatever reason. I'm sure they will figure it out. It's a long season.

 

[Jersey Fan 12]

the sooner #7, #90 and #56 are off of this hockey team, the sooner I can actually start to really really like this group.

You mean #43 and #86?

 

[Better Call Sal]

Nico is the least of my worries as always given what @My3Sons mentions above about his defensive responsibilities. Keefe has even mentioned, I believe, that with the heavy lifting he does he expected him to possibly have to sacrifice some offense to keep that up. He just happened to be on an absolute heater at the end of October.

I think that line will come together in the end. They've been too good in the past to not get it figured out.

 

[TrufleShufle]

I can't imagine the Sharks are going for it this year, I wonder if this Blackwood dude is available. 1st and Casey?