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

[Captain3rdLine]

NHL edge data suggests Haula is way above average. He hit approximately 23.5 last year which was roughly 95% of skaters. Lazar is a bit above 22.1 which was league average. Bastian is slightly below average, Palat is further below average and do yourself a favor and don't look at Noesen's edge data. Cotter is well above average. Based on the objective stuff I'd say the bottom six centers are fast and average and one winger is fast and one is more or less average and one is slow and one is a turtle.

The top speed they reached all season is not even close to a good way of measuring how fast a player is in the normal course of a game. I don’t even think the edge data is a good way of measuring how fast a player plays. Not meaningless but not the be all end all.

Haula reached over 22 once. I don’t question that he can occasionally get up to a good speed. But he’s slow footed off starts, not very explosive and slow turning. And when you look at the other edge skating which you didn’t seem to be interested in, Haula is below average in 22+ bursts and 20-22 bursts. Again don’t think that says all that much. I could be over exaggerating how slow he is but I don’t for a second think he’s a very good skater or fast.

 

[Barry Tallackson]

Our bottom 6 has lost a ton of speed, which was a big factor 2 seasons ago… wood, boqvist, Sharangovich, McLeod are now replaced with the likes of noesen, Palat, Haula

 

[My3Sons]

Our bottom 6 has lost a ton of speed, which was a big factor 2 seasons ago… wood, boqvist, Sharangovich, McLeod are now replaced with the likes of noesen, Palat, Haula

They didn’t lean into their identity. That speed was what really gave them an edge. I’d have preferred they got faster overall.

 

[theoptimist]

Well, MM was our shadow 1C.
22-23 doesn't happen without him. He helped Nico defensively and carried whatever line he was on. To me, his departure is one of the saddest things to happen to this franchise since Kovy and Parise.

He would have earned a 6 year, 30M deal last offseason. Huge loss.

 

[PKs Broken Stick]

I think the biggest problem with Hughes right now is that we're taking away from his strength by stacking both Bratt and Meier with him. All 3 of those players want the puck on their sticks. Having those players with him takes away from Hughes game. I think Hughes works best when he's the main dude on his line. Right now he isn't. Maybe keep 1 of Bratt or Meier with him but there's no reason for all 3. Spread the wealth. I think Hughes would do better with a defensive winger who can cover for his deficiencies or a winger who just has a nasty shot & doesn't have to do much but be ready to rip the pick (similar to Tofolli)

Yea I mentioned this before too. I do have a feeling what we're seeing is the result of his line currently.

 

[PKs Broken Stick]

Maybe swap Bratt and Mercer?

I believe Tatar was brought back due to the chemistry with Nico. However, having him in that spot does limit some of the combinations with the top two lines. I have major doubts if Tatar can be effective with Hughes or on the third line. We will see how things play out. It’s early.

Meier-Hughes-Mercer
Tatar-Hischier-Bratt

I have a hot take for some line changes

Cotter-Hughes-Bratt
Meier-Nico-Mercer
Tatar-Haula-Nosen
Palat-Lazar-Bastian

I'd prob swap Palat and Tatar in the playoffs though (assuming they make it).

 

[SteveCangialosi123]

Well, MM was our shadow 1C.
22-23 doesn't happen without him. He helped Nico defensively and carried whatever line he was on. To me, his departure is one of the saddest things to happen to this franchise since Kovy and Parise.

He would have earned a 6 year, 30M deal last offseason. Huge loss.

He was okay for most of 22-23. He was amazing last year before what happened.