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

[TrufleShufle]

I hope Cotter doesn't turn into a pumpkin. I think we might be getting a bit too high on him. I like him a lot. He's ideal in the bottom 6. But it looks clear to me that he is not a top 6 forward.

It's a non star player playing amazing. Everyone is having fun with it at the moment I don't think anyone is advocating to sign him to a long term 7x8 in July.

It's just fun, like the Colemans of the past. If he has a down few weeks, it won't matter because we know he can play through out the line up and can randomly turn it on to be a contributor all while being paid nothing.

 

[MasterofGrond]

Cotter is shooting 33%. I’m certain nobody thinks that’s gonna continue. But he’s probably a 15% guy. And if he had 2 or 3 goals in 7 games instead of 5 I’d still be hype. That’s 25-35 goal territory.

 

[Triumph]

Cotter is shooting 33%. I’m certain nobody thinks that’s gonna continue. But he’s probably a 15% guy. And if he had 2 or 3 goals in 7 games instead of 5 I’d still be hype. That’s 25-35 goal territory.

Almost nobody is a 15% guy and I don't think Cotter is. But he is an instant offense sort of player who can play on any line and generate stuff for himself and that's something the Devils could really use.

Holtz was also this sort of player but he just did it in a different way, and a way that I think is more difficult to do in the playoffs.

 

[MasterofGrond]

Almost nobody is a 15% guy and I don't think Cotter is. But he is an instant offense sort of player who can play on any line and generate stuff for himself and that's something the Devils could really use.

Holtz was also this sort of player but he just did it in a different way, and a way that I think is more difficult to do in the playoffs.

Sorry I mean to type 13% but I fat fingered it sipping wet from Niagara Falls lol. His career number is 13.

What he’s doing more this year than previous seasons is getting pucks on net. Remains to be seen if he can co to ur doing it but that’s the stuff that’s generally sustainable. It’s what propelled Jack from “good metrics guy” to “goddamn he can score”

 

[SteveCangialosi123]

Even if Cotter isn’t “good”, he’s very much the type of player we really needed. I’d like another Cotter for the 4th line.

 

[JrFischer54]

I hope Cotter doesn't turn into a pumpkin. I think we might be getting a bit too high on him. I like him a lot. He's ideal in the bottom 6. But it looks clear to me that he is not a top 6 forward.

this isn't why he was brought in so even if he doesnt score much more as long as he brings the other elements i'm completely fine with the trade at the time and even more so now seeing that holtz is 0-0 over 5 games. has anyone watched any knights games? how is he even doing? just also looked at schmid in the minors getting ripped in 1 game.

 

[Aurinko]

I'll just post this here. Hockey gods love this feelgood clip.

 

[HersheyBob27]

You should call Fitz and set him straight since you clearly know better.

What are you talking about? Fitzy handled it perfect

 

[Nocashstyle]

Of course Cotter is going to come back down to earth, but either way, it’s clear he’s a major bottom six upgrade.

 

[Hockey Sports Fan]

Tatar’s rightful place was always on the third line.

And if Cotter takes a single faceoff while Jack is on the ice, I’m calling my “1C Paul Cotter” prediction a success.

so instead they just continued to let Jack be one of the worst faceoff guys in the league

 

[Devs3cups]

Context, last year in their first 7 games, they had 22.17 xGA at all strengths.

This year in their first 7 games: 19 xGA all strenghts.

 

[MartyOwns]

it's not really a question of "is holtz good" it's more the simple fact that any chance he had to develop into someone (probably a decent skater with an amazing release) ended with our inept handling of him. i genuinely hoped for a fresh start for him in vegas, hopefully he can start contributing. but it's probably too late, he'll be playing overseas within 5 years.

 

[Devils731]

Context, last year in their first 7 games, they had 22.17 xGA at all strengths.

This year in their first 7 games: 19 xGA all strenghts.

Visually I think the Devils have looked stronger defensively than last year, even if expected goals thinks it’s sort of close.

IMO, the larger discrepancy in numbers is probably last years expected not being higher. I think fantastic chances aren’t given enough credit in models and really poor chances are given too much credit. It evens out for most teams, unless you do way more of one of those instances than other teams.

 

[Triumph]

Visually I think the Devils have looked stronger defensively than last year, even if expected goals thinks it’s sort of close.

IMO, the larger discrepancy in numbers is probably last years expected not being higher. I think fantastic chances aren’t given enough credit in models and really poor chances are given too much credit. It evens out for most teams, unless you do way more of one of those instances than other teams.

I've missed parts of several games so far this season but the biggest change to me, leaving aside the actual structure, is just that it seems like there is almost always a stick or body on an opposing player who is shooting, or at the very least that that player is being angled away from the net.

 

[Devils731]

I've missed parts of several games so far this season but the biggest change to me, leaving aside the actual structure, is just that it seems like there is almost always a stick or body on an opposing player who is shooting, or at the very least that that player is being angled away from the net.

I think you’re right. The Devils just hassle opponents more in general; opponents have less space and freedom overall.

 

[Triumph]

Sorry I mean to type 13% but I fat fingered it sipping wet from Niagara Falls lol. His career number is 13.

What he’s doing more this year than previous seasons is getting pucks on net. Remains to be seen if he can co to ur doing it but that’s the stuff that’s generally sustainable. It’s what propelled Jack from “good metrics guy” to “goddamn he can score”

I still doubt he is sitting at 13% or above when his Devils career is over, but he's got good speed and it seems like he has good hands, and yeah he is getting more shots on goal. There's always the specter of Damien Brunner hanging over a start like this but worst case scenario is that he's just a 3rd/4th line guy who is kinda lousy defensively but still scores goals at an above-average rate and is a handful for defenses.

 

[AfroThunder396]

it's not really a question of "is holtz good" it's more the simple fact that any chance he had to develop into someone (probably a decent skater with an amazing release) ended with our inept handling of him. i genuinely hoped for a fresh start for him in vegas, hopefully he can start contributing. but it's probably too late, he'll be playing overseas within 5 years.

I took a peep over at the Vegas board and they’re talking about him being a healthy scratch once William Karlason comes back from injury.

I still doubt he is sitting at 13% or above when his Devils career is over, but he's got good speed and it seems like he has good hands, and yeah he is getting more shots on goal. There's always the specter of Damien Brunner hanging over a start like this but worst case scenario is that he's just a 3rd/4th line guy who is kinda lousy defensively but still scores goals at an above-average rate and is a handful for defenses.

The Miles Wood role, but less variance and hopefully fewer stupid penalties. Having a guy that can erupt to make something out of nothing on any given shift can really boost your bottom 6.

 

[DerekDevils30]

3-2 record in the 5 games in 8 days stretch is good for me. Will be 6 in 10 against Washington tomorrow. If they can win and go 4-2 in that stretch I’ll be impressed.

 

[Guadana]

I hope Cotter doesn't turn into a pumpkin. I think we might be getting a bit too high on him. I like him a lot. He's ideal in the bottom 6. But it looks clear to me that he is not a top 6 forward.

Cotter isn’t 35-45 goals scorer like he is currently play, He isn’t creating enough shots, his sh% will drop. But he definitely has all the tools to be 20-25 goals scorer with right partners.

 

[guitarguyvic]

I've missed parts of several games so far this season but the biggest change to me, leaving aside the actual structure, is just that it seems like there is almost always a stick or body on an opposing player who is shooting, or at the very least that that player is being angled away from the net.

I think you’re right. The Devils just hassle opponents more in general; opponents have less space and freedom overall.

Things xG can’t capture for $500, Alex.

 

[theoptimist]

I'll just post this here. Hockey gods love this feelgood clip.

Lol, I was thinking about this too. Kovacevic checked Cotter pretty hard last season then fought Alec Martinez in response.

 

[Dialamo]

I'll just post this here. Hockey gods love this feelgood clip.

We gotta forward this to the Devils social media team to show it to both Haula and Tatar and see how they would react to it.

 

[NjDevsRR]

I'll just post this here. Hockey gods love this feelgood clip.

Tuna throwing a hit?

 

[Mgd31]

it's not really a question of "is holtz good" it's more the simple fact that any chance he had to develop into someone (probably a decent skater with an amazing release) ended with our inept handling of him. i genuinely hoped for a fresh start for him in vegas, hopefully he can start contributing. but it's probably too late, he'll be playing overseas within 5 years.

Yea its unfortunate about Holtz. To be honest he could probably be overseas as early as next year.

 

[Call Me Al]

i don’t think it’s fair to blame the devils entirely for holtz - he was given opportunities he just did dick with them. yeah, he probably should have played more in the minors a couple of season ago, but the pace and energy missing from his game probably wouldn’t have developed there.

He’s a soft player with mediocre speed and a very slow processing of the game. he just happens to have an elite shot that made gms and scouts salivate. it’s up to him if he wants to put in the work to get stronger so he could win board battles and fight for space in the difficult shooting areas, and so far he hasn’t done it