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

[devilsblood]

Dom isn't using giveaways, he's using Corey Sznajder's tracking data. Giveaways are a horrid stat, full of home scorer bias.

Do they have the numbers in the article?

What I find interesting when looking at his NST stats is, his CF% is actually down, as is his SF%, but his xGF. and even moreso his GA%, areway up. This all while his on-ice CF. his SF and his xGF are down significantly.

Definitely more of a defensive focused role as evidenced by his O-zone starts which are way down. But I think it also reflects that the team is just playing a simpler brand of hockey, which definitely suits his style of play.

Then again, Jack's on-ice CF and CA rate are both up. Career high for the former, highest since his rookie year for the latter.

Mercer’s attention to detail has impressed me. He has a motor and he’s using it. Playmaker at heart and he passes up too many opportunities to drive the net and take shots in my opinion. He will be at his best once he starts doing those things more consistently. Pretty happy with his start but he definitely has more to give

Is he a playmaker at heart? I think he's scrappy by nature(feel free to roll with this) and has a good scoring touch around the net, but doesn't create a ton of chances, for himself or others.

I do agree driving the net and letting shots fly would benefit his game.

 

[My3Sons]

A completely out of left field question, does anyone know what is the Bruce song that is played at the Rock after a loss? Glory Days is the obvious one for the win, but I'm usually too angry about the result to focus on it when we lose.

It should be Darkness on the Edge of Town

 

[Jersey Fan 12]

It’s funny (and 100% not Mandela effect) but I’ve actually been using hockeyref for 5 years and always loved seeing the nicknames. If you go around the league there are some surprising ones that you’ve never heard which I never know if that means it’s what the players called him or if it’s an esoteric fan moniker or if they’re just making stuff up.

Anyway I can confirm Satan’s Wallpaper has been written on Marty’s profile for quite some time. You could check waybackmachine. Not saying that means it’s a real nickname but at least it’s been there for longer than 1 week.

Until it was an answer on Jeapordy

It’s funny (and 100% not Mandela effect) but I’ve actually been using hockeyref for 5 years and always loved seeing the nicknames. If you go around the league there are some surprising ones that you’ve never heard which I never know if that means it’s what the players called him or if it’s an esoteric fan moniker or if they’re just making stuff up.

Anyway I can confirm Satan’s Wallpaper has been written on Marty’s profile for quite some time. You could check waybackmachine. Not saying that means it’s a real nickname but at least it’s been there for longer than 1 week.

Until seeing this as an answer on Jeopardy the other night, I literally never heard that name before.

 

[MartyOwns]

View attachment 930546
Inject this into my veins come playoff time.

4 studs to pull weight in the top 6 with imo quality complimentary top 6 guys, and then a rock solid bottom 6 that can win their matchups too

in a perfect world, tatar is a healthy scratch in the playoffs...not in our top 6. i also think at this stage in his career palat gets eaten alive up there.

if the goal is to make the playoffs, fitz is right on track. if the goal is to make some noise in the playoffs, fitz will need to work some deadline magic (which i have faith he can do).

 

[dgibb10]

in a perfect world, tatar is a healthy scratch in the playoffs...not in our top 6. i also think at this stage in his career palat gets eaten alive up there.

if the goal is to make the playoffs, fitz is right on track. if the goal is to make some noise in the playoffs, fitz will need to work some deadline magic (which i have faith he can do).

No no no no.

You do not get to use the Tatar playoff dropper without giving Palat a playoff boost.

And if you really want to take tatar out, in this scenario just slide Bastian back in, move one of Mercer/Noesen/Cotter up.

 

[NJDfan86]

Do they have the numbers in the article?

AllThreeZones tracking data was not included, it wasn’t a particularly in depth article since it was mostly looking at biggest change in net rating from a year ago.

Corey’s tracking data goes back for a few years so you can see how Jonas has handled the rush year to year.

Giveaway stats are broken this year, particularly for defensemen. The guess is they’re accidentally tracking when they chip the puck up.

There’s no corresponding pick-up in Takeaways.

Rasmus Andersson had 60 Giveaways in 78 GP last season and has 27 GvA in 17 GP this year. That’s 1.93 vs 3.87 GvA/60.

Brodin:
23-24 62 GP 21 GvA 0.86 GvA/60
24-25 15 GP 16 GvA 2.90 GvA/60

Burns:
23-24 82 GP 56 GvA 1.90 GvA/60
24-25 19 GP 24 GvA 4.50 GvA/60

Etc

So ignore that.

Yes, the current theory is that they are using the tech that creates the 3d models of play to automate that stat and they are including chipping pucks out.

 

[Better Call Sal]

It should be Darkness on the Edge of Town

Would make some sense!

I heard Rosalita this morning and it hit me out of nowhere that I think that is the song. But I thought someone might have known for sure.

 

[Casey Jones]

Sorry to ask if it has been asked, but I'm at work and don't have much time. Is Zegras for Nemec possible?

 

[My3Sons]

Would make some sense!

I heard Rosalita this morning and it hit me out of nowhere that I think that is the song. But I thought someone might have known for sure.

I was lucky enough to see him play that from row 3 at the old Meadowlands. Loved that song back in the day.

 

[Devils731]

Sorry to ask if it has been asked, but I'm at work and don't have much time. Is Zegras for Nemec possible?

Possible for who? I don’t think the Devils would even consider it.

 

[Better Call Sal]

I was lucky enough to see him play that from row 3 at the old Meadowlands. Loved that song back in the day.

This is where I happened to hear it today. Scrolling around on YouTube, and it's a video of a Jersey wedding/cover band Brian Kirk and the Jirks from Labor Day 2001. Performing at a Shore bar, who shows up but Springsteen. He busts out Rosalita and 2 other songs for everyone, and it seems like a fun, beautiful little snapshot in time.

Would've loved to have experienced that fun in such a small setting.

 

[dgibb10]

Sorry to ask if it has been asked, but I'm at work and don't have much time. Is Zegras for Nemec possible?

Maybe McTavish not zegras

 

[Brodeur]

Sorry to ask if it has been asked, but I'm at work and don't have much time. Is Zegras for Nemec possible?

I'm sure Jack would enjoy having another buddy on the team, but I don't think Zegras is a fit especially with the cap. Luke's next deal will probably eat up a good chunk next summer and the Devils only have smaller contracts expiring. Nemec will be on the last year of his ELC in 2025-26.

Kovacevic has been a pleasant surprise, but I wouldn't begrudge him for landing as big a contract as he can get next summer. Ie, Mark Fayne or David Schlemko cashing out.

 

[My3Sons]

Sorry to ask if it has been asked, but I'm at work and don't have much time. Is Zegras for Nemec possible?

No. NJ has to figure out what to add to Nemec to pry Anderson out of Montreal.

 

[AfroThunder396]

It's very easy to weaponize Jack's competitiveness. He wants to be the best player in the world. He HATES losing puck battles. He HATES getting his passes intercepted. He HATES when the other team gets chances when he's on the ice.

It's like calling Marty McFly a chicken, something in his brain twitches whenever someone tries to do something better than him. He goes into "oh YEAH, well let me show you THIS" mode. If you frame defense as a competition he will rise to the occasion. Pretty brilliant coaching from Keefe.

Jack has some phenomenal defensive metrics during the COVID season, far and away better than what Nico did that year. I was very happy to see the growth of his offensive game, but we can't just have Nico be the defensive guy. I love everything I've seen from him so far.

 

[TheBeerNerd]

Sorry to ask if it has been asked, but I'm at work and don't have much time. Is Zegras for Nemec possible?

God, I should hope not. Sophomore slumps happen. Nemec will be fine.

 

[dgibb10]

AllThreeZones tracking data was not included, it wasn’t a particularly in depth article since it was mostly looking at biggest change in net rating from a year ago.

Corey’s tracking data goes back for a few years so you can see how Jonas has handled the rush year to year.



Yes, the current theory is that they are using the tech that creates the 3d models of play to automate that stat and they are including chipping pucks out.

+/-, giveaways, takeaways, and hits are archiac stats meant for old people who are scared of fractions.

 

[dgibb10]

Tired: Trade Hamilton, Casey, or Nemec
Wired: Sell Kovacevic as the top available RHD rental at the deadline

 

[AfroThunder396]

Tired: Trade Hamilton, Casey, or Nemec
Wired: Sell Kovacevic as the top available RHD rental at the deadline

Funny, but in all seriousness he's exactly the kind of defenseman we would normally be looking to buy at the deadline and he's already on the roster. House money. Defensive depth is going to be one of our big strengths this year and I really don't think it's worth an extra 2nd or whatever to break that up.

 

[BostonDevil]

It's very similar to Bratt in that we know they can be effective but do we want them getting worn out and blocking shots on the PK?

But I don't think either guy will ever be PK1, log a lot of PK minutes or even face PP1's. So I suspect that while each are now part of the rotation neither is going to be leaned on too heavily. They just add a little disruptive juice late in the PK against 2nd units.

Sprinkle him in from time to time (like what we're seeing) to give the other team something to think about and, dare I say it, maybe even fear.

I don't think he'll ever be blocking shots and he played a 7 minute shift last year if I'm not mistaken. So we should be good.

It's awesome to have a weapon on the PK. Flips the script a little.

 

[My3Sons]

+/-, giveaways, takeaways, and hits are archiac stats meant for old people who are scared of fractions.

Old people aren't scared of fractions. We do fine with them. And the abacus as well. We are afraid of things like OLED technology and carbon fiber.

 

[SteveCangialosi123]

Tired: Trade Hamilton, Casey, or Nemec
Wired: Sell Kovacevic as the top available RHD rental at the deadline

We’re well beyond that. That’s a loser move.

 

[dgibb10]

Funny, but in all seriousness he's exactly the kind of defenseman we would normally be looking to buy at the deadline and he's already on the roster. House money. Defensive depth is going to be one of our big strengths this year.

I'm dead serious.

If he keeps this up, I'd sell him at the deadline as the top rental RD.

I am more than comfortable going into playoffs with

Hughes-Pesce
Siegs-Hamilton
Dillon-Nemec
Casey

If I can turn Kovacevic into assets which can be used in other spots I'm all over it.

This, while still keeping a pair of 2nds.


Same way last year I wanted to try and turn Toffoli into pieces to get a Hanifin or Pettersson and have Holtz slide into that sniper role before the season went to full shit.


Same way I wanted to try and sell Graves as a rental 2 years ago to save us assets on the Meier deal and have him be replaced by Luke and Bahl heading into playoffs. We'd probably have had an extra late 1st in 2023, OR Shakir still, or Zetterlund+2nd in 2024, and graves wasn't even that useful in the playoffs.

 

[Billdo]

Is there a player you'd move Nemec for if Kovacevic kept this up and we would be able to sign him to a Siegenthaler type deal?

 

[My3Sons]

I'm dead serious.

If he keeps this up, I'd sell him at the deadline as the top rental RD.

I am more than comfortable going into playoffs with

Hughes-Pesce
Siegs-Hamilton
Dillon-Nemec
Casey

If I can turn Kovacevic into assets which can be used in other spots I'm all over it. View attachment 930644
This, while still keeping a pair of 2nds.


Same way last year I wanted to try and turn Toffoli into pieces to get a Hanifin or Pettersson and have Holtz slide into that sniper role before the season went to full shit.


Same way I wanted to try and sell Graves as a rental 2 years ago to save us assets on the Meier deal and have him be replaced by Luke and Bahl heading into playoffs. We'd probably have had an extra late 1st in 2023, OR Shakir still, or Zetterlund+2nd in 2024, and graves wasn't even that useful in the playoffs.

If the team is solidly in a playoff spot at the deadline they aren't likely to trade Kovacevic. If he continues to play well they could maybe get a late first for him but I doubt they see that as a premium return worth potentially tanking a playoff run.