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

[devilsfan950003]

The vibe sense this season compared to last is like night and day. Even early on last season, things felt off. It felt like they played with an air of entitlement, a sense of "we have the talent to take it back in any game." I know the goaltending was hot ass, but that was only part of the story, because it was half of the negative feedback loop. Once they couldn't play with any confidence that they could hold on, things went south.

Now, they're playing with a sense of purpose and plenty of confidence. They're a team, not just a collection of talent. The physicality helps a lot, but so does keeping it simple on defense.

They need a better 4th line to take on more minutes. Mac shouldn't be playing this many games. I'm fine with Palat and he can move up and down the lineup for injuries. It's their center that needs to be replaced. Dowling needs to be sent back down. Try Bowers or make a trade. Try bringing up Foote too?

 

[Saugus]

I definitely didn't think all of Fitz additions would pay dividends to this extent

The only offseason acquisition that I’m not absolutely thrilled with is Tatar, and even he has been decent in the right situations.

Pesce, Dillon, Cotter, Noesen, and Kovacevic have all been incredible. Markstrom has occasional inconsistency, but he’s a legit goalie who brings stability we haven’t had in net for years.

 

[Emperoreddy]

So 20 games in the books.

12-6-2 with 26 points. Good for a .650 point percentage. +20 GD.

How we feeling?

Standings obviously tough to judge because we played so many more games but we are 1st in the conference right now

 

[dgibb10]

The only offseason acquisition that I’m not absolutely thrilled with is Tatar, and even he has been decent in the right situations.

Pesce, Dillon, Cotter, Noesen, and Kovacevic have all been incredible. Markstrom has occasional inconsistency, but he’s a legit goalie who brings stability we haven’t had in net for years.

I wouldn't say Pesce or Dillon have been incredible.

Steady and as expected, yes. Incredible, no.

 

[Comparison Ford]

So 20 games in the books.

12-6-2 with 26 points. Good for a .650 point percentage. +20 GD.

How we feeling?

Standings obviously tough to judge because we played so many more games but we are 1st in the conference right now

I like it because this team is obviously trending in the right direction, even with that SJ game. Its funny, someone posted that last year through 19 we were 9-9-1 and this year 11-6-2 and I was like man that doesnt feel like alot better on paper but holy hell what a different team this is in vibe. I really feel as though were only scratching the surface.

 

[DerekDevils30]

So 20 games in the books.

12-6-2 with 26 points. Good for a .650 point percentage. +20 GD.

How we feeling?

Standings obviously tough to judge because we played so many more games but we are 1st in the conference right now

The fact we’re trending in the right direction is the biggest thing right now. This has been a really tough schedule in terms of games played early on. It takes its toll especially when you’ve got new players you’re integrating and a brand new coach and system to boot.

I’m feeling great. Back to back road wins against the defending champs is incredible. And it wasn’t like the Panthers were going 50% either. We beat them and frustrated them. Stood up to their physicality and took it to them as well.

This team has the potential to be a problem. Keefe has the entire group buying in and working hard all over the ice. We’ve seen growing pains of course but the team is defending better and better each game.

 

[Comparison Ford]

The fact we’re trending in the right direction is the biggest thing right now. This has been a really tough schedule in terms of games played early on. It takes its toll especially when you’ve got new players you’re integrating and a brand new coach and system to boot.

I’m feeling great. Back to back road wins against the defending champs is incredible. And it wasn’t like the Panthers were going 50% either. We beat them and frustrated them. Stood up to their physicality and took it to them as well.

This team has the potential to be a problem. Keefe has the entire group buying in and working hard all over the ice. We’ve seen growing pains of course but the team is defending better and better each game.

the buy in is extremely impressive for a team where the longest standing member on the ice is 25 years old in Nico.

 

[NjDevsRR]

 

[Guttersniped]

The problem with that is assets.

NJD has a long window.

We have now shipped out significant assets for Cotter, Markstrom, and Meier. Buying another couple rentals and then paying to ship out Palat leaves the cupboard pretty barren.

To ignore that we still need to figure out how to build a team for the next decade+ with Jack would be silly.

I don't think that, going into the playoffs, having Nemec in the lineup instead of Kovacevic is a meaningful downgrade, if a downgrade at all.

Kovacevic has been FANTASTIC so far. But we've already GOTTEN that production. If we trade him away at the deadline we still keep all the wins he helped us get. It is about going forward. And getting Nemec in the lineup+more assets likely helps NJD in the playoff run and beyond.

You know it’s November, right? We play our 64th game on March 7th, TDL isn’t close.

Injuries happen, we don’t know in what shape our defense, or Nemec, will be in several months.

And “buying another couple rentals and then paying to ship out Palat”? Meier wasn’t a rental. We’re, at worst, getting two years of Markstrom and Cotter.

And I don’t see Fitz spending much on UFA rentals, I’ll be pretty unhappy if he does and trading Kovy won’t make me feel better.

I also believe paying someone to take Palat is a pipe dream that will definitely not happen.