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

[Zippy316]

I'd like Nelson. Would be okay with Palmieri or Vatrano as well.

Think we need a top 6 and bottom 6 addition.

Outside of the big 4, 1 of Mercer or Noesen will likely be in the top 6, then you need an additional piece. Palat to the 4th line but you can push him up if you are changing the line combos and looking for more balance.

Lazar/Bastian are pretty injury prone so another depth piece would be helpful. Would love a player like Gourde but that would be expensive. Would likely push Haula to L4.

x-Jack-Bratt
Meier-Nico-Mercer/Noesen
Cotter-Haula-Noesen/Mercer
Palat-Lazar-Bastian

Defense and Goaltending are set.

The wishlist come trade deadline should likely be a top nine forward, a fourth line center, and maybe a depth LD similar to DeSimone unless the Devils are content with Hatakka.

Gritsyuk is definitely coming over so that could be a top nine forward. Depending on how they feel on him maybe they could look for a player like Arvidsson who would fulfill a complimentary second line winger role. Someone like Nelson would be a grand slam but cost a ton too. Hughes - Nelson - Bratt would be so much fun to watch though.

The forward depth is weak outside of energy line guys so I would definitely want a back up to Lazar to center the fourth line. The same goes for LD options behind Hatakka, if he returns. White looked awful in preseason and counting on Misyul or Casey playing LD is a risky gamble.

 

[Bad Goalie]

Did Casey and Nemec get physically called up to NJ on 11/18 for practice? They are listed in the AHL transaction pages as being deleted on 11/18 and then added on 11/18. This meant they were recalled and reassigned on the same day. That couldn't have meant any $$$ savins for NJ so the practice is all I can figure. With the s**t storm they were sent into maybe a practice with the Devils was meant as an antidote.

 

[Nubmer6]

The wishlist come trade deadline should likely be a top nine forward, a fourth line center, and maybe a depth LD similar to DeSimone unless the Devils are content with Hatakka.

Gritsyuk is definitely coming over so that could be a top nine forward. Depending on how they feel on him maybe they could look for a player like Arvidsson who would fulfill a complimentary second line winger role. Someone like Nelson would be a grand slam but cost a ton too. Hughes - Nelson - Bratt would be so much fun to watch though.

The forward depth is weak outside of energy line guys so I would definitely want a back up to Lazar to center the fourth line. The same goes for LD options behind Hatakka, if he returns. White looked awful in preseason and counting on Misyul or Casey playing LD is a risky gamble.

I actually have no interest in a top 6 forward. I don't want to pay the price for that.

My wishlist is 1, or preferably 2 bottom 6 centers who win faceoffs and are sound defensively and a depth LHD.

 

[Devs3cups]

Most likely because of the penalty.

 

[glenwo2]

Most likely because of the penalty.

That tells us that Keefe was PISSED at him a ton.

 

[Triumph]

Did Casey and Nemec get physically called up to NJ on 11/18 for practice? They are listed in the AHL transaction pages as being deleted on 11/18 and then added on 11/18. This meant they were recalled and reassigned on the same day. That couldn't have meant any $$$ savins for NJ so the practice is all I can figure. With the s**t storm they were sent into maybe a practice with the Devils was meant as an antidote.

No, they got called up for LTIR reasons to maximize the amount of money the Devils were spending, it was a paper transaction.

 

[Devs3cups]

A bit harsh with Cotter?

 

[MachoDiablo]

The re-tinkered fourth line was a nice thing to watch last night.

 

[Patrik26]

Stand back and let me have a look. Nobody is better at poor humor than me.

Truth.

 

[SteveCangialosi123]

A bit harsh with Cotter?

I was actually hoping Cotter would end up on the 4th line after an add at the deadline. Could really expose defenses with that speed.

 

[Patrik26]

That tells us that Keefe was PISSED at him a ton.

Most likely Keefe was pissed to start with, then exploded on the goal 12 seconds in.

 

[Devs3cups]

I was actually hoping Cotter would end up on the 4th line after an add at the deadline. Could really expose defenses with that speed.

I actually like that 4th line quite a lot, but dude got benched for a whole period and demoted for not much it seems lol.

 

[Better Call Sal]

I actually like that 4th line quite a lot, but dude got benched for a whole period and demoted for not much it seems lol.

An important thing to remember is that Tatar and Mercer together on that line helped make the plays to set Dougie up for the eventual GWG too.

It's interesting that Foote is rotating with that line instead of Tatar after that, though. But could just be giving a look at Foote with Haula and Mercer to see what the fit is.

 

[NjDevsRR]

Keefe actively looking for a better bottom 6 with what he has to work with

 

[Mgd31]

I actually like that 4th line quite a lot, but dude got benched for a whole period and demoted for not much it seems lol.

Holtz treatment

 

[Triumph]

Cotter took an extremely dumb penalty against the Panthers 2 games ago also. He's been weak defensively all season but it's easy to look the other way when he's involved in the offense.

 

[None Shall Pass]

Intrigued to see how Foote looks with Haula.

 

[Better Call Sal]

His mom knows.

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

I think I still would swap back Mercer and Noesen. Noesen has been awesome on the PP, but that third line has been kind doing nothing the last few games overall.

 

[JimEIV]

A bit harsh with Cotter?

Best to be harsh in the early part of the season in my opinion. Set the expectations now.

 

[Ripshot 43]

A bit harsh with Cotter?

 

[DerekDevils30]

That’s a good opportunity for Foote. Don’t mind Keefe trying something like that. Can always move Cotter or Tatar up to the 3rd line if Foote looks out of place

 

[DerekDevils30]

And on another topic. That rest the Devils just had was nice. Now we are in a 7 games in 12 day stretch. Fun!

 

[Emperoreddy]

It's November with Keefe in his first year here and a lot of new faces.

He should be as harsh as he feels he needs to be. Not running a country club here. Set the expectations now not just for Cotter but the entire locker room.

This wasn't something that was regularly happening under Ruff

 

[TheBeerNerd]

And on another topic. That rest the Devils just had was nice. Now we are in a 7 games in 12 day stretch. Fun!

That's more meat for us to chew on, at least. At what point will the rest of the league catch up to us in terms of games played?