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

[Forge]

This may be pure homerism but I didn't think the Timo thing was that bad. Seen way worse not even called

I mean, he crosschecked him in the face right in front of an official lol

 

[Devils731]

First Quarter grades from ESPN

New Jersey Devils​

Preseason over/under: 101.5
Current points pace: 109.3

What's gone right? New Jersey at its best is playing hard, physical hockey. Cliche? Yes. True? Fact. The Devils were pushed around in seasons past, but the offseason addition of Brenden Dillon, for example, has helped set a tone for New Jersey. Speaking of offseason moves, acquiring Jacob Markstrom has (finally!) set the Devils up for success in net. Markstrom is providing a much-needed boost in goal (.907 SV%, 2.54 GAA) and that, along with New Jersey's overall defensive buy-in, has them sixth in goals against per game (2.61). Meanwhile, Jesper Bratt (28 points in 23 games) and Jack Hughes (25 points in 23) are packing a punch up front, and the Devils' special teams have been good. In most ways, New Jersey has performed right to expectations.

What's gone wrong? Inconsistency. New Jersey has lost to San Jose, only to beat Florida in consecutive games. The Devils have been blanked by Tampa Bay -- and then crushed the Hurricanes. Being shut out happens to the Devils too frequently, with their past three defeats all coming without a goal from New Jersey. It suggests a lack of depth scoring the Devils must address. And they have been average in shot generation (16th), another potential offensive issue that could slow New Jersey's progress. First-year coach Sheldon Keefe may still be getting his message across to the Devils.


Grade: B. New Jersey is right on pace with where it is supposed to be. Nothing wrong with that -- but it also feels like the Devils could be further ahead. They have weathered some injury issues but none so debilitating that the Devils couldn't rally. Putting together the same effort each night will move New Jersey along. Backsliding against the league's lowest-ranking teams only to rise against stiff competition rarely takes a club where it wants to go in April. The Devils establishing and maintaining an identity from here is critical.

This almost read like “The Devils lost that one game once, so how good could their quarter have actually been?”

 

[Forge]

I read it but only because I'm always looking for power rankings. I just can't get over how terrible ESPN is for hockey. Devils get a B for beating all these good teams and the Rangers get an even better score for being 1-6 against teams in playoff spots.

I just can't take them seriously.

You'd think they would want to do a better job and maybe push a little more eyes to that coverage given their ESPN+ / Hulu stuff that puts out the local coverages of games.

 

[TrufleShufle]

I mean, he crosschecked him in the face right in front of an official lol

 

[Its Always Sundstrom]

 

[johnny pierogi]

I mean, he crosschecked him in the face right in front of an official lol

no disagreement. just don't think it was done with blatant disregard for the other players wellbeing like some of the shit Rempe pulls. I've watched it back several times and it almost looked more like Meier was trying to get him in the face with his glove and the stick caught him first because of the way the other player grabbed onto his stick. It is what it is. Rempe railroads someone away from the play and I don't think he's getting a call today.

 

[MasterofGrond]

i'm fine with the espn summary (i think it reads more like an A-/B+ which is totally fair) except for this:

"Backsliding against the league's lowest-ranking teams only to rise against stiff competition rarely takes a club where it wants to go in April."

idk man that sort seems like it would work out just fine in April if they could reliably beat top half of the league teams

 

[TheBeerNerd]

You'd think they would want to do a better job and maybe push a little more eyes to that coverage given their ESPN+ / Hulu stuff that puts out the local coverages of games.

They have actual reporters (plural) covering the NHL ever since they got back the broadcast rights. Their logic is probably "yeah, that'll do."

Lousy Smarch weather!

 

[Forge]

no disagreement. just don't think it was done with blatant disregard for the other players wellbeing like some of the shit Rempe pulls. I've watched it back several times and it almost looked more like Meier was trying to get him in the face with his glove and the stick caught him first because of the way the other player grabbed onto his stick. It is what it is. Rempe railroads someone away from the play and I don't think he's getting a call today.

Oh, it definitely wasn't intentional. I don't think Timo was aiming for his head or anything, he's just taller than L'Heureux lol.

But once you're retaliating and you hit someone in the face, its over. That's a major and possibly a suspension. Its definitely more of a "it is what it is" situation as you said. Timo lost his cool just a bit and then there was a little bad luck in the result. Most of the time, that ends up resulting in offsetting minor roughing penalties or a no harm, no foul scrum that gets pulled apart.

 

[bossram]

Oh, it definitely wasn't intentional. I don't think Timo was aiming for his head or anything, he's just taller than L'Heureux lol.

But once you're retaliating and you hit someone in the face, its over. That's a major and possibly a suspension. Its definitely more of a "it is what it is" situation as you said. Timo lost his cool just a bit and then there was a little bad luck in the result. Most of the time, that ends up resulting in offsetting minor roughing penalties or a no harm, no foul scrum that gets pulled apart.

Carson Soucy got 1 game in the playoffs last year for a similar crosscheck to the head, so I expect Meier to get something too.

The Rempe thing is utter BS though. Kid is only in the league to goon it up. DOPS/Parros won't do anything though, they love it.

 

[TheBeerNerd]

Carson Soucy got 1 game in the playoffs last year for a similar crosscheck to the head, so I expect Meier to get something too.

The Rempe thing is utter BS though. Kid is only in the league to goon it up. DOPS/Parros won't do anything though, they love it.

Rempe got sent down today, so at least the Rangers braintrust is as tired of his shit as the rest of us.

 

[NJDevs26]

He already got the gate. I'm guessing 1 game.

He should get a game just for stupidity…anything beyond that is just DOPS telling us to f*** off since they don’t punish jack shit anymore.

 

[TrufleShufle]

I don't blame Timo for this just like I don't blame a goalie when an amazing shot gets through.

Sometimes you give credit where credit is due, he did an amazing job at making the Devils angry and Timo got the worst of it. Kinda feel bad for Timo at this point, he's getting hate, but that's not fair to Zach and the wonderful job he did getting under his skin. Kudos.

Edit:
Still winning, darn.

 

[Killing Joke]

Don’t be shocked if we try to get Tkachuk if Ottawa continues to go down in flames and how Tkachuk would accept a trade here. His wife is from NJ, and the whole Brady and Fitz family ties and being friends with Jack.

 

[SteveCangialosi123]

LMAO



Useless bum that does nothing but try to injure guys can do this shit all he wants though

 

[Classic Devil]

Don’t be shocked if we try to get Tkachuk if Ottawa continues to go down in flames and how Tkachuk would accept a trade here. His wife is from NJ, and the whole Brady and Fitz family ties and being friends with Jack.

Can we afford Tkachuk?

 

[Killing Joke]

Can we afford Tkachuk?

I’m assuming Tom would find a way to make it work.

 

[TheBeerNerd]

I'd be fine with having Tkachuk, but that cost, man... we'll need to offload both talent and cap room in order to make room for it. I'm also not too keen on trading another first rounder to make it work, although for the right price, I can live with it.

It would probably work well for us because both the Hughes and Tkachuk families are US Hockey royalty, and they're all very close. It wouldn't take much to get acclimated.

 

[Blackjack]

Useless bum that does nothing but try to injure guys can do this shit all he wants though

To be fair, cheap-shot interference plays are rarely punished unless they result in a severe injury.

I totally disagree with that, I think what Rempe did there was far dirtier than what Timo did, but that’s how the refs and DOPS do it.

 

[TheBeerNerd]

Trouba got his first suspension last year after every single thing that he's done in his career, especially when he started playing for the Rangers. Just knowing that Meier is going to have as many suspensions as that petty thug makes my brain hurt.

 

[DerekDevils30]

It is what it is. I’m guessing they move Tatar up with Hischier and Noesen for the Blues game tomorrow. He’s defensively responsible and has proven to be a good fit with Nico in the past

 

[HoliksGhost]

LMAO



Useless bum that does nothing but try to injure guys can do this shit all he wants though

Clown

 

[SteveCangialosi123]

It is what it is. I’m guessing they move Tatar up with Hischier and Noesen for the Blues game tomorrow. He’s defensively responsible and has proven to be a good fit with Nico in the past

Mentally preparing for MacDermid-Dowling-Bowers

 

[Devils731]

Meier got the non-goon punishment.

A goon would have gotten a fine for not being a repeat offender.

 

[MasterofGrond]

To get Brady Palat would have to go, more or less. And beyond just the additional assets a team is gonna want to take him (whether that's Ottawa or a third team), he's got a NMC.

So you're dealing Nemec+ and then some picks (probably netting out to ANOTHER first at least), and that's assuming Palat will go.

I just don't think that's a trade that necessarily improves your cups odds in the long run. I'm a known Brady hater, though.