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

[Cheddabombs]

First line center Nate Bastian

 

[devilsblood]

I like to think of myself as a pretty knowledge fan…but they’re digging really deep into the system when I have no idea who the f*** either of those guys are

Ive liked Bowers but lets see what happens. Hardman has a 4th line physique and some goal scoring ability.

 

[JK3]

I'll get a GDT up, gimme a little while.

 

[NjDevsRR]

First line center Nate Bastian

@Guttersniped

 

[TheBeerNerd]

Gonna guess he's feeling under the weather.

 

[Bleedred]

So you mean to tell me we’re not even playing MacDermid against the Rangers?

 

[NjDevsRR]

I'll get a GDT up, gimme a little while.

So you mean to tell me we’re not even playing MacDermid against the Rangers?

Rempe in AHL

 

[guitarguyvic]

What’s with Jack not being at practice?

 

[Better Call Sal]

So you mean to tell me we’re not even playing MacDermid against the Rangers?

Legare seems more than willing to throw down.

 

[Clam Jensen]

Legare seems more than willing to throw down.

We also have our very own Trouba in Dillon. And cotter is a nasty SOB.

 

[Camille the Eel]

I gotta say, I'm not very thrilled with the last few games. Too many shades of last season for my blood, the major difference is league average goaltending instead of downright terrible. First-goal disadvantages and complete lack of discipline stick out to me. The longer this festers, the harder it gets to coach it away.

It could be that the recent bad starts - giving up the first score in 7 straight games - are a sign of complacency due to us being at or near the top of the conference in points for the first 1/3 of the season. The opposition has come out of the gate wanting these games more than we do. Only when we are getting our asses kicked do we wake up.

Satisfied with ourselves, it has looked like we’ve been facing hungrier teams to start games, even when like Washington they too have outstanding records so far. More desperate teams who want and need the games more (St. Louis who just fired their coach, Detroit who were clinging to relevance) . . .

Hope we can break this pattern tonight at MSG.

 

[Better Call Sal]

There's definitely some flukiness to the first goal against. The Washington road game we had a good start out for much of the period, and then their goal came on like their 2nd or 3rd shot late in the first period that ricocheted in off a defender. Nashville in particular was a very good start for us, then Forsberg chucked a shot in from a crazy angle. Don't get me started on what happened in that Blues game for them to go up 1-0.

I'm not concerned about it really being a prolonged trend. I think they will get it rectified. Boy, I want this game badly tonight.

 

[devilsblood]

What’s with Jack not being at practice?

Pedicure

 

[Nocashstyle]

This honestly makes me like him haha. Some Bobby Farnham type energy.

 

[devilsblood]

I like this team defensively. I’m not worried about the goaltending for that reason. You can be a contender with great D and meh goaltending, you can’t if it’s the opposite.

I don’t know what the deal is with giving up the first goal. They led the league in this last year and now it’s rearing its ugly head yet again. Watching the games it seems some of it is just bad fortune but it’s still disconcerting.

My biggest legit concern that I think will hold this team back from being a real contender is having a black hole taking up a spot on the top line. Palat is a fourth liner at best now, other top teams top lines will out-perform ours and absolutely feast on him come the playoffs if someone legit does not replace him. I also think our forward depth is not quite good enough. If anyone in the top six goes out even for a mid amount of time, it will likely spell a lot of trouble. I think we need one more legit top six player and another versatile middle sixer a la Sharangovich.

I feel Palat’s been fine on that top line. Does the dirty work, responsible defensively and has even been involved in generating chances. Would like better finish so not ideal, but I think he does bring elements that are beneficial to that line.

 

[Emperoreddy]

 

[dgibb10]

Meanwhile Luke leads all dmen in the league in 22 mph bursts.

 

[New Jerseys Devil]

What are we paying MacDermaid for if he isnt playing against the Rangers!! Lol

 

[MasterofGrond]

So Noesen is slow as shit, but at least plays flat out

he's going as fast as he can, people!

 

[TrufleShufle]

Lot of interesting stuff if you look close. Guys like Jackson Blake and Andrew Copp are slow as shit at their top speed but are at that speed enough to stay off the other lists. Meaning they use what they got more often than the guys who have higher top speeds, use theirs. Someone like Tyler Bertuzzi who is no where on the slowest top speed list, but way up there on the "never goes fast" list.

Then you got Patrick Maroon how some how is able to go above his top speed enough times to prove its not his top speed? So maybe it should be 20+ mph bursts, not bursts above 20 mph?

 

[Oneiro]

Cool data set.

A lot of great players on that list. Gotta be smart to play that slow.

 

[Saugus]

So Noesen is slow as shit, but at least plays flat out

he's going as fast as he can, people!

Doesn't bother me at all.

Don't need to skate fast if your job is to park your ass in front of the net and collect the garbage.

 

[My3Sons]

What are we paying MacDermaid for if he isnt playing against the Rangers!! Lol

How much do we pay for nuclear weapons we never want to use?

 

[TheBeerNerd]

How much do we pay for nuclear weapons we never want to use?

About the same amount and length of time the Leafs are for Ryan Reaves.

 

[My3Sons]

About the same amount and length of time the Leafs are for Ryan Reaves.

The way the game is reffed you need some sort of thug right now unfortunately. The Rangers are fortunate they have one they can move up and down without waivers as needed. NJ really needs to rebuild its forward protect depth.