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GDT: High Hopes: Your New Jersey Devils vs. Carolina Hurricanes, 12:30 PM, ABC/ESPN+

glenwo2 said:
Close only counts in Horseshoes and whatever that cliche saying is....
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Sure, so let’s just discount everything that went wrong this season? Shit happens, it sucks but the team has went through a lot, add to that bad coaching/system and asinine goaltending. It’s a lot to face for a young group. Thankfully, our GM seems aware of what’s wrong and is working to fix it. There needs to be changes and he seems to be active.

We have a young core with a pretty big window here. Don’t think it’s do or die this year.
 
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JimEIV said:
Bratt has been our best overall player for the last 3 years...but

I hate to say it but Bratt has a tendency to disappear in more physical games
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It saddens me to say but you're right.

But it's not like Bratt doesn't try to get into the dirty areas (he did at many points in this game) but it's just that others are just BETTER at doing that than him; and it's not really his game.

Players like him and Jack need a Defensive Forward to play with them to get into those dirty areas.

Like a Henrique who is now on the Edmonton McDavids.
 
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glenwo2 said:
It saddens me to say but you're right.

But it's not like Bratt doesn't try to get into the dirty areas (he did at many points in this game) but it's just that others are just BETTER at doing that than him; and it's not really his game.

Players like him and Jack need a Defensive Forward to play with them to get into those dirty areas.

Like a Henrique who is now on the Edmonton McDavids.
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Bratt is limited by his stature and build but he is competitive in my view. There are days he cannot get untracked but they are fewer than they used to be. He’s worth every penny on his deal .
 
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glenwo2 said:
It saddens me to say but you're right.

But it's not like Bratt doesn't try to get into the dirty areas (he did at many points in this game) but it's just that others are just BETTER at doing that than him; and it's not really his game.

Players like him and Jack need a Defensive Forward to play with them to get into those dirty areas.

Like a Henrique who is now on the Edmonton McDavids.
Click to expand...
Yup, Bratt is visibly more involved physically and is doing a better job at going in the dirty areas this year. I’m noticing it. He’s just not the biggest guy so sometimes it’s hard.

Still a great player.
 
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glenwo2 said:
It saddens me to say but you're right.

But it's not like Bratt doesn't try to get into the dirty areas (he did at many points in this game) but it's just that others are just BETTER at doing that than him; and it's not really his game.

Players like him and Jack need a Defensive Forward to play with them to get into those dirty areas.

Like a Henrique who is now on the Edmonton McDavids.
Click to expand...
Some beef in the top 6 would help Jack and Jesper a great deal. Bratt and Timo don't really work if you believe both are RWs. Bratt needs a net crasher digger capable of skating top 6 minutes with him.
 
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Devs3cups said:
Sure, so let’s just discount everything that went wrong this season?
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Nope. Not saying that at all.

Devs3cups said:
It sucks but the team has went through a lot, add to that bad coaching/system and asinine goaltending.
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Yeah it does suck and all the injuries, lousy coaching, and even more lousy goaltending really doomed this team this season.

Devs3cups said:
It’s a lot to face for a young group. Thankfully, our GM seems aware of what’s wrong and is working to fix it.
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I would HOPE he does 'cause if they miss the Playoffs next season, Fitz's seat is going to start getting awfully warm.

Devs3cups said:
We have a young core with a pretty big window here. Don’t think it’s do or die this year.
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I don't think it's do or die for quite awhile myself.

But we can't waste time either.

All we need is a Coach and a STRUCTURED System that will prevent breakdowns defensively while increasing offensive opportunities when they present themselves.

We also could use some good solid goaltending and hopefully Kahkonen/Allen give us some good games but most of all, I hope Fitz nabs either Saros or Ullmark this offseason as I do not care for a 35-year-old Markstrom.
 
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JimEIV said:
Some beef in the top 6 would help Jack and Jesper a great deal. Bratt and Timo don't really work if you believe both are RWs. Bratt needs a net crasher digger capable of skating top 6 minutes with him.
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I was hoping Mercer would grow into that role this season and it just didn’t happen but he will have a full offseason to train and work on individual areas of his game for next season.
 
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My3Sons said:
I was hoping Mercer would grow into that role this season and it just didn’t happen but he will have a full offseason to train and work on individual areas of his game for next season.
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In all fairness he wasn't really given a chance to play with those players all that much this season.

Full disclosure...I will continue to make every excuse for Mercer I possibly can because I think in his previous two seasons he's shown enough to make me think this season is just crap for everyone and a total write off
 
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JimEIV said:
In all fairness he wasn't really given a chance to play with those players all that much this season.

Full disclosure...I will continue to make every excuse for Mercer I possibly can because I think in his previous two seasons he's shown enough to make me think think season is just crap for everyone and a total write off
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I agree. I’m willing to bring in a new voice and consistent goaltending before passing judgement.
 
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JimEIV said:
In all fairness he wasn't really given a chance to play with those players all that much this season.

Full disclosure...I will continue to make every excuse for Mercer I possibly can because I think in his previous two seasons he's shown enough to make me think this season is just crap for everyone and a total write off
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I agree that at his age his talent didn’t leak out his ears. He will bounce back. Won’t shock me if we find out he’s had a nagging injury .
 
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My3Sons said:
I agree that at his age his talent didn’t leak out his ears. He will bounce back. Won’t shock me if we find out he’s had a nagging injury .
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Maybe. But I think there is a pressure playing for a contract in a season that never got into a grove.

I don't know honestly? But so much of his tenaciousness and flare is just gone from his game. It's strange. He's worse now than he was as a rookie and that just seems weird to me.
 
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Devs3cups said:
Sure, so let’s just discount everything that went wrong this season? Shit happens, it sucks but the team has went through a lot, add to that bad coaching/system and asinine goaltending. It’s a lot to face for a young group. Thankfully, our GM seems aware of what’s wrong and is working to fix it. There needs to be changes and he seems to be active.

We have a young core with a pretty big window here. Don’t think it’s do or die this year.
Click to expand...

I feel like you’re back to your old self now. :laugh: it’s nice to see.
 
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JimEIV said:
Maybe. But I think there is a pressure playing for a contract in a season that never got into a grove.

I don't know honestly? But so much of his tenaciousness and flare is just gone from his game. It's strange. He's worse now than he was as a rookie and that just seems weird to me.
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It could be contract stress. Hopefully he signs a two year deal so next season he can just play. Whatever is going on at his age he can and should overcome it. I wouldn’t trade him heading into next season. Not for Saros not for Markstrom.
 
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