GDT: New Jersey Devils @ Arizona Coyotes - 7pm, MSGSN

[Bleedred]

In hindsight I am glad this franchise did not break the bank for hall which was really a blessing in disguise. The two main pieces in that trade (mercer,bahl) have paid dividends ten fold

I would totally have Hall at the contract he's on with Boston now. I think it's $6 million a year and it's 4 years and this is year 2 of it. I actually thought it was 5 years. I would take him at that contract over Palat right now, and I'm one of the more pro-Palat, Pro-Palat's contract people on here, or at least I'd like to think.

But that's not the contract we were thinking he was gonna get from us, The contract Boston gave him. We were penciling him in for $8, $9 and even $10 million a year for EIGHT years or possibly just seven years, which would have started in 2020 and we'd still have 4 or 5 more years of him after this and he'd be here until he was 36-37 years old and he already seems to maybe be turning into an injury case. I think he's always been a bit of one going back to his Edmonton days. Now he's on LTIR for Boston and I'm not sure if it's just one of those tricks and it's not that serious and he'll be back Kucherov style or if he's seriously injured and that's not the timetable. I'm not sure what that situation is.

The best offer I think he got in 2020 was that one year deal for $7.5 million or maybe it was $8.5 million from Buffalo. It did come right after the covid cap freeze. And apparently Boston offered him pretty much the same deal he wound up taking from them the next year, but he declined to take more money on a one year deal from Buffalo. At least that's the story I remember hearing.

He's still a good player, but he's not a great player like he was that one year. And I do recall he went something like 15 games without a goal earlier this year.

 

[Better Call Sal]

We are a mere 6 wins away from a 100 point season. Unbelievable.

 

[DerekDevils30]

As some have mentioned, Bahl has really come on as of late. For stretches, it seemed like he was overthinking things which resulted in some tough turnovers. Since coming back in for Smith, he has really simplified everything. He’s more comfortable with the puck on his stick on the breakout and he’s making the right play consistently. He’s also ending opposition attacks quickly with his size and reach. When he walls you off, the play is done. He is tough to play against.

When you see a young d-man improving like that, their partner is often a big part of that. Damon has been exceptional as of late. Tonight he brought the best of both worlds on offence and defence.

 

[jkrdevil]

Ok. There’s nothing we can do about it.

Better goalies than Vanecek have had rough patches and have played fine in the playoffs.

It’s a long 82 game season.

In theory you would try and give him some rest. As Bleed mentioned December was bad for him like this, but because of the Christmas break they were able to give him a week off and he bounced back. Moving forward thought the March schedule is brutal in its compactness. They probably need to just alternate goalies anyways. Maybe if Schmid shows something you give him 2 - 3 games in a row. That said he wasn’t great vs Vegas.

 

[Emperoreddy]

We can't be too far away from some magic number countdowns, right?

 

[Bleedred]

I'm trying to think of the last year we had this many points after 62 games.

It's been quite a while.

Maybe the early 00's?

The 08-09 team was close.

The 09-10 team had a really hot start, but was about 500 in the second half. I remember the first half of this season had the most wins or points in franchise history after 30 games or whatever or it was tied with the first 30 or 40 games with 09-10 team.

The 06-07 team seemed to have a shitty March, but we still finished with over 100 points. Remember the Julien firing after that shitty March?

The 11-12 team was still considerably behind this points wise after 62 games. I think maybe even 10-12 points behind this.

The 17-18 team was down there with the wild card teams right now after 62 games. I'm sure we all remember ''FLA IS GONNA CATCH US! THEY NEVER LOSE!'', which is still my inspiration for mocking the second half surge to make the playoffs that some have had them penciled in for and some websites have them projected to hit.

 

[Emperoreddy]

 

[Incharge1976]

Ace wasn't impressed with the play tonight.

 

[Emperoreddy]

I'm trying to think of the last year we had this many points after 62 games.

It's been quite a while.

Maybe the early 00's?

The 08-09 team was close.

The 09-10 team had a really hot start, but was about 500 in the second half. I remember the first half of this season had the most wins or points in franchise history after 30 games or whatever or it was tied with the first 30 or 40 games with 09-10 team.

The 06-07 team seemed to have a shitty March, but we still finished with over 100 points. Remember the Julien firing after that shitty March?

The 11-12 team was still considerably behind this points wise after 62 games. I think maybe even 10-12 points behind this.

The 17-18 team was down there with the wild card teams right now after 62 games. I'm sure we all remember ''FLA IS GONNA CATCH US! THEY NEVER LOSE!'', which is still my inspiration for mocking the second half surge to make the playoffs that some have had them penciled in for and some websites have them projected to hit.

Pretty sure they are having at least the 2nd best regular season they have ever had

 

[glenwo2]

Anyone upset about this game can cry me a Gila River.

Already in the rearview.

What is a "Gila"?

Is that also a river in Egypt?

 

[severian]

I'm trying to think of the last year we had this many points after 62 games.

It's been quite a while.

Maybe the early 00's?

The 08-09 team was close.

The 09-10 team had a really hot start, but was about 500 in the second half. I remember the first half of this season had the most wins or points in franchise history after 30 games or whatever or it was tied with the first 30 or 40 games with 09-10 team.

The 06-07 team seemed to have a shitty March, but we still finished with over 100 points. Remember the Julien firing after that shitty March?

The 11-12 team was still considerably behind this points wise after 62 games. I think maybe even 10-12 points behind this.

The 17-18 team was down there with the wild card teams right now after 62 games. I'm sure we all remember ''FLA IS GONNA CATCH US! THEY NEVER LOSE!'', which is still my inspiration for mocking the second half surge to make the playoffs that some have had them penciled in for and some websites have them projected to hit.

The answer may very well be never. This team is on pace to set the single season points record for the franchise and the record for the biggest improvement in point total year over year.

 

[Devs3cups]

What is a "Gila"?

Is that also a river in Egypt?

Gils River is the name of the Coyotes old arena.

It’s actually now called Desert Diamond Arena. Just found that out.

Desert Diamond Arena - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

 

[Incharge1976]

We can't be too far away from some magic number countdowns, right?

We start counting down in 5 games or so. We would need an all-time collapse at this point.

 

[Saugus]

As some have mentioned, Bahl has really come on as of late. For stretches, it seemed like he was overthinking things which resulted in some tough turnovers. Since coming back in for Smith, he has really simplified everything. He’s more comfortable with the puck on his stick on the breakout and he’s making the right play consistently. He’s also ending opposition attacks quickly with his size and reach. When he walls you off, the play is done. He is tough to play against.

When you see a young d-man improving like that, their partner is often a big part of that. Damon has been exceptional as of late. Tonight he brought the best of both worlds on offence and defence.

I'll admit, I was a skeptic that Bahl would be able to stick in the NHL. But his play of late has been excellent. The minutes he gets, he is competently eating, and that's all you can expect from a young defenseman.

If he can keep this up, he'll not only be a great asset for the playoffs, but he'll also make Fitz's job easier putting the defensive corps together for future seasons.

 

[Emperoreddy]

The answer may very well be never. This team is on pace to set the single season points record for the franchise and the record for the biggest improvement in point total year over year.

Yeah I think they are currently outpacing the 00-01 team that had 111 points

 

[DevilDog]

Timo time! Glad to see he didn’t waste any time getting the 1st Goal as a Devil outta the way.

2.0 proving he belongs on the 3rd line. Looks like they might be developing some chemistry.

VV is clearly hitting another slump. Gonna have to find a way out of it that doesn’t include a break because the schedule this month is brutal.

 

[Bleedred]

What is a "Gila"?

Is that also a river in Egypt?

I think it might be a casino or something out in the Phoenix area.

The arena they just moved out of in Glendale has been called the Gila River Arena the last 8 or 10 years and I'm pretty there's still advertisements for Gila River on the boards in their new building or maybe it's their broadcasts are still sponsored by Gila River.

I think it's a casino though.

 

[glenwo2]

Gils River is the name of the Coyotes old arena.

It’s actually now called Desert Diamond Arena. Just found that out.

Desert Diamond Arena - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

Wow.

Honestly never knew that.

Good stuff, Devs3cups.

 

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

In theory you would try and give him some rest. As Bleed mentioned December was bad for him like this, but because of the Christmas break they were able to give him a week off and he bounced back. Moving forward thought the March schedule is brutal in its compactness. They probably need to just alternate goalies anyways. Maybe if Schmid shows something you give him 2 - 3 games in a row. That said he wasn’t great vs Vegas.

I'm so split on the goaltending this year. Part of me thinks it's the only downfall of this team and I gotta step back a bit and realize this is only year 1. On the other hand, who knows if they're ever gonna be this good again with teams waking up for every game against them + teams around the bubble getting better or if something like Florida happens granted we aren't going to a Maurice type coach but the player regression still stands. I think you gotta play Vanecek through this. If he can't handle it then it's a massive red flag/issue going into the playoffs

 

[Incharge1976]

Yeah I think they are currently outpacing the 00-01 team that had 111 points

I thought they said during the game that we were the fastest to 40 wins.

 

[glenwo2]

I think it might be a casino or something out in the Phoenix area.

The arena they just moved out of in Glendale has been called the Gila River Arena the last 8 or 10 years and I'm pretty there's still advertisements for Gila River on the boards in their new building or maybe it's their broadcasts are still sponsored by Gila River.

I think it's a casino though.

@Devs3cups also provided a link, too.

I was just..confused with the "Gila" thing.

 

[devilsfan35]

Love how we started and ended the game with Swiss goals

 

[Bleedred]

I do have empathy for the Yotes fans and feel bad for them. Most of the ones I've come across are very nice on here. So I feel bad shit talking their team more than almost any other team, because they're nice people.

But I've had it with the way their team does business and the cap floor nonsense and I'm sure they are too.

 

[Emperoreddy]

Schmid has played well enough that you can give Vtek a few extra games off to recharge

 

[Devs3cups]

Wow.

Honestly never knew that.

Good stuff, Devs3cups.

Had no idea they changed the name to be honest lol. Wonder what’s happening in that arena these days.