Paul Cotter with 12 points in 19 games, Stefan Noesen with 14 in 19

[My3Sons]

IMO they still can't compete with the better teams, Florida ran them into the ground last night. NJ held on to steal the win, but in a 7 game series they're going to wither.

NJ was outplayed but the game didn't end with one of the Devils getting thrown around by Tkachuk with nobody helping. Dillon stood up to Gadjovich and Kovacevic pushed back against someone and when Reinhardt tried to get into it with Markstrom he was pushed away and another Devil took him on. It's a start. They at least can potentially compete now in a game with some physicality. They will improve as the season goes along and the new coach and the new system are working. Afer last season, I'd be happy with making the playoffs and winning a round with a good showing in the second round. They still have to upgrade a few spots but they have a more balanced team than they've had in recent years at least.

 

[HugeInTheShire]

for a team that has

- A new coach
-Barely any practices since they've played so many game in a short period
-a lot of personal changes in the roster

I think they are doing pretty great.

I've had very few complaints about their play so far this season, especially factoring in the things you've mentioned. I just think they aren't ready to compete with the big guys just yet.

 

[NJ DevLolz]

NJ was outplayed but the game didn't end with one of the Devils getting thrown around by Tkachuk with nobody helping. Dillon stood up to Gadjovich and Kovacevic pushed back against someone and when Reinhardt tried to get into it with Markstrom he was pushed away and another Devil took him on. It's a start. They at least can potentially compete now in a game with some physicality. They will improve as the season goes along and the new coach and the new system are working. Afer last season, I'd be happy with making the playoffs and winning a round with a good showing in the second round. They still have to upgrade a few spots but they have a more balanced team than they've had in recent years at least.

They were at like 47.5 xgf% and were winning nearly the entire game. There were parts where they were out played but overall it was a solid road game.

 

[HugeInTheShire]

NJ was outplayed but the game didn't end with one of the Devils getting thrown around by Tkachuk with nobody helping. Dillon stood up to Gadjovich and Kovacevic pushed back against someone and when Reinhardt tried to get into it with Markstrom he was pushed away and another Devil took him on. It's a start. They at least can potentially compete now in a game with some physicality. They will improve as the season goes along and the new coach and the new system are working. Afer last season, I'd be happy with making the playoffs and winning a round with a good showing in the second round. They still have to upgrade a few spots but they have a more balanced team than they've had in recent years at least.

I've loved the physical element they've added this season, certainly aren't getting bullied like seasons before. They are still running into some of the same issues they've had, giving up multiple goals in a short period of time and closing out periods.
Last night Florida won almost every important face-off and outclassed NJ for large parts of it. They've got to be able to keep pace with this level of team to have a shot in the playoffs.

 

[SEALBound]

I bet that one particular Stefan Noesen fan on HF is mega happy!

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

IMO they still can't compete with the better teams, Florida ran them into the ground last night. NJ held on to steal the win, but in a 7 game series they're going to wither.

they got caved a bit in the first, but the second and third periods were very even.

 

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

IMO they still can't compete with the better teams, Florida ran them into the ground last night. NJ held on to steal the win, but in a 7 game series they're going to wither.

They were better team last night after the Reinhart goal + Dillon fight which makes no sense. Also, that's goaltending and what they lacked with Vitek/Schmid in 23-24. They're not goalies who can withstand a complete caving and saving their teams consistently.

 

[Phion Keneuf]

Stefan Noesen. Leafs legend

 

[Voight]

Holtz for Cotter is the sort of deal that makes these boards explode (TOP 10 PICK FOR A 4TH LINER LOL!) but in real life has actually been a brilliant bit of pro scouting.

Man, that is HFB in a nutshell

 

[HugeInTheShire]

they got caved a bit in the first, but the second and third periods were very even.

IMO the definitely didn't look good in the second before the fight, if the goaltending holds that will certainly help.

They were better team last night after the Reinhart goal + Dillon fight which makes no sense. Also, that's goaltending and what they lacked with Vitek/Schmid in 23-24. They're not goalies who can withstand a complete caving and saving their teams consistently.

 

[featherhawk]

both have been great, that said any conversation about those two and the devils underated secondary scoring must include the name Erik Haula.

Talk about underated...Haula's contribution to the third line and the devils possession game has been nothing short of spectacular. To me, Haula is the guy that stirs the drink on the third line...

 

[karltonian]

Noesen was a good player for the sharks but I'm surprised he's found a scoring touch.

 

[TBF1972]

NJ was outplayed but the game didn't end with one of the Devils getting thrown around by Tkachuk with nobody helping. Dillon stood up to Gadjovich and Kovacevic pushed back against someone and when Reinhardt tried to get into it with Markstrom he was pushed away and another Devil took him on. It's a start. They at least can potentially compete now in a game with some physicality. They will improve as the season goes along and the new coach and the new system are working. Afer last season, I'd be happy with making the playoffs and winning a round with a good showing in the second round. They still have to upgrade a few spots but they have a more balanced team than they've had in recent years at least.

after last season i am good with getting back to the playoffs. series wins are never guaranteed. the playoff record of the devils in the last 10 season is limited.

 

[scoopscj]

Cotter and Nosen have been wonderful. Jack Hughes had a rough slow start. Timo was horrid on his line. Those two helped so much with early wins and now that Jack and Timo are cooking a little better, it's just gravy.

Great additions.

 

[TheBeerNerd]

I've had very few complaints about their play so far this season, especially factoring in the things you've mentioned. I just think they aren't ready to compete with the big guys just yet.

Realistically you're probably right. It takes a couple of years for competitive teams to really break through. But as Devils fan? I'm not listening to this. We goin' Cup hunting!

Man, that is HFB in a nutshell

I mean, that trade sure got me angry when I saw it. Not just because I thought Holtz could take the next step, but because Vegas has a history of completely fleecing other teams in trades for reasons I can only assume are coercive.

 

[Xirik]

Realistically you're probably right. It takes a couple of years for competitive teams to really break through. But as Devils fan? I'm not listening to this. We goin' Cup hunting!


I mean, that trade sure got me angry when I saw it. Not just because I thought Holtz could take the next step, but because Vegas has a history of completely fleecing other teams in trades for reasons I can only assume are coercive.

What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.... If you give us the player we want.

 

[TheBeerNerd]

What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.... If you give us the player we want.

Hey, Las Vegas is the city the mob built. Gotta keep the knee busting tradition alive somehow.

 

[VivaLasVegas]

What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.... If you give us the player we want.

We really liked Cotter and hated to lose him. Even as a rookie, his energy took over several games and saved our bacon. You got a good one there.

 

[Xirik]

We really liked Cotter and hated to lose him. Even as a rookie, his energy took over several games and saved our bacon. You got a good one there.

Yeah Devils fans have quickly fallen in love with him. Cotter, Dillon, and Lazar are players that can really put a spark back in the team when nothing is happening.

why do you think it didn't work out in Vegas? from an outside not very well researched perspective I am guessing it was because he was a speedster on a team that isn't really based on that.

 

[MakoSlade]

Holtz for Cotter is the sort of deal that makes these boards explode (TOP 10 PICK FOR A 4TH LINER LOL!) but in real life has actually been a brilliant bit of pro scouting.

Isn't Savoie for McLeod shaping up this way as well? (I wouldn't write off Holtz or Savoie yet though)

 

[dgibb10]

Holtz for Cotter is the sort of deal that makes these boards explode (TOP 10 PICK FOR A 4TH LINER LOL!) but in real life has actually been a brilliant bit of pro scouting.

I wish I could have seen what the cost would have been just using picks.

Eg would we be looking at the Beck Malenstyn price of an early 2nd?

Or would it have been more because it's Cotter 2 years younger and 2 years under contract at league min+RFA rights, vs just RFA rights for Malenstyn.

If so, how much more?

 

[AhosDatsyukian]

I'm a big fan of Noesen and happy to see him continuing to play well after reviving his career with the Canes. I'd be surprised if he keeps up that level of production but I think he can remain a 40-50 point guy for a little while.

 

[VivaLasVegas]

Yeah Devils fans have quickly fallen in love with him. Cotter, Dillon, and Lazar are players that can really put a spark back in the team when nothing is happening.

why do you think it didn't work out in Vegas? from an outside not very well researched perspective I am guessing it was because he was a speedster on a team that isn't really based on that.

Without knowing, my perception is that the downside to Cotter is that he can sometimes make inexperienced mistakes on defense, which did not endear him to defense-minded Cassidy.