GDT: Sharks @ Devils, 1:00, MSG, Yodaisms

[Nubmer6]

I want my Cookie for being on the Bahl train ever since the trade till now.

Careful. This is a family channel.

 

[Bleedred]

I want my Cookie for being on the Bahl train ever since the trade till now.

I wasn't a fan in his first few call ups.

Did a 180 after his last call up last year. I thought he was not good the two or three (I think it was three?) call ups before that. The one in 2020-2021 and first couple of last year. Last run of games was really good.

I'd rather have him than Smith, but I understand that with the sample size being so limited, management was not ready to just hand him a spot as a regular to start this year.

 

[billingtons ghost]

We are playing REALLY GOOD DEFENSE right now. And I think some of the people who've supported Blackwood all along and blame the defense/system and have been vocally anti-Ruff will not acknowledge that the defense/system is very tight the last 3 games. But then again, I'm not sure if it's as much good defense as we're dominating so much that the puck hasn't been in our end a whole lot for the other team to rack up shots/chances.

And the goalie isn't letting in easy goals like about 3 of them in each of the Flyers and (I can't even remember who we played in the home opener, that's how brain fogged I am, I know it was a shit team. Detroit?) the home opener.

I think it's a little of both.

BUT...... It is weak competition. We should be beating the Sharks, we should be beating the Trotz-less Islanders, we should be beating the Ducks. We really should have been beating the Red Wings and Flyers (I'm not suckered by the Flyers smoke and mirrors bullshit start) too, but we can't win every game obviously.

Gee, I'd like to hear the guy saying that Blackwood is terribles and changed his avatar to a disrespectful Blackwood sux avatar, and pretty much jumps on every goalie whether it's their fault or not, and claim that goaltending is the reason we sucked last year eat his words, actually.

You can see how mb29 looks after he gets beat when we are in chaos mode. We have reduced the chaos dramatically and actually have guys playing defense all over the ice... It is *better* but it isn't good.

The team is also playing against utter garbage competition, and I think what is going to happen is that the number of breakdowns is going to dramatically increase, and instead of mb29 or Vanacek bailing them out with a few big saves each game, they'll be asked to bail them out 6 or 7 times and they won't be able to bc they are just average goaltenders.

I hope I'm wrong. I love the way the team is playing, but watching a couple of those Hughes turnovers, and the way Smith takes penalties and can't really keep up...
We lose that game against any but there worst team in the league bc some long deflection or screened puck or a bomb from karlsson find its way in.

We dominated possession but it wasn't like Kahkonnen stood on his head.

 

[NjDevsRR]

Hall trade looking good

Didn’t we get Mercer and Siegs from the resulting picks as well?

 

[Hockey Sports Fan]

Didn’t we get Mercer and Siegs from the resulting picks as well?

sure did, absolute highway robbery for a pending free agent who clearly wasn't himself anymore

 

[Bleedred]

Gee, I'd like to hear the guy saying that Blackwood is terribles and changed his avatar to a disrespectful Blackwood sux avatar, and pretty much jumps on every goalie whether it's their fault or not, and claim that goaltending is the reason we sucked last year eat his words, actually.

You can see how mb29 looks after he gets beat when we are in chaos mode. We have reduced the chaos dramatically and actually have guys playing defense all over the ice... It is *better* but it isn't good.

The team is also playing against utter garbage competition, and I think what is going to happen is that the number of breakdowns is going to dramatically increase, and instead of mb29 or Vanacek bailing them out with a few big saves each game, they'll be asked to bail them out 6 or 7 times and they won't be able to bc they are just average goaltenders.

I hope I'm wrong. I love the way the team is playing, but watching a couple of those Hughes turnovers, and the way Smith takes penalties and can't really keep up...
We lose that game against any but there worst team in the league bc some long deflection or screened puck or a bomb from karlsson find its way in.

We dominated possession but it wasn't like Kahkonnen stood on his head.

I'm not eating my words, because honestly, I'm not convinced the guy will be good from hear on out. He's definitely hot right now and he was hot for a bit early last year too (as well as the first 5 games of the 2020-2021 season) but I'm not sure he's had more than 5-6 good games in a row since February-March of 2020.

 

[Guadana]

Didn’t we get Mercer and Siegs from the resulting picks as well?

yap. BTE. Not the Larsson`s one. The next one.

 

[nugg]

I'm worried about their finishing. It would be nicer to be dropping 3+ goals with all the chances every game. Blackwood making the saves he needs to make. Good signs for now.

They have a finisher, but he's sitting in the press box.

 

[Eggtimer]

Gee, I'd like to hear the guy saying that Blackwood is terribles and changed his avatar to a disrespectful Blackwood sux avatar, and pretty much jumps on every goalie whether it's their fault or not, and claim that goaltending is the reason we sucked last year eat his words, actually.

You can see how mb29 looks after he gets beat when we are in chaos mode. We have reduced the chaos dramatically and actually have guys playing defense all over the ice... It is *better* but it isn't good.

The team is also playing against utter garbage competition, and I think what is going to happen is that the number of breakdowns is going to dramatically increase, and instead of mb29 or Vanacek bailing them out with a few big saves each game, they'll be asked to bail them out 6 or 7 times and they won't be able to bc they are just average goaltenders.

I hope I'm wrong. I love the way the team is playing, but watching a couple of those Hughes turnovers, and the way Smith takes penalties and can't really keep up...
We lose that game against any but there worst team in the league bc some long deflection or screened puck or a bomb from karlsson find its way in.

We dominated possession but it wasn't like Kahkonnen stood on his head.

I agree with all you said and have some concern as well but I also think that we did make Kahkonnen stand on his head . We had tons of chances where he made some nice saves . Sharks did beat the Rags …so I don’t think there will be a night and day difference between the teams we played and others . We will see how we do against teams like Tampa , Boston , Pitt

 

[nugg]

delete. erroneous.

 

[Bleedred]

He has been playing the best hockey we've seen him play. Believe it or not, we don't necessarily need 22 guys who can score. I mean, we've had goalies score in the past but...

I don't think so, I think he's possibly playing worse than normal.

But as I've said, he's not really worth complaining about. We've had way worse 4th line centers.

Somehow f***in shit ass Kevin Rooney has played for 3 different NHL teams for multiple years each (well, he's signed for multiple years for Calgary right now, but is only in his first year) and I always thought he was like a Rocky Balboa of hockey players, if Rocky hadn't ever beaten Apollo Creed and eventually other the 10 title defenses, Clubber Lang, Drago. Talk about a ham and egger.

And then hot rod and his 250+ games in the league.

 

[billingtons ghost]

I'm not eating my words, because honestly, I'm not convinced the guy will be good from hear on out. He's definitely hot right now and he was hot for a bit early last year too (as well as the first 5 games of the 2020-2021 season) but I'm not sure he's had more than 5-6 good games in a row since February-March of 2020.

He's going to be what he is. Average. And when he lets in 6 goals on 15 shots it'll likely be because of our swarm defense breaking down against tough competition.

I really hope the system works if everyone executes and I really really hope it guys can learn how to execute.

I think they can.

 

[Eggtimer]

he has 4 points in 2 games with Grand Rapid Griffins

Good for him. I still take Hughes Nemec Hamilton over any three D of Detroit‘s and its not even close. Then it tilts even more in favour of the Devils when you factor in Seigenthaler Marino Severson Mukhamadoulin Bahl Okhotiuk Casey etc etc

 

[GettingYourMoms]

Good for him. I still take Hughes Nemec Hamilton over any three D of Detroit‘s and its not even close. Then it tilts even more in favour of the Devils when you factor in Seigenthaler Marino Severson Mukhamadoulin Bahl Okhotiuk Casey etc etc

I am very high on Nemec, not so much on Hughes who is struggling in his own zone.

 

[billingtons ghost]

I don't think so, I think he's possibly playing worse than normal.

But as I've said, he's not really worth complaining about. We've had way worse 4th line centers.

Somehow f***in shit ass Kevin Rooney has played for 3 different NHL teams for multiple years each (well, he's signed for multiple years for Calgary right now, but is only in his first year) and I always thought he was like a Rocky Balboa of hockey players, if Rocky hadn't ever beaten Apollo Creed and eventually other the 10 title defenses, Clubber Lang, Drago. Talk about a ham and egger.

And then hot rod and his 250+ games in the league.

You and I just agree to disagree on fourth line centers. I see MacLeod and Bastianactually giving us exactly what we are asking of them. Giving us a spot to double shift Hughes and others helped get Rango going today with more icetime, so I like the 11-7 setup temporarily, too... At least until we settle in and know that Smith needs to sit and Bahl can handle it.

 

[Whaddagoal]

Missed the game, glad to see they’ve got a streak going.

Bad finishing or good goaltending?

Want to see Hughes really go on a bender.

Finishing could have been better. Was it bad.... Not really, but definitely would have made this game a little more lopsided.

The crispness of the isles game was lacking in the 1st period. After the 2nd started they started to click more as we have seen.

 

[SJinNewJersey]

I only was able to see the 2nd period from Nico's disallowed goal to the end. So, I caught all of the scoring. How did the team look in the 1st and 3rd? Happy they won again.

 

[Whaddagoal]

You and I just agree to disagree on fourth line centers. I see MacLeod and Bastianactually giving us exactly what we are asking of them. Giving us a spot to double shift Hughes and others helped get Rango going today with more icetime, so I like the 11-7 setup temporarily, too... At least until we settle in and know that Smith needs to sit and Bahl can handle it.

I mean McLeod is like net zero hockey at 5v5. We used to pick on players and give Josefsson tons of shit here, but really McLeod seems a lot worse than Yayo ever was.

Its a "safe" option but we can do a lot better. Im pissed we have some good or better options sitting around while McLeod takes up a spot.

I know practically it will never change unless his defensive or PK game dips. He is one of Ruffs favorite 4th liners...

Even Bastian is a bit souring on me. Maybe because our team looks a lot better and now we can settle for better.

I dont dislike them, i favor Bastian more... But i think we should raise the bar a little and expect the 4th liners to actually contribute offensively more than they have been over last season

 

[SteveCangialosi123]

I am very high on Nemec, not so much on Hughes who is struggling in his own zone.

 

[Bleedred]

I mean McLeod is like net zero hockey at 5v5. We used to pick on players and give Josefsson tons of shit here, but really McLeod seems a lot worse than Yayo ever was.

Its a "safe" option but we can do a lot better. Im pissed we have some good or better options sitting around while McLeod takes up a spot.

I know practically it will never change unless his defensive or PK game dips. He is one of Ruffs favorite 4th liners...

Even Bastian is a bit souring on me. Maybe because our team looks a lot better and now we can settle for better.

I dont dislike them, i favor Bastian more... But i think we should raise the bar a little and expect the 4th liners to actually contribute offensively more than they have been over last season

I think Bastian produced fine last year, but I'm not sure I expect a repeat this year.

He was also used on the power play. I'm not sure how many of his points came on it, I don't have that in front of me. He did screen the goalie a lot where he didn't get many points on the goals, but I think we can do better than him ever having to come near the power play this year.

Both of those guys are okay (I think I'd prefer Bastian to McLeod though) but I don't see either as long term guys.

In fact, I don't even think I'd want either of them if you had to give them any significant kind of a raise at all.

Like, if they were due a raise, I think I would pass on them and funnel some other guys in that are making what they're making now. A couple hundred thousand then whatever, but I can't see McLeod here at $1.8-$2 million per year. I just can't.

 

[Eggtimer]

I am very high on Nemec, not so much on Hughes who is struggling in his own zone.

Where does this narrative come from? Is it because Quinn is nkt seen as great in his own end? He looks way better defensively as he develops. Anyone that can skate like he can and has the reach and IQ he does… I’m not concerned. His play so far in Michigan has been very good defensively and looks like he is focusing on that part of his game. I take Hughes 10 times out of 10 over Edvinsson

 

[billingtons ghost]

I mean McLeod is like net zero hockey at 5v5. We used to pick on players and give Josefsson tons of shit here, but really McLeod seems a lot worse than Yayo ever was.

Its a "safe" option but we can do a lot better. Im pissed we have some good or better options sitting around while McLeod takes up a spot.

I know practically it will never change unless his defensive or PK game dips. He is one of Ruffs favorite 4th liners...

Even Bastian is a bit souring on me. Maybe because our team looks a lot better and now we can settle for better.

I dont dislike them, i favor Bastian more... But i think we should raise the bar a little and expect the 4th liners to actually contribute offensively more than they have been over last season

I don't know... Thought Bastian had a couple of our best chances. He was asking out leading goalscorers last season. I know we can do better offensively. I just don't think we have any other options to put on the ice defensively to dig the puck out, and get us out of our zone if we need to. If like to think Haula and the third line would be that line but not with Tatar and Wood.

I'm a ton more worried about the team defense than I am squeezing a few more goals out of line 4

 

[Bleedred]

I mean McLeod is like net zero hockey at 5v5. We used to pick on players and give Josefsson tons of shit here, but really McLeod seems a lot worse than Yayo ever was.

Its a "safe" option but we can do a lot better. Im pissed we have some good or better options sitting around while McLeod takes up a spot.

I know practically it will never change unless his defensive or PK game dips. He is one of Ruffs favorite 4th liners...

Even Bastian is a bit souring on me. Maybe because our team looks a lot better and now we can settle for better.

I dont dislike them, i favor Bastian more... But i think we should raise the bar a little and expect the 4th liners to actually contribute offensively more than they have been over last season

One thing I wanna say about Josefson that I forgot to mention.

Josefson was better than McLeod, but the worst part about Josefson was they really tried as hard as they could to make him the 3rd line center and he wasn't good enough (certainly not offensively) to be a 3rd line anything. His goal scoring was also pretty bad, but he didn't have the lengthy goal droughts like McLeod either. I don't think many forwards have here, short of Cam Janssen.

Josefson as a 4th line center (not in 2022, but in his prime/when he was McLeod's age now and I think he just retired from hockey this past offseason anyway) was a better player than McLeod was and he was a shootout specialist as well, but they didn't give up on his ''3rd line/untapped potential'' until probably his last season here before they let him go and didn't qualify him the next year.

 

[Whaddagoal]

I don't know... Thought Bastian had a couple of our best chances. He was asking out leading goalscorers last season. I know we can do better offensively. I just don't think we have any other options to put on the ice defensively to dig the puck out, and get us out of our zone if we need to. If like to think Haula and the third line would be that line but not with Tatar and Wood.

I'm a ton more worried about the team defense than I am squeezing a few more goals out of line 4

I agree its not a pivitol concern (from your earlier post)... But its one that is gnawing at me... Pet peeve of this insistence he is a lock.

We can agree that we have different views on this.

One thing I wanna say about Josefson that I forgot to mention.

Josefson was better than McLeod, but the worst part about Josefson was they really tried as hard as they could to make him the 3rd line center and he wasn't good enough (certainly not offensively) to be a 3rd line anything. His goal scoring was also pretty bad, but he didn't have the lengthy goal droughts like McLeod either. I don't think many forwards have here, short of Cam Janssen.

Josefson as a 4th line center (not in 2022, but in his prime/when he was McLeod's age now and I think he just retired from hockey this past offseason anyway) was a better player than McLeod was and he was a shootout specialist as well, but they didn't give up on his ''3rd line/untapped potential'' until probably his last season here before they let him go and didn't qualify him the next year.

Thanks for that. I agree with your memory and assessment.

 

[Nocashstyle]

Just finished this one.

It was ugly, but a win is a win. They weren’t winning many of these ugly ones last year.

Hughes and Dougie definitely didn’t have their best games.

Shara and Blackwood played great. Bahl still looking good besides that one play he got driven deep into the zone and then turned it over.

No one else really stood out good or bad.

I hate this 7 D nonsense.

On to the next one!