GDT: The Blue Note @ Your NJ Devils, 1/5/2023

[jkrdevil]

Completely agree. Fitz knew that they needed a finisher in the summer when he tried like hell to get Gaudreau and Tkachuk.

This is why I would be shocked if he didn’t make a serious push for one now.
The urgency is far more present with a team that has a good shot at the playoffs in January as opposed to a team that just picked 2nd in the draft.

Granted those are the same team, but circumstances have changed and makes the need even greater pronounced.

If they were battling Philly and Columbus at the bottom of the division, why bother, but this team deserves to get a missing piece and see how far they can go. They’ve earned it.

I think those attempted moves were intended to be a Bratt replacement. Had they signed Gaudreau or landed Tkachuk, Bratt would have been traded for cap space given how those negotiations went.

 

[Devs3cups]

It's gonna be DEFCON ONE pretty quick if they lose Saturday and have any worse than a mediocre road trip.

They’ll lose Saturday, win in OT against the Canes and sweep the Western road trip.

 

[Whaddagoal]

I’m not blasting Nico, it’s just that you can pick like a half dozen moments where the game could’ve been put away or we could’ve not shat the bed defensively, or a save could’ve been made. I don’t like killing a guy for one physical error.

Got it. Yeah, I agree it goes across most of our middle/bottom 6 forwards right now (AND BRATT).

But Lindy is probably pissed like the rest of us.

I just wish this forum wouldn't pick on the same 3-4 players when you got the whole middle/bottom6 guys not potting goals like they should. It was the same vitriol against Zacha, and we shipped his ass out and he is doing fine and (some here) even went back to Zacha tripe (half-joking) that we should get him back, LOL>

I didn't even talk about Bratt tonight because I don't want this forum to think I hate the guy, because I don't, but he is one of the players (currently) that is pissing me off. More than Haula not finishing any chances.

He's so damn perimeter since he went cold after that streak.

 

[glenwo2]

They’ll lose Saturday, Ruff gets fired and replaced with Brunette, win in OT against the Canes and sweep the Western road trip.

FIXED.

 

[NJDevs26]

BTW for those who think Lindy only bagged Mercer:

 

[Whaddagoal]

Yeah, all these 'GOALIED' games are running together now but maybe the second Boston game I'd nudge above the Panther one just because they actually had a chance to win, for all the world it looked like they would win after finally tying the game with Vitek making that sick stop midway through the third period only to fart around and give up another fluke goal late.

They are all running together, i can't even count them on one hand anymore.

2 bostons, FLA, STL, NYR, i think one of the DAL or NASH ones too, its getting annoying as hell when it looks the same domination and loss.

 

[Bleedred]

It's gonna be DEFCON ONE pretty quick if they lose Saturday and have any worse than a mediocre road trip.

I really could see Saturday being his last home game.

I wouldn't bet on it, but I absolutely wouldn't bet against it.

 

[NJDevs26]

They’ll lose Saturday, win in OT against the Canes and sweep the Western road trip.

And then lose another five home games in a row? That's pretty much consistent with how the season is going now lol

 

[SteveCangialosi123]

BTW for those who only think Lindy bagged Mercer:

This is well deserved, at least. Complete garbage from him and his partner.

 

[BostonDevil]

Those are some bad coaching quotes from Ruff.

Ugh, guy is like the epitome of mediocrity. Does some good things, but incredibly lacking in others.

Normally I would say he’s going nuclear because he can feel the leash tightening but I fully expect Blackwood to start on Saturday and Haula to be stapled to Jack’s hip, which would be the opposite of that feeling.

 

[glenwo2]

Got it. Yeah, I agree it goes across most of our middle/bottom 6 forwards right now (AND BRATT).

But Lindy is probably pissed like the rest of us.

I just wish this forum wouldn't pick on the same 3-4 players when you got the whole middle/bottom6 guys not potting goals like they should. It was the same vitriol against Zacha, and we shipped his ass out and he is doing fine and (some here) even went back to Zacha tripe (half-joking) that we should get him back, LOL>

I didn't even talk about Bratt tonight because I don't want this forum to think I hate the guy, because I don't, but he is one of the players (currently) that is pissing me off. More than Haula not finishing any chances.

He's so damn perimeter since he went cold after that streak.

Bratt is on a point streak, isn't he?

He had another one tonight.

Though I do agree we need much more than him just getting secondary apples.

But there are so much more other things to focus blame on than just him not scoring a goal in a game where we scored 3.

 

[StevensRocks]

Holtz's playmaking and shooting is earning himself a look with a real center...

 

[Emperoreddy]

The bright side is the Isles and Penguins seemed to have fallen into the dumpster too so the wild card situation is still in ok shape.

I just don't like the idea of getting booted out of the top 3 by the Rags and Caps after the start we had.

 

[BostonDevil]

I think those attempted moves were intended to be a Bratt replacement. Had they signed Gaudreau or landed Tkachuk, Bratt would have been traded for cap space given how those negotiations went.

As it turns out, that would have been the right move.

 

[NJDevs26]

Normally I would say he’s going nuclear because he can feel the leash tightening but I fully expect Blackwood to start on Saturday and Haula to be stapled to Jack’s hip, which would be the opposite of that feeling.

If Vanecek sits two straight games after an almost-shutout of Detroit and as currently the only 'hot' goalie left, then I have to question Lindy's mental acuity. I know he kinda sorta did this already playing Blackwood against the Canes after two strong Vitek games but you could at least make the rationalization he didn't want to play Vitek three in five and he didn't want Blackwood going a week and a half between games. There's really no excuse to play anyone else Saturday, it's go-time now.

 

[Jersey Fan 12]

just got back from the game, one of the more frustrating ones this year.

most of my thoughts have already been said, but schmid wasn’t good, the defensive breakdowns were terrible, im basically past the point of tolerating haula, he’s f***ing worthless playing with a 100 point center and scoring TWO goals halfway into the year, and pretty much all secondary scoring is non existent.

said it a few games ago but it’s basically textbook recent devils teams: make scoring a goal look impossibly difficult unless it’s the opposing team, in which case it’s really easy

Haula plays on the Devils. They don't have McDavid, Draisaitl, Matthews or Huberdeau. Who is their "100 point center"?

 

[NJDevs26]

I mean Jack isn't a 100-point center YET, but he's currently pacing for 96 through about half a season so far, and last year he had 56 in 49 which is like a 90+ point pace.

 

[glenwo2]

The bright side is the Isles and Penguins seemed to have fallen into the dumpster too so the wild card situation is still in ok shape.

I just don't like the idea of getting booted out of the top 3 by the Rags and Caps after the start we had.

Those games are still going on so I wouldn't be breathing easily just yet.

Oilers are up 4-2 in the 3rd over the Isles.

Vegas is up 3-0 over the Pens but it's still just the 2nd period.

 

[Devs3cups]

Haula plays on the Devils. They don't have McDavid, Draisaitl, Matthews or Huberdeau. Who is their "100 point center"?

Like 4 teams have “100 point centers”. Jack Hughes is pretty damn close and as elite as it gets.

 

[Call Me Al]

I mean Jack isn't a 100-point center YET, but he's currently pacing for 96 through about half a season so far, and last year he had 56 in 49 which is like a 90+ point pace.

imagine what his pace would be if he had a winger that could score!

 

[Whaddagoal]

Bratt is on a point streak, isn't he?

He had another one tonight.

Though I do agree we need much more than him just getting secondary apples.

But there are so much more other things to focus blame on than just him not scoring a goal in a game where we scored 3.

Points yes, but his play is very perimeter. He is not going for the net, he doesnt' play hard on the boards, and he is prone to those potential back-breaking quick pass-plays going the other way, which happened today, but they didn't convert. If he had found Palat everyone would be happy, i know.

He also tends to throw short passes to a guy that is heavily pressured at his offensive blueline and it makes me nervous because the only guy who can handles those well are Hughes, and not every one is Hughes hands.

I still tend to believe he is saving himself not to get injured so he can maximize his contract possibility and reduce the risk of blowing his body out with an injury in contract year..

 

[Devs3cups]

I mean Jack isn't a 100-point center YET, but he's currently pacing for 96 through about half a season so far, and last year he had 56 in 49 which is like a 90+ point pace.

But it’s not 100 on the dot so it doesn’t count, I bet!

 

[njdevils1982]

about next game

saturday afternoon 1pm ... check

candy store lick assolipop jerseys ... check

...a double down of disappointment

 

[Eggtimer]

TBH if Schmid had to make 30-35 saves, maybe we aren't slagging him as much on the goals, but when you have twelve shots allowed in two periods, maybe three high-danger chances and you're tied after two when you have like ten high-danger chances, it's deflating and annoying.

Yes being goalied is a function of bad offense but you'd also like your goalie to make a handful of saves if that's all that's required.

It would be nice to get those saves but you cannot expect them all. They were shots form the slot with time … I agree it was backbreaking too nkt get a save but a timely goal from Mercer on his breakaway would have been game changing .We needed a timely goal in a big way but couldn’t finish . Happened too often omce shun where we wasted very good chances to finish a team off.
We score to take a multi goal lead off the start and the other team withers and essentially gives up.
Regarding Zetterlund - Ruff is right .If he isn’t producing he needs to be doing something else to be a net positive being in the lineup.
People bitch that Ruff doesn’t hold McLeod accountable then . Thats stupid. McLeod is the 4th line C. He’s not expected to produce like Zetterlund is supposed to. That’s not Mcleods role. Zetterlunds role is to be a producer that is hard to play against but he has been invisible for too long now.

 

[Call Me Al]

Haula plays on the Devils. They don't have McDavid, Draisaitl, Matthews or Huberdeau. Who is their "100 point center"?

huberdeaus a winger