GDT: We're Here: Your New Jersey Devils @ Philadelphia Flyers, 7 PM, ESPN+/Hulu

[Jersey Fan 12]

What has this team done that would instill any kind of confidence that this is just a one game thing? It’s not…they had a chance to show that things are different this year right out of the gate and they couldn’t even accomplish the simple task of looking respectable in their own end against an AHL lineup.

I will gladly bookmark all these posts of mine and mock myself for eternity if they prove me wrong.

Except for your characterization of the Flyers as an AHL lineup completely agree.

Much of the Flyers' lineup were guys that did well in the playoffs during the bubble year before the wheels fell off the past two seasons. Combined with younger players committed to structurally sound play they will be better than expected.

Sadly, the Devils seem determined to follow the same script as the past three years; expecting different results.

 

[The Grinder]

As we’ve have seen previously starting the season with a win doesn’t necessarily mean we will be successful, just like starting the season with an L doesn’t mean we will be shit.

But Ruff nor this team should get the benefit of the doubt.

How do they come out in the home opener and in reaction to this loss? Detroit another beatable team that embarrassed us twice to end the season before..we shall see.

 

[MadDevil]

Not for nothing but the Flyers locker room was also called out by their coach before the season even started, so not surprising they might have come out strong in their home opener. That's no excuse for us having a bad game, but sometimes it happens. It sucks that it happened in the first game of the year, but it doesn't mean we're doomed to repeat history.

 

[Unknown Caller]

Very weak game from Jack last night as well. Borderline invisible.

 

[Devils090]

I'm guessing he faced a lot fewer 2 on 1's, point blank shots, and blasts through screens.

Exactly why anyone who just blames the goalie doesn’t get what’s really happening, no goalie save for maybe the very elite ones are going to be any different than what we have seen. It’s the coaching and the culture of this team and last night was the best example: new season, fresh start, and they get out worked and out played by a horrible roster with a new coach.

 

[Triumph]

Very weak game from Jack last night as well. Borderline invisible.

Jack was not borderline invisible lol, I don't know where people get this stuff. It was not Jack's best game but he created chances for teammates, he needs to be better, but he wasn't borderline invisible.

 

[Devils090]

Very weak game from Jack last night as well. Borderline invisible.

Jack was fine, very far down the list of what went wrong last night

 

[SteveCangialosi123]

Very weak game from Jack last night as well. Borderline invisible.

He set up Sharangovich beautifully for a point blank chance, had his own partial breakaway, set up Mercer a couple times. I don’t even want to mention the two setups to Smith because they barely even count going to that guy lol.

 

[Omar Little]

I figured out why we lost, I didn't wear my jersey watching the game at home.

 

[TheUnseenHand]

Not for nothing but the Flyers locker room was also called out by their coach before the season even started, so not surprising they might have come out strong in their home opener. That's no excuse for us having a bad game, but sometimes it happens. It sucks that it happened in the first game of the year, but it doesn't mean we're doomed to repeat history.

The biggest worry for me is that the flyers didn't look good. They were fired up, but CLEARLY lack talent. Even structure. We were honestly lucky they botched so many glorious opportunities or it would have been worse.

I was watching the caps leafs game for a while and I'd swear I was watching a different league. The level of play was and order of magnitude better from both teams.

I think we have the horses to be a bubble team, but we need some consistency on the line combos and the ice times, and a coaching staff that knows how to maximize its players skills. Letting the team run aimlessly around the ice or whatever the hell thing Ruff is trying to do clearly is not working.

 

[guitarguyvic]

Your entire premise doesn’t even make sense. “What has this team done…?” Well “this team” has played one game, so there’s that.

And if they beat up on the Flyers it would’ve been “well they suck, haven’t proved anything, do it against a good team”.

This is just stupid. If they played a good game Yeah it doesn’t mean I’d suddenly flip a switch to thinking they are legit good but I certainly would have been content and felt that they’ve started off on the right path to proving us wrong.

Just cuz there’s been turnover at a few positions doesn’t mean “this team” is a totally different team…it’s still the same core, still the same coaching staff, still the same leadership. More f***ing copium to suggest that enough is different about this squad that it warrants wiping the slate clean from previous seasons.

 

[Triumph]

This is just stupid. If they played a good game Yeah it doesn’t mean I’d suddenly flip a switch to thinking they are legit good but I certainly would have been content and felt that they’ve started off on the right path to proving us wrong.

Just cuz there’s been turnover at a few positions doesn’t mean “this team” is a totally different team…it’s still the same core, still the same coaching staff, still the same leadership. More f***ing copium to suggest that enough is different about this squad that it warrants wiping the slate clean from previous seasons.

Like I said yesterday. Called it.

It's not the same coaching staff, the head coach and one assistant coach are the same, they've got 3 new hires as assistant coaches.

 

[SteveCangialosi123]

This is just stupid. If they played a good game Yeah it doesn’t mean I’d suddenly flip a switch to thinking they are legit good but I certainly would have been content and felt that they’ve started off on the right path to proving us wrong.

Just cuz there’s been turnover at a few positions doesn’t mean “this team” is a totally different team…it’s still the same core, still the same coaching staff, still the same leadership. More f***ing copium to suggest that enough is different about this squad that it warrants wiping the slate clean from previous seasons.

I would simply stop posting about and watching a team if I didn’t have any hope after one game. That is, if I didn’t get some strange (possibly sexual?) satisfaction from being negative on a message board.

 

[guitarguyvic]

Like I said yesterday. Called it.

It's not the same coaching staff, the head coach and one assistant coach are the same, they've got 3 new hires as assistant coaches.

Dude, what is it that you think you called? There's nothing going on here that wasn't telegraphed beforehand. I literally plainly stated this was an important prove it game. A post that you decided to pick apart on semantics because I said they "needed" to win the game.

I don't give a f*** about the assistant coaches. The head guy is still the same. The core is still the same. The GM is still the same. Owners are still the same. They don't get a benefit of the doubt. Stop telling me that the turd I'm being served is actually a decent sausage.

I understand that some of you are of the strong belief that a decent goaltender will make a huge difference here. In that regard it makes sense to argue that we could see something different over the course of 5-10 games. But if that doesn't come to fruition with Vanacek in net...at that point the entire "just fix the goaltending" excuse just needs to die a violent death.

 

[guitarguyvic]

I would simply stop posting about and watching a team if I didn’t have any hope after one game. That is, if I didn’t get some strange (possibly sexual?) satisfaction from being negative on a message board.

Who said there's no hope?
There's always hope...that the team will somehow prove me wrong. Or that the head coach will get fired and replaced by someone who actually brings structure and accountability. Or that eventually the roster and leaders will turn over to people who can actually build a winner...even if that might be 5, 10, 20 years down the road.

If you can't handle (mostly justified) negativity, perhaps it's you that needs to stop frequenting the message board. Your ire should be with the club, not people who rightfully call out that things are not well in NJ.

 

[NJ07102]

The first goal against just seconds after the Holtz-goal is just horrific to give up considering the terrible goaltending we got last season. I am sure the team collective thought "here we go again" after Blackwood put the puck right on the guys stick. Where does the self confidence come from when everything you build up with your hard work is over and over again destroyed by bad goaltending. Here is the question: Would we have won last nights game with swapped goalies? I say "yes".

 

[Patrik26]

Ruff obviously has an issue with Bratts game. Ruff is also very obviously inept at realizing who his horses SHOULD be. I'm convinced he's rather an entire roster full of Wood-McLeod-Bastian types than having guys like Bratt. Having said all of that I can't imagine what it's like being a pro and knowing your goalie is probably going to let in a bad goal that just sucks the life out of the team. One game though, not a big deal. Beat Detroit and it's fine.

Bingo! This has been a lingering issue from day 1 of Ruffs time here.

New Jersey Devils RFA Profile: Jesper Bratt

Jesper Bratt established himself as a core piece for the Devils in 2022-23 and will now have the opportunity to cash in as a RFA with arbitration rights. This post dives into why the Devils should take care of their young star winger with a lucrative long-term contract.

www.allaboutthejersey.com

 

[Devils090]

This Flyers could have easily had 6 or 7 if they didn’t mess up a few chances. Graves got caught out so many times, Siegs completely blew a read which led to another 2on1, they hit the post 3 times. I mean we didn’t just have a hard luck game and lose, we got dominated until they decided to go into a shell.

 

[NJ07102]

Bingo! This has been a lingering issue from day 1 of Ruffs time here.

That's probably the reason Bratt doesn't want to sign long term.

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

I'm guessing he faced a lot fewer 2 on 1's, point blank shots, and blasts through screens.

you'd be wrong

Buffalo allowed 13 high danger chances (all situations). New Jersey allowed 9.

 

[guitarguyvic]

The first goal against just seconds after the Holtz-goal is just horrific to give up considering the terrible goaltending we got last season. I am sure the team collective thought "here we go again" after Blackwood put the puck right on the guys stick. Where does the self confidence come from when everything you build up with your hard work is over and over again destroyed by bad goaltending. Here is the question: Would we have won last nights game with swapped goalies? I say "yes".

I mean if they're that dejected by it...maybe someone on the roster with some passion and who hates losing as much as random fans on message boards, should chuck a puck at Blackwood's head next practice.

Of course I'm not being totally serious...but I would like to point out that everyone associated with this team sure has been rather "ho hum" about being losers for so f***ing long. Someone give me a sign that this putrid product is unacceptable...anyone, please I'm begging.

Bingo! This has been a lingering issue from day 1 of Ruffs time here.

New Jersey Devils RFA Profile: Jesper Bratt

Jesper Bratt established himself as a core piece for the Devils in 2022-23 and will now have the opportunity to cash in as a RFA with arbitration rights. This post dives into why the Devils should take care of their young star winger with a lucrative long-term contract.

www.allaboutthejersey.com

View attachment 593925

Here's another piece of evidence that shit just doesn't seem right with the org. The coach putting him in the doghouse repeatedly. An inability to agree to a long term contract...twice. This is apparently one of our three best forwards. What the hell is going on here?

Too much f***ing smoke.

 

[guitarguyvic]

you'd be wrong

Buffalo allowed 13 high danger changes (all situations). New Jersey allowed 9.

Again...assuming what's being defined as "high danger" is truly, the highest danger.

 

[Jersey Fan 12]

Who said there's no hope?
There's always hope...that the team will somehow prove me wrong. Or that the head coach will get fired and replaced by someone who actually brings structure and accountability. Or that eventually the roster and leaders will turn over to people who can actually build a winner...even if that might be 5, 10, 20 years down the road.

If you can't handle (mostly justified) negativity, perhaps it's you that needs to stop frequenting the message board. Your ire should be with the club, not people who rightfully call out that things are not well in NJ.

Structure issues are far bigger than Ruff; that he allowed the assistants to take the fall without leaving in protest was a bad look on him.

Still believe he has very little to do with lineups or strategy and that is coming from the accountants and numbers people.

Not surprisingly there is little accountability and disorganization.

 

[HBK27]

ESPN sucks balls. NBCSN provided really good national coverage - I hated the move to ESPN/TNT the moment it was announced. For starters, that's the reason why we have separate games on streaming services. It was also BS to have a season opener on a streaming service. Also a bunch of clowns in studio at both networks.

Regardless, I have a family member's account that I can use for ESPN+, so no big deal...except I couldn't get it to work last night (which I think others had an issue with as well). Fortunately, I was able to get another stream of the game, but the audio was terrible. Crowd noise and the arena speakers were jacked up compared to the commentators. Even between the commentators themselves, Bucci's PxP call was louder than the color commentator. Not sure if ESPN has their own personal cameramen, but he sucked as well - behind or missing plays throughout the night. Just a trash product all around - I would never actually pay for that crap.

 

[Devils090]

ESPN sucks balls. NBCSN provided really good national coverage - I hated the move to ESPN/TNT the moment it was announced. For starters, that's the reason why we have separate games on streaming services. It was also BS to have a season opener on a streaming service. Also a bunch of clowns in studio at both networks.

Regardless, I have a family member's account that I can use for ESPN+, so no big deal...except I couldn't get it to work last night (which I think others had an issue with as well). Fortunately, I was able to get another stream of the game, but the audio was terrible. Crowd noise and the arena speakers were jacked up compared to the commentators. Even between the commentators themselves, Bucci's PxP call was louder than the color commentator. Not sure if ESPN has their own personal cameramen, but he sucked as well - behind or missing plays throughout the night. Just a trash product all around - I would never actually pay for that crap.

Hated the NHL went back to ESPN, they are an absolute garbage network run by even bigger morons than who run our team. Multi-billion dollar company and they STILL can’t sync a hockey broadcast correctly.

Again...assuming what's being defined as "high danger" is truly, the highest danger.

If Anderson was in net for us last night he lets up 4/5 easily