Why are the Devils 21-4-1? insane easy schedule, makes perfect sense.
- Thread starter Artorius Horus T
- Start date
New Jersey
(pacmanghost x) CHIEF KEEFE
I don’t think it’s worth the price for another top six player. Palat comes back and I don’t know where you stick him - Tatar has played well, maybe if you find a clear upgrade, but our depth scoring is pretty good right now.
If anything, something that pushes Brendan Smith out of the picture might be the better bet.
Honestly though, just my opinion I say roll with the guys we got this season no matter what barring injury. The guys that are here I think deserve to see this season through.
scoopscj
Registered User
I think they'll look to add something if it makes sense on a slightly longer term basis. They don't really need a depth piece so it's probably go big or go home (i.e. Meier).
Even with Palat coming back, another top 6 forward will give them the ability to separate out the big 3 of Hughes, Bratt and Nico but surround all of them with capable talent. Would be a deadly top 9 with a very strong 4th line.
I don't expect any moves to be made on defense. Severson and Graves are expiring deals but I imagine they end up keeping Graves, if not both. Luke +/- Nemec will join at the end of the year but obviously may not be ready to jump into a playoffs run.
Does anybody have a status on Marner after that? Hopefully he doesn't miss too much time, I can't imagine the recovery time for 2 broken ankles is short...
OldCraig71
Sleeveen
The Devils are the best team I have watched the Habs play against this season. They are fast, talented and sound defensively. Hughes, Bratt, Hischer, and Hamilton are all above-average players, they are on the rise.
Kaners Bald Spot
Registered User
The Devils are really, really good and they don't even have Holtz/Hughes/Nemec yet.
There have been exactly 30 11+ Game Win streaks since the 1926-1927 Season
John Pedro
Registered User
agreed
but there's time we create so many chances and yet couldn't bury them bc of lack of skill of some guys in the lineup
imagine a guy like Meier/Pasta playing along with Jack Hughes instead of Mercer (who's a good player but still has ways to go) or bumping Tatar down a line or two (he's been great but a upgrade always is nice). That would give us three lines that are dynamic offensively and we won't need to play Bastian/Zetterlund in PP1
but I'm happy if they stay put and just wait for Holtz to finally earn some minutes with Lindy.
about Smith, probably Luke gonna take his spot by the end of the season hopefully
mm11
Registered User
Such a treat to watch this team. Young fast skilled hungry team lead by their young stars. Awesome heater in this young season so far. Bumps and bruises of a long NHL season could be the only thing holding them back from a CUP soon enough (maybe a hot goalie in the spring too)
My thoughts on a healthy lineup:
Tatar-Hischier-Zetterlund
Palat-Hughes-Bratt
Sharangovich-Haula-Mercer
Wood-McLeod-Bastian
Sigenthaler-Hamilton
Graves-Marino
Smith-Severson
Vanecek
Blackwood
A few weeks ago I was really banging the drum of: 1st and Holtz for Meier... but Tatar has been great. Meier would fit this season but in the offseason getting him AND Bratt new contracts is going to be tough especially with a lot of players being UFA/RFA.
To be fair once he started playing as a rookie a number of NJ fans saw him as a unicorn.
zombie kopitar
custom title
- Jul 3, 2009
- 6,203
- 1,237
hyperbole much? it's one win streak. there's always a new young team on the rise that never wins a cup....
mm11
Registered User
Guess you missed the maybe and could be in my post. Seen NHL hockey since the late 70's This Devs team has that "it factor" this year. Time will tell as it's the ultimate equalizer
Yeah for sure. I'm not claiming to be the only one who saw it coming. There were definitely others who deserve credit as well.
Though I think you'd have to be visually impaired to not notice it right off the bat, so it's not really that big of an accomplishment.
glenwo2
JESPER BRATWURST
Hey...if he does, my hats off to him.You know Hellebuyck is gonna throw up a 60 save shutout after they outshoot the Jets 60-24 or something ridiculous
But I bet he doesn't and the Devils put a couple past him while Vitek maybe lets one past him for a razor-thin 2-1 Devils win....
We'll have to see when they face each other.
Right now, I'm focused on Ottawa.
scoopscj
Registered User
Fine, fair point, but can we at least dream a little? Please? The suffering has been long.
glenwo2
JESPER BRATWURST
Wait...PASTA? In what universe would THAT be possible?
He's going to re-sign with Boston when all is said and done. C'mon now...
John Pedro
Registered User
anything is possible until he in fact re-sign with them.Wait...PASTA? In what universe would THAT be possible?
He's going to re-sign with Boston when all is said and done. C'mon now...
NJ should go for it this year - upgrade Smith and Tatar. Smith/Hughes/Nemec can compete for first man in during the playoffs. Tatar is better suited for the 3rd/4th line when the games get tight, idk if he's scratch worthy in the playoffs but its probably a good idea to be prepared.
zombie kopitar
custom title
- Jul 3, 2009
- 6,203
- 1,237
I'm a sharks fan bro, you don't get to play that card on me. congrats on the squad though
Classic Devil
Spirit of 1988
Tatar is playing probably the best hockey of his career. I don't know if I want to re-sign him, but as long as he keeps it up I don't see any reason to make him a scratch. Boqvist is already going to get subbed out when Palat comes back, so ... as long as the kids keep performing, it's hard to see where we need to add someone.
Now, in the offseason, I really want us to poach Kuzmenko from the Canucks... or try to sign Patrick Kane to a 2-3 year contract...
I'm not opposed to looking at upgrades on Smith, though.
MasterofGrond
No, I'm not serious.
I think the Devils can absolutely use one LD. It upgrades Smith today (if we're not gonna give Bahl any play), and next season replaces Graves when Luke Hughes comes into the fold. Ideally it'd be a guy in the Siegs/Marino mold of mobile, defensive guy who can make good puck decisions even if he's not an offensive catalyst, since he'd be the Severson partner today and the Nemec partner looking forward (if Severson is not retained).
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