World Championships

[devilsfan35]

Mercer looked really good today. Slafkovsky is a beast, no points but you could really see the potential. Nemec was also really impressive

 

[Captain3rdLine]

I wouldn’t go as far as to say a tier above. Yes he’s better right now but in 3-5 years ? Can’t say for certain in my opinion.

I would bet pretty confidently that Nemec will be better but Jiricek has some good traits and could turn out really well.
Should also note that Jiricek is older as a late birthday from last years draft class but he’s not actually that much older than Nemec who was born in February.
Only actually a 3 month difference.

 

[Forge]

I personally don't think anyone is going to give anything significant. Most I'd move down is to #3 and Coyotes prob at most give up 1 extra 1st round pick. I mean, it's something I guess?

My guess would be if Montreal takes Slaf #1 (which I think will not happen, just to be clear) that we just ultimately draft and keep Wright. I think trades will certainly be kicked about, but view the most likely result as just keeping him.

 

[Captain3rdLine]

Luke and team USA vs Finland starting in 20 minutes!

 

[FinnishDevil]

I was looking forward to seeing Gillies play for a team I dont cheer for. Cant have nice things.

 

[Captain3rdLine]

Luke’s looking good so far. Has had a couple decent skates up the ice. Got some pk time too.

 

[StevenToddIves]

I would bet pretty confidently that Nemec will be better but Jiricek has some good traits and could turn out really well.
Should also note that Jiricek is older as a late birthday from last years draft class but he’s not actually that much older than Nemec who was born in February.
Only actually a 3 month difference.

Nemec has the same February 15 birthday as myself and Jaromir Jagr, which is clearly a very good reason to pick him.

 

[FinnishDevil]

Granlund is such a gem. He always performs on national level no matter the circumstances. Modern day Saku Koivu for the Finns.

 

[Devil made me do it]

I've always liked Finland's jerseys. Simple but unique in their own way. Best looking uniforms in world hockey imo.

 

[Devil made me do it]

Mercer looked really good today. Slafkovsky is a beast, no points but you could really see the potential. Nemec was also really impressive

Mercer played like a stud. So dangerous out there, especially in the PK.
If this Devils team is on the way to win multiple cups in the next decade, Mercer and Slafkovsky will be a huge reason why.
These guys are made for playoff hockey. Special breed.

 

[FinnishDevil]

I've always liked Finland's jerseys. Simple but unique in their own way. Best looking uniforms in world hockey imo.

Our Sochi jerseys were my favorite.

 

[FinnishDevil]

Vatanen kept that puck in more times on that one PP than his whole time in NJ.

 

[Shakir ONeal]

Yikes US getting blanked

 

[imMagnum]

Catching up on the weekend games. Here are my notes for the SVK vs. GER game:

Slafkovsky:
- Slaf's passing is insanely good. He threads short seam passes using his long reach. He launched two east-west passes over sticks that went right on his target's tape. Perhaps his best pass was when he had the puck in the OZone, boxed out a defender, then made a short, one-handed pass to a teammate in space. He reminds me of Draisatl, in that he draws defenders towards him and then can finesse passes under pressure.

- Slaf can lead a rush too. It's actually pretty crazy how aggressive his rush is seeing how he's so big and young. His head is up the whole way and can thread crisp passes while at top speed.

- The hype on Slaf is real. While he didn't have a point, he definitely is a game breaker. I think of Jack in his first season. You could see the talent was there and while he wasn't scoring points, there was no doubt they'd come. Slaf is the same way. I'm fantisizing of him with Jack and Bratt. If either one of them finds even a little bit of space, Slaf is going to find them and land a pass on their sticks.

- The only knock I have on Slaf so far is that he seems to always go for the aggressive play. This only bit him once this game though. Slaf had an excellent rush up the wall where he fired a hard cross ice pass to Nemec. This pass was intercepted and GER scored in transition.

Nemec:
- Unfortunately, this was a poor game for Nemec, especially in the first. One shift GER was cycling and Nemec was puck watching hard. Another shift, the puck was stuck along the boards and he took a highly unnecessary cross checking/interference penalty. Another shift, he mishandled a pass at the OZone blue line and SVK had to reset and lose pressure.

- Offensively, all he seems to do is wrist shots from the point. He did setup one one-timer on the PP, however everytime he touched the puck in the OZone he was wristing one towards the net.

- He was more active defensively than his first game. He had a nice takeaway behind his net in the 2nd and had a really nice poke check in transition in the 3rd.

- One of his biggest strengths heading into the tournament was his breakout passing. This passing hasn't happened yet though. His one good transition up the ice was a short saucer in Slaf's feet, where Slaf kicked it up to his stick in one motion because he's a beast.

- The comments seems to read that Nemec played a lot better vs. Canada so I'm excited to see that. From what I've seen so far, however, there is a large gap between Slafkovsky and Nemec.

 

[Captain3rdLine]

Catching up on the weekend games. Here are my notes for the SVK vs. GER game:

Slafkovsky:
- Slaf's passing is insanely good. He threads short seam passes using his long reach. He launched two east-west passes over sticks that went right on his target's tape. Perhaps his best pass was he had the puck in the OZone, boxed out a defender, then made a short, one-handed pass to a teammate in space. He reminds me of Draisatl, in that he draws defenders towards him then can finesse passes under pressure.

- Slaf can lead a rush too. It's actually pretty crazy how aggressive his rush is seeing how he's so big and young. His head is up the whole way and can thread crisp passes while at top speed.

- The hype on Slaf is real. While he didn't have a point, he definitely is a game breaker. I think of Jack in his first season. You could see the talent was there and while he wasn't scoring points, there was no doubt they'd come. Slaf is the same way. I'm fantisizing of him with Jack and Bratt. If either one of them finds even a little bit of space, Slaf is going to find them and land a pass on their sticks.

- The only knock I have on Slaf so far is that he seems to always go for the aggressive play. This only bit him once this game though. Slaf had an excellent rush up the wall where he fired a hard cross ice pass to Nemec. This pass was intercepted and GER scored in transition.

Nemec:
- Unfortunately, this was a poor game for Nemec, especially in the first. One shift GER was cycling and Nemec was puck watching hard. Another shift, the puck was stuck along the boards and he took a highly unnecessary cross checking/interference penalty. Another shift, he mishandled a pass at the OZone blue line and SVK had to reset and loose pressure.

- Offensively, all he seems to do is wrist shots from the point. He did setup one one-timer on the PP, however everytime he touched the puck in the OZone he was wristing one towards the net.

- He was more active defensively than his first game. He had a nice takeaway behind his net in the 2nd and had a really nice poke check in transition in the 3rd.

- One of his biggest strengths heading into the tournament was his breakout passing. This passing hasn't happened yet though. His one good transition up the ice was a short saucer in Slaf's feet, where Slaf kicked it up to his stick in one motion because he's a beast.

- The comments seems to read that Nemec played a lot better vs. Canada so I'm excited to see that. From what I've seen so far, however, there is a large gap between Slafkovsky and Nemec.

I thought the Germany game was a decent game for Nemec. Wasn’t anything special but certainly wasn’t bad IMO

Hughes seems to be playing lots with USA down 4-0 in the 3rd. Looks pretty good too.

 

[Captain3rdLine]

Wow. Nice assist by Luke. Between the legs finish from Galchenyuk

 

[Hisch13r]

LUKE!!!

 

[Captain3rdLine]

Luke gets player of the game for USA.

 

[glenwo2]

Slavkovsky is going to be better. If choice is between Wright vs. Slavkovsky then Slavkovsky all the way. If he continues to play like this we may not get him.

Shane would be one hell of a consolation prize.

 

[glenwo2]

I’m a smidge worried that Habs might be at least thinking about not taking Wright.
Still doubt it but stranger things have happened.
But if it does happen that they pass on him, I think we have a massive opportunity to leverage our pick to get some pretty damn good assets.

We could do that BUT...I don't know man....Shane Wright in our grasp, though....

Arizona/Seattle better knock Fitz's socks off with their offers 'cause I can easily see Fitz going "nah. I'm good" and selecting Shane.

 

[glenwo2]

Nemec outmuscles Sevo

He looks great. If we don't take him, Seattle or Philly is going to have a cornerstone.

And we'll have a cornerstone in Slaf/Wright.

Say we draft Wright. What compensation do you really expect to get?
I doubt it would be anything that equals the value of a young stud RD like Nemec.

If the Devils draft Wright, the compensation is that they get Shane Wright.

That's the compensation and it's one hell of a compensation considering we weren't even sure we would be able to get ANY talented Top 5 player on Monday.

If the Habs galaxy-brain this, you grab Wright and count your blessings.

My guess would be if Montreal takes Slaf #1 (which I think will not happen, just to be clear) that we just ultimately draft and keep Wright. I think trades will certainly be kicked about, but view the most likely result as just keeping him.

I see this happening, too.

Fitz would certainly pick up the phone and listen to any offers but they'd have to be INSANE overpayment considering we have Shane F'n Wright in our grasp...and I don't think they'd be able to have that type of package to convince Fitz to part with Wright.

at that point, I'd look forward to being able to roll 3 lines with 3 franchise centers (Hughes / 1st line, Nico / 2nd line, and Wright / 3rd line).

....and that Mcleod person at the 4th line but who cares?

 

[Devils090]

Yikes US getting blanked

Their roster is horrific this year, Gillies being on the team says it all

 

[Diehard Devil]

Luke looking mighty nice in these world championships! Seen some highlights and hes a total stud. Is he going to tryout for the team or only be at prospects camp?

 

[Hisch13r]

Luke looking mighty nice in these world championships! Seen some highlights and hes a total stud. Is he going to tryout for the team or only be at prospects camp?

Can’t try out because he can’t sign a deal without forgoing his NCAA eligibility. He’ll be back in Michigan this year and will likely be on the team for the last handful of games once his season ends

 

[Devils731]

Can’t try out because he can’t sign a deal without forgoing his NCAA eligibility. He’ll be back in Michigan this year and will likely be on the team for the last handful of games once his season ends

Should be at prospects camp though, I’d guess.