Devils team discussion (news, notes and speculation) - 2022-23 season thread part I

[Nubmer6]

- Gives up one goal.....just ONE goal...and it's "not the strongest game" for Vanacek? LOL! Come on, man.

I actually agree that he didn't have a great game. He wasn't horrible, but he has a few gaffs that were almost costly, and I think the goal he gave up was stoppable.

I think McLeod's speed is a bit overrated.

He doesn't seem to be faster than any other NHL'er out there on the ice.

I have no idea how the pundits thought he was so fast. He had such an awkward stance while skating. At least he seems to have improved that a bit. He used to really stick out when I saw him. I'd notice him right away.

 

[Devs3cups]

The trip might be a struggle but it won’t really change my mind on the team if they lose while putting in a strong effort each game. With how they’re playing though, I’m expecting at least 1 W.

 

[Devils731]

I think McLeod's speed is a bit overrated.

He doesn't seem to be faster than any other NHL'er out there on the ice.

Wood, on the other hand, is.

I would staple him to McDavid every time he finds his 4th line on the ice with McDavid's.

The problem is with the other lines trying to contain the 2-headed hydra....

Vitek (as I assume Blackwood would be getting the first of the Home-and-Home with Calgary) will have to be extra sharp in that game.

McDavid is fast but the problem is neither Wood nor McLeod (nor anyone really) can keep up with his ability to change direction with deception. McDavid’s first step would also trouble these 2.

If you were going to try and shadow McDavid then only skaters with a chance of keeping close to him would be Bratt or Hughes.

Ultimately, I don’t think you can shadow McDavid effectively. I think you just have to try and play your positioning properly and attempt to keep him to the outside with a second defender ready to engage if the first is beat.

Then you just take your chances because he can beat you no matter how well you defend or gameplan.

 

[Lou is God]

The trip might be a struggle but it won’t really change my mind on the team if they lose while putting in a strong effort each game. With how they’re playing though, I’m expecting at least 1 W.

My worry is what happens when a young team is playing to it's potential and then start reading all the positive clippings from the media. They start to slack a bit.

 

[JrFischer54]

we beat teams that we should have beaten simple as that. granted 10 years of losing to teams we should have beaten does make everyone giddy so enjoy it but be realistic. ruff isn't/wasn't the problem

 

[Eggtimer]

If they lose tonight the sky will certainly be falling and posters who have been very quiet recently will crawl back out of the woodwork.

Yes this will probably happen , winnable game that is followed by three very hard matchups where we could then go 0-4 . Butttt , have to remain positive as who knows , maybe we come out and whoop Edmonton and then the Flames twice . If we do that … we will be looking damn good and establish ourselves as a legit playoff contending team .
It’s just the other outcome I’m worried about.I just hope it doesn’t ruin any of the teams morale where they go on a slide . If that happens I can see us fans lose their shit or at the very least have flashbacks of seasons past .

My worry is what happens when a young team is playing to it's potential and then start reading all the positive clippings from the media. They start to slack a bit.

Same here . Some “ over confidence “ might creep in and play may ease off against lesser teams like this Vancouver game tonight .
We have seen this year how any team can win if the effort is there and not exceeded or at least matched by the other team ( Hawks , Coyotes , Habs , Flyers- all doing way better than expected because they work their asses off ) .

 

[tailfins]

we beat teams that we should have beaten simple as that. granted 10 years of losing to teams we should have beaten does make everyone giddy so enjoy it but be realistic. ruff isn't/wasn't the problem

I'll be shocked if Ruff isn't part of the problem - even still. But, he's clearly bought himself time. Barring a remarkable collapse, it feels like he finishes the year out.

I agree with you: the team is doing what's necessary in order to take the next step.

1-1 vs 2022 playoff teams
5-2 vs teams that missed playoffs

Keeping this up is usually hard - but would be a fantastic sign. As we've discussed on this board, young teams often struggle with consistency. It's why the Columbus game was such a good sign - that's normally a trap game. The effort this team is putting out over the past 7 games shows that they should be a bubble team / lower end playoff team at worst.

It's way too early to tell if this team can make noise in the playoffs, though. Hopefully we'll know more by about what this team can do by the end of this month - they play Calgary twice, Edmonton twice, Toronto twice, the Rangers and Caps once each. Plus they have games against the Sabres and Sens - each who are looking better this year.

 

[Triumph]

They're going to dominate whether or not Haula wins faceoffs. It's a marginal at best difference.

Not sure this is true, for two reasons -

A: The difference between Haula and Hughes is as big as it gets in the NHL

B: I wonder what the difference on faceoffs is to have Bratt and Hughes immediately corraling/retreiving pucks. Can't be large but could be something.

 

[Buggsy]

I actually agree that he didn't have a great game. He wasn't horrible, but he has a few gaffs that were almost costly, and I think the goal he gave up was stoppable.



I have no idea how the pundits thought he was so fast. He had such an awkward stance while skating. At least he seems to have improved that a bit. He used to really stick out when I saw him. I'd notice him right away.

He blew his knee out in 2017.

McLeod scored in juniors simply by skating fast into the goalie. He terrorized Blackwood in the 2016? OHL playoffs that way.

 

[Nocashstyle]

I won’t expect a perfect road trip, but I’ll be over the moon if they come home going 2-1…that would mean they (hopefully) beat a team they absolutely should in Vancouver, and then a legit playoff team in Calgary or Edmonton.

 

[Eggtimer]

I won’t expect a perfect road trip, but I’ll be over the moon if they come home going 2-1…that would mean they (hopefully) beat a team the absolutely should in Vancouver, and then a legit playoff team in Calgary or Edmonton.

Even 1-2 would be ok . Huge if that one win is against Oilers or Flames . Going 0-3 and coming home to play the Flames would suck

 

[youryeah]

I still can't believe haula hasn't potted a goal yet lol. that's wild to me

 

[My3Sons]

He blew his knee out in 2017.

McLeod scored in juniors simply by skating fast into the goalie. He terrorized Blackwood in the 2016? OHL playoffs that way.

I don't recall a significant knee injury once he was drafted by NJ? If he did that might explain his apparent drop off from top skater and prospect to awkward skater and fourth line guy.

 

[JrFischer54]

Even 1-2 would be ok . Huge if that one win is against Oilers or Flames . Going 0-3 and coming home to play the Flames would suck

i'm fine with 1-2 if the two loses aren't blow out no show losses.

 

[Poppy Whoa Sonnet]

I won’t expect a perfect road trip, but I’ll be over the moon if they come home going 2-1…that would mean they (hopefully) beat a team they absolutely should in Vancouver, and then a legit playoff team in Calgary or Edmonton.

2-1 with the goal differential going from +8 to +10 would be a phenomenal trip. Can't ask for more really.

 

[Whaddagoal]

The team needs at least 2 wins to keep pace with the rest of Metro (and Eastern Conf)... on this trip.

Can't be greedy but, it is the reality with the Metro/East going right now. Spreads are mega thin. We know the team can keep a good game up, but lets not lose pace on this trip.

 

[Oneiro]

I don’t know if we’re better than Calgary but I definitely feel like we’re better than Edmonton.

 

[glenwo2]

I actually agree that he didn't have a great game. He wasn't horrible, but he has a few gaffs that were almost costly, and I think the goal he gave up was stoppable.

Those few gaffs where of the Puck-handling variety.

I agree he's no Marty but my point is as far as making Saves go, he didn't have a "not the strongest" game like it was pointed out by BG.

I mean come on....We've had to deal with Mac's awfulness for so long...

...do we really need to nitpick at this point with Vitek?

I have no idea how the pundits thought he was so fast. He had such an awkward stance while skating. At least he seems to have improved that a bit. He used to really stick out when I saw him. I'd notice him right away.

He looks to have the same speed as any other NHL'er his size out there.

 

[ChicksDigTheTrap]

I'll be shocked if Ruff isn't part of the problem - even still.

What is the problem? I am not being a wise guy, honest question.

 

[britdevil]

McLeod is pretty fast, certainly above average.

It's his brain that's slow. Like the Wood goal that was overturned for offsides. McLeod should have burst into the zone with speed, like his line mate.

It's Miles Wood breaking into the zone, not f***ing Chara. Pull your head out your ass.

 

[Saugus]

My worry is what happens when a young team is playing to it's potential and then start reading all the positive clippings from the media. They start to slack a bit.

I think this is where some of the increased veteran presence in the room from guys like Smith and Haula comes into play. They're there to help keep the kids on an even keel and putting in a consistent effort. I believe it was Nico who said something similar the other day too, along the lines of "it doesn't matter if you beat the Cup champs if you just give the points back next game".

I think they're aware of the potential pitfalls of believing your own hype, but knowing and avoiding are two different things of course.

 

[Hisch13r]

My worry is what happens when a young team is playing to it's potential and then start reading all the positive clippings from the media. They start to slack a bit.

They've been decimating teams without even leting up for a second. I'm not worried about that.

 

[Buggsy]

I don't recall a significant knee injury once he was drafted by NJ? If he did that might explain his apparent drop off from top skater and prospect to awkward skater and fourth line guy.

Doesn't appear to be as bad as I remember.

Devils' Michael McLeod has arthroscopic knee surgery

NEWARK, N.J. — New Jersey Devils forward Michael McLeod had arthroscopic surgery Thursday to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee. Injured Sept. 25 in an exhibition game against the New York Islanders, McLeod is expected to be sidelined 4-6 weeks.

www.barrietoday.com

 

[glenwo2]

McLeod is pretty fast, certainly above average.

It's his brain that's slow. Like the Wood goal that was overturned for offsides. McLeod should have burst into the zone with speed, like his line mate.

It's Miles Wood breaking into the zone, not f***ing Chara. Pull your head out your ass.

If that is considered "fast", then Nate Bastian is fast.

 

[Devils731]

I watch the Hughes video and I think he’s on pace for about 27 goals and 73 points and I think his numbers are underperforming reality.

He’s poised to have some breaks go his way and really have his numbers explode.