GDT: Devils vs. Sabres - 3:00PM MSG

[My3Sons]

LOL Bratt has 3 goals on 3 shots. A goalie has yet to make a save on one of his shots!

He’s been Bratttacular.

 

[My3Sons]

Mueller so far has me wishing we'd try

Greene-Severson
Moore-Santini
Butcher-Prout

He’s a bit fumbly with the puck but he’s still better in the defensive end than Butcher and Lovejoy to my eyes. Not sure about Moore, didn’t focus much on him today.

 

[Cheddabombs]

Yeah, Zacha's tentativeness is showing again but it's so early, I'm not overly concerned. It's just frustrating because you know he can play more assertive and be near-dominant. I only watched the tail-end of the 2nd and the 3rd but there was one play in particular in the defensive zone; the puck was loose along the boards and Zacha could have easily won the race to it and gone flying up the wall but he played it safe and just got to the puck in time to block any pass or shot. If this continues for the season I'll be worried. But I think being propelled into the #1 center role and not having a point yet may be weighing on him a bit.

 

[Emperoreddy]

Yeah, Zacha's tentativeness is showing again but it's so early, I'm not overly concerned. It's just frustrating because you know he can play more assertive and be near-dominant. I only watched the tail-end of the 2nd and the 3rd but there was one play in particular in the defensive zone; the puck was loose along the boards and Zacha could have easily won the race to it and gone flying up the wall but he played it safe and just got to the puck in time to block any pass or shot. If this continues for the season I'll be worried. But I think being propelled into the #1 center role and not having a point yet may be weighing on him a bit.

I think the coaching staff wants him to make those safe plays, especially with a lead. Especially with Zajac out and no one else able to take those heavy defensive minutes.

 

[SteveCangialosi123]

Hall and Bratt are just beautiful to watch together. We just didn't have anyone with the creativity to keep up with Hall last year. Now it looks as though we have at least 2 with Bratt and Nico. The depth we have at the forward position when everyone is healthy is pretty nuts honestly.

Hall - Zacha - Bratt
MoJo - Nico - Palmieri
Henrique - Zajac - Stafford
Coleman - Boyle - Noesen/Hayes/Blandisi/JQ

That's an awesome forward core.

 

[My3Sons]

Lets just hope he keeps his cool and doesn't become a hotdog.

The joke should write itself for me here but I got nothing. Someone pick me up. Preferably a clever pun that nuances the difference between a hot dog and a bratwurst. Add a touch of the buoyant optimism he is bringing to the team outlook and make it at least a bit funny. Thanks in advance.

 

[SpeakingOfTheDevils]

Hall and Bratt are just beautiful to watch together. We just didn't have anyone with the creativity to keep up with Hall last year. Now it looks as though we have at least 2 with Bratt and Nico. The depth we have at the forward position when everyone is healthy is pretty nuts honestly.

Hall - Zacha - Bratt
MoJo - Nico - Palmieri
Henrique - Zajac - Stafford
Coleman - Boyle - Noesen/Hayes/Blandisi/JQ

That's an awesome forward core.

Amazing to me that a handful of us were calling on Speers to be the guy to internally fill a middle-6 RW slot.

Bratt came out of nowhere. And now his name is being used in the same sentence as Taylor Hall. Absolutely amazing.

 

[My3Sons]

Hall and Bratt are just beautiful to watch together. We just didn't have anyone with the creativity to keep up with Hall last year. Now it looks as though we have at least 2 with Bratt and Nico. The depth we have at the forward position when everyone is healthy is pretty nuts honestly.

Hall - Zacha - Bratt
MoJo - Nico - Palmieri
Henrique - Zajac - Stafford
Coleman - Boyle - Noesen/Hayes/Blandisi/JQ

That's an awesome forward core.

I’m putting Bratt on line 2 with Nico to unlock his offensive game and to allow Palms to shield Bratt from some of the tougher five on five minutes. If the early returns hold up the Devils will have a deep offense. Just wait until they are playing a West Coast team that expects a lethargic effort and after getting Bratted and Nicoed the Devils roll out Rico and Zajac as a third line.

 

[Emperoreddy]

The high rankings of our prospect pool is looking justified.

 

[SpeakingOfTheDevils]

I’m putting Bratt on line 2 with Nico to unlock his offensive game and to allow Palms to shield Bratt from some of the tougher five on five minutes. If the early returns hold up the Devils will have a deep offense. Just wait until they are playing a West Coast team that expects a lethargic effort and after getting Bratted and Nicoed the Devils roll out Nico and Zajac as a third line.

I think it's the same line of thinking that should be used for Nico. I'd prefer Palmieri and Zacha (Zajac, maybe, when he comes back) to provide some insulation. I do think we'll see Nico and Bratt get their turns on the top line, but that shouldn't be the narrative just yet. Let's see them sustain this level of play in the roles they earned, and then go from there.

 

[G MAN]

He seems way too humble for that.

oops, I forgot to write PUN INTENDED. Im still finding my way around this board

He seems way too humble for that.

Twas a pun good sir. I have added an emoji to hopefully project that.

 

[Emperoreddy]

Zajac is going to help cover a lot of warts in our defensive game when he finally returns too.

 

[DerekDevils30]

Zajac is going to help cover a lot of warts in our defensive game when he finally returns too.

I want to see Bratt and Zajac together on the PK

 

[Emperoreddy]

This is an extremely premature take, but if the team can just hang around in the conversation until Zajac comes back, he might be that pseudo deadline addition that could potentially push the team over the bubble.

 

[Classic Devil]

This is an extremely premature take, but if the team can just hang around in the conversation until Zajac comes back, he might be that pseudo deadline addition that could potentially push the team over the bubble.

I still say we're not going anywhere without another top defenseman.

 

[Emperoreddy]

I still say we're not going anywhere without another top defenseman.

Well yeah, we won't contend until we get that next big piece. But for this season and maybe a WC spot it might be enough.

 

[RNCDevil]

Is this the man responsible for Bratt?
https://www.linkedin.com/in/niklas-evertsson-21809a1a/

I think HF Boards might need to put together a Swedish themed gift parcel...

 

[The 29th Pick]

He’s been Bratttacular.

The Brattattack almost had a Brattrick today
(apologies to anyone who already said these, as I joined the party late)

 

[Sheros Beard Policy]

Is this the man responsible for Bratt?
https://www.linkedin.com/in/niklas-evertsson-21809a1a/

I think HF Boards might need to put together a Swedish themed gift parcel...

No way, he lives in my hometown... I'll need to thank him in person next time I'm over.

 

[SteveCangialosi123]

We look like a Carlson away from being a playoff team. We have the young talented pieces to entice him, a spot open to give him big time minutes, we have the Jersey connection, and we have money to spend. If he hits FA we have to be one of the favorites to land him.

And we can always try to package Henrique+ or McLeod+ for a dman if need be. Won't get a Carlson level guy, but could get an upgrade for sure.

 

[Cheddabombs]

I think the coaching staff wants him to make those safe plays, especially with a lead. Especially with Zajac out and no one else able to take those heavy defensive minutes.

And I definitely don't mind that. From what I've seen he's been great defensively. I'm being patient with Zacha because I know he's capable of so much.

 

[Emperoreddy]

We look like a Carlson away from being a playoff team. We have the young talented pieces to entice him, a spot open to give him big time minutes, we have the Jersey connection, and we have money to spend. If he hits FA we have to be one of the favorites to land him.

And we can always try to package Henrique+ or McLeod+ for a dman if need be. Won't get a Carlson level guy, but could get an upgrade for sure.

Also have our first in a deep draft to get a true #1.

Worst case if we overachieve too much we can also shop the pick, or even package someone and another pick to move up.

We have flexibility to get that final big piece to push us into perennial playoff team.

First things first, this season, because I am starting to believe we might be better then we thought.

 

[SpeakingOfTheDevils]

This is an extremely premature take, but if the team can just hang around in the conversation until Zajac comes back, he might be that pseudo deadline addition that could potentially push the team over the bubble.

I agree with the principle, but we need an upgrade at D. Zajac will boost our overall play, but we can't seriously talk playoffs until (we clinch jk) we somehow obtain a bonafide top-4 defenseman.

 

[Emperoreddy]

I agree with the principle, but we need an upgrade at D. Zajac will boost our overall play, but we can't seriously talk playoffs until (we clinch jk) we somehow obtain a bonafide top-4 defenseman.

I disagree. I don't think this current squad is that far away from stealing the 2nd WC spot. The middle of the pack East teams simply aren't THAT much better.

We would get chased early in the first round no doubt, and we can't expect regularity in playoff appearances or even dream of winning a series until we get another top D

 

[My3Sons]

The Brattattack almost had a Brattrick today
(apologies to anyone who already said these, as I joined the party late)

You misspelled Bratttrick.