Confirmed with Link: Hamilton to NJ - 7 years $63 million per everyone

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

Neither of those are factual.

I mean, his defense can be questioned I guess, but his transition game and offensive game cannot be questioned.




https://twitter.com/AlexC_THW/status/1420409076245307396

 

[SteveCangialosi123]

Neither of those are factual.

 

[AfroThunder396]

I would have loved to have seen a 1996 version of HF Devils.

"I told you they were a fluke"
"Stevens's heart isn't in it, he just wants to go back to St. Louis"
"Did we make a mistake drafting Brodeur over Trevor Kidd?"
"I don't care about Niedermayer's corsi, Lemaire was playing him as a FORWARD. If he can't defend he doesn't deserve a spot on the roster"
"That Elias kid is too small and too soft, he'll be back in Europe by this time next year"
"We might as well just blow it up, now that the Flyers have Lindros we're not going to contend for the division for another 10 years so why even bother?"

 

[MartyOwns]

I would have loved to have seen a 1996 version of HF Devils.

"I told you they were a fluke"
"Stevens's heart isn't in it, he just wants to go back to St. Louis"
"Did we make a mistake drafting Brodeur over Trevor Kidd?"
"I don't care about Niedermayer's corsi, Lemaire was playing him as a FORWARD. If he can't defend he doesn't deserve a spot on the roster"
"That Elias kid is too small and too soft, he'll be back in Europe by this time next year"
"We might as well just blow it up, now that the Flyers have Lindros we're not going to contend for the division for another 10 years so why even bother?"

"It's Time to Talk About Adrian Foster"

 

[Devils731]

I would have loved to have seen a 1996 version of HF Devils.

"I told you they were a fluke"
"Stevens's heart isn't in it, he just wants to go back to St. Louis"
"Did we make a mistake drafting Brodeur over Trevor Kidd?"
"I don't care about Niedermayer's corsi, Lemaire was playing him as a FORWARD. If he can't defend he doesn't deserve a spot on the roster"
"That Elias kid is too small and too soft, he'll be back in Europe by this time next year"
"We might as well just blow it up, now that the Flyers have Lindros we're not going to contend for the division for another 10 years so why even bother?"

The Devils drafted Sykora, a guy with a bum shoulder, at 18? Even if they liked him, why didn’t they trade back and pick up additional picks? The team doesn’t have any idea what they’re doing.

The Devils could have drafted Morozov who just led his team in points. Total incompetence.

 

[MartyOwns]

The Devils drafted Sykora, a guy with a bum shoulder, at 18? Even if they liked him, why didn’t they trade back and pick up additional picks? The team doesn’t have any idea what they’re doing.

The Devils could have drafted Morozov who just led his team in points. Total incompetence.

f***ing morozov, man

 

[Guttersniped]

Niedermayer was two-way defenseman who likely born a little before his time, his greatest strength was amazing skating (obviously, to anyone who watched him) and his puck moving abilities. I’m sure his transition play numbers were fantastic.

Niedermayer’s numbers offensive numbers were likely kind of suppressed on the Devils, he wasn’t the main PP guy even later on, Rafalski was. (He also held out during 2001-02 season so he missed a big chunk of one of our two dominating offensive years).

In 2003-04 Nieds did more on the PP because Ralfalski missed time due to injury. We as a team didn’t get that many PPs though. After the lock-out there were famously lots of penalties, so lots of players numbers (including Nieds on the Ducks) got a boost there.

The biggest difference is Hamilton is a shooter and a lethal one. He’s way more of an offensive defensemen.

He’s not a great skater. He’s not terrible but he’s 6’6” and +220, but big guys aren’t speedsters. He defends a lot with stick work, which does lead to interference penalties which is why the little penalty box thing on JFresh’s chart is red and says 3%.

Here’s an interesting article by the man himself:
Is Dougie Hamilton Actually Elite?

Dougie is more of an offensive defenseman. He’s not like Tyson Berrie, a trash fire who only produces points and sadness, but he definitely leans more in the offensive defenseman direction.

I’m not sure why sometimes people on this board struggle with the idea that forwards play defense too and that teams require offense from their blue line. If a forward produces points, nothing else matters for some people (when other things definitely do matter) and there have been years (and years and years) when this team has struggled because our blue line was offensively DOA. Again, I didn’t want Barrie and Hamilton isn’t a problem defensively even though he’s not some two-way elite wonder like Hedman and then a select few others (I’m too tired to work up a real list).

 

[OmNomNom]

Niedermayer was two-way defenseman who likely born a little before his time, his greatest strength was amazing skating (obviously, to anyone who watched him) and his puck moving abilities. I’m sure transition play was fantastic.

Niedermayer’s numbers offensive numbers were likely kind of suppressed on the Devils, he wasn’t the main PP guy even later on, Rafalski was. (He also held out during 2001-02 season so he missed a big chunk of one of our two dominating offensive years).

In 2003-04 Nieds did more on the PP because Ralfalski missed time due to injury. We as a team didn’t get that many PPs though. After the lock-out there were famously lots of penalties, so lots of players numbers (including Nieds on the Ducks) got a boost there.

The biggest difference is Hamilton is a shooter and a lethal one. He’s way more of an offensive defensemen.

He’s not a great skater. He’s not terrible but he’s 6’6” and +220, but big guys aren’t speedsters. He defends a lot with stick work, which does lead to interference penalties which is why the little penalty box thing on JFresh’s chart is red and says 3%.

Here’s an interesting article by the man himself:
Is Dougie Hamilton Actually Elite?

Dougie is more of an offensive defenseman. He’s not like Tyson Berrie, a trash fire who only produces points and sadness, but he definitely leans more in the offensive defenseman direction.

I’m not sure why sometimes people on this board struggle with the idea that forwards play defense too and that teams require offense from their blue line. If a forward produces points, nothing else matters for some people (when other things definitely do matter) and there have been years (and years and years) when this team has struggled because our blue line was offensively DOA. Again, I didn’t want Barrie and Hamilton isn’t a problem defensively even though he’s not some two-way elite wonder like Hedman and then a select few others (I’m too tired to work up a real list).

agreed though. while having a PMD who can also play defense is great, i'm perfectly fine with an elite point producing one who isn't a liability in his own end. it's silly to throw an elite point producer in the trash just bc he's not playing like scott stevens. there are defensive pairings for a reason. as long as hamilton is a net positive player, he doesn't have to be a defensive superstar

 

[Blackjack]

I would have loved to have seen a 1996 version of HF Devils.

"I told you they were a fluke"
"Stevens's heart isn't in it, he just wants to go back to St. Louis"
"Did we make a mistake drafting Brodeur over Trevor Kidd?"
"I don't care about Niedermayer's corsi, Lemaire was playing him as a FORWARD. If he can't defend he doesn't deserve a spot on the roster"
"That Elias kid is too small and too soft, he'll be back in Europe by this time next year"
"We might as well just blow it up, now that the Flyers have Lindros we're not going to contend for the division for another 10 years so why even bother?"

I was posting here back in 2002 and the amount of shit that Gomez, Elias, and Niedermayer got was unreal. Stevens was considered washed up.

Of course, the main boards were far worse. Any promotion of any Devils defenseman was countered with the “defensive system”. Or (obviously) the trap. It was insufferable.

 

[JimEIV]

I would have loved to have seen a 1996 version of HF Devils.

"I told you they were a fluke"
"Stevens's heart isn't in it, he just wants to go back to St. Louis"
"Did we make a mistake drafting Brodeur over Trevor Kidd?"
"I don't care about Niedermayer's corsi, Lemaire was playing him as a FORWARD. If he can't defend he doesn't deserve a spot on the roster"
"That Elias kid is too small and too soft, he'll be back in Europe by this time next year"
"We might as well just blow it up, now that the Flyers have Lindros we're not going to contend for the division for another 10 years so why even bother?"

Nah...Devil's fans back then we're just so damn happy to have rid themselves of the losing stentch of the 80's we hardly even questioned anything.

Plus getting information was almost impossible and limited to few publications...so I spent a lot time imagining what a prospect was like...Kind like reading a book, you have you're own interpretation of the characters based on the words...in this case the stat line.

It was a lot easier being a fan then.

 

[JimEIV]

Although 1995 is the first year I got internet access...I remember being on IRC (internet relay chat) at like 3:00am talking with Finish fans about Saku Koivu...kid had so much hype it was unbelievable. The Fins on chat talked about him like he was Gretzky.

 

[Call Me Al]

i guess some things never change

 

[JimEIV]

I found about the Sykora/Friesen trade in July 2002 while reading a newspaper. Simpler times.

I remember when I got a 9600 baud modem up from 2600 and I thought I was styling.

 

[JrFischer54]

I would have loved to have seen a 1996 version of HF Devils.

"I told you they were a fluke"
"Stevens's heart isn't in it, he just wants to go back to St. Louis"
"Did we make a mistake drafting Brodeur over Trevor Kidd?"
"I don't care about Niedermayer's corsi, Lemaire was playing him as a FORWARD. If he can't defend he doesn't deserve a spot on the roster"
"That Elias kid is too small and too soft, he'll be back in Europe by this time next year"
"We might as well just blow it up, now that the Flyers have Lindros we're not going to contend for the division for another 10 years so why even bother?"

to be fair though while that team did win a lot they also underachieved a lot come playoff time

 

[StorminSnvechnAho]

I mean, his defense can be questioned I guess, but his transition game and offensive game cannot be questioned.




https://twitter.com/AlexC_THW/status/1420409076245307396

His defencive effort (escpecially in clutch situations) certainly will leave you wanting. He has no "second gear" and he will leave you amazed how non physical a man his size can play.

Good on the other end though.

 

[Billdo]

This page would've been exactly the same as it is now.

 

[Nubmer6]

Although 1995 is the first year I got internet access...I remember being on IRC (internet relay chat) at like 3:00am talking with Finish fans about Saku Koivu...kid had so much hype it was unbelievable. The Fins on chat talked about him like he was Gretzky.

I'll be honest. By 1995, I had been a partial season ticket holder for like 5 or 6 years already, and the idea of just advancing past the 1st round was just exciting. The thought of winning the cup wasn't even a dream, even with the run in 87 and 94. I just couldn't imagine it. I guess I just don't dream big.

I have to say, though, I was actually happier watching the team back then. There was no constant analysis, no expectations. I just watched games to enjoy games.

 

[NJ DevLolz]

I'll be honest. By 1995, I had been a partial season ticket holder for like 5 or 6 years already, and the idea of just advancing past the 1st round was just exciting. The thought of winning the cup wasn't even a dream, even with the run in 87 and 94. I just couldn't imagine it. I guess I just don't dream big.

I have to say, though, I was actually happier watching the team back then. There was no constant analysis, no expectations. I just watched games to enjoy games.

Ha. I had this same exact thought around 2011 when I started getting into analytics and started to understand probability at a higher level.

 

[Richer's Ghost]

Just because there were comparisons earlier I wanted to park this here even though the thread is closed.