Will Butcher off to a hot start

[Classic Devil]

I can't understate how huge it was for the Devils to get a young offensive LHD at this point in their rebuild. We had NOTHING in the pipeline on that side and Butcher comes in on a white horse to save us.

He's no Rafalski but he's giving us exactly what we needed - skating and passing, zone exits, and PP production.

He's no Rafalski but he might be Zidlicky.

 

[Lou is God]

Nobodies in denial with him, or upset. Just calling a spade a spade, he's off to a great start, however he's heavily sheltered and fed PP time. I hope he does well but he's not this second coming of Makarov.

Hahaha, who said he was the coming of Makarov? And he's just playing on the PP, I mean just stop already dude.

 

[Makar Goes Fast]

Butcher shopped the UFA market to find a team that offered him the best opportunity for success, and made the right choice with NJ.

Just because he is off to a hot start, doesn't mean he would have been with just any team. One of the most important things in sports, is putting players in a position to succeed. Colborne scores 20 for Calgary, and then goes to COL and is waived in a year.

Yakupov, couldn't find a home and is off to a hot start in COL.

Some players will be drivers, no matter where they play (Crosby, Tavares, Matthews, McDavid, etc) and others need the right spot to succeed.

Good on Butcher for choosing NJ, but to think he would be in the same spot on 30 other teams is insane.

I've only watched one game this season of his, he made some really smart plays. But also, looked slow and was brushed off the puck a few times easily. If you can insulate the flaws, and utilize him for his strengths then he'll be an asset. Most teams aren't capable, or already have someone to fill that role, to insulate Butcher.

But nonetheless, he has been off to an impressive start! New Jersey will surprise this year, if they haven't already.

This post times 100000. Butcher would not have been successful in colorado this year as he wouldn't have had a chance to make the team. he very well might have a solid NHL career and colorado was wrong about him, but if they kept him he certainly wouldn't have had the opportunity he has in front of him.

 

[Foppberg]

Hahaha, who said he was the coming of Makarov? And he's just playing on the PP, I mean just stop already dude.

You yourself said you see Brian Leech similarities in him, so I'd say that's certainly a bit of a case of rose coloured glasses kicking in.
Like I've said and other Avs fans have said numerous times, wish him the best. I have no problem with the guy and don't see why this is a hot debate to some.

 

[Agent Zub]

Butcher fits the new NHL like a glove.

If he wants to become a star he needs to get faster. Otherwise I see a solid 2nd pairing PPQB.

 

[PAZ]

Of course he's being sheltered. He's a #6 PP defenseman. That's what you do with #6 PP defensemen. Nobody's saying he's a top-4 defenseman and he's playing 20 hard minutes a night and is a defensive stalwart.

But as a rookie #6 PP defenseman, he's been remarkably good.

Uh, a Devils fan replied in this thread saying he's not being sheltered, but rather he's playing heavy minutes and quarterbacking the PP.

Empoleon was just showing the stats that he is indeed sheltered in reply to the previous poster.

 

[Empoleon8771]

Of course he's being sheltered. He's a #6 PP defenseman. That's what you do with #6 PP defensemen. Nobody's saying he's a top-4 defenseman and he's playing 20 hard minutes a night and is a defensive stalwart.

But as a rookie #6 PP defenseman, he's been remarkably good.

That other guy was saying he wasn't being sheltered, that's what I was arguing against

He's done an admirable job for sure, I wasn't trying to discount what he has done. He's being used by Hynes right, that's exactly how you're supposed to use a rookie OFD like Butcher.

 

[tony d]

He's doing better than I thought he would. Good to see the Devils doing good thus far, be interesting to see if he can keep it up.

 

[FooteBahl]

I keep seeing people mention his skating, and I agree that it’s something that needs to be improved upon. Is that something that is regularly done and can people give examples of players that have drastically improved their skating?

 

[Lou is God]

You yourself said you see Brian Leech similarities in him, so I'd say that's certainly a bit of a case of rose coloured glasses kicking in.
Like I've said and other Avs fans have said numerous times, wish him the best. I have no problem with the guy and don't see why this is a hot debate to some.

Seeing similarities in a player and a great player is not saying he's equal to that great player, I'm hoping you know that.

And it's you guys getting all defensive about, even so in fairness other posters need to stop dragging Avs posters into this with "I told you so posts". It's childish and unnecessary.

 

[NOTENOUGHJTCGOALS]

There's no way Butcher could have cracked the Aves roster. He couldn't possibly be better than waiver wire pickups like Barberio and Nemeth.

 

[Foppberg]

Anyways. It'll be interesting to see how he does this year. I'd be lying if I said I thought he'd even make an NHL roster, let alone putting up the points he is.

Funny that we essentially traded Butcher for Kerfoot, both whom each fanbase was like eh.. Oh well. And both guys are playing great.

 

[135ace]

he gets most of his points on the powerplay. also, most of the assists he gets are on good goals by the player he passes to. very misconceiving stat.

This is one of the stupidest things I've ever read. You've clearly never watched him play. Butcher has mostly primary assists where he's setting up the goal. His vision is great and he's damn good on the PP. Sure, he's getting sheltered, but he's also improving in even strength play. He was pretty brutal on ES in the first couple games, but seems to be more comfortable out there now and will only continue to improve.

 

[PAZ]

This is one of the stupidest things I've ever read. You've clearly never watched him play. Butcher has mostly primary assists where he's setting up the goal. His vision is great and he's damn good on the PP. Sure, he's getting sheltered, but he's also improving in even strength play. He was pretty brutal on ES in the first couple games, but seems to be more comfortable out there now and will only continue to improve.

Posters like you and the other dude who said Butcher wasn't getting sheltered are hilarious. Both arguments start with something along the lines of "you're an idiot/stupidest thing I've heard/etc."

The best part is that you then go and immediately write a completely bias explanation which is the farthest thing from the truth. Butcher has 8 assists, 2 are primary, 6 are secondary. I could be wrong but last time I checked, 2 < 6.

Butcher is having a hell of a start, but I have no idea why some posters feel the need to make it seem like Butcher is more than a #6 PP specialist right now.

 

[glenwo2]

Butcher is getting sheltered.

Butcher is NOT getting sheltered.

The bottom line is that Butcher found a home in NJ and is having a lot of success and making an impact for the Devils.

Whether it's through his efforts with the PP or 5-on-5, he's been an absolutely incredible signing by Shero.

 

[cgf]

I knew he could be good but for me I thought Meloche, Timmins, Bigras, Lindholm, Makar were better than him I guess I’m wrong so far.. 20 better prospect is funny considering Avs aren’t even top 10.. Avs are league leader we were told we would be bottom 3 again see it’s early in season to make these things Glad to see the Devils that good and it’s good for Butcher we also like Kerfoot so it’s a great swap I guess

He's also a lot older and more polished than those other dmen with more potential than him. But good for butcher for taking advantage of this opportunity. Hopefully he can stick around once the adrenaline wears off.

 

[VoidCreature]

I find it very strange to try and use Butcher's deployment on the PP as a negative against him when he has more PP points than the Avs entire defense corps.

 

[Makar Goes Fast]

I find it very strange to try and use Butcher's deployment on the PP as a negative against him when he has more PP points than the Avs entire defense corps.

no one is using it as a negative, they are just merely point out a fact.

 

[El Travo]

Again, good for Butcher. Roy chased him off an we lost an asset. Losing him won't break the team, that's all we're saying.

 

[PAZ]

I find it very strange to try and use Butcher's deployment on the PP as a negative against him when he has more PP points than the Avs entire defense corps.

Who's using it as a negative? Most of the replies are just stating facts about how Butcher is being deployed in response to posts such as "Butcher isn't sheltered". It doesn't make him a worse of a player, it's just stating he has flaws.

Also you really want to start that? Butcher has more PP points than almost every team's PP points. He has more points than McDavid, Karlsson, etc. If the Devils keep up their play Butcher will be a great a PP asset, just like how Yakupov or Andrighetto have the opportunity to do the same on the Avs. Some players need to put into a position to succeed, and he wouldn't get that opportunity with the Avs. Not because the Avs are some juggernaut, but simply because his role is already filled.

 

[VoidCreature]

Who's using it as a negative? Most of the replies are just stating facts about how Butcher is being deployed in response to posts such as "Butcher isn't sheltered". It doesn't make him a worse of a player, it's just stating he has flaws.

Also you really want to start that? Butcher has more PP points than almost every team's PP points. He has more points than McDavid, Karlsson, etc. If the Devils keep up their play Butcher will be a great a PP asset, just like how Yakupov or Andrighetto have the opportunity to do the same on the Avs. Some players need to put into a position to succeed, and he wouldn't get that opportunity with the Avs. Not because the Avs are some juggernaut, but simply because his role is already filled.

I'm not gonna deny Butcher's sheltered, he definitely has been. His instincts are rock solid, so I have faith he'll be able to handle more responsibility as he gains experience, but no doubt he's being sheltered right now.

Maybe I'm misinformed, but I'm not under the impression that Barrie plays the entire power play? Unless you have a Kovalchuk-type freak on your team, every power play has room for two quarterbacks. I don't see anyone who would be blocking Butcher out of your second unit, presuming Barrie plays ahead of him.

 

[135ace]

Who's using it as a negative? Most of the replies are just stating facts about how Butcher is being deployed in response to posts such as "Butcher isn't sheltered". It doesn't make him a worse of a player, it's just stating he has flaws.

Also you really want to start that? Butcher has more PP points than almost every team's PP points. He has more points than McDavid, Karlsson, etc. If the Devils keep up their play Butcher will be a great a PP asset, just like how Yakupov or Andrighetto have the opportunity to do the same on the Avs. Some players need to put into a position to succeed, and he wouldn't get that opportunity with the Avs. Not because the Avs are some juggernaut, but simply because his role is already filled.

Who cares about his flaws at this point? Seems like you only keep pointing them out because you're insecure about your team. Nobody expected Butcher to be anything more than a #6 or #7 PP specialist and so far he's been great at it. Even more-so he seems to be getting better and better at even strength play and is much more comfortable in the D zone. In our opener he looked a bit lost at times, but he's already looking more confident and making better decisions. If he continues to develop (which seems very likely) he can easily become a solid 2nd pairing guy, which is fantastic for him and the Devils.

 

[BomaLightDevils]

With the way Castron and Shero are finding players in all corners of the world let butcher stay where he is and wait til they find another gem. Remember focus from management has been on offense now they are switching to defense.

 

[Brooklyndevil]

He's a very calm and cerebral. He's also not bad defensively. However, he can improve his skating, but hockey smarts you can't teach and he has a ton of it.

 

[Cousin Eddie]

He looks good. I'm eating a ton of crow on him. Never liked him when he played for DU and I never expected him to sniff a spot on an NHL roster this year.