GDT: Canadiens @ Devils - 12 More To Go! - 7:00 PM - MSG+2

[guitarguyvic]

Just end the season already so we can hit the links and look forward to the draft/off-season, part 7: This time we will be better as long as we get a better goalie…ok and maybe also a better power play…we could also need to stop sucking at managing the puck…no for real this time, swear on Marty’s statue we can be a #9 seed….probably, maybe, hopefully, ah f*** it who knows.

Coming to the Prudential Center, October 2022.

 

[glenwo2]

Bratt got points.

I am satisfied with tonight.

Goodnight. :p

 

[devilsblood]

That I agree is the silver lining of this approach in that it helps tap our younger players offensive potential. However you don’t want to make bad habits permanent.

That is a concern, but bad defensive habits can be weeded out easier then instilling offensive confidence into a player who has gone through long stretches of limited offense imo.

As long as guys are willing to play hard I feel the defensive side will come around.

 

[youryeah]

the ignore feature is a beautiful thing

 

[devilsblood]

Boqvist tipped one past him last game too. But even with the three tips (I think it was Nico on goal two and then Subban on goal 5?) he’s still allowed more BAD goals than own goals.

I still think he might be injured and probably wouldn’t be playing anywhere right now if we didn’t trade for him, but he’s looking like Gillies on Gillies worst nights. Even Gillies looked better than this in his first two starts, but looked every bit this bad in his last three starts.

Like I said not trying to defend him too much, but if he gives up 3 goals tonight(for the sake of argument scratch the breakaway just after the Subban tip) and we aren't hating on him THIS much.

There is an element of the skaters making a bad situation worse.

 

[Eggtimer]

All I know is I really hope Fitz is awake at nights trying to come up with a plan for nrct year . Also lining up getting a goalie . Trying to talk Chev into trading us Hellbuyck

 

[Oneiro]

Didn't watch the game tonight but seems the boys got their tank on. Siegs out too? Might as well scratch Douglas, bring up Walsh and try to get to double digits in both columns every night.

 

[Bleedred]

Not Devils related, but I’m quite enjoying Elvis “The King of softies” MerzLEAKINS poor season.

I couldn’t for the life of me understand how he started off so good in 19-20. If I’m not mistaken, he had poor start to that season (his first in the NHL), then had a string where he had like 5 shutouts in 8 games and that really boosted him.

He also gives up some of the weakest/lousiest goals East of Koskinen and Smith.

I mean, Devils goalies kind of give up the weakest goals East of Merzlikins, but at least we won’t see any of these guys in the NHL next year. God help us if Daws even plays a game in the NHL next year.

 

[njdevils1982]

Didn't watch the game tonight but seems the boys got their tank on. Siegs out too? Might as well scratch Douglas, bring up Walsh and try to get to double digits in both columns every night.

party like its 1986!

2021-22	NHL	New Jersey Devils	70	24	40		6	54	.386			8th of 8
1985-86	NHL	New Jersey Devils	80	28	49	3		59	.369			6th of 6

 

[My3Sons]

How did Greer look to the eye test? His box score looked solid.

 

[Bleedred]

22 game goalless drought now for McLeod, for the third time in his career (and the fourth of 16 or more games) and if he goes 25 games that’ll be his third career goalless streak of 25 games.

 

[njdevils1982]

How did Greer look to the eye test? His box score looked solid

gusto, the good kind

 

[glenwo2]

Jesper Bratt has been ass cheeks lately. Hershey Bob vindicated

vindicated? How?

He's been trashing Bratt since day one.

He'd be vindicated if Bratt was indeed trash since day one (which he hasn't been).

And besides (soon after your post) :

Bratt & Nico points,

followed by :

Bratt attack!

Bratt makes a return to the scoresheet finally.

Glad it took only 4 games this time instead of an entire 2nd Half of the season like in his rookie year.

 

[Mgd31]

How did Greer look to the eye test? His box score looked solid.

Very good. He's got more skill than you think. Made plays, scored a nice goal and probably could have had another. The 4th line in general was dominant last night.

 

[Billdo]

How did Greer look to the eye test? His box score looked solid.

He looked good. He's got more skill than people think, IMO, but he's also got the gRiT people clamor for. I like his game. Zetterlund was also very good. I like both of them a lot.

 

[SteveCangialosi123]

vindicated? How?

He's been trashing Bratt since day one.

He'd be vindicated if Bratt was indeed trash since day one (which he hasn't been).

And besides (soon after your post) :


followed by :

Bratt makes a return to the scoresheet finally.

Glad it took only 4 games this time instead of an entire 2nd Half of the season like in his rookie year.

I was not being serious, glen

 

[markog]

They'll sign Bob Hartley and he'll bring Gritsjuk with him.

 

[NjdevilfanJim]

All I know is I really hope Fitz is awake at nights trying to come up with a plan for nrct year . Also lining up getting a goalie . Trying to talk Chev into trading us Hellbuyck

He will be 29 by the summer too old for this team.....Will cost too much and carries risk....We need to find a younger version or develop one ourselves.....

 

[Guttersniped]

Not Devils related, but I’m quite enjoying Elvis “The King of softies” MerzLEAKINS poor season.

I couldn’t for the life of me understand how he started off so good in 19-20. If I’m not mistaken, he had poor start to that season (his first in the NHL), then had a string where he had like 5 shutouts in 8 games and that really boosted him.

He also gives up some of the weakest/lousiest goals East of Koskinen and Smith.

I mean, Devils goalies kind of give up the weakest goals East of Merzlikins, but at least we won’t see any of these guys in the NHL next year. God help us if Daws even plays a game in the NHL next year.

Not to derail the thread but the Blue Jackets we really great defensively in 2019-20, then weren’t after that. So that helped there.

That ties into my fascination with Dubynk being so terrible in 2019-20. He was the worst goalie in league IMO that season despite playing behind another fantastic defense that shelters goalies. It was wild.

 

[Guttersniped]

All I know is I really hope Fitz is awake at nights trying to come up with a plan for nrct year . Also lining up getting a goalie . Trying to talk Chev into trading us Hellbuyck

He’s a UFA in 2 years, he doesn’t do that much for us longterm. We aren’t trying to win the Cup next season, we’re trying to get more competitive. We need to find a cheaper answer. (And the Jets aren’t trading him either.)

 

[tailfins]

That is a concern, but bad defensive habits can be weeded out easier then instilling offensive confidence into a player who has gone through long stretches of limited offense imo.

As long as guys are willing to play hard I feel the defensive side will come around.

I'd like to believe it, but I really don't think this is true. I think breaking bad habits is extremely hard.

Breaking bad habits requires that people do things that are uncomfortable, and that they do things that may move them away from what they're best at.

I think the approach the Devils have been taking is dead wrong. I think it's way better to learn the right way from the start. I think Trotz would have been an amazing coach here - he coached Washington to a Cup. I think he's able to coach offensively gifted players. I think the Ruff hire has been a disaster. I'd love Sutter, Trotz, or Cooper here. Those are obviously impossible. deBoer is my next choice. That seems like an extreme long shot. Really not sure who else.

 

[Buck Dancer]

He’s a UFA in 2 years, he doesn’t do that much for us longterm. We aren’t trying to win the Cup next season, we’re trying to get more competitive. We need to find a cheaper answer. (And the Jets aren’t trading him either.)

His name is Mackenzie Blackwood. We need to find a way to smooth things off for next year and go from there. If Blackwood can't post up the #'s we want from him, in a contract year, than we have our answer and look to move on.

There's no way Fitz will move Blackwood without having him play a single game for the remainder of the season since he's been injured. His value would be pennies on the dollar and I don't see why we would move, what is now our only viable option for next year, at a loss.

 

[Buck Dancer]

I'd like to believe it, but I really don't think this is true. I think breaking bad habits is extremely hard.

Breaking bad habits requires that people do things that are uncomfortable, and that they do things that may move them away from what they're best at.

I think the approach the Devils have been taking is dead wrong. I think it's way better to learn the right way from the start. I think Trotz would have been an amazing coach here - he coached Washington to a Cup. I think he's able to coach offensively gifted players. I think the Ruff hire has been a disaster. I'd love Sutter, Trotz, or Cooper here. Those are obviously impossible. deBoer is my next choice. That seems like an extreme long shot. Really not sure who else.

What we need is a head coach that will bring some structure to this pond hockey team. Fitz has to acquire the players to play a harder and tougher game as well but if we can land a coach that will implement some defensive structure, I'd take a Jack who get's around 80 to 85 points a year in favour of being a better all around team versus a Jack that will rack up 100 points in a system that will leave us exposed to poor play away from the puck.

Yes, we need better goaltending but there's not a single soul that will convince me we can't be better in our zone away from the puck. We look completely lost out there and it's a sad thing to watch.

 

[MartyOwns]

What we need is a head coach that will bring some structure to this pond hockey team. Fitz has to acquire the players to play a harder and tougher game as well but if we can land a coach that will implement some defensive structure, I'd take a Jack who get's around 80 to 85 points a year in favour of being a better all around team versus a Jack that will rack up 100 points in a system that will leave us exposed to poor play away from the puck.

Yes, we need better goaltending but there's not a single soul that will convince me we can't be better in our zone away from the puck. We look completely lost out there and it's a sad thing to watch.

you’re describing torts, who i’ve wanted for months now...despite the horror of having guys blocking shots and scoring slightly less while racking up wins. this is a young team that needs to learn how to play the right way. we’ll outgrow him in a few years and he’ll get sacked, but the foundation will be set.

 

[Eggtimer]

He will be 29 by the summer too old for this team.....Will cost too much and carries risk....We need to find a younger version or develop one ourselves.....

Ya who wants a perennial vezina winning goalie … Some of you guys are insane. If not him , how about Sheshterkin ? Maybe the Rags trade their soon to be vezina maybe Hart winning MVP Allstar franchise player ? Or is he not good enough ? I don’t like the past 10 games he’s played , too risky , hard pass … Give me a break
Do t want Hellebuyck?! Lol . Ok name one goalie better turn him that would even remotely be available .