Devils 2018-19 team discussion (news and notes) - Preseason
- Thread starter Emperoreddy
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OmNomNom
Taco is Love, Taco is Life
RangerDoggo
The Devils have a culture of failure
So since we were talking about our prospects before the last thread closed, I personally think McLeod will spend a lot of the year in Binghamton before getting more of a chance next year. Boyle should be gone and Zajac will be in his last season. I think he’ll be a middle-six center, and long term he should be replacing Zajac in that role.
Ty Smith looks great so far. Assuming he goes straight back to Spokane (most likely, but who knows), he’ll be ready next year.
But to answer someone else’s question: we shouldn’t expect a prospect haul like last year every season, but we should expect a couple of good ones every year. There is plenty of preseason left but so far, the people making the best case have been with the team before. Ideally I’d like to see someone get their first shot.
Ty Smith looks great so far. Assuming he goes straight back to Spokane (most likely, but who knows), he’ll be ready next year.
But to answer someone else’s question: we shouldn’t expect a prospect haul like last year every season, but we should expect a couple of good ones every year. There is plenty of preseason left but so far, the people making the best case have been with the team before. Ideally I’d like to see someone get their first shot.
Better Call Sal
Salnalysis
Yeah, I would rather McLeod start out in the AHL if it means he's going to get top minutes at center. If our one spot is going to be a bottom 6 wing role, give it to either JQ, Anderson or Lappin.
Truthfully, if Lappin shows he can produce, I'm fine with him being the 4th line winger/spare forward role. Lets our other guys develop and play more meaningful minutes in Binghamton.
Truthfully, if Lappin shows he can produce, I'm fine with him being the 4th line winger/spare forward role. Lets our other guys develop and play more meaningful minutes in Binghamton.
Zippy316
aka Zippo
Lappin is battling Stafford for the extra forward role right now, IMO. With a strong showing, he has a chance to earn his spot in the starting 12 on opening night, but I could see the Devils being content with carrying him around as the extra body too.
We still don't have any clear extra forwards after the main 11 -- Hall, Hischier, Bratt, Johansson, Zacha, Palmieri, Coleman, Zajac, Noesen, Wood, and Boyle. In all honesty, Zacha and Bratt's spots are hardly set in stone either as both can be moved down the line-up and in Bratt's case, technically sent to the AHL.
Quenneville, Anderson, McLeod, and Seney are all battling for that 12th spot. Speers and Lappin have a shot at squeezing their way in there as well but it would be because the first four are underwhelming or Speers/Lappin have the camps of their lives.
Billdo
Registered User
for the sake of development, you have to think it's better for a guy like Lappin or JQ to be up as the 4th line winger or the 13th forward over guys like McLeod, Anderson, Speers, etc. No?
Emperoreddy
Show Me What You Got!
Emperoreddy
Show Me What You Got!
Amanda won’t be at the morning skate so unless Morales is there we won’t have any idea who is playing tomorrow since Ryan is slow to update and Abbey is useless.
Sounds like Lappin is having a good preseason so far - keep in mind he also needs to clear waivers to be sent to Binghamton. I think this gives him an edge in making the roster. If he doesn't, the Devils are basically giving up on him.
Also wouldn't be surprised if Wood wasn't in the opening night roster, opening up another forward spot.
Also wouldn't be surprised if Wood wasn't in the opening night roster, opening up another forward spot.
Zippy316
aka Zippo
JQ, McLeod, and Anderson should all be top nine or AHL, IMO.
Seney and Speers should either be getting third line minutes or fourth line minutes with special teams time if they stay up. I don't think they will end up higher in the line-up than that.
Lappin can get 7 minutes of ice time on the fourth line. He's 26 so he pretty much is what he is at this point.
Would certainly have to think so. Have to believe Lappin and JQ have a slight edge over the rest of the guys at this point. Especially as it seems like they have both come into camp knowing this may be their last/best shot at being a full time NHLer and have worked hard this offseason getting in better shape.
Going to be some really tough decisions. Anderson, Seney, McLeod & Speers all in the conversation as well, plus could be another surprise or two. Not to mention Stafford, especially as a 13th/14th forward .
Masisak has been at pretty much everything since he started, and even so I suspect the social media people can get the lines out without Amanda.
Billdo
Registered User
I was more talking about the Andersons, McLeods, etc developing. Lappin is what he is at this point. I'd rather him sit up here and have the rest of the kids play quality minutes and adjust to being a pro.
RangerDoggo
The Devils have a culture of failure
mtnet
LGD!
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Knowing Ray I can imagine him at least testing the waters making inquiries behind the scenes just to have options. It's anyone's guess what his perceived value might be to other clubs though.
Not taking anything away from Wood and the value he brings to this team...but he was a 4th line winger last year and only averaged 12:28 of ice time. Yeah, we all expect him to make another leap this season...but until that happens, he's still just a 4th line winger with tremendous upside. He can be replaced in the short term and has more to lose the longer this goes on.
He already made out well burning a year of his ELC in the 2015-2016 season. Hopefully the two sides reach a compromise soon. Shero seems to be rather fair when it comes to contracts, so I feel like Wood is probably asking too much, but who knows.
JQ looked noticeably quicker. He could be a guy who steals a top 6 spot away from someone like Bratt. I'm not sure if he can play RW, but that would significantly increase his chances.
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Agree with this. JQ especially. He has nothing further to develop in AHL. His done his time, produced well (abit with some injury interupted times). His ready for a NHL chance to prove he can stick.
Shero does not seem impatient at all. He made no additions to this team in the offseason and decided to stay with the rebuild rather than doing what many would do and add free agents.
Emperoreddy
Show Me What You Got!
More likely going to steal a LW spot from Wood.
Bratt has displayed talent JQ has never at any point in his career and I like JQ.
Devils731
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I also wonder if JQ dropped the gloves to show he’s willing to provide the physical backup the Devils lose with Wood not currently in the fold. JQ just seems like he’ll do anything to get his shot this year.
That’s the conventional wisdom that most teams appear to subscribe to. I get it for a fourth line role that a guy who is marginally better than the much younger player is still marginally better. On a rebuilding team I’m not sure that margin is worth it if the younger player could slingshot past the vet by the end of the season. That was my thought on the Lovejoy v Santini as RD3 last season but the team made the playoffs so in hindsight the decision made short term sense.
I could see Lappin and JQ benefiting from that thinking if they are on par with the younger prospects.
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