Devils 2018-19 team discussion (player news and notes) - offseason part V

[bobilly45]

There's too many people that overrate defensemen like Larsson, and would rather have him than a guy like Butcher or Vatanen, because he ''Hits people'' and he would ''Save'' more goals/points than those guys would help create.

That's not to say Larsson isn't good, he's just not that good.

For a stay at home defender hes pretty good. He may not get the points, but I'll take defended passes to break up scoring plays then a goal any day.

 

[Cult of Hynes]

According the main board, we have the worst MVP ever, the weakest first overall pick ever, and the biggest homer fan base ever.

 

[My3Sons]

I replied to a guy that said that Larsson was/is soft. And I said one of the best pure DEFENSIVE d-men. Which I believe is true.

But the point was to say that in no way is Larsson soft. He's in fact one of the hardest players to play against in the league. Which is why I can't grasp how someone can call him soft.

I think it’s the off ice demeanor and boyish look. He’s not the grizzled vet like Dano was. I’m sure he is tougher than he gets general credit for and he is a top notch defensive player but his skating in at least some small way probably does impact the way he plays. I’d like to see him back in NJ in three years playing RD to Smith on the left.

 

[My3Sons]

According the main board, we have the worst MVP ever, the weakest first overall pick ever, and the biggest homer fan base ever.

You left out the worst prospect pool and the worst future outlook as well.

 

[Ol Dirty Bstrd]

You forgot Rico. So 3 established centers. There isn't a GM in the league who would not leave a spot open for the #1 pick in the draft.

But yeah I think it is fair to say Mueller is being gifted a spot. There is Yak as a plan B, but I think that is Mueller's job to lose.

Whoops, knew that didn’t sound right. I stand corrected on that.

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

Larsson is quite good and I would love to have him back

however, he is nowhere near the best defensive DMan in the NHL. That is a ridiculous claim.

 

[Bleedred]

I’d definitely take Larsson over Mueller, Santini, Lovejoy, Moore (he’s gone anyway), and current Greene. No questions asked. I’d take Vatanen and Butcher over him any day and Severson’s best is definitely better than Larsson’s best.

 

[Emperoreddy]

I’d definitely take Larsson over Mueller, Santini, Lovejoy, Moore (he’s gone anyway), and current Greene. No questions asked. I’d take Vatanen and Butcher over him any day and Severson’s best is definitely better than Larsson’s best.

So Lars would be a third pairing guy on this team by that metric.

 

[Nico the Draft Riser]

@billingtons ghost When you said Hischier being like Elias would be good for us, were you just meaning his peak? Because Elias outside of his two big seasons was not anywhere near what Id want from a 1st overall. He averaged what, 60 points a season? Thats pretty bad for Hischier, nor would that make him a top 7-15 center in the league

Unless I misunderstood which maybe I did

 

[Blender]

According the main board, we have the worst MVP ever, the weakest first overall pick ever, and the biggest homer fan base ever.

Some how Hall is simultaneously a terrible MVP, carried our team, and is responsible for all of Hischier's points.

 

[glenwo2]

According the main board, we have the worst MVP ever, the weakest first overall pick ever, and the biggest homer fan base ever.

In other words :

 

[Ripshot 43]

You left out the worst prospect pool and the worst future outlook as well.

Worst Stanley Cup winner inbound

 

[Blender]

Worst Stanley Cup winner inbound

I thought our 2003 team already carried that honor on HF.

 

[njdevils1982]

I thought our 2003 team already carried that honor on HF.

that would be the canes cup

 

[Bleedred]

So Lars would be a third pairing guy on this team by that metric.

Not exactly. Second pairing guy? There’s definitely two better defensemen than him here and Severson’s probably better than him also.

 

[devilsblood]

@billingtons ghost When you said Hischier being like Elias would be good for us, were you just meaning his peak? Because Elias outside of his two big seasons was not anywhere near what Id want from a 1st overall. He averaged what, 60 points a season? Thats pretty bad for Hischier, nor would that make him a top 7-15 center in the league

Unless I misunderstood which maybe I did

I'd take an Elias type career without blinking an eye.

 

[Billdo]

@billingtons ghost When you said Hischier being like Elias would be good for us, were you just meaning his peak? Because Elias outside of his two big seasons was not anywhere near what Id want from a 1st overall. He averaged what, 60 points a season? Thats pretty bad for Hischier, nor would that make him a top 7-15 center in the league

Unless I misunderstood which maybe I did

Yeah, if Nico only has a thousand career points that's a disappointment.


What. In. The. Hell.

 

[Bleedred]

Elias was probably the second best draftee from the class of 94. That draft’s top 10 was full of underwhelmers, busts and guys that weren’t much to write home about. And the second half of the first round was filled with bums and busts left and right. Oleg Tverdovsky went 2nd overall in that draft. Ed Jovanovski went first overall and he wasn’t ever anything I’d consider nearly elite.

Daniel Alfredsson and Patrik Elias were the two best from that draft.

 

[Bleedred]

One other thing about Elias that people don’t talk much about. His production at ages 35-37 was right at or even better than his career averages. Even if it’s argued that Elias was never a superstar, he was still a 60+ point guy until he was about 38.

 

[Blender]

One other thing about Elias that people don’t talk much about. His production at ages 35-37 was right at or even better than his career averages. Even if it’s argued that Elias was never a superstar, he was still a 60+ point guy until he was about 38.

The guy played 1,240 games, scored 1,025 points (average of 68 points per 82 games played) with most of his prime years in the dead puck era while also being one of the best defensive players in the NHL. I think I'll be just fine if Nico is like the greatest forward to ever play for this franchise.

 

[jkrdevil]

Elias is a borderline Hall of gamer, a quite frankly if possession stats existed in his prime he would be a no doubt Hall of gamer. If Nico turns out any where like him it will be real good for the team for a long time

 

[Stephen Gionta]

Larsson is quite good and I would love to have him back

however, he is nowhere near the best defensive DMan in the NHL. That is a ridiculous claim.

I agree he’s not the best defensive Dman in the NHL but he’s really not that far off at all. I’d say he’s definitely in the top 10, top 5 depending on who’s opinion it kaz

 

[MadDevil]

Yeah, if Nico only has a thousand career points that's a disappointment.


What. In. The. Hell.

Keep in mind who you're quoting.

 

[Nico the Draft Riser]

Elias is a borderline Hall of gamer, a quite frankly if possession stats existed in his prime he would be a no doubt Hall of gamer. If Nico turns out any where like him it will be real good for the team for a long time

And I want my 1st overall pick to be a definite hall of famer

Perhaps I overstated how I want him to be better and downplayed Elias - but he had some poor seasons sprinkled in and Id prefer Hischier be more consistently in the 70 point range or higher while being everything else Elias was for us

Hall may be the face of this franchise - but Hischier is the entire spine for the next twenty years. Everything will stem and be built around him.

 

[Nico the Draft Riser]

Keep in mind who you're quoting.

I get I say things that are different than most agree with but goodness, dont you get tired after the first five times you solely post to take jabs at me? I mean im not bothered really but if its that bad for you why not just ignore me lol

You wouldnt even be somewhat upset that your highest draft pick ever (in NJ) didnt even average 70 in a slowly rising league when it comes to scoring? Perhaps I believe more in the kid. Im not claiming Nico will be McDavid level but I expect more in possibly the highest draft pick I will witness for my team until I am much older.