Devils 2020-21 team discussion (news, notes and speculation) - part XIX

[HBK27]

I really want to see a McLeod - Wood combo for the PK. might as well scare the other team in terms of our speed.

At this point, what the hell do you have to lose by putting Wood on the PK?

Is he really that inept defensively that he can't play the PK at this point? Have to figure his speed would offset some of that. Ruff trusts Sharangovich, Maltsev and Bastian out there on the PK (going as far as having a Maltsev/Bastian combo out there at the end of a game with a 6 on 4 situation) but Wood doesn't get a lick of PK time? If Kovalchuk was able to adapt to playing on the PK there's got to be some hope for Wood.

 

[None Shall Pass]

Outside of the Hughes line (And by that, I mean Johnsson and Huges and whoever you throw at RW), I'm down for trying anything with the forward lines.

At this point, what the hell do you have to lose by putting Wood on the PK?

Is he really that inept defensively that he can't play the PK at this point? Have to figure his speed would offset some of that. Ruff trusts Sharangovich, Maltsev and Bastian out there on the PK (going as far as having a Maltsev/Bastian combo out there at the end of a game with a 6 on 4 situation) but Wood doesn't get a lick of PK time? If Kovalchuk was able to adapt to playing on the PK there's got to be some hope for Wood.

I wonder if it's just to limit his minutes. Most of his game is going really fast; maybe it's just to save his energy so he can Sonic the Hedgehog at even strength.

 

[Ripshot 43]

Naming a soft euro to be captain was a huge mistake I tell ya!
- Don Cherry

You had better be wearing an ugly suit jacket when you typed this msg.

 

[Richer's Ghost]

You had better be wearing an ugly suit jacket when you typed this msg.

Ugly sweatpants is as close as it gets with WFH.

 

[glenwo2]

THREE THINGS: Taylor Reunites with Ruff

Thanks.

Never even heard of the guy until I read that article.

I only know about Nas and Recchi.

 

[HersheyBob27]

I really think we should give these a shot...

Johnsson-Hughes-Palmieri
Bratt-Hischier-Gusev
Zacha-Zajac-Kuokkanen
Wood-McLeod-Merkley
Murray-Subban
Smith-Severson
Butcher-Vatanen

Can’t imagine we see merkley anytime soon. He was very underwhelming when given a chance

 

[Oneiro]

Interesting to see Wood emphasize the shots the team got vs. Buffalo in his presser. That man is well aware of how he will get paid if he gets paid.

 

[MauDevils]

P.K. Subban Is Struggling In All Facets of the Game for the Devils

the 50 shot attempts he’s take have generated zero (0) rebound opportunities in 2021 so far (via Moneypuck).

Not that this is news or anything, but even I didn't think it was that bad.

 

[Emperoreddy]

P.K. Subban Is Struggling In All Facets of the Game for the Devils



Not that this is news or anything, but even I didn't think it was that bad.

Not surprised. His slapper either misses or hits a defender.

He needs a wrister

 

[Omar Little]

P.K. Subban Is Struggling In All Facets of the Game for the Devils



Not that this is news or anything, but even I didn't think it was that bad.

Err...the goal last night

 

[Bleedred]

P.K. Subban Is Struggling In All Facets of the Game for the Devils



Not that this is news or anything, but even I didn't think it was that bad.

He wasn’t really playing poorly last year, he just wasn’t scoring any points.

This year he seems to be scoring more (not like he did in his prime though), but he’s playing VERY poorly.

 

[MadDevil]

Not surprised. His slapper either misses or hits a defender.

He needs a wrister

Is Brian Rolston his shooting coach?

 

[Devils090]

Yeah PK has been very underwhelming here, which is a shame because he’s a terrific guy off the ice but unfortunately that doesn’t win games.

 

[Edmonton East]

So finish your thought. Are you implying Ruff needs to go?

Unlike a lot of posters, I try to be realistic. Zero chance that happens, so why discuss it?

I made it pretty clear at the time of hire I didn't like Ruff, but obviously he's here for at least 2 years.

 

[lakai17]

Thoughts on Sharangovich so far then?

 

[billingtons ghost]

At this point, what the hell do you have to lose by putting Wood on the PK?

Is he really that inept defensively that he can't play the PK at this point? Have to figure his speed would offset some of that. Ruff trusts Sharangovich, Maltsev and Bastian out there on the PK (going as far as having a Maltsev/Bastian combo out there at the end of a game with a 6 on 4 situation) but Wood doesn't get a lick of PK time? If Kovalchuk was able to adapt to playing on the PK there's got to be some hope for Wood.

I don't know. I'd rather have a guy who is quick and can start stop rather than burning our dragster out on the pk...

But there is something to say about how dangerous he'd be with open ice.

 

[Mitch nylander]

Just dropping in, quick question. What happened to Gusev's point totals?

 

[Darkauron]

Just dropping in, quick question. What happened to Gusev's point totals?

He sucks

 

[Patrik26]

He sucks

Those "which UFA should we sign?" discussions, Palmieri or Gusev, seem trivial at the moment. Neither seem likely right now.

 

[Woncka]

Whatever could get Luke Hughes on this team

Though ill always root for wins as that helps the team more than tanking each year

 

[MadDevil]

Those "which UFA should we sign?" discussions, Palmieri or Gusev, seem trivial at the moment. Neither seem likely right now.

To be fair, Palmieri is always streaky throughout a season, but still typically ends up with 25+ goals and 45+points, so it's not like this is new territory for him. Gusev there really isn't much of a track record, but given he was slow to get going last year he may just be a slow starter. Which sucks in a shortened season because you just have less games for guys to get going. If it takes him like 20+ games to get going, that's like a third or more of the season.

 

[Nicomo Cosca]

Just dropping in, quick question. What happened to Gusev's point totals?

The fact that he can’t skate and plays ice hockey for a living caught up with him.

 

[Emperoreddy]

Whatever could get Luke Hughes on this team

Though ill always root for wins as that helps the team more than tanking each year

Yeah, no. We aren't doing tank talk in this or GDTs.

 

[Jersey Fan 12]

To be fair, Palmieri is always streaky throughout a season, but still typically ends up with 25+ goals and 45+points, so it's not like this is new territory for him. Gusev there really isn't much of a track record, but given he was slow to get going last year he may just be a slow starter. Which sucks in a shortened season because you just have less games for guys to get going. If it takes him like 20+ games to get going, that's like a third or more of the season.

Is Gusev a slow starter or just a player who accumulated points in games that were for the most part meaningless?

 

[Jersey Fan 12]

P.K. Subban Is Struggling In All Facets of the Game for the Devils



Not that this is news or anything, but even I didn't think it was that bad.

Article reflects more on the ability and biases of the writer than it does on the play of PK.

Subban has been head and shoulders above last year and done a lot of the heavy lifting for this team.