GDT: Devils @ Panthers - 7:00 PM - MSG+

[JimEIV]

The funny thing is that it took McLeod 39 games in the league to score his first goal and it took Boqvist over 43 games in the NHL to get his first assist.

So now it's 100 games for McLeod. He has 9 goals and all 9 of them came over a 45 game span last year.

He doesn't have a goal at any point in more half of his total games played in the league. Like he's went 55 combined games where he has 0 goals, and then a 45 game span in the middle where he scored all 9 of his goals.

Kind of data snooping, but kind of not and pretty hilarious. All 9 of his goals came in a 45 game stretch right in between his 100 games that he's played in the league.

And his shooting percentage in the NHL for his career is below average, but not unsustainably below average. It's 8.3% and the league average is somewhere around 9% or slightly over 9%. It's not like he's 5%--6%So he had one year of shooting like Adam Henrique, then he has 3 seasons (just parts of seasons, since he didn't play any full ones, other than last year and that was a shortened season) of 0% shooting percentage.

He's not just bad at goal scoring and finishing. He’s bad at getting shots. He has 2 in his last 5 games while averaging about 16 minutes or so. 2 in the Rangers game and that’s it.

Not one of our 46 shots on goal last night were taken by him and he played 14:08.

He has 17 shots on goal this year in 15 games, while averaging 15:08 of ice time. He’s only been credited with 31 attempted shots. That’s barely more than 2 a game. 109 shots in 100 games in his career. He sucks. A face off specialist at 12th overall. Sweet.

There was huge change for McLeod when Wood joined his line last year...I remember looking at the end of last year and a lot of McLeod's and Bastian's points had Wood factored into them. They didn't have much before Wood got demoted to that line.

 

[JimEIV]

…and Blackwood looked like garbage and blew the game while Knight was excellent this time around. The difference in the game, not that we weren’t scary enough.

Do the Islanders count as a team that throws their weight around? How did that game go? Your narrative isn’t falsifiable. We’re an average team that will be up and down all year. Especially without our best forward. And you don’t win games when goaltending is that lopsided.

Wood? Who is our best forward? Surely you are not calling Hughes our best forward?

 

[TheUnseenHand]

There was huge change for McLeod when Wood joined his line last year...I remember looking at the end of last year and a lot of McLeod's and Bastian's points had Wood factored into them. They didn't have much before Wood got demoted to that line.

Missing Miles is hurting the team as a whole.

 

[Buck Dancer]

…and Blackwood looked like garbage and blew the game while Knight was excellent this time around. The difference in the game, not that we weren’t scary enough.

Do the Islanders count as a team that throws their weight around? How did that game go? Your narrative isn’t falsifiable. We’re an average team that will be up and down all year. Especially without our best forward. And you don’t win games when goaltending is that lopsided.

I love how you conveniently forgot to answer my post and proceeded to jump to another point, as if nothing happened.

We’re not an average team, we have very solid assets on our roster but we’re poorly built. Granted, Fitz has done a wonderful job in acquiring big and skilled blue liners and knocked one out of the park by selecting Dawson Mercer, who has superstar labeled all over him. However, our forwards all look alike and that’s where changes need to happen and I’m certain we’ll see them this summer when we have to deal with certain contracts.

I remember when posters were mocking the fact that we needed bigger guys on defence by throwing out their height when comparing possible deals or free agent signings. We added just that and our blue line looks amazing compared to years past when we had Smurfs leading the way. Yeah, landing Hamilton changed everything but he’s a big dude and his partner, Graves, is just as big. Siegenthaler is another big body and we’ve drafted Shak, traded for Bahl, drafted L. Hughes, etc. which isn’t a coincidence at all.

I’m sorry to say but as much as you hate to admit it, being a physical team is important when playing a physical sport and having Wood out of our lineup is another loss that is being undervalued imo.

 

[glenwo2]

Your username explains it perfectly. Sometimes we do need some luck in terms of the puck going in. Yes, we need more finishers BUT we have quite a few snakebitten players at the moment. Hopefully the tide turns the other way soon and we get some help from

THE UNSEEN HAND

I miss Doc.

 

[Camille the Eel]

In that 7 - 3 win we had a tip (Nico) and a bounce (Tatar) and some other puck luck too. But we fought to the front of the net more. A bit of that would have helped last night.

 

[JimEIV]

I love how you conveniently forgot to answer my post and proceeded to jump to another point, as if nothing happened.

We’re not an average team, we have very solid assets on our roster but we’re poorly built. Granted, Fitz has done a wonderful job in acquiring big and skilled blue liners and knocked one out of the park by selecting Dawson Mercer, who has superstar labeled all over him. However, our forwards all look alike and that’s where changes need to happen and I’m certain we’ll see them this summer when we have to deal with certain contracts.

I remember when posters were mocking the fact that we needed bigger guys on defence by throwing out their height when comparing possible deals or free agent signings. We added just that and our blue line looks amazing compared to years past when we had Smurfs leading the way. Yeah, landing Hamilton changed everything but he’s a big dude and his partner, Graves, is just as big. Siegenthaler is another big body and we’ve drafted Shak, traded for Bahl, drafted L. Hughes, etc. which isn’t a coincidence at all.

I’m sorry to say but as much as you hate to admit it, being a physical team is important when playing a physical sport and having Wood out of our lineup is another loss that is being undervalued imo.

Yup...And people love to conflate goons with size and toughness...Kovalchuk was a beast of man at 6'3 222lbs, I didn't particularly like his style but his toughness and physical prowess could never be questioned.

I would go as far to say is I don't remember a "good" Devils team without a strong element of size and toughness in the top 6.

 

[Cheddabombs]

Wood? Who is our best forward? Surely you are not calling Hughes our best forward?

Tyce Thompson

 

[JimEIV]

Tyce Thompson

Ahh that makes sense.

 

[SteveCangialosi123]

I love how you conveniently forgot to answer my post and proceeded to jump to another point, as if nothing happened.

We’re not an average team, we have very solid assets on our roster but we’re poorly built. Granted, Fitz has done a wonderful job in acquiring big and skilled blue liners and knocked one out of the park by selecting Dawson Mercer, who has superstar labeled all over him. However, our forwards all look alike and that’s where changes need to happen and I’m certain we’ll see them this summer when we have to deal with certain contracts.

I remember when posters were mocking the fact that we needed bigger guys on defence by throwing out their height when comparing possible deals or free agent signings. We added just that and our blue line looks amazing compared to years past when we had Smurfs leading the way. Yeah, landing Hamilton changed everything but he’s a big dude and his partner, Graves, is just as big. Siegenthaler is another big body and we’ve drafted Shak, traded for Bahl, drafted L. Hughes, etc. which isn’t a coincidence at all.

I’m sorry to say but as much as you hate to admit it, being a physical team is important and having Wood out of our lineup is another loss that is being undervalued imo.

Dougie Hamilton is big but not very physical. He’s an elite transition and offensive defenseman. You’re actually trying to say “Heh, yeah I was right.” because we got one of the best players in the NHL? Siegenthaler and Graves don’t play at all alike. Who didn’t want to improve the blueline?

Our forwards don’t all look or play alike. No other wing can do what Bratt can do. We need finishers, high volume shooters. What we don’t need are big guys that suck in transition.

 

[SJinNewJersey]

Interesting analysis. Wonder also if losing Bastian on his wing impacted that too.

That's pretty grim overall, a new Yayo, unless he can pump it up more...

Bastian was also his best friend. Then too he had Wood on that line as well. Si he went from Bastian and Wood to Vesey and rotating wingers. Vesey has been OK, but that line was really good last year.

 

[britdevil]

I miss Doc.

We all do mate.

 

[JimEIV]

Dougie Hamilton is big but not very physical. He’s an elite transition and offensive defenseman. You’re actually trying to say “Heh, yeah I was right.” because we got one of the best players in the NHL? Siegenthaler and Graves don’t play at all alike. Who didn’t want to improve the blueline?

Our forwards don’t all look or play alike. No other wing can do what Bratt can do. We need finishers, high volume shooters. What we don’t need are big guys that suck in transition.

Styles and talent levels aside...We need more size in our forward group desperately.

Our core forward group is tiny.

Jack is listed at 175,
Nico is listed at 175,
Bratt is listed at 175,
Mercer is 180, although he may fill out he is still 6'0 - 180 -
Holtz is 6-195
Johnsson is 5'10 195 -
Tatar is the smallest on the list at 5'10 -173

 

[Whaddagoal]

Yup...And people love to conflate goons with size and toughness...Kovalchuk was a beast of man at 6'3 222lbs, I didn't particularly like his style but his toughness and physical prowess could never be questioned.

I would go as far to say is I don't remember a "good" Devils team without a strong element of size and toughness in the top 6.

Styles and talent levels aside...We need more size in our forward group desperately.

Our core forward group is tiny.

Jack is listed at 175,
Nico is listed at 175,
Bratt is listed at 175,
Mercer is 180, although he may fill out he is still 6'0 - 180 -
Holtz is 6-195
Johnsson is 5'10 195 -
Tatar is the smallest on the list at 5'10 -173

I agree with your premise up top, that is for sure. Most of the winning teams we had had a good mix of toughness and size, maybe except for the 2003 team which was kind of in the middle?

Of that list, though Mercer (so far) and Nico play a game that is bigger than their size. Johnsson was more peripheral last season, but I see he is playing a grittier game for his size and isn't shying away from getting into the rough stuff (after whistles) particularly. We all know Nico is going hard into the dirty areas and taking hits to make a play. But having some skilled/talented 6'1" or 6'2"+ guy playing with a physical edge regularly definitely improves this balance for the team.

Of all the guys, I'm concerned about how the Bratt - Mercer - Johnsson line and how Hughes would be in a long playoff series overall, but it really depends on how the referees end up calling the playoffs these days.

Zacha is big and appears to be fairly strong, but he isn't an aggressive player. He takes hits and dishes out quietly solid hits, but doesn't go out of his way to make a physical statement. That's one flaw in his game I see for sure.

 

[Buck Dancer]

Dougie Hamilton is big but not very physical. He’s an elite transition and offensive defenseman. You’re actually trying to say “Heh, yeah I was right.” because we got one of the best players in the NHL? Siegenthaler and Graves don’t play at all alike. Who didn’t want to improve the blueline?

Our forwards don’t all look or play alike. No other wing can do what Bratt can do. We need finishers, high volume shooters. What we don’t need are big guys that suck in transition.

Your conception of being big equals gooning it up, when it has nothing to do with it. Hamilton’s wing span is the main reason why he’s good defensively, not because he’s this bruising guy. Ryan Graves is a more physical dman and like Hamilton, his long reach breaks up more plays then you’d think. The same can be said about Siegenthaler as well. I honestly feel like you’re purposely avoiding the points that I’m trying to make, and are fairly obvious to be honest with you, just so you won’t lose face.

As for our forwards, saying we don’t need more size up front who can equally contribute offensively is again, purposely avoiding the elephant in the room.

If you think we have this extraordinary cast of forwards, why aren’t we any better against tougher competition? Is it only because we don’t have a goal scorer? If so, who are we getting to fix that issue? Are we going to wait for Holtz to get it all together?

I’d like to know what your plan looks like. Do we continue to add picks in hopes we finally get it all together and that guys like Bratt, Zacha, Hischier, Jack, Dawson and others will eventually click together? I’m just curious to know what your vision is moving forward.

 

[Whaddagoal]

Bastian was also his best friend. Then too he had Wood on that line as well. Si he went from Bastian and Wood to Vesey and rotating wingers. Vesey has been OK, but that line was really good last year.

I thought also McLeod played a much better game when he was really physically engaged, hitting. I noticed, in this season so far particualrly, he hasn't done a whole lot of that. End half of last season he was buzzing hard hits and in a way, morphing into a mini-tough guy, getting into fights and all that stuff. This season not really at all (maybe except for the Seattle game?)

 

[Emperoreddy]

I think McLeod issues are more to him trying to adapt into a different role with Jack out.

He doesn't have much offensive talent so he is at his best when he is throwing his weight around and just being a pest.

 

[Buck Dancer]

I think McLeod issues are more to him trying to adapt into a different role with Jack out.

He doesn't have much offensive talent so he is at his best when he is throwing his weight around and just being a pest.

100000 likes for this post.

 

[Eggtimer]

The type of player Id like for us to get on the wing is E Kane. Not specifically him as he doesn not stand for what Fitz would tolerate in the locker room , rather just stylistically what I think we need.
Miller is somewhat the type we need. Other needs are high volume shooters / players with some finish - Tarasenko and Boeser are wo examples that are available.
Now do we make a move for one of these types of players or do we wait until??? When im not really sure.
I think our defence core is miles better but if I could tweak it somewhat , Id get a player like Adam Larsson in for Severson . Have a more defensive player to pair with Smith.
Other than that , I think our D will be pretty damn good once we get Luke here. And sign Graves after his current contract . The big question is what to do on RHD with Subban and Severson until Luke is ready ? Does Luke play RHD to fill a need or play where he might be more effective on his natural left side? I have no clue.
This years draft is heavy on stud RHD so I dont want to trade our first pick unless its for a stud , massive upgrade that fills a long term need.

 

[SJinNewJersey]

I thought also McLeod played a much better game when he was really physically engaged, hitting. I noticed, in this season so far particualrly, he hasn't done a whole lot of that. End half of last season he was buzzing hard hits and in a way, morphing into a mini-tough guy, getting into fights and all that stuff. This season not really at all (maybe except for the Seattle game?)

Agreed, he's not been the same players as last year.

 

[Buck Dancer]

Styles and talent levels aside...We need more size in our forward group desperately.

Our core forward group is tiny.

Jack is listed at 175,
Nico is listed at 175,
Bratt is listed at 175,
Mercer is 180, although he may fill out he is still 6'0 - 180 -
Holtz is 6-195
Johnsson is 5'10 195 -
Tatar is the smallest on the list at 5'10 -173

Yet I keep hearing that our lack of size on our top lines isn’t the issue.

Personally, I think certain posters are too emotionally attached to our players and are more concerned about specific players instead of the good of the team. A guy like Bratt is a tremendous story and a slick player but to label him as a core piece moving forward when he has a career high of 16 goals and 35 pts is, well… a head scratcher.

 

[Buck Dancer]

The type of player Id like for us to get on the wing is E Kane. Not specifically him as he doesn not stand for what Fitz would tolerate in the locker room , rather just stylistically what I think we need.
Miller is somewhat the type we need. Other needs are high volume shooters / players with some finish - Tarasenko and Boeser are wo examples that are available.
Now do we make a move for one of these types of players or do we wait until??? When im not really sure.
I think our defence core is miles better but if I could tweak it somewhat , Id get a player like Adam Larsson in for Severson . Have a more defensive player to pair with Smith.
Other than that , I think our D will be pretty damn good once we get Luke here. And sign Graves after his current contract . The big question is what to do on RHD with Subban and Severson until Luke is ready ? Does Luke play RHD to fill a need or play where he might be more effective on his natural left side? I have no clue.
This years draft is heavy on stud RHD so I dont want to trade our first pick unless its for a stud , massive upgrade that fills a long term need.

I agree with everything said in this post. We would be a much better team with a power forward on our top line over the guys we currently have. If we take a look at all the top lines in the game today, they’re all built the same way. You have a sniper, a playmaker and a skilled "grinder". We can build that with Hughes and Holtz but we’re missing the skilled "grinder".

As for our defence, we would be so much better with a Muzzin type of dman over Severson on our 2nd pairing. We have several offensive minded dman and outside of Graves and Siegenthaler, to a lesser degree, we’re lacking that type of player on the right side and with Smith and Hughes who will play key roles for us moving forward, adding a more defensive minded dman would be the smartest move to make now and in the future.

 

[MartyOwns]

We all do mate.

not me. great guy, but i definitely don’t miss him as an announcer

 

[SteveCangialosi123]

Your conception of being big equals gooning it up, when it has nothing to do with it. Hamilton’s wing span is the main reason why he’s good defensively, not because he’s this bruising guy. Ryan Graves is a more physical dman and like Hamilton, his long reach breaks up more plays then you’d think. The same can be said about Siegenthaler as well. I honestly feel like you’re purposely avoiding the points that I’m trying to make, and are fairly obvious to be honest with you, just so you won’t lose face.

As for our forwards, saying we don’t need more size up front who can equally contribute offensively is again, purposely avoiding the elephant in the room.

If you think we have this extraordinary cast of forwards, why aren’t we any better against tougher competition? Is it only because we don’t have a goal scorer? If so, who are we getting to fix that issue? Are we going to wait for Holtz to get it all together?

I’d like to know what your plan looks like. Do we continue to add picks in hopes we finally get it all together and that guys like Bratt, Zacha, Hischier, Jack, Dawson and others will eventually click together? I’m just curious to know what your vision is moving forward.

You haven’t made a single comprehensible point, what is there to respond to? “We need to get bigger/scarier” doesn’t mean anything to me. We got good players this offseason that happen to be big. That’s good. Let’s keep getting good players.

My plan definitely doesn’t include stupid moves like trading our very good 23 year old winger for a 28 year old with 1 more year until UFA.

Why would I want to “add picks” when we just added the prize of the offseason in his prime? I obviously want to bring in a wing, probably by trade. I’m not moving a 1st given the possibly of another bottom 10 finish.

We’ve played the whole year without our franchise center. But he’s just another small guy so I guess he wouldn’t even make a difference.

 

[Buck Dancer]

You haven’t made a single comprehensible point, what is there to respond to? “We need to get bigger/scarier” doesn’t mean anything to me. We got good players this offseason that happen to be big. That’s good. Let’s keep getting good players.

My plan definitely doesn’t include stupid moves like trading our very good 23 year old winger for a 28 year old with 1 more year until UFA.

Why would I want to “add picks” when we just added the prize of the offseason in his prime? I obviously want to bring in a wing, probably by trade. I’m not moving a 1st given the possibly of another bottom 10 finish.

We’ve played the whole year without our franchise center. But he’s just another small guy so I guess he wouldn’t even make a difference.

I’ve made several points but they seemed to fly right over your head or you’re completely ignoring the obvious, which makes it extremely difficult to have a level headed conversation with someone who’s very narrow minded.

Jack Hughes hasn’t proven anything yet despite having 2 good games to start the year against two very weak teams, so saying we’re missing our franchise center as if we’re missing Connor McDavid or Nathan MacKinnon, is definitely reaching.

Trading one of our very good diminutive wingers for an even better all around power forward isn’t a dumb move at all. The fact that he’s 28 doesn’t change a single thing for me because this entire thing about everyone being 26 or younger is a joke. We just added Hamilton who’s 28 and everyone was creaming their pants the second it was announced. I’m pretty sure that Fitz is no idiot and would have a chat with Miller or Tkatchuk’s agent before shipping several assets the other way. If resigning someone like Miller who’s 28, to a long term deal would be such a bad idea, explain to me why you’re so enthused about resigning Damon Severson, who’ll be just as old and is redundant when looking at who we have now and who we’ll have in a year or two or three?

The fact that you can’t even acknowledge that the best lines in the game are all built with a power forward, a sniper and a playmaker is very telling. We have 2/3 of that equation with Hughes and Holtz but we’re missing that final piece, which isn’t Bratt/Tatar/Johnsson/Zacha or whoever else we have on our roster or in our pipeline.

Anyways, I’m done talking about this because whatever point will be made about this topic will be brushed aside in a form of a joke or you’ll just ignore the valid points being thrown your way.