Devils team discussion (news, notes and speculation) - 2023 training camp edition

[Captain3rdLine]

Has Nemec or Hamilton or Luke Hughes played the PK at all during the preseason?

If we are confident that one of them can handle 2nd pairing PK minutes, then Nemec could play on opening day.

If they haven't played PK, then Smith or Miller will be in the lineup and the final D choice could be a straight decision between Luke or Nemec.

Based on preseason play only, who's had a better camp? Luke Hughes or Simon Nemec?

We pretty well know who’s playing 3rd pair Thursday. Luke and Smith.

We also have known for months that there’s no chance whatsoever of Luke not making the team. So it won’t be a decision between them regardless of how they think he’s done.

I think Nemec had a better camp than Luke and I know there’s some other people that feel the same way.
They both showed some of their great potential while also making some mistakes. I think Nemec got better as camp went on and looked more comfortable with less mistakes towards the end.

But as I said, Luke will play in the first game and is a lock to make the team.
Nemec is most likely being sent down tomorrow. Only way he isn’t is if Haula is injured and we can start with 24 on the roster somehow including 8D.

i thought that was because Haula was out?

Don’t think so. Lazar seemed like more of just a placeholder for Haula. If Haula’s healthy I’d imagine it’ll be Palat-Haula-Holtz

 

[Guadana]

I have no words.....

They are mtl fans. And its not a fan base only, it started from the owners to stuff, then to the media and then its fan base.
In the Hutson case - at least they like him. Its a positive feeling that too intense. And if Nemec is deserving to be traded for Anderson from their view, ofcourse Hutson is better.

 

[Better Call Sal]

 

[MasterofGrond]

I'm sad Hutson has gotten so overrated, because he owns. Just an incredibly fun player. Really wish I could be the hutson guy, but habs fans gonna habs fan.

 

[Cheddabombs]

I have no words.....

Don't worry, I'm about to go there and say I'd rather have Kevin Bahl than Hutson to ruffle some feathers

 

[devilsblood]

We all know you’re just trying to be a clown at this point instead of having a mature conversation/debate.

But still to answer the question it’s hard to tell in and would completely depend on the situation. He’ll likely get more opportunities with the devils this season and who knows if the team claiming him would even be a good fit.

My questions highlight how dumb the “luck” factor is.

 

[My3Sons]

My questions highlight how dumb the “luck” factor is.

I think “luck” is just over simplified. Opportunity and fit might be a better way to look at it. The way Marino went from being moved down the depth chart in PIT to fitting hand in glove in NJ. For whatever reason PIT wasn’t able to get him to play to his strengths. He became somewhat of a scape goat for the team’s playoff failure. His opportunity came with NJ and the Devils asked him to play to his strengths and their defensive makeup and style of play allowed him to do that.

 

[Nubmer6]

At this point I'm beginning to wonder if we go with 13F/8D and rotate in Luke+Miller / Smith+Nemec, at least to start the season.

I'm also wondering if we go after Patrick Kane if Holtz doesn't work out.

 

[Guadana]

At this point I'm beginning to wonder if we go with 13F/8D and rotate in Luke+Miller / Smith+Nemec, at least to start the season.

I'm also wondering if we go after Patrick Kane if Holtz doesn't work out.

Patrick Kane? I would not giving you a like.

 

[MasterofGrond]

Kane is COOKED

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

I wouldn't take Patrick Kane for $0 cap hit.

 

[AfroThunder396]

If the plan is to bring in a PP specialist who can't skate or defend - I'd rather just let Holtz play than sign Kane.

Either Kane signs with his hometown Buffalo Sabres for cheap and basically just exists to sell jerseys and pass the puck to Tage, or Toronto gets desperate and gives him a big boy deal to put them over the hump only to be healthy scratched by January. Those are the only ways it can end for him.

 

[Poppy Whoa Sonnet]

Brendan Smith can play forward, part of the reason he was coveted by the FO i'm guessing. Take advantage of it. Nemec deserves to be there by all accounts.

 

[Saugus]

I think there's a good reason why Kane is still unsigned this close to the start of the season. Teams know he's all but done, and nobody is going to sign him unless they get desperate.

With the depth we have in the organization, there is absolutely no reason we should be going anywhere near Kane.

 

[Darkauron]

Kane is also not resigned yet because he is old and is still injured

 

[Poppy Whoa Sonnet]

If I were Kane, and I had a ton of money already and was injured, I'd probably wait until closer to the playoffs to sign. He's probably gonna enjoy having a bunch of his friends / FOs trying to charm him too and get him to sign for their team.

We haven't seen the last of him I'm guessing.

 

[Nocashstyle]

Kane is an absolute wiener…but in fairness, he’s more likely not signed because he’s still rehabbing and not supposed to be ready for another 3 months.

 

[Camille the Eel]

The only way we should keep Nemec up is if we are going to play him regular shifts as one of our top 6. He needs to play in order to develop and not be sitting in the press box.

 

[MartyOwns]

wait we’re not linked to kane are we? i was hoping he’d re-sign with new york

also some of the takes in the hughes thread on the rangers board are gold. signature material

 

[The Grinder]

I think it’s possible Kane can be useful within a specific role, but that will not be with us. Scoring will not be this teams problem.

 

[Captain3rdLine]

My questions highlight how dumb the “luck” factor is.

Your question didn’t highlight anything whatsoever.

 

[Based Anime Fan]

Lazar makes the team I think.

Fight me if you don't like it.

 

[Captain3rdLine]

Lazar makes the team I think.

Fight me if you don't like it.

I mean he’s been a lock and everyone has known that since we traded for him.

Apart from injuries we’ve know 12/14 forwards and the two others that are likely (Holtz and Foote) for quite a while now.

 

[Based Anime Fan]

True.

I think Nosek is the odd-man out on F, Miller on D.

 

[Captain3rdLine]

True.

I think Nosek is the odd-man out on F, Miller on D.

Nosek is a lock too. We have 14 healthy forwards right now and the only possible odd man out is Tierney if we go 8D or Foote comes back.

Highly unlikely they waive Miller right now too.