GDT: Devils vs. Blackhawks - Star Wars Night - 7:00 PM MSG+

[TheUnseenHand]

What even happened to Vatanen? Another concussion?

I think a puck hit him in the face or something. Hard to tell, it was on the other side of the ice from my seat.

 

[glenwo2]

What even happened to Vatanen? Another concussion?

Got hit in the face (Left side) with a puck.

Not on the head but in the mouth area on the left cheek side.

 

[Billdo]

say what you want, I've been watching this team since '83

Oh good, a D measuring contest. Since you're an elder statesmen around here MAYBE just MAYBE don't dump on an 18 year old kid who has already showed a good amount of progress and is universally viewed as a top talent. But hey, you've been watching for 36 years so what does everyone else know...

 

[JimEIV]

Gonna focus on Nico and Jack.

Reality is, Hughes is and will be viewed on a different level than Nico.

Love Nico, but Hughes was always viewed on a different tier than Hischier. Nico has to develop his offensive game more. Outstanding defensively, but his offense has to come around. Hopefully with Hynes out, Nico will bring it more offensively. His points are going up steadily, but I think and hope there's another level that he can bring. He showed a lot more flash in juniors offensively...more of an offensive arsenal than we've seen at the NHL level. Hopefully he adjusts and brings it into the NHL soon. He has it in him.

Not everyone will be McDavid. Jack is projected to be an elite #1 Center...was never projected to be an elite #1 right out of the gate.

The 1-2 punch is there for the future

Jack is on pace to score 16 fewer points than Nico did at the same age.

 

[The 29th Pick]

Oh good, a D measuring contest. Since you're an elder statesmen around here MAYBE just MAYBE don't dump on an 18 year old kid who has already showed a good amount of progress and is universally viewed as a top talent. But hey, you've been watching for 36 years so what does everyone else know...

relax

 

[glenwo2]

@Billdo

relax

Oh yeah? Well I'm 43 and I yell at clouds...SO THERE, you two!

 

[vtdevils2k]

Jack is on pace to score 16 fewer points than Nico did at the same age.

Has Jack played with Hall the entire season like Nico did? Has Jack played with THAT MVP Hall like Nico did?

Hall had his best season ever that year. Did Nico contribute to that...of course, but Hall may never have that type of season again. Different players etc.

I remember hearing how cerebral Hughes was and how Cole complimented him so well. Hughes thinks the game very well...need someone who can think like him...hence they are shuffling the lines. It's a process.

 

[The 29th Pick]

@Billdo



Oh yeah? Well I'm 43 and I yell at clouds, so there!

let Billdo fight his own fight, I'm mad as hell this team hasnt improved (at all) in forever

 

[My3Sons]

I'm glad there's still one optimistic Devils fan left

the team needed to rip off the bandaid. The current veteran core is not good enough which seemed obvious but Shero has been fighting it. The best players are 18 and 20 and some other guys 21-23. The best veteran other than Hall is probably Gusev the past few games. That’s not good enough. It’s for the best if they move on from the vets and let the young players take over the team. They will struggle a bit over the next season or two but they will get more top picks and that will give Nico and Hughes time to grow and develop as players. Don’t give up they will be good eventually.

 

[TheUnseenHand]

Thing with Hughes is that he is a playmaker. Unfortunately he is setting up guys left and right that are allergic to scoring goals.

 

[glenwo2]

let Billdo fight his own fight, I'm mad as hell this team hasnt improved (at all) in forever

I wasn't fighting his fight.

I was inserting myself into a conversation with an asinine comment.

Hmmm....don't I always do that, though?

 

[The 29th Pick]

the team needed to rip off the bandaid. The current veteran core is not good enough which seemed obvious but Shero has been fighting it. The best players are 18 and 20 and some other guys 21-23. The best veteran other than Hall is probably Gusev the past few games. That’s not good enough. It’s for the best if they move on from the vets and let the young players take over the team. They will struggle a bit over the next season or two but they will get more top picks and that will give Nico and Hughes time to grow and develop as players. Don’t give up they will be good eventually.

I'm not giving up, but the rebuild is taking longer (by a bit) than expected

 

[JimEIV]

Has Jack played with Hall the entire season like Nico did? Has Jack played with THAT MVP Hall like Nico did?

Hall had his best season ever that year. Did Nico contribute to that...of course, but Hall may never have that type of season again. Different players etc.

If you have a #1 overall with a 36 point campaign that is trouble. There is no sugar coating that. Still lots of time for improvement but in the midst of the floor seemingly falling out from under this franchise his slow production is definitely something to fret over.

 

[vtdevils2k]

Thing with Hughes is that he is a playmaker. Unfortunately he is setting up guys left and right that are allergic to scoring goals.

Referring to my post, that's why he potted all those points etc with Cole...Hughes sets up Wood, etc etc...they can't score if their life depended on it.

 

[The 29th Pick]

I wasn't fighting his fight.

I was inserting myself into a conversation with an asinine comment.

Hmmm....don't I always do that, though?

OK I have to work tomorrow, we can argue again soon enough, love the Devils, love the fans goodnight

 

[vtdevils2k]

If you have a #1 overall with a 36 point campaign that is trouble. There is no sugar coating that. Still lots of time for improvement but in the midst of the floor seemingly falling out from under this franchise his slow production is definitely something to fret over.

If you're a true Devils fan that's watched the games, you know full well that "36 point campaign" is deceiving. Everyone on the team has had a down year. Hughes sets up Wood and others and they can't score for a lick.

I'd focus more on the other two #1 overall picks than the young promising #1 18 year old.

Jack shouldn't be expected to carry this team already, even though he has the attitude and drive to be THE guy at such a young age.

 

[JimEIV]

If you're a true Devils fan that's watched the games, you know full well that "36 point campaign" is deceiving. Everyone on the team has had a down year.

Name the last #1 overall who had worse than 40... every#1 goes to a bad team and even Yakopov managed over 40...his production is worrisome right now.

 

[PKs Broken Stick]

Thing with Hughes is that he is a playmaker. Unfortunately he is setting up guys left and right that are allergic to scoring goals.

Never saw this coming

For real though, I knew he wouldn't make that much of an impact (in terms of points) purely because this team just sucks at scoring goals.

 

[vtdevils2k]

Name the last #1 overall who had worse than 40... every#1 goes to a bad team and even Yakopov managed over 40...his production is worrisome right now.

Was waiting for the Yakopov comparision. Knew this was coming like on the main boards. Have a good night. You gotta relax.

 

[JimEIV]

This board is funny...

Draft day: 60 to 80 points

Reality 36 point pace in December...no big deal I knew it all along. Lol.

 

[Eggtimer]

Still prefer the last two games vs the dumpster fire games that they played under Hynes .
At this point the season is lost so I’m I’m just cheering for Nico Hughes Gusev Bratt and Blackwood to continue to improve .
I can handle watching games like this knowing playoffs are not happening and hoping for a chance at Lafreniere or Byfield

 

[Azathoth]

Hot takes. Get your hot takes here.

 

[PKs Broken Stick]

This board is funny...

Draft day: 60 to 80 points

Reality 36 point pace in December...no big deal I knew it all along. Lol.

ehh I wasn't one of those people who predicted him to have some ridiculous impact in his rookie year.

 

[Poppy Whoa Sonnet]

Hughes can do things no one else can, but he's still very much a work in progress, and he's struggling to create sustained offensive pressure at 5v5 imo. Some great things on the rush (obviously the Wood breakaway a stellar example) and the PP/OT, but he doesn't have that space in the offensive zone at 5v5 and until he can make offense when that happens he won't be the gamebreaking talent he appears to be in bursts.

With that said he had a great game, and he's trending upward. Given the season is near lost I want him to get as much free reign to figure this league out as possible.

 

[PKs Broken Stick]

Hughes can do things no one else can, but he's still very much a work in progress, and he's struggling to create sustained offensive pressure at 5v5 imo. Some great things on the rush (obviously the Wood breakaway a stellar example) and the PP/OT, but he doesn't have that space in the offensive zone at 5v5 and until he can make offense when that happens he won't be the gamebreaking talent he appears to be in bursts.

With that said he had a great game, and he's trending upward. Given the season is near lost I want him to get as much free reign to figure this league out as possible.

A big part of that is he keeps dropping the pass off to a teammate right when he enters the zone, and then his teammates have no idea what to do with the puck. Saw it multiple times tonight alone. I'd like to see him carry it in a bit more.