Post-Game Talk: Devils win! Devils 5 - Sabres 3

[The 29th Pick]

This is underrated :

its so weird what they can do with videos and pictures these days

 

[glenwo2]

its so weird what they can do with videos and picture these days

I didn't notice it at first as I thought it was just ric flair but when I pressed "play", my jaw hit the ground on what I saw.

 

[The 29th Pick]

I didn't notice it at first as I thought it was just ric flair but when I pressed "play", my jaw hit the ground on what I saw.

yeah thats Rick Wood ! or is it Miles Flair ? lol

 

[Jersey Fan 12]

Second only to Prius drivers.

Not sure I can go with BMW. More often than not when I'm out on the road I find that the "Ultimate Driving Machine" is being operated by a complete blithering idiot

 

[captainscott]

Neither of them have the offensive upside to be a 3C

you have made that determination on maltsev off of 1 game.. and mcleod is getting his first real chance of his career and looks awesome and has gotten chances in every game? you.... you..... you're good

 

[BurntToast]

Listen, I am happy that Johnsson has started to score but the dude is a penalty machine.

This will be an interesting expansion draft because the young bloods have shown so much promise! Boqvist, Kokkenan, and the fourth line has out played their line designation (Started and were often played against the top line) Plus if Wood keeps it up, Zacha and Johnsson could be on the block for the expansion. (I am not exactly sure who is exempt and not.)

 

[Guttersniped]

To be fair Zacha had 32 points in the 66 games he played in 2019-2020. He likely gets to the range in a full season.

Zacha average TOI was 16:16 in 2019-20, that 6th highest among the Devils forwards. He was 7th among Devils forwards in EV ATOI with 12:35. He scored 8 points (3G 5A) on power play, 4 points (2G 2A) short handed and 20 points (3G 17A) on even strength.

We know why Zacha got a ton of ice time, it was lack of depth (and trades), but if he was a 3rd line center on a good team that ice time would go down.

Also, the biggest issue is his 5v5 defense, which is what teams want from a 3rd line center. Is he someone you would consider a strong two-player? I don’t, that’s my problem with him.

 

[guitarguyvic]

The kids are looking like legit NHL'ers.

Palms and especially Gusev should be epically embarrassed being outshined by a cadre of rookies and Miles Wood.

 

[swiiscompos]

It’s 3am, I’m going to bed, and I’m so grateful for Miles Wood.

 

[Guttersniped]

It’s 3am, I’m going to bed, and I’m so grateful for Miles Wood.

 

[Devil X]

Zacha average TOI was 16:16 in 2019-20, that 6th highest among the Devils forwards. He was 7th among Devils forwards in EV ATOI with 12:35. He scored 8 points (3G 5A) on power play, 4 points (2G 2A) short handed and 20 points (3G 17A) on even strength.

We know why Zacha got a ton of ice time, it was lack of depth (and trades), but if he was a 3rd line center on a good team that ice time would go down.

Also, the biggest issue is his 5v5 defense, which is what teams want from a 3rd line center. Is he someone you would consider a strong two-player? I don’t, that’s my problem with him.

Ahh yes numbers all of which matter. However its hard to compare him to the other players you mention without looking at it side by side. No one is arguing he's a top 6 player and given the numbers you show neither at the Devils. he was 6th on TOI in a season which we lost Hall part way through. Surely if Hall was on the team he would have lost ice time to him. He was 7th in ATOI which ideally gives him a 3rd line role.

When it comes to 5v5 D we have been flashes in the past. He's still 23 years old (24 in April) and a power forward, which always take longer. I do believe he can become a good defensive forward for this team in the future.

Zacha is punching above his weight class right now, and frankly its the reason for his stunted development because he has been doing that his whole Devils career. I am not here to try and convince anyone that Zacha is a top 6 forward or a budding superstar. Because he is not, my debate would simply be he is a bottom 6 player or a top 9 player when mostly limited to a 3rd line role. I think most of, if not all the people here feel the same way. I have not seen one person say he was some crazy superstar in waiting.

Everyone sees the same thing Zacha shows flashes, he shows it on the defensive side of the puck and the offensive side at times. He just cant do it consistently.

 

[Triumph]

Ahh yes numbers all of which matter. However its hard to compare him to the other players you mention without looking at it side by side. No one is arguing he's a top 6 player and given the numbers you show neither at the Devils. he was 6th on TOI in a season which we lost Hall part way through. Surely if Hall was on the team he would have lost ice time to him. He was 7th in ATOI which ideally gives him a 3rd line role.

When it comes to 5v5 D we have been flashes in the past. He's still 23 years old (24 in April) and a power forward, which always take longer. I do believe he can become a good defensive forward for this team in the future.

Zacha is punching above his weight class right now, and frankly its the reason for his stunted development because he has been doing that his whole Devils career. I am not here to try and convince anyone that Zacha is a top 6 forward or a budding superstar. Because he is not, my debate would simply be he is a bottom 6 player or a top 9 player when mostly limited to a 3rd line role. I think most of, if not all the people here feel the same way. I have not seen one person say he was some crazy superstar in waiting.

Everyone sees the same thing Zacha shows flashes, he shows it on the defensive side of the puck and the offensive side at times. He just cant do it consistently.

Come on, Pavel Zacha isn't a power forward. He is a perimeter player and always will be. There might've been a time when he became a power forward - it is just not in him at this point. His instinct is not to take the puck to the net hard. It is always to pull up or go outside and try to make a play.

That said, I'm not sure why he's getting all the grief today - Kuokkanen's pass to him was off-target and while a better goal scorer could adjust, I don't think most people on this team would be able to score off that pass. I thought he played a decent game otherwise. But he's just not going to be a power forward.

 

[Hisch13r]

you have made that determination on maltsev off of 1 game.. and mcleod is getting his first real chance of his career and looks awesome and has gotten chances in every game? you.... you..... you're good

It's almost like there's more to base a player on than just how they've played in the NHL... Maybe McLeod gets there because he was a good producer in Mississauga. He's looked good at his role but to act like he's been this big producer is a hilarious notion. He's shooting 30%. If he was shooting a reasonable % he'd be around 10 which means he'd have 1 goal. 1 goal and 1 assist in 9 games isn't all that productive now is it? Maltsev has never been all that productive at any level and I see no reason to expect him to become productive enough to be an NHL 3C

 

[glenwo2]

Come on, Pavel Zacha isn't a power forward. He is a perimeter player and always will be. There might've been a time when he became a power forward - it is just not in him at this point. His instinct is not to take the puck to the net hard. It is always to pull up or go outside and try to make a play.

That said, I'm not sure why he's getting all the grief today - Kuokkanen's pass to him was off-target and while a better goal scorer could adjust, I don't think most people on this team would be able to score off that pass. I thought he played a decent game otherwise. But he's just not going to be a power forward.

If you're referring to the one where Pavel missed the wide-open net, I must disagree with you.

That pass looked on-target but I think the problem was that Pavel was positioned a bit further past the net than he should've been.

 

[Guttersniped]

I am more concerned that Nico will be the rehab center for Palms and Gusev when he returns from a broken leg and will want to rehab his own game. Zacha can be sat as needed and moved around the bottom six if warranted. He’s not a core guy right now and hopefully guys playing well will be played ahead of him. I think the potential of Nico having to drag around two anchors on one leg is a bigger mess than anything Zacha related.

Poor Nico had Hughes on his wing at end of last season after he came back from the knee injury. Jack was terrible at wing, he had smashed to pieces against the rookie wall and was mostly shooting (very badly) in a desperate attempt for goals. I don’t think that monstrosity of a line scored one 5v5 point but Nasreddine kept sending them out, I assume because he didn’t know what else to do with Hughes.

Good times.

 

[Guttersniped]

It's almost like there's more to base a player on than just how they've played in the NHL... Maybe McLeod gets there because he was a good producer in Mississauga. He's looked good at his role but to act like he's been this big producer is a hilarious notion. He's shooting 30%. If he was shooting a reasonable % he'd be around 10 which means he'd have 1 goal. 1 goal and 1 assist in 9 games isn't all that productive now is it? Maltsev has never been all that productive at any level and I see no reason to expect him to become productive enough to be an NHL 3C

Yeah, I’d wait to see if McLeod is productive enough to be a NHL 4th line center before jumping to the question of whether is he productive enough to be a NHL 3rd line center. I’d like McLeod to become more proficient at PKing too.

I’m rooting for him but he didn’t transmogrify into Zajac in one afternoon.

 

[Emperoreddy]

Yeah, I’d wait to see if McLeod is productive enough to be a NHL 4th line center before jumping to the question of whether is he productive enough to be a NHL 3rd line center. I’d like McLeod to become more proficient at PKing too.

I’m rooting for him but he didn’t transmogrify into Zajac in one afternoon.

I do see progress. I don't know if he developed a scoring touch yet, but his overall game looks improved and fits a need on this team

Hynes Devils were painfully soft and easy to play against. McLeod and friends giving us much needed size, while not sacrificing speed.

 

[Emperoreddy]

Poor Nico had Hughes on his wing at end of last season after he came back from the knee injury. Jack was terrible at wing, he had smashed to pieces against the rookie wall and was mostly shooting (very badly) in a desperate attempt for goals. I don’t think that monstrosity of a line scored one 5v5 point but Nasreddine kept sending them out, I assume because he didn’t know what else to do with Hughes.

Good times.

It's amazing. Jack is a player reborn from last year.

 

[NjdevilfanJim]

3 stars, Wood Wood Wood!

That line without a doubt.

 

[captainscott]

I do see progress. I don't know if he developed a scoring touch yet, but his overall game looks improved and fits a need on this team

Hynes Devils were painfully soft and easy to play against. McLeod and friends giving us much needed size, while not sacrificing speed.

both were available last year but hynes didn't have the balls to play them or call them up etc. they should have been playing last year too.. but all good.. can't believe the devils have som much depth up front.. good days are ahead

 

[Jersey Fan 12]

both were available last year but hynes didn't have the balls to play them or call them up etc. they should have been playing last year too.. but all good.. can't believe the devils have som much depth up front.. good days are ahead

Believe it is the GM, and not the head coach, who decides where players play.

With where the Devils were in the standings last year, it makes sense that the younger players were allowed to play together in Binghamton; developing chemistry in a winning atmosphere.

 

[Clam Jensen]

Yeah, I’d wait to see if McLeod is productive enough to be a NHL 4th line center before jumping to the question of whether is he productive enough to be a NHL 3rd line center. I’d like McLeod to become more proficient at PKing too.

I’m rooting for him but he didn’t transmogrify into Zajac in one afternoon.

+1 for “transmogrify”, damn dude.

 

[My3Sons]

+1 for “transmogrify”, damn dude.

That’s from Calvin and Hobbes if memory serves

 

[MartyOwns]

That’s from Calvin and Hobbes if memory serves

you are correct!

i can't even tell you how many words are in my vocabulary due to C&H.

 

[NjdevilfanJim]

The kids are looking like legit NHL'ers.

Palms and especially Gusev should be epically embarrassed being outshined by a cadre of rookies and Miles Wood.

Willing to give them benefit of the doubt and some time....Especially Palms