Post-Game Talk: Dr. Drai, Hall find Kink(aid)s in the Devils
- Thread starter Soli
- Start date
Sorry. I could not resist.
McDynasty
Registered User
- Nov 11, 2013
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He is also tied with Ovechkin for points, having played 7 less games than him..
Of the top 50 points leaders, his shooting percentage is first in the league at 35.0% Mcdavid was at 20.8.. Kane is 17.6..
These numbers are pretty impressive....
138
That shooting percentage, so insane, it looks like a typo.
35%??!?!?!? incredible.
He doesn't shoot a lot, more of a passer. Seems like he is one of those guys who only shoots if he sees an opening and if he doesn't, he passes it.
Philly85*
I Ain't Even Mad
- Mar 28, 2009
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He hasn't been shooting. His goals have come in close, tap ins and such. He's bound to hit a wall at some point, but hopefully by then he starts using some other parts of his arsenal in terms of shooting and playmaking that keep his shooting % at a sustainable plateau. Eventually he's going to have to start shooting.
Juxta Position
Registered User
- Jul 2, 2006
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Why?
Draisaitl is looking legit, nothing wrong with being optimistic about what looks to be a true star player in the making. I know that this little ray of sunshine through your raincloud view of the oilers is disturbing to you, but how about you let the rest of us enjoy this instead of constantly raining on anything positive regarding the oilers.
Philly85*
I Ain't Even Mad
- Mar 28, 2009
- 15,845
- 3
Optimism is much encouraged, but there is a difference between being happy and optimistic and going overboard, which some people are doing. It's been way too short a stretch to declare its all set and on a straight. While they've been more competitive, the team is coming off a long losing streak and is still at the bottom of the league (again, knowing they aren't the worst in the league...) and it's inevitable Draisaitl will hit a wall at some point, and I do anticipate RNH will begin to score more. He was all over the place last night and badly wanted to score, you could tell.
Need to keep this group together and juggle pieces as hiccups and injuries happen.
And if you haven't noticed a vast majority of us, especially the *extreme* pessimists/realists have been coming around ALOT more lately in terms of being positive. Has more to do with the way the team's performing rather than empty rah-rah cheering the boys on. They've actually been playing good so the hopeful comments are warranted.
Faelko
Registered User
- Aug 11, 2002
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On top of all that, what's wrong with having some C depth? Trading RNH is just plain dumb right now.
Hall-RNH-Draisaitl
....should be the #1 line after McDavid gets back. Draisaitl has already shown he can play RW effectively, we already know that injuries kill this team when we don't have depth.
IMO, Draisaitl's emergence is putting pressure on Eberle and Yak not RNH.
Okposo is a UFA he is going to look to get paid more then RNH . We are better to bite the bullet and swap RNH straight up for Jones . Jones not a #1 D yet but he is a RHD with the skill and upside to become a #1D .
Nurse Jones
Sekera Klefbom
Reinhart Fayne
Gryba
Does look too bad and it they reach 90% of their ceiling it will be a great D to go with
Hall Draisaitl Eberle
Pouloit McDavid Yakupov .
Still rather keep all 3 C and move one to the wing . If/when one gets injured we shouldn't miss a beat
Replacement*
Checked out
A post full of strawman interpretations that weren't stated.
Of course Drai won't keep up the pace. Sidney Crosby can't keep up this pace. But Drai's progression is much more than luck. He is simply dominating in all areas of the ice when he's on. Key on him for awhile. He's beating people to pucks, squeezing opponents off pucks, getting in on forechecks, reading plays at a high level and working flawlessly with Hall.
NOBODY. Was saying Trade NUge now.
What people were stating is IF Drai continues to play anything close to this level. (which is miles better than Nuge has EVER played. Then ultimately in years down the road it makes little sense to pay Nuge 6M to play 3rd line.
Right now I'd bet anybody Drai is going to be a better Center than Nuge. Not even close.
In 5 seasons in the NHL Nuge has never played to this level that we are seeing with Draisaitl.
Nuge started his rookie season with 32 points in his first 29 games. Not bad for an 18 year old if you ask me. His role on this team has changed over the years which you're well aware of I'm sure. He's beasting no doubt, but Nuge is carrying the heavier load IMO, and he's been carrying that load pretty much from day one.
Based on what I've read about Chia, Nuge is his kind of player, doubt he goes anywhere. 3 top 6 centers on the club is a luxury I'm willing to explore. I'd be surprised if many thought Drai would become the better center before these last 10 games. Its easy to say now. Different tool boxes, both unique. Keep them both and our top 6 will flourish.
Thing is, let's say he has a brutal offensive season (35 points or something). How much would that affect his trade value? Probably won't happen; I'm sure he'll probably still get 50 or more points, but I'm always thinking of worst-case scenario. I think we should be looking around right now.
I know there's not many teams looking to trade Dmen. Actually, incendentally enough, I've heard a couple NJ fans on this site mention that they'd be willing to trade a Dman for a top-6 forward. One mentioned Severson. I'd trade RNH for Severson + one of their defensive centers. What do you think? Severson may not be considered a legit top4 guy now, but he will be soon. I'm usually on the money with Dmen, so take my word for it.
(Forwards, not so much. Goalies, not so much. But assessing Dmen is something I'm pretty good at)
I am always wrong on D . I am pretty good and forwards . I called it last year that Draisaitl would be better then RNH . Thing is I called it when he was playing badly for us .
Seeing that you are good on D whats your take on Klefbom and Nurse ? Do we have a #1 D in the making ? I know we got 2 good ones . Do we have a true number 1 ?
I understand your point here Replacement. I even agree with it in certain aspects. But I think that Nuge brings different types of assets to the team. The good thing about Drai though is he not only has the size to seemingly win battles along the boards with one arm while maintaining the puck, but as both yourself and I have mentioned already; Drai's initial speed has grown incredibly since the last year. And he's smart to boot with exceptional playmaking abilities.
Nuge doesn't have the size going for him, but he uses his size well also. He's also, from what I've seen, the first one to the puck in the opposing zone when he or somebody else dumps it in. I think Nuge's defensive play is also quite a bit beter than Drai's, for the time being at least.
It would have to be a pretty spectacular deal to get rid of him anytime soon at least. Perhaps in the future though, time will tell. We have to remember how many games Drai has played so far this year as well. What happens if and when the other shoe drops?
TheRebuild
Bold as Boognish
He wants you to calm down, because we're not allowed to have nice things. Ever.
guymez
The Seldom Seen Kid
- Mar 3, 2004
- 33,124
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Actually there is little to no chance he maintains that.
Those numbers will recede...his shooting % should be below 20% and his ppg will also drop.
The only question is by how much.
Replacement*
Checked out
Fact of the matter is this has now been rendered outlier territory and a kind of production he hasn't been anywhere close to.
Sometimes I think this is overstated. Almost all the time I'm seeing hall and Drai out on the ice I'm seeing them against other squads topguns. I'm seeing Drai pick Toews lunch money for instance.
Not sure where you got this impression. Chia has a noted penchant for big strong players.
Luxury? In two years time its one we won't be able to afford. Drai plays a better, more dominant game than Nuge ever has. I doubt it disappears either. For Nuge its been a struggle with shoulder and not being all that strong in the first place. With Drai theres no such problem. He's an absolute Bull, that just turned 20 and is dominating other forwards.
Yup, next season McDavid will go through an early 4 game pointless streak and everyone will be saying the team should be trading him because we already have Austin Matthews.
Seriously though this fan base is so 'what have you done for me lately' that it's not even funny.
Yet Gretzky wasn't eligible for the Calder because the WHA was considered a pro league yet the WHA was considered minor league in every other aspect. I know a lot of media left it blank for the Calder in protest.
At least in those days, players were allowed to protect their teammates. In today's NHL, players get penalized for protecting their teammates.
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Didn't Klefbom miss a day of practice because of the flu. That's why some the of the defence TOI were screwed.
He's got 15 points in 19 games thus far and we will most likely see a slight increase in his usual point totals due to Drai and McDavid sharing the attention with him.
It appeared to me that McLellan would matchup Nuge against the hardest comp 5v5. I'm not much of a stats guy so if you want to dig up some numbers I'd be interested to see. On the road I'm sure Drai and Hall get quite a bit of attention.
I got this impression from Chia himself when he stated over and over again, when he was first hired, that he seeks players that play a "hard" style, and that size wasn't the end all be all. McLellan preaches the same.
Why are you so convinced it has to be one or the other?? I'd put my money on both of them, along with Connor, being in the top 6 just like you see with San Jose's squad. Every winger not named Hall will be on the chopping block before either one of Drai or Nuge is.
McDNicks17
Moderator
RNH and Eberle have the highest QoC on the team.
Leon is 9th among guys that have played at least 10 games.
Leon is 9th among guys that have played at least 10 games.
I miss mcdavid so much still. If he comes back, and drai and hall are killing it, then we are going to be locked and loaded. Man, if we can find consistent defence and decent goaltending, we might not be out by the end of december!!!
BoldNewLettuce
Esquire
Nowadays everybody wanna skate like they got cellys to five
But nothing lights up when they half-clap their sticks
Just penalty minutes
And mother****ers act like they forgot about Drai
But nothing lights up when they half-clap their sticks
Just penalty minutes
And mother****ers act like they forgot about Drai
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Alawishis
...so anyway.
Some of the Sekera comments are utterly laughable. Everyone is entitled to their opinion but I really have to question the hockey knowledge of some of the posters on here.
Oblivious defensively?
Well, I wouldn't go as far as to question a posters' hockey knowledge since most of us on this board are diehards and are therefore pretty knowledgeable but I do wonder what they are seeing in Sekera.
After the first 10 games or so, Sekera has really steadied his game especially after having been paired with Nurse and his puck movement has been much crisper.
I think it's a matter of him acclimating to the system as he came from a different system under Sutter. He's playing like a confident, veteran defenseman. A few brainfarts here and there but only the elite play near flawless defensive hockey.
For the most part, I've been very happy with Sekera's play as of late, not sure why he's still the favorite whipping boy of some posters.
It's the bottom pairing that has really struggled, Gryba and Reinhart's play has slipped lately. The top 4 has been quite good in this recent stretch, even Fayne.
