Post-Game Talk: Opening Day - Devils 5, Oilers 2 (@ Sweden)

[blood gin]

Just watching the game now and what a start. Palms early and then McDavid just flies up the ice to tie it. Also, did Coleman get faster in the offseason? He seemed to be flying on the PK.

I noticed that too. He was already incredibly fast but he looks even quicker now. I wonder if he hired one of those personal speed/power skating coaches in the offseason

 

[jkrdevil]

Depends if he can win games

Kinkaid could have taken a nap in the second period.

He is a capable goalie, but a game like today is how there going to have to play in front of him for the most part.

 

[Camille the Eel]

Nothing, absolutely nothing could be more promising for the Devils season than opening with a dominant offensive performance where Hall didnt drive the scoring. Where the scoring came balanced from other players. If we can do that regularly , we will take it to another level this season and contend to be more than a bubble team.

 

[MadDevil]

Somebody please tell me they have a gif of the guy in the red and green Devils jersey at the end of the game.

 

[JimEIV]

Oh look, Travis Zajac winning a faceoff on the PP that leads to a goal. Get him off the PP!

And then he scores. What an offensive black hole.

I love snarky I told you so post. This was a good one

 

[DerekDevils30]

I am waiting for @Tundra to tell us how well Travis Zajac played today

 

[Zippy316]

They're not benching cs. Cs needs to play to 1, see if he can find his game without re-injuring himself, and 2, kk cant do a full season by himself, and lack, while improved, isnt that consistant. One of these goalies wont be here next season, while odds are its kk, if cs doesnt get his game back and kk steps up more then last season, maybe they trade cory (which is also another reason he cant be benched)
Kk will become a starter next yr unless he has a God awful season or gets injured.

I don't think they're benching Schneider, but I do think Kinkaid has emerged as a legit challenger.

Schneider is going to have to earn the #1 goalie role when he comes back unless Kinkaid really struggles. Kinkaid has been playing at a starting goaltender level since January of last year and he looked solid throughout pre-season.

 

[TheUnseenHand]

I actually didn't mind Dea's game today. As a fill in maybe he can be ok. But I really hope Bratt can get to a point of being able to put a cage on and get back ASAP.

I'll take Dea over Boyle every day.

 

[liquid1988]

Miles Wood about to have a 30-30 season don’t @ me

I could DEFINITELY see this. His hands and mind are starting to catch up with his speed. God I cant wait to look back in 2 years and brag on behalf of Shero

 

[PelleLindbergh]

Do you think Mueller playing top line minutes is where he is needed or was it to appease the Swiss fans? Pleasant surprise that he played so well against McDavid and the Oil maybe this could be more of an option or at least top 4

 

[JimEIV]

I'll take Dea over Boyle every day.

I am no big fan of Boyle...but I don't this so in this case

 

[JimEIV]

I could DEFINITELY see this. His hands and mind are starting to catch up with his speed. God I cant wait to look back in 2 years and brag on behalf of Shero

Brag on behalf of Shero for what? Serious question

 

[Zippy316]

Do you think Mueller playing top line minutes is where he is needed or was it to appease the Swiss fans? Pleasant surprise that he played so well against McDavid and the Oil maybe this could be more of an option or at least top 4

Vatanen is clearly the match-up RD. Severson's defense coverage is way too spotty to handle that role and Lovejoy/Santini showed us they can't do that role without leaving their own zone.

So then it becomes who plays with him. Greene can do it in spades, but ideally he shouldn't play that role anymore. I honestly think Butcher could play it, but he would need to be paired with a bigger defender and/or one who can really skate. Vatanen is neither and those two together will likely have their weaknesses (skating and size) exposed against top players.

So Mueller ends up being the best option if he proves he can handle the responsibility. He's one of our best skating defenders, has the longest reach, and uses his body well. He brings all the attributes you'd want on a pairing with Vatanen, so hopefully he can handle the role.

 

[NjDevsRR]

Do you think Mueller playing top line minutes is where he is needed or was it to appease the Swiss fans?

No

 

[AveryQuietMan]

if this game didnt get you hyped for the season i dont know what will. they look good.

dea just wont to be able to hack it. i dont know why people are praising him.... he looked lost out there.

he looks like a stick figure compared to nhl players and coughed the puck up a few times. if this is our plug then we obviously can deal with it but if you are looking for the next gibbons its just not in the cards. shero is gonna give him a good look in the next few weeks so we will see. but i dont like him one bit.

 

[bodda]

Still can't belive I got to see the devils live here in my hometown. Everything I want to say about the game has already been said here.

Cheers to another year of f***ed up sleeping habits that won't end in january to all my fellow european devils fans

Last year was not a fluke, this team is for real.. *boarding hype train*

 

[Oneiro]

Brag on behalf of Shero for what? Serious question

The cap hit. Rich current valuation based on his body of work but cheap long term if he is the player that many, including myself, think he is. You get most of the prime of Wood for the salary of a third liner.

 

[NJDevs26]

I don't think they're benching Schneider, but I do think Kinkaid has emerged as a legit challenger.

Schneider is going to have to earn the #1 goalie role when he comes back unless Kinkaid really struggles. Kinkaid has been playing at a starting goaltender level since January of last year and he looked solid throughout pre-season.

Yeah let's be honest...Cory's gonna get some time because of his contract but if KK is still playing well and Cory's not and they're not like fifteen points up on a playoff spot it's going to get to a point where they're just gonna roll with him again.

Do you think Mueller playing top line minutes is where he is needed or was it to appease the Swiss fans? Pleasant surprise that he played so well against McDavid and the Oil maybe this could be more of an option or at least top 4

They were in Sweden today.

 

[PelleLindbergh]

Vatanen is clearly the match-up RD. Severson's defense coverage is way too spotty to handle that role and Lovejoy/Santini showed us they can't do that role without leaving their own zone.

So then it becomes who plays with him. Greene can do it in spades, but ideally he shouldn't play that role anymore. I honestly think Butcher could play it, but he would need to be paired with a bigger defender and/or one who can really skate. Vatanen is neither and those two together will likely have their weaknesses (skating and size) exposed against top players.

So Mueller ends up being the best option if he proves he can handle the responsibility. He's one of our best skating defenders, has the longest reach, and uses his body well. He brings all the attributes you'd want on a pairing with Vatanen, so hopefully he can handle the role.

Hey Thanks!! That's awesome, good to see Mueller getting this opportunity. Appreciate the input versus a 1 word response.

 

[Oneiro]

I don't think last year was a fluke, but I've been coming in with tempered expectations (Hall, youth, shooting %, blah blah).

Still, from what I've seen, Nico, Bratt, Wood and Butcher have accelerated the rebuild in a way I didn't expect. It's not based on being excited by the win, just excited by the way these kids are playing.

 

[JimEIV]

The cap hit. Rich current valuation based on his body of work but cheap long term if he is the player that many, including myself, think he is. You get most of the prime of Wood for the salary of a third liner.

Oh for ripping him off. I see. That never works. You pay now or pay later... it usually works out in the end for a decent player. He'll only be 27 his next contract and with arbitration rights.

 

[Zippy316]

Oh for ripping him off. I see. That never works. You pay now or pay later... it usually works out in the end for a decent player. He'll only be 27 his next contract and with arbitration rights.

Maybe. Unless we get guys the big guys (Hall, Hischier, Bratt, Butcher) signed to hometown discounts, it's hard to win in this league without having guys on ELCs contributing beyond their cap hit.

Wood signed to 3 million is an absolute steal that lets you spend around him for the next couple years.

 

[liquid1988]

Brag on behalf of Shero for what? Serious question

Steal of a contract

 

[NjDevsRR]

Now Aethon criticizing Shero for not spending MORE on Wood, never change.

 

[JimEIV]

Maybe. Unless we get guys the big guys (Hall, Hischier, Bratt, Butcher) signed to hometown discounts, it's hard to win in this league without having guys on ELCs contributing beyond their cap hit.

Wood signed to 3 million is an absolute steal that lets you spend around him for the next couple years.

I agree. And that's why I question why Shero burned an ELC on him.

But regardless all of that is the teams perspective not necessarily the players perspective.