GDT: This Season's a Garden, Dig It: Devils @ Islanders, 7 PM, MSG+2

[Devils Dominion]

Who needs Tavares?

they are a much better team this season, #coaching

 

[BenedictGomez]

Santini has looked shaky in his chances while Mueller hasnt

Santini's a 23 year old defenseman who's played only 11 games this year, I'd like to give him far more a chance before deciding his future. I think he's good enough to start on this poor defense.

Also, I dont have the same negative opinion on him as you do, especially given the obvious rust and lack of P.T.

 

[Hischier and Hughes]

Santini's a 23 year old defenseman who's played only 11 games this year, I'd like to give him far more a chance before deciding his future. I think he's good enough to start on this poor defense.

Also, I dont have the same negative opinion on him as you do, especially given the obvious rust and lack of P.T.

So then why has Mueller done better ?

 

[billingtons ghost]

So then why has Mueller done better ?

Isn't clear he has - He's been getting sat just as often. They've both been pretty good on the ice outside of a few errors. I'm hopeful they both succeed.

 

[glenwo2]

Will we win today?

 

[Hischier and Hughes]

Isn't clear he has - He's been getting sat just as often. They've both been pretty good on the ice outside of a few errors. I'm hopeful they both succeed.

Even if both have been good, where do they fit long-term?

I feel one will have to be moved eventually as neither are waiver eligible and so it will be Santini (or should be as I think most would agree if they had to choose one or the other)

 

[The Wumpus]

Often feel like I don't mind the Islanders, or almost even like them a little bit because their uniforms are sharp and because they have a vaguely similar unhip suburban NY vibe as us.

Then we play them and it's "Argh I HATE this team".

 

[billingtons ghost]

Even if both have been good, where do they fit long-term?

I feel one will have to be moved eventually as neither are waiver eligible and so it will be Santini (or should be as I think most would agree if they had to choose one or the other)

Tough to read the tea leaves, man. This trade deadline could literally see ANY of our defensemen moved. We don't know for sure if Smith or any of the others will make the NHL until they do - and we won't know they are any better than anything we've got until they show up.

Santini will bring you little compared to what he might do as a #4 or 5 dman for this team. Greene, Vatanen, Severson and Butcher have trade value that exceeds their actual value today. Lovejoy is a candidate as a 7th dman insurance policy to someone.

I think (hope) that after the deadline we see Santini and Mueller on a nightly basis to see what they can do - and hopefully NOT in top pairing roles where they won't have the benefit of being sheltered like Severson and Butcher have.

 

[JimEIV]

Even if both have been good, where do they fit long-term?

I feel one will have to be moved eventually as neither are waiver eligible and so it will be Santini (or should be as I think most would agree if they had to choose one or the other)

For me, first and foremost is the Left/Right issue...We've seen Santini successfully play the left side but he is a RHD...Now look that the depth on each side..

Next year -- 2 assumptions 1. Smith will be here 2. Lovejoy most likely will not.

Greene - Butcher - Smith -Mueller -
Vatanen - Severson - Santini - Jacobs? (who I honestly believe is earning an opportunity this season in Binghamton)

Smith will probably be in the top 4 on the left side. Which most likely means Butcher and Mueller are fighting it out for the 3rd spot? Maybe they shift Butcher over to 3rd RD? They seem to have been reluctant to play him on the right side though? I don't know but on the surface Mueller's spot seems most in danger to me?

 

[Hischier and Hughes]

Tough to read the tea leaves, man. This trade deadline could literally see ANY of our defensemen moved. We don't know for sure if Smith or any of the others will make the NHL until they do - and we won't know they are any better than anything we've got until they show up.

Santini will bring you little compared to what he might do as a #4 or 5 dman for this team. Greene, Vatanen, Severson and Butcher have trade value that exceeds their actual value today. Lovejoy is a candidate as a 7th dman insurance policy to someone.

I think (hope) that after the deadline we see Santini and Mueller on a nightly basis to see what they can do - and hopefully NOT in top pairing roles where they won't have the benefit of being sheltered like Severson and Butcher have.

well Smith literally has to play in the NHL, theres like a 0.01% chance he goes back to juniors.

And I think Mueller should be our 2LD next year with Butcher on his right

 

[Hischier and Hughes]

For me, first and foremost is the Left/Right issue...We've seen Santini successfully play the left side but he is a RHD...Now look that the depth on each side..

Next year -- 2 assumptions 1. Smith will be here 2. Lovejoy most likely will not.

Greene - Butcher - Smith -Mueller -
Vatanen - Severson - Santini - Jacobs? (who I honestly believe is earning an opportunity this season in Binghamton)

Smith will probably be in the top 4 on the left side. Which most likely means Butcher and Mueller are fighting it out for the 3rd spot? Maybe they shift Butcher over to 3rd RD? They seem to have been reluctant to play him on the right side though? I don't know but on the surface Mueller's spot seems most in danger to me?

I think Smith plays the year at 3LD/RD, unless he shines

Mueller should be 2LD IMO with Butcher on his right. At this rate if we arent trading Severson, let him be the one on the 3RD spot until he earns otherwise

 

[JimEIV]

I think Smith plays the year at 3LD/RD, unless he shines

Mueller should be 2LD IMO with Butcher on his right. At this rate if we arent trading Severson, let him be the one on the 3RD spot until he earns otherwise

They already said that they sent him back to junior to be ready to compete for a top 4 spot next year....There is no way that they are going to bury him on the 3rd pair...I expect Smith to get paired with Vatanen...As he is the most stable RHD and that is most important thing for a young D. It is also why Butcher, Mueller and Santini have all gotten time with Vatanen this season....Smith will next year if he is good enough to be here...You can almost bet on that.

 

[ScottyK]

They already said that they sent him back to junior to be ready to compete for a top 4 spot next year....There is no way that they are going to bury him on the 3rd pair...I expect Smith to get paired with Vatanen...As he is the most stable RHD and that is most important thing for a young D. It is also why Butcher, Mueller and Santini have all gotten time with Vatanen this season....Smith will next year if he is good enough to be here...You can almost bet on that.

Smith will be paired with Tyler Myers

 

[Hischier and Hughes]

They already said that they sent him back to junior to be ready to compete for a top 4 spot next year....There is no way that they are going to bury him on the 3rd pair...I expect Smith to get paired with Vatanen...As he is the most stable RHD and that is most important thing for a young D. It is also why Butcher, Mueller and Santini have all gotten time with Vatanen this season....Smith will next year if he is good enough to be here...You can almost bet on that.

Unless Smith is better in his own end than offensively (which Im pretty sure is not the case), we shouldnt have him with Vatanen. Leave Mueller with Vatanen or an acquired dman with him

Also where exactly is this quote saying he will compete for a top 4 spot specifically?

 

[theoptimist]

It’s quite the commitment for us overseas fans. Nonetheless, I’ll tune in at 1am.

 

[devsfan4life]

LGD?


Any update on hall???? Feels like he’s been out forever and nobody is talking about him.

 

[mtnet]

He's going to remain out through the bye week and ASG, return date TBD

 

[MartyOwns]

Greene - Butcher - Smith -Mueller -
Vatanen - Severson - Santini - Jacobs? (who I honestly believe is earning an opportunity this season in Binghamton)

you could very well be right...but holy shit that’s awful

 

[BenedictGomez]

So then why has Mueller done better ?

Mueller has been solid this year. Impressive considering he's 23 with not much NHL experience, and logged quite a bit of time against other team's #1 lines. It's inexplicable that Hynes benched him for so long.

 

[MadDevil]

Mueller and Santini should both be starters on this team. Finally we'll see it.

Watch us get blown out.

 

[BenedictGomez]

Watch us get blown out.

THIS team on the 3rd in 4? I expect a 5-2 loss tonight.

 

[JimEIV]

Mueller has been solid this year. Impressive considering he's 23 with not much NHL experience, and logged quite a bit of time against other team's #1 lines. It's inexplicable that Hynes benched him for so long.

You do realize that he is 7 months younger than Severson right?

 

[zharkenby]

For me ... only because their fans are obnoxious.

Islander fans? Yeah they’re brutal... every year has been “their year” since like 2007 hahahaha

 

[Nubmer6]

Oh wow.

 

[Devils Dominion]

THIS team on the 3rd in 4? I expect a 5-2 loss tonight.

Yeah, NYi -1.5 is looking real good