GDT: Willy Wonka and the hockey game, Oilers @ Devils 7:30

[Rhodes 81]

I actually don’t think this roster suits the defensive system very well.

On defense, the Devils chose this system to relieve defensive pressure off the smaller centers, Nico and Jack. This system put both defenders behind the net rather than a defender and the center. This may have made sense then but makes less sense now, imo.

The idea the Devils have is the big defenders will win the board battles quickly and then start a quick breakout. This doesn’t happen often enough as the 2 defenders often both begin the battle at a poor angles and stalemate despite outmanning the offense 2-1. This usually invites 1-2 more defenders and 1 more offensive player to join the scrum. Now if the puck pops out the Devils will be outmanned everywhere else on the ice or win the battle and have nobody to pass to leading to a risky play or turnover.

I think the roster is more setup to play a tight zone marking system where the Devils emphasize skating and staying in the way of the opponents shooting opportunities.

I also think the forecheck has been pretty poor this year so I’d probably try more of a counter-attack trap system to take advantage of the Devils who have good acceleration.

——————-

I think these changes would more suit the Devils roster and allow them to save energy for more meaningful moments rather than have to constantly push and chase the game.

Great points. It's annoying because these are the types of situations where our defensive coverage is supposed to generate wins. That's what it did last year, we won those battles and got the puck out quickly. I would say it's just youth on D but the veterans have been struggling with it too.

The link-up play between the forwards and the defense has been much weaker and I think that's where many of the problems lie this year. It's almost like watching a soccer team with a shitty midfield. When we've had ugly losses like last night this season, it has looked to me to be the games where we aren't getting the puck out of the zone with control so we start making too many high risk passes and get caught.

I'm still a believer in Ruff's scheme, but I agree with the sentiment that being more flexible would suit the current iteration of the team better. If the players are going to keep making mental errors, he could take those decisions out of their hands.

 

[Camille the Eel]

I actually don’t think this roster suits the defensive system very well.

On defense, the Devils chose this system to relieve defensive pressure off the smaller centers, Nico and Jack. This system put both defenders behind the net rather than a defender and the center. This may have made sense then but makes less sense now, imo.

The idea the Devils have is the big defenders will win the board battles quickly and then start a quick breakout. This doesn’t happen often enough as the 2 defenders often both begin the battle at a poor angles and stalemate despite outmanning the offense 2-1. This usually invites 1-2 more defenders and 1 more offensive player to join the scrum. Now if the puck pops out the Devils will be outmanned everywhere else on the ice or win the battle and have nobody to pass to leading to a risky play or turnover.

I think the roster is more setup to play a tight zone marking system where the Devils emphasize skating and staying in the way of the opponents shooting opportunities.

I also think the forecheck has been pretty poor this year so I’d probably try more of a counter-attack trap system to take advantage of the Devils who have good acceleration.

——————-

I think these changes would more suit the Devils roster and allow them to save energy for more meaningful moments rather than have to constantly push and chase the game.

This. Best post I’ve read in some time.

 

[BahlDeep]

I actually don’t think this roster suits the defensive system very well.

On defense, the Devils chose this system to relieve defensive pressure off the smaller centers, Nico and Jack. This system put both defenders behind the net rather than a defender and the center. This may have made sense then but makes less sense now, imo.

The idea the Devils have is the big defenders will win the board battles quickly and then start a quick breakout. This doesn’t happen often enough as the 2 defenders often both begin the battle at a poor angles and stalemate despite outmanning the offense 2-1. This usually invites 1-2 more defenders and 1 more offensive player to join the scrum. Now if the puck pops out the Devils will be outmanned everywhere else on the ice or win the battle and have nobody to pass to leading to a risky play or turnover.

I think the roster is more setup to play a tight zone marking system where the Devils emphasize skating and staying in the way of the opponents shooting opportunities.

I also think the forecheck has been pretty poor this year so I’d probably try more of a counter-attack trap system to take advantage of the Devils who have good acceleration.

——————-

I think these changes would more suit the Devils roster and allow them to save energy for more meaningful moments rather than have to constantly push and chase the game.

Are you looking for a job?

I might have one for you...

 

[JK3]

I actually don’t think this roster suits the defensive system very well.

On defense, the Devils chose this system to relieve defensive pressure off the smaller centers, Nico and Jack. This system put both defenders behind the net rather than a defender and the center. This may have made sense then but makes less sense now, imo.

The idea the Devils have is the big defenders will win the board battles quickly and then start a quick breakout. This doesn’t happen often enough as the 2 defenders often both begin the battle at a poor angles and stalemate despite outmanning the offense 2-1. This usually invites 1-2 more defenders and 1 more offensive player to join the scrum. Now if the puck pops out the Devils will be outmanned everywhere else on the ice or win the battle and have nobody to pass to leading to a risky play or turnover.

I think the roster is more setup to play a tight zone marking system where the Devils emphasize skating and staying in the way of the opponents shooting opportunities.

I also think the forecheck has been pretty poor this year so I’d probably try more of a counter-attack trap system to take advantage of the Devils who have good acceleration.

——————-

I think these changes would more suit the Devils roster and allow them to save energy for more meaningful moments rather than have to constantly push and chase the

I really hate the swarm, everyone has to make the right read and be on the same page for it to work. It just causes too much confusion and missed assignments leading to wide open looks or back door plays.

I’m not sure if it’s a league wide thing but I also hate that play where the forwards curl up near the dot, the defense trying to break out or relieve pressure, makes that pass though the forchecker. It’s so dangerous and prone to turnovers and glorious chances against like when Bahl and McLoed coughed it up.

 

[Guttersniped]

Jordin Tootoo quality goal.. losing 5-3.. take a victory lap

You’re fun.

 

[My3Sons]

My3Sons, Happy Holidays to you and your family. You know your Devils.

Thanks so much and all the best to you and yours. Hang in there and stay positive. It's always a treat hearing from you....

 

[Captain3rdLine]

Maybe not "supposed to do it" but we do have a very aggressive or "high end" mindset. Does seem like we could handle some more simple/conservative play right now.

Thing is, I’m a big fan of dman pinching and forwards supporting them when they do. Isn’t all that high risk and keeps the puck in quite a bit. But like, I’m not even sure I’d call that a pinch. More like abandoning his position to forecheck a guy who had full control of the puck. Just so unnecessary and pointless. High risk-low reward play.

 

[guitarguyvic]

High risk low reward is basically summing up how this entire team plays as a unit.

 

[DrBSmooth]

All I want for Christmas.....is no Devils gear.

I am so down on this team right now, as are most of you, that I don't want to open up a gift that has a Devils shirt, or hat or jersey (knowing my brothers, I may get something team related as a present).

I am deciding not to spend money on future games (wanted to go tomorrow) or the March road trip till this team starts picking up their play. It is just money down the drain (I did go to the San Jose and Anaheim games and talk about two easy wins turning into Fat L's)

The TLDR version: Hoping for no Devils Gifts this Christmas.

Except......Genucel would be appreciated. If only they had a product for my hair.....this team is turning it gray at an alarming rate.

 

[devilsblood]

Thing is, I’m a big fan of dman pinching and forwards supporting them when they do. Isn’t all that high risk and keeps the puck in quite a bit. But like, I’m not even sure I’d call that a pinch. More like abandoning his position to forecheck a guy who had full control of the puck. Just so unnecessary and pointless. High risk-low reward play.

But if the mindset is to be aggressive then the mistakes, or misreads will lean that way.

I think Smith is a fine 7th d-man, but it really surprises me how often he is trying to make high risk, offensive oriented play. If he took more of a lovejoy mindset, I think he'd be a pretty decent bottom pair guy. Was he always like this, or is this him playing, or trying to play, the way the rest of the team plays.

 

[Captain3rdLine]

But if the mindset is to be aggressive then the mistakes, or misreads will lean that way.

I think Smith is a fine 7th d-man, but it really surprises me how often he is trying to make high risk, offensive oriented play. If he took more of a lovejoy mindset, I think he'd be a pretty decent bottom pair guy. Was he always like this, or is this him playing, or trying to play, the way the rest of the team plays.

I don’t think playing aggressive means you have to make incredibly stupid decisions like that.
I agree. He consistently makes bad aggressive reads like that. He’s probably done that all his career but was better at it and smarter about it before. Someone needs to tell him to cut it out.

Ties into my biggest issue with Ruff right now. Feel’s like certain players aren’t being held accountable (Hughes, Siegenthaler, Smith, Marino to an extent).

 

[PKs Broken Stick]

Also on goal one he skates behind the goal for whatever reason and leaves the front of the goal and McLeod all alone.

pretty sure that's actually what he was supposed to do. Haula should've guarded the net. That's their system

 

[PKs Broken Stick]

I'm not really disagreeing, but they've lucked their way into 16 wins?

Yes. It's the NHL, that's not really all that surprising. Especially for a group that is actually talented. This isn't the Sharks.

 

[PKs Broken Stick]

If last night was how this team typically played, I would have wanted Ruff fired a month ago. The problem is it isn't. They'd played several fairly tight games in a row over the last few weeks before that.

Maybe it's just because I've always been of the opinion that the coaches matter a lot less in hockey than people give them credit for, but I just don't see a new coach fixing it. It's too many individual mistakes and not enough support from their teammates. Maybe pushing a reset button by firing the coach would snap everyone out of it, but that would be just as large of an indictment of the players to me. There are several guys I'm less sure of long term than I was this time 3 months ago, Bahl, Marino, and Seigenthaler chief among those.

They had 3 games where they played what you'd call actual defense. AMAZING.

I can't believe there are people who don't think a coaching change would do anything. If I was an nhl player and I could get away with getting paid to play like shit, you bet I would. A coach needs to keep them accountable. You can't exactly trade away 20+ players.

 

[PKs Broken Stick]

I actually don’t think this roster suits the defensive system very well.

On defense, the Devils chose this system to relieve defensive pressure off the smaller centers, Nico and Jack. This system put both defenders behind the net rather than a defender and the center. This may have made sense then but makes less sense now, imo.

The idea the Devils have is the big defenders will win the board battles quickly and then start a quick breakout. This doesn’t happen often enough as the 2 defenders often both begin the battle at a poor angles and stalemate despite outmanning the offense 2-1. This usually invites 1-2 more defenders and 1 more offensive player to join the scrum. Now if the puck pops out the Devils will be outmanned everywhere else on the ice or win the battle and have nobody to pass to leading to a risky play or turnover.

I think the roster is more setup to play a tight zone marking system where the Devils emphasize skating and staying in the way of the opponents shooting opportunities.

I also think the forecheck has been pretty poor this year so I’d probably try more of a counter-attack trap system to take advantage of the Devils who have good acceleration.

——————-

I think these changes would more suit the Devils roster and allow them to save energy for more meaningful moments rather than have to constantly push and chase the game.

amazing. How can Ruff not see this?

 

[NjDevsRR]

All I want for Christmas.....is no Devils gear.

I am so down on this team right now, as are most of you, that I don't want to open up a gift that has a Devils shirt, or hat or jersey (knowing my brothers, I may get something team related as a present).

This is absolutely insane

The TLDR version: Hoping for no Devils Gifts this Christmas.

And this

Except......Genucel would be appreciated. If only they had a product for my hair.....this team is turning it gray at an alarming rate.

but not this

 

[Sdevils42]

Severely underestimated the loss of Severson and Graves... I thought it would be a positive in fact.

 

[NjDevsRR]

Some of you are way too dramatic…

Questioning to continue 10+ year season tickets. Wanting to not get GIFTS that are Devils related….

All of this while the team will still be battling for a postseason spot, and on the onset of a great future here after enduring the lows of 14-21. Bunch of babies. Get it together, this isn’t the home finale of 2014-2015 which was the lowest point in this franchise’s history.

 

[SteveCangialosi123]

Severely underestimated the loss of Severson and Graves... I thought it would be a positive in fact.

I don’t think we’d have many more wins if you swapped those two for Luke, Nemec, and Miller. Missing Dougie is much larger.

 

[Bleedred]

Is Daws still on the roster?

I have no interest in seeing Vitek any sooner than deceased relatives who I couldn't stand and Schmid may still be rattled from that 5 minutes last night.

We're literally gonna have to play our best defensive game for Vitek to play well and when we do that, it seems we can't score much of anything. Like the Boston and Philly games.

They clearly don't wanna give Schmid a chance, despite the fact that he hasn't been as bad as Vitek (he still hasn't been good) so maybe give Daws a run and if it looks promising, put Schmid back in the AHL and shuttle the two of them back and forth until someone gets it right.

 

[Sdevils42]

I don’t think we’d have many more wins if you swapped those two for Luke, Nemec, and Miller. Missing Dougie is much larger.

Idk about Dougie, he played/plays almost no defense. Nemec from what I've seen has been good, not many mistakes. Luke plays high risk, high reward hockey... technically he's a rookie so it's to be expected.

Miller, seemed like revelation the first few games but recently has graded out extremely poor. I feel a lot of fanbases get enamored with a player they haven't seen before simply bc he's new and unknown.

The biggest regression surprisingly has been Marino. The defense as a whole is a problem which magnifies the goalie situation not the other way around imo.

 

[NjDevsRR]

Idk about Dougie, he played/plays almost no defense. Nemec from what I've seen has been good, not many mistakes. Luke plays high risk, high reward hockey... technically he's a rookie so it's to be expected.

Miller, seemed like revelation the first few games but recently has graded out extremely poor. I feel a lot of fanbases get enamored with a player they haven't seen before simply bc he's new and unknown.

The biggest regression surprisingly has been Marino. The defense as a whole is a problem which magnifies the goalie situation not the other way around imo.

Dougie helps fuel the offense which defactos makes him a good D by preventing less dzone pressures

 

[Sdevils42]

Dougie helps fuel the offense which defactos makes him a good D by preventing less dzone pressures

I guess that's a fair assessment which is why I think Fox grades out so well on defense. If they're pushing offense they can't be on defense. But in the D zone exclusively Dougie is a below average defenseman.

 

[Bleedred]

From the 32 thoughts podcast today

''They hired Travis Green in the offseason, some people feel that's a coach in waiting. So they have some kind of succession plan''/

I just shat myself.

Just keep Ruff if that's the plan and hire a REAL head coach next year. And not one of the worst of the last decade.

 

[Devils731]

From the 32 thoughts podcast today

''They hired Travis Green in the offseason, some people feel that's a coach in waiting. So they have some kind of succession plan''/

I just shat myself.

Just keep Ruff if that's the plan and hire a REAL head coach next year. And not one of the worst of the last decade.

No no, they need to fire Ruff so they know Green isn’t the guy for next year. Otherwise you risk Green getting a full season next year.