Colorado Rockies 1976

Yeah this tournament stuff becomes a bitter pill to swallow if a key player gets hurt...and not like the countries are the ones who suffer the fallout or have to foot the bill. With these massive long-term deals and the salaries that go with them, yeah, I don't want to see the Devils' top players putting themselves at risk.

Yeah, as much as we're attracted to some names over others, it's sometimes harder to know how just any given coach will fare until he actually gets the job. Larry Robinson had four largely meh years with the Kings where he didn't win so much as one playoff game, then comes to the Devils and comes within one game of guiding them to two Cups. As much as I might like some of the boxes that Berube checks off, do I really KNOW that he's going to come here and get the kinds of results we're hoping for?

Siegs still has four years left on his deal...even if you move him, the return won't be great. I'm hoping he bounces back. I think Marino will. I know Bahl's a big boy, but that's the guy that I would move on from. Feels like he's never going to put it fully together (or ever properly and consistently use his size).

Yeah Diaz has actually been more Benitez-like, if anything. You look at Diaz's numbers so far and overall they're not bad, really. But he's given up 3 HR over his last 7 IP, and has blown two out of three saves. Hopefully it's just a slump, but Diaz strikes me as a guy who loses his confidence a little more easily than many. What sucks is that the Mets can't have him be just another closer...they're not good enough to overcome too many blown saves.

And suffice it to say that Diaz is fully back to the Diaz that we all wanted to run out of town a while back. Hard to see the Mets winning much more than 80 games max if this is what he’s going to be in 2024.

If nothing else…maybe this pair of losses throws the Rangers off just enough. Maybe they already peaked.

Part of me is still hoping it’s Berube (still my top choice), but I’m expecting Keefe at this point. And yeah hope it’s not same ol same ol when Keefe’s teams make the playoffs (I do think the Devils will be back there next season, as long as they stay healthy, and Fitz doesn’t acquire Question Markstrom or anyone else that’s iffy in net).

Yeah my thoughts, re: Berube. Feels like it would’ve already happened by now.

Yeah kinda feels preordained at this point. I’d be shocked if Berube’s not the Leafs’ next HC.

Not surprised…I never got the impression that Fitz is quite as bullish on Berube as some fans are. I still wouldn’t mind Berube, but def not again Keefe.

Yeah, same ol same ol.

Saw a pretty funny quote in defense of Keefe…basically said that Keefe managed to take the Bruins to seven games despite Nylander and Matthews missing multiple games… …and Marner missing the entire series 🤣

I absolutely trade Alonso by the deadline. It sucks but it’s looking more and more like he’s one of those guys whose prime just wasn’t that long. You still have your Benigno-types who are in love with Pete’s HRs and somehow completely ignore that Pete’s put up a .216 BA and .314 OB% over his last 190 games. And it’s not like he’s ever consistently truly hit…prior to 2023 his career BA was .261. You can obviously live with .260 or so because of his power, but trying to make do with a cleanup hitter who’s hitting .210 - .220…you just can’t do it and expect any consistency from your offense. Nimmo finds a way to get on base (which of course is his primary job) even when his BA isn’t great…he’s only hitting .229 so far but he’s managed a .377 OB%…he’s one of those guys who can get away with a lower batting average better than many. Pete HAS to hit at least .260…otherwise he’s just going to strand way too many runners and become a real offense killer.

Yeah he was going to figure things out at some point. Alonso is much more concerning, especially since he was never truly a great hitter to begin with, really…he just hits a lot of dingers.

Here’s the list: Holtz Holtz Holtz Holtz Holtz Nemec