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Devs3cups

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Posts posted by Devs3cups

  1. 2 hours ago, Colorado Rockies 1976 said:

    But yeah glad this is coming to an end.

    There will be plenty of time to analyze what should be done in the offseason, but for now, I can certainly understand why most of the fanbase would lose confidence in Fitz.

    And on that note, I don't want to hear a peep about processes or patience.  Sorry Fitz, pretty sure that's not the sales pitch you made to Hamilton when you signed him.  I get that the goalie situation messed things up for THIS season, but you can't already be halfway into punt mode for next season...and both you and your predecessor seem a little too comfortable with letting seasons effortlessly get away from you.  You could've shaken up the coaching staff, and you chose to (almost mindlessly) continue to back them.  How'd that work out?

    And that staff better be gone.  You can't sell me on them being the answer in any possible way.  If you believe that they are, then you can't sell me on YOU being the answer either; as far as I'm concerned, if ANY one of those three are back in any capacity, then as far as being the right guy to build this team goes, you're dead to me.  That's it.

    And sometimes, less is more.  Maybe you were trying to build up Hammond's confidence, I don't know...and given the price paid, I don't mind that you brought in another warm body.  But probably would've been better for everyone if you hadn't tried to blow the move up to be more.  Right now you just look clownish...when you emerge from your cave long enough to show us much of anything.

    It's this offseason or bust for Fitz.  By October, I might very well be 100% done with him.    

    Fitz has been GM for less than 2 years. This honestly seems premature to me. Him keeping the coaching staff would make me question him, but I'd still be far from wanting him fired.

    People want to hold the goaltending against him, but he's tried to fix it for 2 years in a row, and it (miraculously) blew up in his face twice. The goaltending market was f*cked this year and people would've been just as pissed if he gave up major assets for a stopgap goaltending solution. In less than a year, he basically revamped the whole D with Hamilton, Siegenthaler and Dougie. Hamilton getting injured sucked and definitely impacted his play, but at the start of the year he was great. Siegenthaler was one of the top defensive d-men in the league this season and a shrewd move. Graves is a fine top-4 guy. The team is fine offensively, we're extremely good off the rush and scoring goals is not a problem (even with a sh!tTY PP). Sure, we could use more weight in general to score more off the cycling/zone pressure, and from what Marty/Fitz are on record of saying, this should be addressed. With proper goaltending, this team would've most likely been a bubble team, which is pretty much where we thought they'd be to start the season. Fitz has also drafted pretty well, especially in regards to Mercer and Muk (Holtz and Luke were obvious picks). Stillman is sort of questionnable, but I think he could be a good bottom-6 guy for us eventually. 

    In all honesty, I think we should move on from the coaching staff, especially considering we know Ruff isn't the "coach of the future". Will they be gone? Who knows, maybe Fitz puts as much stock as we do in the goaltending as we do and is willing to give Ruff another shot after fixing the goaltending. The offense has been fine with Ruff. To me, the PP is inexcusable though, as is the defensive system. That has to be addressed imo. I wouldn't put Fitz's job at risk though. 

    I honestly believe Fitz's moves and decisions have been pretty darn good, and he seems to have a good vision/plan as to how to build this team. Wanting to can him after less than 2 years at the helm and the moves he's made seems to me like impatience with winning, which is a fine way to feel, more so than what he's actually accomplished as a GM, which is pretty good in less than 2 years. 

  2. On 4/19/2022 at 3:22 PM, Chimaira_Devil_#9 said:

    Been seeing a lot of talk around Nazar since Guadana mentioned him. 

    This was an interesting debate by some of the scouts at EP.

     

     

    He’s an interesting prospect for sure. With Fitz’s talk about getting bigger, interior forwards in the pipeline, I could see Fitz going for Cutter Gauthier (badass name by the way). Great goalscoring ability, compete level, drives the net hard, has skill and goes hard in the corners. He’s the most “Tkachuk-esque” as it gets from what I’ve seen this draft. A nice mix of skill and grit. 

    https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/526094/cutter-gauthier

     

    • Like 1
  3. One thing that I think we need to keep in mind is that the fact we're likely getting a top-7 pick this season is absolutely gravy.  In normal circumstances (ahem, average goaltending, ahem), we're most likely drafting around 12th-14th overall.

    Getting another top tier high first round selection is a bonus, we shouldn't even be there, this team isn't as bad as their record. It's unfortunate if we don't get one of the 2 RD, but that's how I see it right now.

    • Like 1
  4. 16 hours ago, Colorado Rockies 1976 said:

    Yeah, the team is showing signs of improving.  Even if it’s technically happening in garbage time, it’s actually HAPPENING.  

    And this is extremely encouraging. We're seeing this core progressing and building chemistry. 

    • Like 1
  5. 3 hours ago, Colorado Rockies 1976 said:

    The Avs might have been a little tired too (played the Isles the night before and THAT game got more interesting than the Avs would've liked), but that's also NHL hockey...sometimes you're the better-rested team, something you're the team facing the better-rested team.  I love that the Devils found a way to see it all the way through, as opposed to making it interesting, only to lose...if they had scored those two fluky goals and lost 4-2 or something like that, game would have had a much worse feel, but they kept at it and found a way.  I also love that it feels like the "Can't ever finish their chances" Devils appear to be dying off before our very eyes...and soon those who can't keep up or adapt (here's looking at you, Johnsson and Tatar) will be shown the door.  

    Colorado has no problem winning in back to backs. They were 6-0-1 before last night.

    • Like 2
  6. 11 minutes ago, Nicomo said:

    Now that sounds like a draft class’s top sniper. 

    He’s 4th all-time right now at 1.152, right under Rantanen who is at 1.154. In goals, he’s 1st at .606. 2nd is Spezza at .512.

    • Like 2
  7. 12 minutes ago, Nicomo said:

    Holtz already at 20 goals in his first season of North American hockey. Not bad. 

    He’s actually having a top 5 season all-time in terms of PPG in the AHL for players in their 19 year old season. In terms of Goals per game? He’s 1st all-time. 

    • Like 5
  8. Michigan ended their regular season last night. Here's Hughes statline for the season.

     

    Luke Hughes, D, Fr 34 16 16 32 0.94 Pt./G 82 SOG 19.5 Sh% 10 PIM GWG 0 PPG 3 SHG 0 +22

     

    I mean, what a great season for Luke. Over 0.75-0.80 PPG for a freshman d-man is great. 0.94 PPG with barely any PP time, with mostly primary points. He honestly exceeded my expectations. The future is bright for him. We've got a good one, folks. 

    Edit: Also, most points in the whole NCAA by a d-man. As a freshman. Impressive.

    • Like 2
  9. 13 hours ago, mfitz804 said:

    I read on Reddit that he is actually the youngest player in NCAA hockey, I can’t imagine that’s true given he is 18 with a September birthday. Any truth?

    I believe he is the youngest d-man though.

  10. 4 minutes ago, Devil Dan 56 said:

    I looked it up.  5 on 5 goals against and rank:

    2013-2014: 134  7th

    2014-2015: 124 3rd

    NAS HIRED

    2015-2016: 132 12th

    2016-2017: 149 16th

    2017-2018: 167 22nd

    2018-2019: 184 26th

    2019-2020: 156 27th

    2020-2021: 152 24th

    2021-2022: 134 32nd

     

    Can't be understated how the goaltending affects this. As I said, it's absolutely brutal. Might be the worst stretch we've ever seen. Goals above expected is horrendous. Also, our PK, which Nas is responsible for, has greatly improved. Again, I don't want to seem like I love Nas lol, if he doesn't come back, I won't be sad lol. Just saying that he's not ONLY bad. 

  11. 1 minute ago, MB3 said:

    I mean, Blackwood played 23 games this season. The Devils needed him to be way, way, way, way better -- even before the injury. 

    No matter who was in net this season, it's been horrendously bad. 

    Absolutely agreed. From what we've heard, looks like Mac's heel was still injured when he played this season, so I'm willing to give him some slack. Let's hope he can comeback strong next year after some much needed rest. I also hope Bernier will be able to come back.

  12. 1 minute ago, Devil Dan 56 said:

    How many losing seasons where we are out of the running before New Years is it until we are “allowed” to be unhappy about it? 

    And once again. 2015 was 7 years ago. The cupboard was bare 7 years ago. This team was in the playoffs in 2018 and Shero failed to build on it. 

    This team was in the playoffs because of most likely the best season from a Devils' forward ever. Hall had over 40 points more than our second scorer, it was, quite literally a one man job. I don't think it could've been built on in any way. 

    You're 100% allowed to be unhappy with the team's situation though. I don't usually comment on this subject but I will say our cupboard was not only bare, it was EXTREMELY weak. We now have assets and good prospects to be able to make some moves and grow as the youngest team in the league. I have a hard time seeing how any fan wouldn't be somewhat optimistic for the future of the team when we see the steps that players like Hughes, Nico and Bratt have taken respectively and various categories, the addition of an elite #1 d-man, prospects like Mercer, Rango, Holtz, L. Hughes, Gritsyuk, Mukhamadullin, Zetterlund, etc. This team has some problems, that's for sure. We're also generating offense 5-on-5 at a top 10 clip, have a great PK, and an average defence and that's with the youngest team in the league. Our real problem is goaltending, it can't be understated. 

    I'm definitely optimistic about the future, but I wouldn't say you aren't allowed to be unhappy, not at all. I understand it's frustrating to lose. I just think context is important. But I wouldn't want to tell disappointed fans that they can't be and I apologize if that's how my posts came across. 

  13. 8 minutes ago, MB3 said:

    How bad, exactly, has our goaltending been this season? Blurb courtesy of the Athletic    
      
    “Between those six goalies, the Devils have conceded a collective 34.5 more goals than expected in all situations. That equates to around six wins on the season. Flipping six regulation losses to wins brings this team up to a 23-22-5 record and 51 points on the season. It would move them four teams ahead in the Metropolitan, and slide them into ninth in the conference, behind the Bruins.” 

    Before you say anything about the defense, goals above expected metric takes into consideration strength of defense and only looks at goals that “should’ve been saved” by an NHL goaltender. 

    It is not hyperbole to say that even in an injury riddled season that saw their best two players (Hughes & Dougie) miss significant stretches, the Devils would be a bubble team trying to make a playoff push if they’d gotten AVERAGE output from their trash goalies. And again, we’re talking about average for our goalies skill level, not even “nhl average”. 

    Exactly. You hit the nail on the head. As I said in the TBL @ NJ GDT, this team's biggest issue is ABSOLUTELY goaltending this season. It's incredibly bad, and Schneider's last stint here is incredible compared to what we've gotten. Sub .900% SV% is absolutely insane. The Goals above expected is also laughable. They simply can't stop a beachball. Jon Gillies has given up 3 or more goals in 10 of his 12 starts with us. Even with below average defence, that shouldn't happen. That's what happens when you're 2 goalies get injured and you have to play a ECHLer and 2 young AHLers who are very promising, but who were playing in Germany and the USHL last season. 

  14. 2 minutes ago, DevsMan84 said:

    Kinda like what SD tried to do with me in trying to goad me into creating mock trade proposals.

    In all seriousness though, I will be thrilled if we made a move for Boeser.  I would much rather be proved wrong than right on this.  For every low-risk/high-reward move that worked out, I can point to one that didn't.  Either way the net result is us still being a bottom 5 team in the league.

    In-season moves could also be change of coaching staff as well.  Instead Fitz seems ok with us sticking with this staff that has shown little.  That includes a guy who seems to be teflon in Nass.  They also could have done a little more than trading for a goalie.  A warm body for a Target gift card in Gillies trade doesn't quite scream that you are trying to do anything at all.

    Yes, the end result is the same. I just don't think we can understate the effects of goaltending on this team. Our team generates offense 5-on-5 at a top 10 level. Our defence is slightly above average, our PP is getting better, our PK is very good. The one point that is holding us back this season is goaltending. There is no way to spin it otherwise, it's otherworldly bad. I saw somewhere on Twitter that with only average goaltending, we'd have 5-6 more wins, which would put us on the bubble, exactly where most of us thought we would be. We are better in many metrics than let's say, the Rangers, that barely generate any offense 5-on-5, but they have absolutely ELITE goaltending. Sub .900% goaltending across the board is absolutely brutal, any way you want to slice it. Gillies has allowed 3 goals or more in 10 of his 12 starts here. It's horrible. This might be the worst goaltending stretch this franchise has seen. With that being said, I'm sure Fitz will look to improve it in the off-season. No goalie can be acquired right now, in season, at a reasonable price that can significantly move the needle. I'd be very surprised if it's not addressed in the off-season.

    As for the staff, I absolutely agree with you. I'd be shocked if the staff is back next year and if they are, I'd really like to hear Fitz on that. I feel he wants to keep a certain stability until the end of the season, but they'll get canned in the off-season. Nas is getting a bad rep here, but the PK is excellent this season and the improvements of D-men like Siegenthaler show me that maybe he can help defensively. With that being said, I won't be that upset if he's let go. Recchi and Ruff can go though. The PP is ass and it shouldn't be with the skill we have on the first unit. I also believe Ruff's system is not intuitive at all and complicated for our young team, which creates missed assignments and defensive struggles. He also doesn't seem to adapt his system at all. I also don't like his TOI disparities most games.  

     

  15. 1 minute ago, SterioDesign said:

    Because those guys are just impatient and just want SOMETHING NOW. And IF something is done, they'd want results for it. Which no moves made this year would guarantee any results, lets be honest. GUARANTEED that even if we would have made moves and not make the playoffs, they'd STILL be whining and only bringing up that we didnt make the playoffs. Like they actually did in our post, they want results, thats it.

    That's called being entitled and desperate. Not rational and patient.

    The only move I had question marks about was the Tatar signing. He was clearly a last resort sort of signing after Fitz couldn't get something done for Saad/Tarasenko. The Bernier move was great imo, but absolutely blew up in our face. No one could've predicted our 2 starting goalies would get injured. That doesn't usually happen, like at all. I don't think that should be used to discredit Fitz. I understand others see it differently though. 

  16. 1 minute ago, DevsMan84 said:

    Tatar is a player that has warts in his game.  I can see why we got him at the contract we got him at.  I will give Fitz credit for Hamilton, but how often does a player like that who prefers to stay out the of spotlight prefers a rebuilding team like us?  I would say that's a lightning-strike kind of move.  He didn't want to trade for Tarasenko due to injury concerns but it looks like that is a moot point.  Saad wasn't really interested in coming here anyways so that's also moot.  Graves is a one of those low-risk/high reward type of deal that works out, Mango is another low-risk/high-reward type of deal that didn't quite work out (calling him a top-6 forward when he is not playing with Bratt is a stretch).

    Even during the off-season, what kind of bold trades have Shero and Fitz made?  The Subban trade was picks and parts for Nashville's most expendable guy so they could sign Duschene.  Gusev was another low-risk/high-reward type of deal that didn't work out in the long run.  There are the Palmieri trade in 2015 and Hall trades in 2016, but all that netted us in terms of results is 1 playoff win.

    I understand all this. I don't see them as moot points, since Fitz was in the conversations for those players, if he was just staying pat, as that seems to be the issue here, he wouldn't even look to add those players.

    If you want to discredit Fitz for every single move he made, which is basically what you did in your post, you'll most likely do it with every single move he makes. If we get Boeser for example, it'll be because the market was favorable and he has a down season, so he shouldn't get credit. Most hockey moves are for certain reasons that can be explained and used to discredit the GM. Hall only came here because things weren't working out in Edmonton, and the Oilers desperately needed young d-men, hence Shero shouldn't get credit for the Hall trade. Let's not forget that Peter Chiarelli is a bad GM, so that move was a lightning-strike kind of move, once in a decade trade, Shero shouldn't get any credit. Siegenthaler was a low-risk move, so Fitz shouldn't be given credit for the trade. I just don't see how that view of moves makes sense. Maybe we just see that point differently. 

    The other thing I'd like to ask you is why do you stick on in-season moves? Our team is young and is not in a position for playoffs or contention. Why not wait for the off-season to look for moves, when more players are available and usually at cheaper prices? I'd like to understand your point a bit more on that front. 

  17. 12 minutes ago, DevsMan84 said:

    For those teams there is something to salvage.  For the Devils, it's to improve the team.  GM's are tasked with constantly trying to improve their team through various different moves.  The same moves that Shero/Fitz have done over the past several years is being sellers at deadline which has yielded mixed results or too early to call, or these low-risk/high-reward moves that have rarely panned out for us.  Sorry, but I don't think that's quite enough especially when Fitz is declaring he wants to play meaningful games in March.

    I absolutely agree with your definition of Fitz job here. Fitz has tried to improve the team though, that's the part I don't get with the narrative. Most big hockey deals happen in the off-season, not usually at the deadline.

    He brought in a 1B goalie to back up Mac, since that was a problem. Unfortunately it blew up in our faces, but that wasn't really predictable. He brought in a top-6 winger in Tatar and was reported to be in the hunt for Tarasenko and Saad. Tatar hasn't worked out as much as expected, but he's still on pace for 35 points and is only a 2 year stop gap signing. He also brought in Hamilton, who is a top 5-10 d-man in the league and was on pace for the best season by a Devils defenceman in years. He traded for a top-4 d-man in Graves and a top-6 forward in Mango. He also did an underrated trade for Siegenthaler, who has proven to be one of the best defensive d-man in the whole league this season. Those all look like moves to try to improve the team to me. 

    Look, I understand it's frustrating, and I'm as tired of the losing as anyone. But context is important and I don't see any of this as standing pat and doing nothing. Fitz clearly has a vison and is active. 

    • Like 2
  18. 8 minutes ago, DevsMan84 said:

    FFS You are acting like the Devils are the only team in the league that faces injuries and other adversities throughout the season.  A lot of teams have things go sideways but they try to right the ship.  Vancouver fired their coach and it helped them.  Philly fired their coach and it didn't change anything.  The point is they tried to do something and they took a risk.  Instead, yet again, our GM decides to punt the season.  If this was a one or even two time thing, then I would probably think of it as outlier.  However, this is a repeated pattern with this team now from Shero and now from Fitz.  Either they don't know that they are allowed to make moves to salvage their season during the season or they are getting orders from above to stay pat (and that second possible scenario is the one I am truly concerned about).

    Realistically, what is there to salvage? This team wasn't making the playoffs, regardless. I just wonder if sending assets to save anything right now is the best thing to do. Of course, if there's a good hockey trade to make, you make it. Boeser is linked to us and could greatly improve our top-6.

    I just wonder what realistic moves could be done to truly salvage the season. Vancouver fired their coach, they're still 6 points out from the 2nd Wild Card spot. When we were close to a playoff spot in '17-'18, Shero did make moves to help this team, it didn't give positive results in the end. I think Fitz sees this team as very young and in progress and just doesn't want to do a move to do a move, but I'm convinced he's listening and looking around.

    You don't do the moves he did this summer if you don't want to improve this team quickly and if you want to stay pat imo. I have confidence Fitz has a vision.

    • Thanks 1
  19. 5 minutes ago, MB3 said:

    https://streamable.com/gmv4j0

    this pass from holtz is sexier than any of his goals. what a playmaker. 

    he’s shifting into “unreadable” territory. has there ever been a Devil to dominate the AHL like this? 

    His playmaking abilities have always been underrated I feel. Sure his shot is definitely his biggest strength, but he isn't a "Laine" type prospect that's only goal scoring. That pass was sick!

    • Like 2
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