OT: 2022-23 NHL thread….Devils & Rangers & Islanders

krup

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Feb 5, 2003
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Carolina is a real threat to win the whole thing if they have finally solved their goaltending issues with Kotchekov.
 

zappaa

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Jul 27, 2001
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Carolina is a real threat to win the whole thing if they have finally solved their goaltending issues with Kotchekov.
Bruins, Avalanche( when healthy) and Canes play relentless, line after line puck pressure hockey in all 3 zones.
One of those teams wins the Cup.
 

krup

Heisman
Feb 5, 2003
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Bruins, Avalanche( when healthy) and Canes play relentless, line after line puck pressure hockey in all 3 zones.
One of those teams wins the Cup.
I didn’t expect the Devils to continue the same level of success all year, and even though the Bruins have a lot more proven veterans, it is unlikely that they could be playing as well in May as they have been Oct-Dec. Ulmark getting back playing to how he was in Buffalo definitely helps them, though.

Colorado is more dangerous than ever once the playoffs roll around, because all of the guys they are missing with injury now are due to come back and will be fresher going into the playoffs.
 

TM94goRU

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Dec 12, 2020
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Ugh. The team is falling apart at the seams
It is just a rough patch which was bound to happen. It does coincide with my posts about the NJD needing to get bigger and stronger in the forward group. It is always around the new year when the hitting goes up.

If Fitzgerald doesn't address this IMO, the last meeting between Florida and the Devils will be a "bloodbath". The Panthers will likely be out of the playoffs, and trying to hurt Nico, Jack, and Jasper.

They have shown toughness to take hits and give it back as much as they can. The problem is very few Devils are intimidating or real tough.
 
May 11, 2010
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It is just a rough patch which was bound to happen. It does coincide with my posts about the NJD needing to get bigger and stronger in the forward group. It is always around the new year when the hitting goes up.

If Fitzgerald doesn't address this IMO, the last meeting between Florida and the Devils will be a "bloodbath". The Panthers will likely be out of the playoffs, and trying to hurt Nico, Jack, and Jasper.

They have shown toughness to take hits and give it back as much as they can. The problem is very few Devils are intimidating or real tough.

We were right about the teams lack of physicality and other Devils fans here were very wrong as usual
 
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Ronnie_B

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Dec 30, 2011
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You guys keep saying address the "size and grit" NOW but yet never offer a viable solution.

The players you're looking for don't grow on trees or come cheap especially mid-season or the deadline.

I'm all for getting bigger and tougher, I've said it, I'd rather address it in the off-season.

But if you want to continue beating this dead horse, start by addressing who were going to move and for who keeping in mind of the cap. What player is out there we can grab that's available.

So let's hear it.
 
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TM94goRU

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As a fan I could come up with a great trade and it doesn't mean it will happen. I have already set parameters and gave an example. Different strokes and all, move along.

I would not trade for Tom Wilson because I think the price would be too high. Oh yes I read about that desire of some in an old Pucks and Pitchforks story.

The only reason I posted was to first answer a question, and then because I was quoted. I have not changed my position. Signing off.
 
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RU05

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You guys keep saying address the "size and grit" NOW but yet never offer a viable solution.

The players you're looking for don't grow on trees or come cheap especially mid-season or the deadline.

I'm all for getting bigger and tougher, I've said it, I'd rather address it in the off-season.

But if you want to continue beating this dead horse, start by addressing who were going to move and for who keeping in mind of the cap. What player is out there we can grab that's available.

So let's hear it.
Not very gritty, but a big guy, and a goal scorer, but how bout Timo Meier?

Would be expensive.
 

Ronnie_B

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Dec 30, 2011
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Not very gritty, but a big guy, and a goal scorer, but how bout Timo Meier?

Would be expensive.
Meier definitely would be a nice get and probably slide him next to Nico. But like you said, would cost some serious assets.
 
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mdh2003

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Feb 4, 2003
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Not very gritty, but a big guy, and a goal scorer, but how bout Timo Meier?

Would be expensive.
These sort of high end rentals almost always follow the same formula: 1st, conditional pick, high end prospect, mid-level prospect/roster player. And with the losing and draft luck recently, NJD have tons of chips. So, plug in some names. Just a guess:
23 1st
23 2nd or 3rd - cond: NJD win 2 playoff rounds
Mukhamadullin
Zetterlund

You can mix/match the above to get a non All star like TM that provides some playoff grit and/or secondary scoring. TDL is going to be very interesting this year locally if all the local teams are jockeying for the playoffs.
 

RU05

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These sort of high end rentals almost always follow the same formula: 1st, conditional pick, high end prospect, mid-level prospect/roster player. And with the losing and draft luck recently, NJD have tons of chips. So, plug in some names. Just a guess:
23 1st
23 2nd or 3rd - cond: NJD win 2 playoff rounds
Mukhamadullin
Zetterlund

You can mix/match the above to get a non All star like TM that provides some playoff grit and/or secondary scoring. TDL is going to be very interesting this year locally if all the local teams are jockeying for the playoffs.
Holtz would be part of the deal from my perspective, assuming SJ would take him, and on that front wouldn't be a huge loss.

I'm OK giving up a first this year.

Would prefer to keep MUK, but we have plenty of options at LHD.

Would look to resign any player we trade for. Although Meier would be expensive on this front as well.
 

Ronnie_B

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Just keep in mind this is supposed to be one of the better drafts in recent memory. Not opposed to trading the #1 but also it's an asset that is worth more than usual, not just a throw in.
 
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RU05

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Just keep in mind this is supposed to be one of the better drafts in recent memory. Not opposed to trading the #1 but also it's an asset that is worth more than usual, not just a throw in.
True, but we are also, at the moment at least, pretty low down the draft board.

And I'm looking at high end players coming back, ala Meier.
 

Ronnie_B

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From my lips to Fitz's ears lol



Sucks about Bastian, most likely done for the year. Bigger lose anyone could imagine.
 
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robcac26

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Nov 30, 2012
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Why is a game that the Devils won proof that they need to add tough guys? Because Graves got tangled up with another player and fell awkwardly into the boards?
 

RU05

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Why is a game that the Devils won proof that they need to add tough guys? Because Graves got tangled up with another player and fell awkwardly into the boards?
Probably more to do with Tkachuk going after Nico at the end.
 
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RU05

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From my lips to Fitz's ears lol



Sucks about Bastian, most likely done for the year. Bigger lose anyone could imagine.

Why do u think done for the year?

Will be interesting to see Okhotyuk get some quality minutes. Bahl too for that matter.
 

mdh2003

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I only saw the highlights, but it looked like a very close and spirited game between NYR/NYI last night. NYR had a huge lead in shots and NYI had a huge lead in hits. That seems about right.

I think someone brought this up already, but in what universe does it make sense to have such bitter rivals face off only 3 times and not at all for the 2nd half of the year? This is beyond stupid. Maybe I’m the crazy one, but I’ll take the covid schedule any day over this nonsense. Play your rivals 7/8 times a year?…totally awesome!
 
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May 11, 2010
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I only saw the highlights, but it looked like a very close and spirited game between NYR/NYI last night. NYR had a huge lead in shots and NYI had a huge lead in hits. That seems about right.

I think someone brought this up already, but in what universe does it make sense to have such bitter rivals face off only 3 times and not at all for the 2nd half of the year? This is beyond stupid. Maybe I’m the crazy one, but I’ll take the covid schedule any day over this nonsense. Play your rivals 7/8 times a year?…totally awesome!

Lou used to always talk about playing rivals a lot when he was with the Devils.
 

robcac26

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Probably more to do with Tkachuk going after Nico at the end.
I mean it was disappointing to see nobody step in when Tkachuk got a hold of him after the initial scrum, but I don't think you need an enforcer just for that kind of scenario. Anyone could have stepped in and grabbed a hold of him. It wouldn't be third man in because it wasn't a fight, and it was the end of the game anyway.

Lou used to always talk about playing rivals a lot when he was with the Devils.
Personally I felt playing division rivals 8 times was overkill. Almost half of the games were against one of four other teams. However, I agree that only three times is too few.