Todd Cordell: G66 New Jersey Devils @ Vegas Golden Knights: Where offense goes to die

Without Fredrik Claesson this team has no shot at taking down Vegas.

Seriously, we have played some better games then expected against Vegas so I won't be surprised if this isn't as lopsided as expected. Of course with this team I also wouldn't be surprised if we lost by 5.

so your saying there's a chance? Remember we put up a snowman on the Knights 2 years ago so I'm putting all my chips on red

Todd Cordell: G66 New Jersey Devils @ Vegas Golden Knights: Where offense goes to die
- Todd.Cordell

5-2 golden showers

Boqvist - Nico Hischier - Kyle Palmieri
Jesper Bratt - Pavel Zacha - Nikita Gusev
Miles Wood - Travis Zajac - Joey Anderson
Kevin Rooney - Jack Hughes - McLeod

just do this already and call it a day. Maybe I'm acting irrationally and prematurely.. not giving him enough of a shot, when I say Hughes can't play top line LW. Maybe he can. Maybe he just needs to develop and the best way to develop is playing the position. Or maybe we should develop Boqvist there because he can actually play the position. Put Hughes with McLeod. We haven't done that yet. Rooney can cover them defensively.

Boqvist - Nico Hischier - Kyle Palmieri
Jesper Bratt - Pavel Zacha - Nikita Gusev
Miles Wood - Travis Zajac - Joey Anderson
Kevin Rooney - Jack Hughes - McLeod

just do this already and call it a day. Maybe I'm acting irrationally and prematurely.. not giving him enough of a shot, when I say Hughes can't play top line LW. Maybe he can. Maybe he just needs to develop and the best way to develop is playing the position. Or maybe we should develop Boqvist there because he can actually play the position. Put Hughes with McLeod. We haven't done that yet. Rooney can cover them defensively.
- MartysBetter88

I completely agree with this. I know it is kind of lame to put our #1 pick on the 4th line, but this is just how the line shake out right now, particularly because we have 1 line that is producing (Bratt-Zacha-Gusev) that it would be dumb to break up, and Zajac is a waste on the wing.

5-2 golden showers
- shvingter88

If blackwood starts, 4-1 Vegas. If schneids starts 6-1 Vegas. Sorry Devs but just look at our D roster!!!

I completely agree with this. I know it is kind of lame to put our #1 pick on the 4th line, but this is just how the line shake out right now, particularly because we have 1 line that is producing (Bratt-Zacha-Gusev) that it would be dumb to break up, and Zajac is a waste on the wing.
- TRDevil

Yes. Keeping in mind.. All members of the Bratt-Zacha-Gusev line are still developing as NHL players. If they're working well together, keep them together. It wouldn't be the worst thing in the world to have a line with chemistry and roll that line into next year. If they're working well keep them together and let them grow as a unit. Lord knows we need every young player to pan out as possible. We need Zacha to not flake out. We need Bratt to not be a flash in the pan. We need them both to continue to improve in their abilities and consistency. Keep them together. Let the Hughes and McLeod project roll along however they want, but Zacha, Zajac and Hischier shouldn't be moved from the middle. If that puts Hughes in the middle of a "4th line", so be it. I don't want to call him a waste this year, but he needs to get stronger and work on some things. What he NEEDS is to sit with Elias and watch some hockey. Honestly.. I wish they would do this already. He's kind of wasting time otherwise. I think that would yeild greater results than rolling out game after game not making progress. He's aware he sucks at this level.. so let him work with a brilliant hockey mind to improve.

I'm really excited about the future of this team. We have some nice pieces in the NHL already, with guys like Smith, Foote and maybe a few others not too far out we are looking good. We also have, potentially, 3 1sts this year with 2 of them being in the top 10. Good things to come! 😁👍

Also, anyone else impressed with Zacha this year? It seems like he has taken another step forward.

Boqvist - Nico Hischier - Kyle Palmieri
Jesper Bratt - Pavel Zacha - Nikita Gusev
Miles Wood - Travis Zajac - Joey Anderson
Kevin Rooney - Jack Hughes - McLeod

I would go far as to ditch Rooney, call-up Bastian and see what a McLeod-Hughes-Bastian line can. At the very least we can determine if Bastian and McLeod can fill out the bottom six in the team's future (most likely they can't).

I'm actually confortable with the top-six for the beginning of next year. Give Boqvist a shot at that spot. And by shot, pre-season and 9 games. Not, 1 period and change up the lines.

I'm hoping Wood can bring back a bottom 6 defensive-defenseman next year. At the very least the team can expose him in the 2021 expansion draft. I'd prefer to see Zajac lead a 4th line with Anderson and Merkley next year.

As for Hughes, it's going to be tough to find him good wingers for next season. Of course if the Devs win the draft, a winger (Lafreniere) is set for Hughes. If not, it looks likea UFA. I'd even try Anderson with Hughes and see how that works. Come to think of it, Kuokkanen-Hughes-Anderson for the rest of this season instead of what I mentioned above.

I'm really excited about the future of this team. We have some nice pieces in the NHL already, with guys like Smith, Foote and maybe a few others not too far out we are looking good. We also have, potentially, 3 1sts this year with 2 of them being in the top 10. Good things to come! 😁👍
- Devils4ever

I'm not as optimistic as some. I think we might have a good starter in Blackwood.. can't say for certain based on an up and down rookie year. We have a GOOD center in Nico. We have 2 good wingers in Gusev and Palmieri. The rest is a tossup. Bratt is a 45pt small forward right now. Zacha is a 40pt 2-way forward. We have a bunch of kids that aren't projected to be stars.. which means we have no stars on this team.

I'm not very optimistic about a team with reasonable confidence that we have zero future star power. There's potential for some good players to come out of our prospects, but if the ceiling is "very good" at best, then chances are we may get a few decent players out of our crop. Don't give me the "2003 team didn't have stars".. please.. Nieds and Brodeur are 2 of the best at their position.. Stevens and Rafalski were superb.. Elias was in his prime.

Crossing all the fingers Hughes ends up being who we hope he can be, and that we hit on our 1sts this year, and obviously our kids develop into better than average players. It's all hopes right now.

The devils seem to step up against Vegas so I wouldn't say nj is doomed..add in the fact that Vegas is missing their best player (mark stone) and it is more winnable than it seems..that being said alaian needs to try something new switch the lines..i know pavs line is untouchable right now but put someone else at 1LW..boqvist would be ok he's played well with nico in past maybe that could work but the coach needs to kill this jack at LW experiment..hes not ready for 1st line minutes he's too young and small to make a difference right now

I'm really excited about the future of this team. We have some nice pieces in the NHL already, with guys like Smith, Foote and maybe a few others not too far out we are looking good. We also have, potentially, 3 1sts this year with 2 of them being in the top 10. Good things to come! 😁👍
- Devils4ever

For sure! The future is looking bright. I still think it'll take another 2-3 years but we're definitely on the rise with the young talent we have and whats coming shortly in the pipeline. Gotta hope the Yotes dont win the lottery and then we need to nail our first 2 picks though. Its definitely hard to not be excited about how this team could, and should, look in a couple years.

Boqvist - Nico Hischier - Kyle Palmieri
Jesper Bratt - Pavel Zacha - Nikita Gusev
Miles Wood - Travis Zajac - Joey Anderson
Kevin Rooney - Jack Hughes - McLeod

just do this already and call it a day. Maybe I'm acting irrationally and prematurely.. not giving him enough of a shot, when I say Hughes can't play top line LW. Maybe he can. Maybe he just needs to develop and the best way to develop is playing the position. Or maybe we should develop Boqvist there because he can actually play the position. Put Hughes with McLeod. We haven't done that yet. Rooney can cover them defensively.
- MartysBetter88

Why not just put Jack at 3C so he's still with more talented guys. Travis can play 4C

I'm not as optimistic as some. I think we might have a good starter in Blackwood.. can't say for certain based on an up and down rookie year. We have a GOOD center in Nico. We have 2 good wingers in Gusev and Palmieri. The rest is a tossup. Bratt is a 45pt small forward right now. Zacha is a 40pt 2-way forward. We have a bunch of kids that aren't projected to be stars.. which means we have no stars on this team.

I'm not very optimistic about a team with reasonable confidence that we have zero future star power. There's potential for some good players to come out of our prospects, but if the ceiling is "very good" at best, then chances are we may get a few decent players out of our crop. Don't give me the "2003 team didn't have stars".. please.. Nieds and Brodeur are 2 of the best at their position.. Stevens and Rafalski were superb.. Elias was in his prime.

Crossing all the fingers Hughes ends up being who we hope he can be, and that we hit on our 1sts this year, and obviously our kids develop into better than average players. It's all hopes right now.
- MartysBetter88

You gotta factor in that these guys (for the most part) are still kids. Hughes is just turning 19, Nico and Bratt are 21, Zacha 21, Smith is going to be 20, Foote is going to be 20 and even Blackwood just turned 23. We will also be adding another 2 (hopefully high end) prospects that are going to be only 18 with our and yotes picks. Personally I really like the progress they have all shown. They wont be McDavid but they'll be good and I'm happy with that.

You gotta factor in that these guys (for the most part) are still kids. Hughes is just turning 19, Nico and Bratt are 21, Zacha 21, Smith is going to be 20, Foote is going to be 20 and even Blackwood just turned 23. We will also be adding another 2 (hopefully high end) prospects that are going to be only 18 with our and yotes picks. Personally I really like the progress they have all shown. They wont be McDavid but they'll be good and I'm happy with that.
- Devils4ever

Not to mention Bahl and Kuokkanen.

The thing is we are getting talent thru the draft and trades. We need some help in Free Agency if you want to competitive sooner. Landing a guy like Panarin was MASSIVE for the Rangers. They might be as bad as us without him. Granted we are not likely to get someone that good but there are some good free agents that can help us.

Not to mention Bahl and Kuokkanen.

The thing is we are getting talent thru the draft and trades. We need some help in Free Agency if you want to competitive sooner. Landing a guy like Panarin was MASSIVE for the Rangers. They might be as bad as us without him. Granted we are not likely to get someone that good but there are some good free agents that can help us.
- Queenie_5_hole

I'm a big fan of the way Colorado built their team. You draft the core and trade for or add via free agency additional guys. It's also cheaper to sign your own guys than trying at free agency. It takes a while to do it that way but it seems like the long term solution.

I'm a big fan of the way Colorado built their team. You draft the core and trade for or add via free agency additional guys. It's also cheaper to sign your own guys than trying at free agency. It takes a while to do it that way but it seems like the long term solution.
- Devils4ever

Now that you say it, this team is shaping up like that. We're going to have a really strong young core and we can add complimentary vets in free agency as we need to. Would be nice if we could use some of the picks we've acquired to try to poach a good young defenseman to add to that.

You gotta factor in that these guys (for the most part) are still kids. Hughes is just turning 19, Nico and Bratt are 21, Zacha 21, Smith is going to be 20, Foote is going to be 20 and even Blackwood just turned 23. We will also be adding another 2 (hopefully high end) prospects that are going to be only 18 with our and yotes picks. Personally I really like the progress they have all shown. They wont be McDavid but they'll be good and I'm happy with that.
- Devils4ever

right, but i'm saying none are projected to be stars.. maybe Hughes.. and none of them certainly look to be surprise stars in the making. But yes, you never know. I'm just saying chances are, we don't have any 100pt players in the system, maybe a few seasons of 80pts from Nico or Jack. Seems more like a bunch of 40-60pt players, plus Hughes and Nico, if these guys continue their development. . which is nice, but how bright is that?

right, but i'm saying none are projected to be stars.. maybe Hughes.. and none of them certainly look to be surprise stars in the making. But yes, you never know. I'm just saying chances are, we don't have any 100pt players in the system, maybe a few seasons of 80pts from Nico or Jack. Seems more like a bunch of 40-60pt players, plus Hughes and Nico, if these guys continue their development. . which is nice, but how bright is that?
- MartysBetter88

Really? I'd say only Zacha is for sure not going to be a star of those. Just look at how Bratt has been playing. Look how good Nico already is. Look how Smith lights it up when he's on. Look at how Foote stood out amongst other future stars in the wjc. There are no guarantees, but I don't agree with your pessimism.

Really? I'd say only Zacha is for sure not going to be a star of those. Just look at how Bratt has been playing. Look how good Nico already is. Look how Smith lights it up when he's on. Look at how Foote stood out amongst other future stars in the wjc. There are no guarantees, but I don't agree with your pessimism.
- willschulme

Yeah, I think to say that our players are just bad because they haven't hit some kind of super star level yet is not really fair. MacKinnon has only been at this level the past couple of seasons where he was just a decent young player beforehand. I don't think it's reasonable to look at what Hughes has done this year and just write him off as 60 point player going forward.

right, but i'm saying none are projected to be stars.. maybe Hughes.. and none of them certainly look to be surprise stars in the making. But yes, you never know. I'm just saying chances are, we don't have any 100pt players in the system, maybe a few seasons of 80pts from Nico or Jack. Seems more like a bunch of 40-60pt players, plus Hughes and Nico, if these guys continue their development. . which is nice, but how bright is that?
- MartysBetter88

Have the Devils ever had a 100 point scorer? Nope...

Everybody needs to relax on the Hughes nonsense. The season is a wash and the coach is getting him on ice against top competition, while playing with our best players. The intent is his development, getting him more comfortable while taking away responsibilities of centerman position.

And I’d rather have 6-7 players putting up 60 points than a superstar + a subpar core. Look at Buffalo. We are a ways away but y’all selling short on our young crew is exhausting.

Have the Devils ever had a 100 point scorer? Nope...

Everybody needs to relax on the Hughes nonsense. The season is a wash and the coach is getting him on ice against top competition, while playing with our best players. The intent is his development, getting him more comfortable while taking away responsibilities of centerman position.

And I’d rather have 6-7 players putting up 60 points than a superstar + a subpar core. Look at Buffalo. We are a ways away but y’all selling short on our young crew is exhausting.
- ShoresideDevil

I agree. We have a lot of young potential. They may not pan out to be 100pt players but there are only a handful that are in the league. They are still very young and have plenty of room to improve. I'm excited for the future.

Yeah, I think to say that our players are just bad because they haven't hit some kind of super star level yet is not really fair. MacKinnon has only been at this level the past couple of seasons where he was just a decent young player beforehand. I don't think it's reasonable to look at what Hughes has done this year and just write him off as 60 point player going forward.
- Pomegrant

lol I'm not saying they're bad. I used the word good multiple times in a previous comment. I included Hughes and Nico as guys that could hit 80. But that's really it. The rest are hopes and dreams.