Pretty impressive win for the meatheads considering the circumstances. I think i was most impressed by us not going to the box once last night (other than the McLeod scrap), especially in the third when we looked really gassed at times.
And speaking of McLeod i just love the way he plays, dude is always hustling.
Big Mac was huge again but i agree i don't think he'll be able to handle that barrage of shots on a nightly basis especially against teams that can actually score. Also i kinda liked Albert calling the game, aside from his lifeless calls on the goals.
- FAZOOL

The ranger broadcast kept calling blackwood Blackwell

Pretty impressive win for the meatheads considering the circumstances. I think i was most impressed by us not going to the box once last night (other than the McLeod scrap), especially in the third when we looked really gassed at times.
And speaking of McLeod i just love the way he plays, dude is always hustling.
Big Mac was huge again but i agree i don't think he'll be able to handle that barrage of shots on a nightly basis especially against teams that can actually score. Also i kinda liked Albert calling the game, aside from his lifeless calls on the goals.
- FAZOOL

I honestly would have traded McLeod for scraps this offseason, thought he was done for. He’s been great and is noticeable every game. If he can add some offense I’d say he’s looking more like Zajac’s replacement than Zacha.

I honestly would have traded McLeod for scraps this offseason, thought he was done for. He’s been great and is noticeable every game. If he can add some offense I’d say he’s looking more like Zajac’s replacement than Zacha.
- rmdevil313

Couldn't agree more. Also can't believe how decent our late-round drafting has been with Maltsev and Sharangovich; heck even Bratt and Miles Wood were taken later in their respective drafts.

Having all those lottery tickets over the past few years has finally cashed in.

Just saw a stat

It's the first time the devil's have won 3 games in a row at MSG

That can't be true? Even on the 90's and 00's? I guess with ties but thought that there must have been a time that the devil's won more than twice at MSG in a row

I honestly would have traded McLeod for scraps this offseason, thought he was done for. He’s been great and is noticeable every game. If he can add some offense I’d say he’s looking more like Zajac’s replacement than Zacha.
- rmdevil313

The problem that I feel with zacha is that he has more offense and ability than he shows and if he realizes that and uses it he will be more effective but seems he is stuck in his ways.

He does have a good shot but doesn't use it

The problem that I feel with zacha is that he has more offense and ability than he shows and if he realizes that and uses it he will be more effective but seems he is stuck in his ways.

He does have a good shot but doesn't use it
- dmarsden2988

I've been hoping for Zacha to be given a chance on the PP in a position for him to shoot for years. Previously, he'd be used in the middle of the ice/front of the net area, which totally makes sense as he's a big boy who can make plays in tight spaces, but he was picked high for a reason. He's got some untapped skill, although you're spot on that he doesn't always show it/use it. Not saying he'd start sniping left and right, but when he's given time to prepare his shot like he was last night, the kids got a strong and accurate wrister.

We've placed Comrie and Carrick on waivers

We've placed Comrie and Carrick on waivers
- vlongo4419

Guess that means Dell is finishing his conditioning stint and will either go to taxi squad or be back up, depends what they do with clemmenson

With vats back and I am guessing Murray getting healthy from his illness Carrick had to go through waivers to be sent down

Does make it interesting

Subban Murray
Severson Smith
Vats kullikov/Tennyson/butcher

I saw I believe Amanda Stein tweet a couple days ago that ruff said it Nico wasn't in protocol he could play which is another interesting situation

Johnsson Hughes bratt has looked good together
Sharo Nico palms
Zacha zajac kouk
Wood McLeod Bastian

I'm happy that they have looked competitive this year

Guess that means Dell is finishing his conditioning stint and will either go to taxi squad or be back up, depends what they do with clemmenson

With vats back and I am guessing Murray getting healthy from his illness Carrick had to go through waivers to be sent down

Does make it interesting

Subban Murray
Severson Smith
Vats kullikov/Tennyson/butcher

I saw I believe Amanda Stein tweet a couple days ago that ruff said it Nico wasn't in protocol he could play which is another interesting situation

Johnsson Hughes bratt has looked good together
Sharo Nico palms
Zacha zajac kouk
Wood McLeod Bastian

I'm happy that they have looked competitive this year
- dmarsden2988

Dell was already recalled from his conditioning loan 2 days ago, so they had 4 goalies on the active roster and needed to make room for the D coming back, same with Carrick. Vatanen, Murray, and Kulikov were all on the ice this morning and should all be available tomorrow so they needed the roster spots.

Depending on whether Comrie clears and makes it to the taxi squad, Wedgewood will likely be waived next. But if Comrie gets claimed they may just ride 3 goalies on the active roster for now

Todays protocol list will only be 2 Devils: Zajac and Nico

Dell was already recalled from his conditioning loan 2 days ago, so they had 4 goalies on the active roster and needed to make room for the D coming back, same with Carrick. Vatanen, Murray, and Kulikov were all on the ice this morning and should all be available tomorrow so they needed the roster spots.

Depending on whether Comrie clears and makes it to the taxi squad, Wedgewood will likely be waived next. But if Comrie gets claimed they may just ride 3 goalies on the active roster for now

Todays protocol list will only be 2 Devils: Zajac and Nico
- vlongo4419

Cant wait to see this team fully healthy

Dell was already recalled from his conditioning loan 2 days ago, so they had 4 goalies on the active roster and needed to make room for the D coming back, same with Carrick. Vatanen, Murray, and Kulikov were all on the ice this morning and should all be available tomorrow so they needed the roster spots.

Depending on whether Comrie clears and makes it to the taxi squad, Wedgewood will likely be waived next. But if Comrie gets claimed they may just ride 3 goalies on the active roster for now

Todays protocol list will only be 2 Devils: Zajac and Nico
- vlongo4419

Good to know, I only saw a tweet that Dell was on a conditioning loan after he went through protocol and didn't see anything else

Things will look better when we have a full team out there and hopefully Nico can get palms going

We are in a little predicament with palms, do we trade him but his stock has lowered since he hasn't found the net or do we keep him

Would be good to have palms and next season holtz to snipe

If anyone interested in a post game write up, since Roger is asleep at the wheel again, check this out.....

https://www.allabouttheje...-win-5-2-over-the-rangers

The problem that I feel with zacha is that he has more offense and ability than he shows and if he realizes that and uses it he will be more effective but seems he is stuck in his ways.

He does have a good shot but doesn't use it
- dmarsden2988

For Zacha I think the problem is having a complete game at all times. Sometimes he's really doing well defensively but then can't get any offense going. Sometimes you really see him pushing to score and he looks promising but then the defense falls apart. You see flashes of a really good player there but that's the problem.

Guess that means Dell is finishing his conditioning stint and will either go to taxi squad or be back up, depends what they do with clemmenson

With vats back and I am guessing Murray getting healthy from his illness Carrick had to go through waivers to be sent down

Does make it interesting

Subban Murray
Severson Smith
Vats kullikov/Tennyson/butcher

I saw I believe Amanda Stein tweet a couple days ago that ruff said it Nico wasn't in protocol he could play which is another interesting situation

Johnsson Hughes bratt has looked good together
Sharo Nico palms
Zacha zajac kouk
Wood McLeod Bastian

I'm happy that they have looked competitive this year
- dmarsden2988

Why is Subban always on our top pairings? I honestly do not understand it, other than the fact that the guy once won a Norris. He is not a top 6 D on this club, and certainly not a top pairing guy. If blackwood wasnt stopping 37 shots, posting a 0.949sv% every night, Subban would be a -12 through 10 games if it weren't for being bailed out. My ideal projection would have the top 2 pairings playing 23 minutes minimum:

Murray Vats
Smith Severson
Butch Subban

Gotta love having Bahl/Shak/Walsh in the pipeline. This D-core could be very strong in another year or two.

For Zacha I think the problem is having a complete game at all times. Sometimes he's really doing well defensively but then can't get any offense going. Sometimes you really see him pushing to score and he looks promising but then the defense falls apart. You see flashes of a really good player there but that's the problem.
- Pomegrant

I think he has a very complete game in terms of positional play, passing, vision, and skating. It's just he finish, and assertiveness. He doesn't drive the net like Wood, he doesn't have a deceiving release (i know he scored a nice one yesterday), and he needs to make the odd pass attempt through traffic in offensive zones. He is simply too safe and predictable. He would be one guy that got me out of my seat if he started to show his frustrations and actually dropped the mitts. When guys like that act in the heat of the moment, the entire team erupts.

Why is Subban always on our top pairings? I honestly do not understand it, other than the fact that the guy once won a Norris. He is not a top 6 D on this club, and certainly not a top pairing guy. If blackwood wasnt stopping 37 shots, posting a 0.949sv% every night, Subban would be a -12 through 10 games if it weren't for being bailed out. My ideal projection would have the top 2 pairings playing 23 minutes minimum:

Murray Vats
Smith Severson
Butch Subban

Gotta love having Bahl/Shak/Walsh in the pipeline. This D-core could be very strong in another year or two.
- bikeguy99

Man youre still going with Subban hate? I honestly don't understand it at all, hes been fine this season. To say he is not even a top 6 D on this club is just....laughable. Then you put Vats on the top pairing? Dude you're way over-rating Vatanen. Vats is a fine 4 or 5 D. Subban is a fine 2nd pairing D. Who cares what the order they're listed is, him and Murray work well together. And how do you not have Kulikov in your lineup?

The person you responded to is absolutely correct on the D pairings:
Murray-Subban
Smith-Severson
Kulikov-Vatanen

When all are healthy, that should be the lineup. Butcher is the 7th D and first guy in when someone gets hurt or needs a break

I've been hoping for Zacha to be given a chance on the PP in a position for him to shoot for years. Previously, he'd be used in the middle of the ice/front of the net area, which totally makes sense as he's a big boy who can make plays in tight spaces, but he was picked high for a reason. He's got some untapped skill, although you're spot on that he doesn't always show it/use it. Not saying he'd start sniping left and right, but when he's given time to prepare his shot like he was last night, the kids got a strong and accurate wrister.
- SteveJ123

Zacha has never been a top goal scorer. In his draft year he had 16 goals in 37 games with Sarnia and in his +1 year he had 28 in 51.
With 4 full NHL seasons under his belt he's had more than 8 goals once, when he broke out for 13. Zacha was drafted because he skates well, he's big, handles the puck well and is responsible in his own end.. At least I hope that's what they were expecting when he was drafting, because if they were expecting a consistent 20 goal scorer that makes that pick even worse in hindsight.

When we got him I was hoping he would turn into a Zubrus in his prime type. I think that ceiling at this point is even a little too high. I'm just glad he actually turned into a useful NHL player, but I think at 24 in year 5 to think it gets any better than this offensively for Zacha is just wishful thinking.

Zacha has never been a top goal scorer. In his draft year he had 16 goals in 37 games with Sarnia and in his +1 year he had 28 in 51.
With 4 full NHL seasons under his belt he's had more than 8 goals once, when he broke out for 13. Zacha was drafted because he skates well, he's big, handles the puck well and is responsible in his own end.. At least I hope that's what they were expecting when he was drafting, because if they were expecting a consistent 20 goal scorer that makes that pick even worse in hindsight.

When we got him I was hoping he would turn into a Zubrus in his prime type. I think that ceiling at this point is even a little too high. I'm just glad he actually turned into a useful NHL player, but I think at 24 in year 5 to think it gets any better than this offensively for Zacha is just wishful thinking.
- smellmyfinger

Zacha is a perfect example of the shift in metrics on evaluating prospects. If you use the old way of judging, you would think he's a slam dunk for all the reasons you listed. Strong frame, responsible player, has good hockey smarts. All these kinds of things that you can't measure and don't have a way to actually compare them to other players.

Now, I'm not saying advance stats are the only way to judge players because junior/college play isn't always going to be a great representation of quality but getting away from these old notions of how to evaluate players is necessary. And You've seen the org move away from this since Lou's been gone. More than ever we have an influx of young talented players who play more in line with the current NHL. In years past we wouldn't have a Jesper Bratt because he's a small guy who isn't particularly strong but most fans see him as an integral piece of the team at only 22 years old.

Not trying to poop on Zacha either because I do hope for his success. He could be a solid roleplayer long term for this team. Would just be nice to see his game come together a little bit more.

Kulikov and Zajac have been removed from the protocol list! Nico is the only player remaining

Zacha has never been a top goal scorer. In his draft year he had 16 goals in 37 games with Sarnia and in his +1 year he had 28 in 51.
With 4 full NHL seasons under his belt he's had more than 8 goals once, when he broke out for 13. Zacha was drafted because he skates well, he's big, handles the puck well and is responsible in his own end.. At least I hope that's what they were expecting when he was drafting, because if they were expecting a consistent 20 goal scorer that makes that pick even worse in hindsight.

When we got him I was hoping he would turn into a Zubrus in his prime type. I think that ceiling at this point is even a little too high. I'm just glad he actually turned into a useful NHL player, but I think at 24 in year 5 to think it gets any better than this offensively for Zacha is just wishful thinking.
- smellmyfinger

The only reason to think Zacha is going to take a significant step at this point is because Lindy Ruff’s system seems to put players in a position to succeed. And I don’t think it’ll be a breakthrough type change but it’ll be incremental improvement where his play will be good and consistent.

Zacha has never been a top goal scorer. In his draft year he had 16 goals in 37 games with Sarnia and in his +1 year he had 28 in 51.
With 4 full NHL seasons under his belt he's had more than 8 goals once, when he broke out for 13. Zacha was drafted because he skates well, he's big, handles the puck well and is responsible in his own end.. At least I hope that's what they were expecting when he was drafting, because if they were expecting a consistent 20 goal scorer that makes that pick even worse in hindsight.

When we got him I was hoping he would turn into a Zubrus in his prime type. I think that ceiling at this point is even a little too high. I'm just glad he actually turned into a useful NHL player, but I think at 24 in year 5 to think it gets any better than this offensively for Zacha is just wishful thinking.
- smellmyfinger

Totally fair points and I agree with them all. That being said, my point was more in relation to how he had been used on the PP in the past which directly relates to his potential offensive production and perception of his skills in general. Regardless of what his stats showed pre draft, he is your 6th overall pick and he should have been given a clear PP role he could grow into.

In his earlier seasons, he was never given a consistent role on the PP (in terms of position on the ice) and was bounced in and out of the PP in general. I can't totally blame the Devils, as Taylor Halls fluke season essentially got our prioritizes mixed up for a 1-2 year period as we strayed away from development for a minute and put guys like Drew Stafford on the PP, but he's still had a decent amount of PP points (in regard to our teams production) for a guy who isn't considered a PP threat.

He's got 34 career PP points which I think would surprise most people considering he's not really a point producer and I think that PP ceiling can absolutely grow if given the right role. Again, not trying to say he'll be sniping left and right or dominating on the PP or something, but to me he has shown that its an area he can potentially excel at if given the right role.

Graeme Clarke is making his debut tonight for Bing! Boqvist not in the lineup because he needs to serve his 2 game suspension he received at the end of last season

Damn, Walsh with a pretty sweet coast to coast goal

https://twitter.com/BingD.../1362195501257490438?s=19

So.. Zacha.. attacka? 😁

So.. Zacha.. attacka? 😁
- MartysBetter88

I said Zacha attack.....but I like Zacha Attacka!