Johnsson is not an incompetent player, he just needs better players around him like he got in Toronto. Which is not to say that isn't a weakness of his play because he definitely doesn't drive offense. He is a 2nd/3rd line tweener guy that can chip in offensively but he isn't your "go to" goal scorer that this team obviously needs.

Man honestly what the hell happened to Zacha in his own zone? He was arguably our most consistent defensive forward and PKer after i guess Zajac the previous few seasons and hes just been absolutely horrible in his own end this season. He's just been so lost

Man honestly what the hell happened to Zacha in his own zone? He was arguably our most consistent defensive forward and PKer after i guess Zajac the previous few seasons and hes just been absolutely horrible in his own end this season. He's just been so lost
- vlongo4419

don't worry about it, he'll pot one to neutralize the giveaway.

Man honestly what the hell happened to Zacha in his own zone? He was arguably our most consistent defensive forward and PKer after i guess Zajac the previous few seasons and hes just been absolutely horrible in his own end this season. He's just been so lost this year in our own zone
- vlongo4419

I think the odd thing about Zacha's underlying numbers was that he was always bad 5v5 but good on the PK. I'm not the guy who can connect the dots but there is something not surprising that his defensive play has regressed when used in an expanded role when in years past he would have been more sheltered.

For me this is the most telling season of Zacha's because he's been bad in all zones. But it seems like he's getting a pass this year because his counting totals were "okay" for once. He went from defensive 3rd line center to looking like a replaceable piece.

I think the odd thing about Zacha's underlying numbers was that he was always bad 5v5 but good on the PK. I'm not the guy who can connect the dots but there is something not surprising that his defensive play has regressed when used in an expanded role when in years past he would have been more sheltered.

For me this is the most telling season of Zacha's because he's been bad in all zones. But it seems like he's getting a pass this year because his counting totals were "okay" for once. He went from defensive 3rd line center to looking like a replaceable piece.
- Pomegrant

Yep pretty much. He was considered an elite PKer too, but that part of his game hasnt been there either. He's just been flat out bad this year, but some people see hes putting up this best PPG average of his career and think hes playing well. Which is why i posted earlier that he's someone i'd look to try to "sell high" on him this summer if another team is willing to pay up. I'd be looking to package him with something else to get an upgrade on D. He's definitely been replaceable this year.

Yep pretty much. He's just been flat out bad this year, but some people see hes putting up this best PPG average of his career and think hes playing well. Which is why i posted earlier that he's someone i'd look to try to sell high on him this summer if another team is willing to pay up. He's definitely been replaceable this year.
- vlongo4419

Agree on all points. He's put up middling results on one of the league's worst powerplays which should be a red flag that his points are mostly luck and not skill.

Fitz has done really well in trades and I'm guessing he can flip Zacha for another team's project player and maybe find a diamond in the rough.

Agree on all points. He's put up middling results on one of the league's worst powerplays which should be a red flag that his points are mostly luck and not skill.

Fitz has done really well in trades and I'm guessing he can flip Zacha for another team's project player and maybe find a diamond in the rough.
- Pomegrant

For sure, definitely agree. I trust Fitz to keep making the right moves for this team. I think the Siegenthaler trade will be a low-key very good move for this team going forward. Small sample size but his 5 games so far have been solid. He should be a staple to the 3rd pairing and PK for this team for a while, maybe he can even develop a little more into a $4 and compliment an offensive guy on the 2nd pairing

For sure, definitely agree. I trust Fitz to keep making the right moves for this team. I think the Siegenthaler trade will be a low-key very good move for this team going forward. Small sample size but his 5 games so far have been solid
- vlongo4419

Siegenthaler was a really heads up deadline move for sure. He really fits the mold for the new defensive defenseman. He can skate and can get the puck out of his own zone as well as keep sightlines clear for the goalie. Feel really positive about him as a player moving forward.

Siegenthaler was a really heads up deadline move for sure. He really fits the mold for the new defensive defenseman. He can skate and can get the puck out of his own zone as well as keep sightlines clear for the goalie. Feel really positive about him as a player moving forward.
- Pomegrant

100%

Siegenthaler was a really heads up deadline move for sure. He really fits the mold for the new defensive defenseman. He can skate and can get the puck out of his own zone as well as keep sightlines clear for the goalie. Feel really positive about him as a player moving forward.
- Pomegrant

yup. big fan. Fitz is no dummy. I know not every move will be brilliant, some are educated gambles, but I definitely like this one.

yup. big fan. Fitz is no dummy. I know not every move will be brilliant, some are educated gambles, but I definitely like this one.
- MartysBetter88

that's my point with Johnsson. They get a guy for cheap who did put up good points even though he was playing with really good players around him on the Leafs. Sure, he doesn't look great now but there is still more player there and I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt with all of the crazy stuff that's happened this season.

I think Foote should be playing tonight and a guy like Merkley who is underwhelming all of the time except for the single good chance he helps produce per game should be sitting.

Erika looks flawless per usual. Bryce looks.. tired and like he's trying really hard to look good, but feels like crap. Bet they had Covid for the coincidental past 2 weeks.

wish someone could give Sal a little remote so he can play and pause the tape as he wants without having to "roll it" lol

Whoever has coached the team to take away the shot instead of the pass on odd man rushes needs to be fired. It's just the dumbest poop that hasn't been working all season.

Siegenthaler got blown by there..

Siegenthaler got blown by there..
- MartysBetter88

Yeah, maybe he could have done better but Dell is dogpoop.

Whoever has coached the team to take away the shot instead of the pass on odd man rushes needs to be fired. It's just the dumbest poop that hasn't been working all season.
- Pomegrant

It's so crazy to me that it happens this often. D are taught to take away the pass when defending a 2-on-1 from when they're little kids

And then Dell gives up a softy immediately afterwards

It's so crazy to me that it happens this often. D are taught to take away the pass when defending a 2-on-1 from when they're little kids

And then Dell gives up a softy immediately afterwards
- vlongo4419

They take away pass there and these poop goalies can't stop it. Maybe that's why they do it.

i feel helpless watching. like.. what do we do? how do we not suck? how do we develop players if they have no one on the ice to actually help them? it's the blind leading the blind.

It's so crazy to me that it happens this often. D are taught to take away the pass when defending a 2-on-1 from when they're little kids

And then Dell gives up a softy immediately afterwards
- vlongo4419

I guess it doesnt matter. Our goalies just have the puck blown by them on the shot anyway. Need to have a goalie make a save at some point in any of these games.

Good lawd our goaltending is a steaming pile of poop!

How many of these goals would have been stopped by a competent goalie? I'm guessing this score should be 2/3-1 at worst.

How many of these goals would have been stopped by a competent goalie? I'm guessing this score should be 2/3-1 at worst.
- Pomegrant

For sure the last 2. You could argue the 2nd goal as well. Dell was screened but he was so far out of position. That puck shouldve just hit him even if he didnt see it. So yeah it should be either 2-1 or 3-1 at the absolute worst.

Per NST at 5v5, 16-15 scoring chances Pens(19-18 Devils overall), 9-7 high danger scoring chances Devils(10-8 Devils overall). Its a pretty even game besides in net. Legit just need a goalie to make a save at some point. We also need to start burying the puck, this has been an issue all season and needs to be addressed in the offseason

No finishing and bad goaltending is not a good combination lol

The Devils have an .838 save% in the month of April, thats 12 games including tonight. No other team is below .880 in that stretch.

During that stretch the Devils as a team are top 5 in the entire league in CF%(3rd), SCF%(4th), HDCF%(4th), and xGF%(5th). Doesnt matter what team you are, you arent winning many games with goaltending that bad

you know what these kids need? Crawford. What a stabilizing presence that would be, both on the ice and in the room. There is no one coming to right this ship.. no savior coming.. no 22yr old captain or 19yr old 1st overall pick to save the day.. they have to all find it within.