Sam Woo: Free Falling Devils Lose Seven Straight

What needs to be overhauled is the management.

Agreed that a lot of the blame can be laid on coaching and management. Having said that the rebuild is not working, if the eye test makes it this obvious it cannot be argued. Certain players appear happy with the status quo. I hate to say it, but tear it down to its bare essentials and get whatever you can get. I am beyond angry, beyond frustrated, I am at "I barely care" unless I see some dramatic changes. Enough with the little move here and there. Time to be bold or just go the F home.

it's fine, who cares

do you want a mediocre team that barely makes the playoffs, or do you want a higher draft pick and better prospects to have a legit run down the road?

doesn't make sense to complain now, just enjoy the sport

I said it last year and will repeat it now. We missed a huge opportunity to upgrade our goaltending last year when Carolina placed Alex Nedeljkovic on waivers. He went unclaimed and was traded to DET after that for next to nothing. He's 13-13-5 with a 2.90 GAA and .911 save% on an almost as bad Detroit team. He could have been a perfect 1B to a healthy Blackwood. Not saying he would have brought us the playoffs, but think we would have been closer to the playoff line than the top 3 pick in the league. Carolina threw a strike right down the middle of the plate and we struck out looking.

Agreed that a lot of the blame can be laid on coaching and management. Having said that the rebuild is not working, if the eye test makes it this obvious it cannot be argued. Certain players appear happy with the status quo. I hate to say it, but tear it down to its bare essentials and get whatever you can get. I am beyond angry, beyond frustrated, I am at "I barely care" unless I see some dramatic changes. Enough with the little move here and there. Time to be bold or just go the F home.
- redmonsters

Sens blocked shots = 27 (from 21 individuals)
Sens Hits = 44 hits from 16 individuals
Devs Blocked Shots = 15 (from 9 individuals)
Devs Hits = 28 hits committed by 13 individuals

Devs have had some nice quick starts against the Sens and Leafs of late, but are quickly suppressed and worn down after the 1st of every game it seems. This team needs to win by committee and it stats with the coaching staff. It is simple, if you aren't on the right side of the puck, you better be blocking shots and wearing the team down physically. Playing a soft game and trading chances has not worked out well, especially with Blackwood out, so start playing a structured game already. Bratt, Graves, and Bastian were the only good players last night.

Heads may roll if the Devs put on another performance like that against Mtl tonight...

I said it last year and will repeat it now. We missed a huge opportunity to upgrade our goaltending last year when Carolina placed Alex Nedeljkovic on waivers. He went unclaimed and was traded to DET after that for next to nothing. He's 13-13-5 with a 2.90 GAA and .911 save% on an almost as bad Detroit team. He could have been a perfect 1B to a healthy Blackwood. Not saying he would have brought us the playoffs, but think we would have been closer to the playoff line than the top 3 pick in the league. Carolina threw a strike right down the middle of the plate and we struck out looking.
- Crushers68

Yup. Bernier and Crawford have not been our saviors at all, and they aren't cheap either.

STATUS QUO

Yup. Bernier and Crawford have not been our saviors at all, and they aren't cheap either.
- bikeguy99

When you show up to practice but nobody can figure out why you're still there.

Sens blocked shots = 27 (from 21 individuals)
Sens Hits = 44 hits from 16 individuals
Devs Blocked Shots = 15 (from 9 individuals)
Devs Hits = 28 hits committed by 13 individuals

Devs have had some nice quick starts against the Sens and Leafs of late, but are quickly suppressed and worn down after the 1st of every game it seems. This team needs to win by committee and it stats with the coaching staff. It is simple, if you aren't on the right side of the puck, you better be blocking shots and wearing the team down physically. Playing a soft game and trading chances has not worked out well, especially with Blackwood out, so start playing a structured game already. Bratt, Graves, and Bastian were the only good players last night.

Heads may roll if the Devs put on another performance like that against Mtl tonight...
- bikeguy99

So the Devils blocked a shot every 3.3 attempts and the Sens blocked a shot every 3.5 attempts. Sick argument bud.

Again. You're typically going to have less hits and blocked shots and all of those dogpoop stats you try to judge a game/team by when you control the puck and play more than the other team.

Also, you didnt even name the best player when you mentioned who played well?? Bratt was fine, especially by his standard. Nowhere near our best player last night. Boqvist was the best player on the ice.... Might have been his best ever game as a Devil. His line with Zacha and Vesey was our best line. Again, do you even watch games? Holy (frank)

Lack of finishing and piss poor goaltending are the issues for this team. Literally no need to dig further. Fix that and this team will take a step and start being compeitive for the playoffs.

It is the entire Devils organization that needs to be overhauled.

The Utica Comets have been the only bright spot for the Devils organization and head coach Kevin Dineen maybe the answer in the near future to help turn the Devils organization around on the ice without having to go through a major overhaul.

Entire organization needs to be overhauled you said, but Utica is good. Last time I checked, Utica or any AHL affiliated franchise was part of said organization. Little contradictive there Sam…

Start by selling this (frank)ing team to owners who actually want to (frank)ing win in Newark. How’s that for a good start? Let’s go from there… dippoops for owners.

So the Devils blocked a shot every 3.3 attempts and the Sens blocked a shot every 3.5 attempts. Sick argument bud.

Again. You're typically going to have less hits and blocked shots and all of those dogpoop stats you try to judge a game/team by when you control the puck and play more than the other team.

Also, you didnt even name the best player when you mentioned who played well?? Bratt was fine, especially by his standard. Nowhere near our best player last night. Boqvist was the best player on the ice.... Might have been his best ever game as a Devil. His line with Zacha and Vesey was our best line. Again, do you even watch games? Holy (frank)

Lack of finishing and piss poor goaltending are the issues for this team. Literally no need to dig further. Fix that and this team will take a step and start being compeitive for the playoffs.
- vlongo4419

Definitely tuned out for the 3rd (canes and leafs game had a little more excitement in the 3rd). And yes, you are right. If our goalie stops pucks and our team scores on our chances, we might win games. Unfortunately, Dev's have notched over 2 goals in just 2 of the past 10 games, and yes, with Blackwood out, that is a recipe for disaster.

You can break down blocked shots per attempt (which we are still in the basement with), and try and discredit whatever thoughts I have, but at least I have some thoughts. Not saying you have to agree, and I am happy to hear your side. Only problem is you simply regurgitate the twitter feed and advanced stats without an actual original thought or opinion.

Boq. He definitely did have a more noticeable impact. I had a hard time looking past the 2 instances in the game where he spun his back and went face first into the boards. It was nice Nico got to capitalize on the PP, but the kid could get seriously hurt if he doesn't adjust that part of his game. I do like to "dig-further" on games like this. I want to see this team have a pulse, and discontent in losses. We don't tho. While it is hard to go out and find a 50g scorer, we can certainly start with a community effort in blocking shots, breaking up passes, and wearing teams down physically, either through hitting, or a stronger system that limits chances. Devs can address some categories that are lacking instead trying the same thing every game.

So the Devils blocked a shot every 3.3 attempts and the Sens blocked a shot every 3.5 attempts. Sick argument bud.

Again. You're typically going to have less hits and blocked shots and all of those dogpoop stats you try to judge a game/team by when you control the puck and play more than the other team.

Also, you didnt even name the best player when you mentioned who played well?? Bratt was fine, especially by his standard. Nowhere near our best player last night. Boqvist was the best player on the ice.... Might have been his best ever game as a Devil. His line with Zacha and Vesey was our best line. Again, do you even watch games? Holy (frank)

Lack of finishing and piss poor goaltending are the issues for this team. Literally no need to dig further. Fix that and this team will take a step and start being compeitive for the playoffs.
- vlongo4419

This is the age old chicken and egg question. Sure the Sens had more time of possession, but both teams were on the ice for 60 minutes, and the Devs surprisingly dominated the faceoffs for a change. So you don't think blocking shots, sticks in the passing lanes, and some physical pressure via hitting is a means of reacquiring the puck? Because we consistanly are on the wrong side of those stats, and also can't seem to score. What should they do instead? I would love an honest thought from you. How does this team start shoring up some of their leagues worst categories. I am not expecting another cup finals appearance, but simply a change would make us more competitive.

both teams were on the ice for 60 minutes
- bikeguy99

you just changed my life

This is the age old chicken and egg question. Sure the Sens had more time of possession, but both teams were on the ice for 60 minutes, and the Devs surprisingly dominated the faceoffs for a change. So you don't think blocking shots, sticks in the passing lanes, and some physical pressure via hitting is a means of reacquiring the puck? Because we consistanly are on the wrong side of those stats, and also can't seem to score. What should they do instead? I would love an honest thought from you. How does this team start shoring up some of their leagues worst categories. I am not expecting another cup finals appearance, but simply a change would make us more competitive.
- bikeguy99

Except the Sens didnt have more time of possession???? What the hell are you talking about, thats my whole point. Especially in the first two periods. The Devils dominated possession and opportunities. Less time of possession = the opponent likely will have more attempts towards the net = you have more opportunities to block shots than your opponent = most likely having more shots blocked at the end of the game. This isnt rocket science. Using blocked shots or hits as a reason why a team is losing is flat out (frank)ing stupid.

After 2 periods last night the Devils had 63.09% CF% and 67.73% xGF%, and the expected goals were 2.21 for the Devils and 0.89 for the Sens, yet were losing 3-1. That has (frank) all to do with useless stats like faceoffs/hits/blocked shots. It is quite literally not being able to finish combined with having goaltending that cant make a save.

This season the Devils goaltending ranks:
-2nd worst save% (.884)
-2nd worst high-danger save% (.765)
-2nd worst medium-danger save% (.871)
-11th worst low-danger save% (.959)

Meanwhile the offense ranks 10th in expected goals per 60 (2.61), 3rd best in HDCF% (55.30), and 16th in MDCF% (50.70), yet our finishing is ranked 25th in the league.

So you combined very poor goaltending (ranked 31st at -24.3 GSAE) and poor finishing listed above, you arent going to win many games. That is just a recipe for disaster no matter how you want to spin it. Thats the issue, and its certainly not an easy fix, but if you fix that then this team is close to the playoffs. Stop bringing up (frank)ing useless stats trying to talk about why this team is losing, when it is literally as black and white as that.

I personally think they should teach players to check the puck into the net instead of shooting. At this point what else do they have to lose.

I personally think they should teach players to check the puck into the net instead of shooting. At this point what else do they have to lose.
- Pomegrant

Here comes Geertsen.

Except the Sens didnt have more time of possession???? What the hell are you talking about, thats my whole point. Especially in the first two periods. The Devils dominated possession and opportunities. Less time of possession = the opponent likely will have more attempts towards the net = you have more opportunities to block shots than your opponent = most likely having more shots blocked at the end of the game. This isnt rocket science. Using blocked shots or hits as a reason why a team is losing is flat out (frank)ing stupid.

After 2 periods last night the Devils had 63.09% CF% and 67.73% xGF%, and the expected goals were 2.21 for the Devils and 0.89 for the Sens, yet were losing 3-1. That has (frank) all to do with useless stats like faceoffs/hits/blocked shots. It is quite literally not being able to finish combined with having goaltending that cant make a save.
- vlongo4419

K bud. I admit that i did not look at time of posession. Regardless, I do not see these stats as meaningless. They have some value, hence why the litter the stats columns. Oh well. Feel free to share an actual observation anytime though. As a fan, I would like to see some emphasis on faceoffs/hits/blocked shots. Can't win unless all cylinders are firing, or a bunch of lucky bounces. Something has to change with this team, and Fitz did his part in bringing in Hamilton, Tatar, Bernier (Fitz couldn't see that disaster coming), and Graves. What was the result? Pacing for less points than we paced per 82 games last season. Clearly they style and commitment we are playing with is a big issue, and I just look at the stats that are easiest to address. You can spout off with profanity and continue to talk down to anyone who doesn't give you their full support, but I really just want some discussion and ideas of what we have seen. I have seen a soft unstructured team get lit up way too much.

K bud. I admit that i did not look at time of posession. Regardless, I do not see these stats as meaningless. They have some value, hence why the litter the stats columns. Oh well. Feel free to share an actual observation anytime though. As a fan, I would like to see some emphasis on faceoffs/hits/blocked shots. Can't win unless all cylinders are firing, or a bunch of lucky bounces. Something has to change with this team, and Fitz did his part in bringing in Hamilton, Tatar, Bernier (Fitz couldn't see that disaster coming), and Graves. What was the result? Pacing for less points than we paced per 82 games last season. Clearly they style and commitment we are playing with is a big issue, and I just look at the stats that are easiest to address. You can spout off with profanity and continue to talk down to anyone who doesn't give you their full support, but I really just want some discussion and ideas of what we have seen. I have seen a soft unstructured team get lit up way too much.
- bikeguy99

No no, i talk down on you because you're a moron that just spews nonsense which have little-to-no correlation on winning and losing, and tries to portray that as the end all be all. Plus your BS comments on players and whether they're actually committed or captain material when you have absolutely zero insight to how those players actually are. Its just asinine. Its the same reason why other people literally mock you or flat out ignore you when you post.

Like literally in this very specific post. You say the style and commitment the team is playing with is a big issue when that statement is just flat out false. There have been multiple non-Devils related people in the hockey world that have written on the Devils and they all come to the same conclusion. The Devils are an average-to-above team in all aspects of the game, especially since the christmas break, except for finishing and goaltending. That is what is holding the team back from taking a step. Thats not a style or commitment issue. Actually, the style is actually quite good and fits what our team realistically wants to do with the type of players we have.

Also, you talk about points pace being less than last season. Yeah thats pretty because of goaltending. If we had just league average goaltending, and change absolutely nothing else then, we'd be on an 86-88 point pace. Essentially a 20ish point pace swing, give or take, just from league average goaltending. Its absurd. That would pretty much in line with what everyone realistically expected coming into the season.

Just saw the Boston thread where they said they are not sure if Rask will be back as his last game he gave up 5 goals on 27 shots and was scratched his next game and isn't practicing

Brought this up because they said it could be due to his hip surgery and his age

It seems that is pretty much a goalie career ender after 32+

See how bernier bounces back next season

Just saw the Boston thread where they said they are not sure if Rask will be back as his last game he gave up 5 goals on 27 shots and was scratched his next game and isn't practicing

Brought this up because they said it could be due to his hip surgery and his age

It seems that is pretty much a goalie career ender after 32+

See how bernier bounces back next season
- dmarsden2988

Sounds like time for Fitzy to trade for Rask and give him a 4 year extension We do great with goalies coming off hip surgery

[quote=vlongo4419]This season the Devils goaltending ranks:
-2nd worst save% (.884)
-2nd worst high-danger save% (.765)
-2nd worst medium-danger save% (.871)
-11th worst low-danger save% (.959)

There's actually an NHL team with worse goaltending? Surprise of the day

Sames lines as last night except Geertsen is in for Kuok and Gillies is in net.

[quote=vlongo4419]This season the Devils goaltending ranks:
-2nd worst save% (.884)
-2nd worst high-danger save% (.765)
-2nd worst medium-danger save% (.871)
-11th worst low-danger save% (.959)

There's actually an NHL team with worse goaltending? Surprise of the day
- Crushers68

Surprisingly yeah lmao, Grubauer has been incredibly bad for Seattle. Hes been THE worst goalie in the league this year by an insane margin (ranked 110th out of 110 goalies in lowest goals saved above expected). Blackwood is 107th and Schmid is 106th for reference.