PREACH about Bo! I've actually liked a lot of what Boqvist has done both this year and last year tbh, and i have absolutely not idea why hes not in the lineup. He's likely never going to hit his offensive ceiling and he's going to be inconsistent offensively, but hes a perfectly capable bottom 6 player. His defense is above average(68th percentile) and his forechecking numbers have been either THE best or 2nd best on the team(either him or Palat). McLeod brings only faceoffs and nothing else, Woody legit brings nothing to the table besides skating in a straight line trying to get a breakaway on a stretch play(which he literally never scores on anyway lol).

The teams play has been dogpoop for over a month now, and the BMW has consistently been their worst line on a nightly basis, yet that is seemingly the only line Ruff refuses to shake up. Our bottom 6 as a whole has been really rough though, which is very concerning come a playoff series.
- vlongo4419

Boqvist is the perfect 3rd liner in the NHL. Defensively responsible, great skater, and has ability to chip in offensively once in a while. For some reason he doesn't get played and it's probably because he doesn't have the physical presence to him which is just stupid. He can play all forward positions and you can mix and match him with pretty much anybody. Not playing him is just foolish.

McLeod is obviously bad but Wood's usage is even worse seeing that he gets 2nd unit powerplay time and has zero powerplay points this year. Our first unit is the only one that produces (which they do at a great rate) but part of being an offensively capable team is being able to use all 2 minutes of a powerplay to score goals. It's just bad coaching to put Wood out there on a nightly basis, plain and simple.

Boqvist is the perfect 3rd liner in the NHL. Defensively responsible, great skater, and has ability to chip in offensively once in a while. For some reason he doesn't get played and it's probably because he doesn't have the physical presence to him which is just stupid. He can play all forward positions and you can mix and match him with pretty much anybody. Not playing him is just foolish.

McLeod is obviously bad but Wood's usage is even worse seeing that he gets 2nd unit powerplay time and has zero powerplay points this year. Our first unit is the only one that produces (which they do at a great rate) but part of being an offensively capable team is being able to use all 2 minutes of a powerplay to score goals. It's just bad coaching to put Wood out there on a nightly basis, plain and simple.
- Pomegrant

I read earlier (on a great writeup over at - https://www.allabouttheje...winger-one-way-bottom-six ) that Miles Wood has 0 PP points, despite being on ice for more than a full game's worth of PP time (~64min). That is hard to believe.

Not sure why the leash for Wood is so long. The guy is so 1-dimensional and while he used to be "so fast!" and use his speed to create opportunities that hasn't been the case for some time. Not sure if its due to injury, or because our team has gotten so much younger and faster around him that he doesn't "stand out" as a speedster like he used to. And even when he did, it was just straight line speed, otherwise he would blow a tire.

I read earlier (on a great writeup over at - https://www.allabouttheje...winger-one-way-bottom-six ) that Miles Wood has 0 PP points, despite being on ice for more than a full game's worth of PP time (~64min). That is hard to believe.

Not sure why the leash for Wood is so long. The guy is so 1-dimensional and while he used to be "so fast!" and use his speed to create opportunities that hasn't been the case for some time. Not sure if its due to injury, or because our team has gotten so much younger and faster around him that he doesn't "stand out" as a speedster like he used to. And even when he did, it was just straight line speed, otherwise he would blow a tire.
- hockeybocc

Unfortunately major hip injury/surgery has really hurt his speed. Really, Wood has only put together one good season in his years with us so I don't really understand the attachment the organization has to him as a player. His skill set has never belonged on the powerplay and you can just see while watching why. He can't pass and the play will often die on his stick. He isn't good at deflecting pucks, which is the only passable reason to have a big idiot in front of the net in the first place. Anybody can screen the goalie, you don't have to be tall to do it.

Unfortunately major hip injury/surgery has really hurt his speed. Really, Wood has only put together one good season in his years with us so I don't really understand the attachment the organization has to him as a player. His skill set has never belonged on the powerplay and you can just see while watching why. He can't pass and the play will often die on his stick. He isn't good at deflecting pucks, which is the only passable reason to have a big idiot in front of the net in the first place. Anybody can screen the goalie, you don't have to be tall to do it.
- Pomegrant

Spot on my friend. There are also plenty of players around the league that bring what Wood brings, and they can play a more rounded offensive game.

Tired of watching him drive into opponents zone and do either of the following:

1. Throw an off angle, low % shot on net from above circle
2. Fire a shot high and wide
3. Try to hockey stop and make a pass but lose the puck and/or blow a tire

All of which lead to a chance going the other way. At least before his injury he would drive the net (but most times barrel into tendy and get goalie interference).

Chris Johnston on his Twitter live space said he's heard from multiple teams that the Devils have made Damon Severson available for trade, with the expectation that Luke Hughes will be in the lineup later in the season.

Doesnt really make sense to me to willingly weaken our D right before the playoff push and playoffs. I get losing him for nothing in the offseason will suck, but still. Highly doubt Fitz actually moves him unless it's a pretty big haul or impact player coming back though.

Chris Johnston on his Twitter live space said he's heard from multiple teams that the Devils have made Damon Severson available for trade, with the expectation that Luke Hughes will be in the lineup later in the season.

Doesnt really make sense to me to willingly weaken our D right before the playoff push and playoffs. I get losing him for nothing in the offseason will suck, but still. Highly doubt Fitz actually moves him unless it's a pretty big haul or impact player coming back though.
- vlongo4419

I also find it hard to believe we would trade Severson to a playoff contending team (non-contending team wouldn't want him). One of the goals at the trade deadline is to make yourself better and not help the teams you'll be competing against in the playoffs get better.....

I also find it hard to believe we would trade Severson to a playoff contending team (non-contending team wouldn't want him). One of the goals at the trade deadline is to make yourself better and not help the teams you'll be competing against in the playoffs get better.....
- hockeybocc

Depends on what the trade would be, and with who. If it's for a top 6 forward you definitely consider it. Something like Reinhart for Severson with Florida as an example is intriguing. I highly doubt he'd be moved for futures, but it's something you absolutely consider if it's a 'hockey trade'

Depends on what the trade would be, and with who. If it's for a top 6 forward you definitely consider it. Something like Reinhart for Severson with Florida as an example is intriguing. I highly doubt he'd be moved for futures, but it's something you absolutely consider if it's a 'hockey trade'
- vlongo4419

I love both Sams in Florida, but I prefer Bennett.

The case with Severson is weird because he's been really good this year, especially after Marino got hurt and his role expanded again. He's clearly a very good top 4 defenseman in this league but we also know that his future on this team is coming to an end especially with the high end prospects coming up through the system. It makes sense that they'd want to get something in return for him but at the same time it would really hurt our roster for a playoff run this year.

The fact that Eklund is reporting the NJD are the likely landing spot for Meier leads me to believe the Devils will end up getting anyone BUT Meier.

The case with Severson is weird because he's been really good this year, especially after Marino got hurt and his role expanded again. He's clearly a very good top 4 defenseman in this league but we also know that his future on this team is coming to an end especially with the high end prospects coming up through the system. It makes sense that they'd want to get something in return for him but at the same time it would really hurt our roster for a playoff run this year.
- Pomegrant

Unless Staal is coming back. I'd rather have him than Sev in the playoffs.

Agreed completely on Wood and Bo. I’d like to see more of Zetterlund too. I know he’s been inconsistent, but it’s not like he’s an inconsistent established NHLer like Wood. He’s still developing, and has made some really smart plays and gotten off some great 1-timers. He should be in the lineup.

Severson I’m a hard no on trading. Isn’t Luke a lefty? And has zero NHL experience? And will be learning on the fly heading into the most competitive hockey an NHLer can face? We need Severson. He stabilizes the bottom pair... which has Smith or whoever on the other side. Maybe it has Luke. You still need Severson tho cuz Luke is as green as can be. Plus, he can slot in anywhere when we have an injury. We’re weaker on D without him, and then you have an injury and we’re done for. I’m referring to during the playoffs btw. If you lose him you have to replace him with another real nhl dman.. not Hughes or Nemec.

Marty must be telling Rupper some inside info. The dude is pushing real hard for Meier in NJ lol, on a daily basis on Twitter and every show he's on. He's acting like us lol

Was checking to see if Meier is in the Shark's lineup tonight, then realized they're not playing until Sunday.

Will be telling to see if Meier is in the lineup on Sunday afternoon or not to see how close they are to getting a deal done.

Watch the only move be for a bottom 6 dman

Hughes has traveled with the team to Minnesota to start their current road trip.

Hughes has traveled with the team to Minnesota to start their current road trip.
- vlongo4419

Great news.

Of course Tarasenko scores on his 3rd shift as a Ranger. Ugh!

Watch the only move be for a bottom 6 dman
- dmarsden2988

Bingo

Watch the only move be for a bottom 6 dman
- dmarsden2988

Sadly this is probably true. I think people in their fantasies often forget….maybe the player doesn’t want to play in NJ?
Either way, I’m not sure how Fitz is going to play this deadline. A depth d-man wouldn’t necessarily be a bad move, especially if they’re planning on shipping out a current top-4 in Severson.
If the plan is to put Hughes in right away and either slot him in Seversons spot or elsewhere and slide someone else up the depth chart then than makes NJ a gambling team in my book.

Day 947 of Meier watch

https://twitter.com/JhanH...Ms3EvziMoMPEKYVhSWTg&s=19

Pretty good short video here breaking down why the Devils have continued to struggle at 5v5 over the last month. Been the same mistakes and Ruff seems to be refusing to adapt and make changes.

Holtz gets one game and is back in the press box, Bo is back in. The 3rd line is Tatar-Boqvist-Mercer now, and the rest of the lineup stays the same. Vanecek expected to start tonight.

Holtz gets one game and is back in the press box, Bo is back in. The 3rd line is Tatar-Boqvist-Mercer now, and the rest of the lineup stays the same. Vanecek expected to start tonight.
- vlongo4419

Wishful thinking, but perhaps keeping Holtz out because he will be involved in a trade this weekend….?

Wishful thinking, but perhaps keeping Holtz out because he will be involved in a trade this weekend….?
- hockeybocc

Doubt it. Doesn't seem like a trade is close considering LeBrun reported this morning that the Sharks haven't given any teams permission to speak to Meiers camp yet.

Doubt it. Doesn't seem like a trade is close considering LeBrun reported this morning that the Sharks haven't given any teams permission to speak to Meiers camp yet.
- vlongo4419

They could consider him a trade chip and be keeping him out to avoid injury. Most if the rumors that i’ve seen seem to center around a Holtz + pick + _____ package. Something us gonna happen soon…but probably nothing hahaha