Wood's body of work has been atrocious this season. It's pretty hard to fathom that he is still an auto-include in the lineup.
- Pomegrant

Really kills me. Imagine how Sharangovich feels!

I'm thinking this has to do with, and ONLY has to do with the fact that Wood is "physical". Going into playoffs its no secret that the games get more physical and refs tend to put their whistles in their pockets.

HOWEVER, just because Wood runs around like a moron half his shift and has lost whatever offensive skill he once (if ever) had, doesn't make him "physical".

Lines in morning skate:


Tatar-Nico-Mercer
Palat-Jack-Bratt
Timo-Haula-Boqvist
BMW

Bahl-Dougie
Graves-Marino
Siegs-Sevo
Smith as the extra/rotating in

Vanecek in net
- vlongo4419

Interesting swapping Bahl and Siegs. Let’s see what happens. Pitt will be playing hard.

You gotta ignore these guys. Don’t give them time, they’ll go away. Just attention seeking, like a 4 year old.
- FLdevilsFAN

The dude joined the website in 2007, I don’t think he’s going anywhere.

The dude joined the website in 2007, I don’t think he’s going anywhere.
- shvingter88

What dude? 🤔

What dude? 🤔
- FLdevilsFAN

Next level ignoring

The dude joined the website in 2007
- shvingter88

And I thought I was old.

And I thought I was old.
- Pomegrant

Used Netscape Navigator to login.

I really like the new defensive pairings. With how aggressive our system is Hamilton/Siegenthaler would get caught sometimes especially since they are the worst skaters on the backend. Breaking them up makes everything a lot more balanced. Bahl has also progressed a ton this season and even recently is killing it. Skating really well, playing great defense but also contributing offensively which is a real surprise. Didn't have a lot of hope for him as a player but he's really put it all together.

I really like the new defensive pairings. With how aggressive our system is Hamilton/Siegenthaler would get caught sometimes especially since they are the worst skaters on the backend. Breaking them up makes everything a lot more balanced. Bahl has also progressed a ton this season and even recently is killing it. Skating really well, playing great defense but also contributing offensively which is a real surprise. Didn't have a lot of hope for him as a player but he's really put it all together.
- Pomegrant

He really has taken some nice strides over the past few months. He looks so much more comfortable than he did to start the year, and I would assume he's a lineup lock now going forward here. Atleast he should be. Smith shouldn't see another game outside of an injury replacement, except if we rest some guys in the final game or two. If he continues improving, it would be huge for this team going forward. Could potentially help soften the burden of losing both Graves/Sevo this offseason if that happens.

He really has taken some nice strides over the past few months. He looks so much more comfortable than he did to start the year, and I would assume he's a lineup lock now going forward here. Atleast he should be. Smith shouldn't see another game outside of an injury replacement, except if we rest some guys in the final game or two. If he continues improving, it would be huge for this team going forward. Could potentially help soften the burden of losing both Graves/Sevo this offseason if that happens.
- vlongo4419

It opens up us being able to lose Graves and run a left side of Siegenthaler, Bahl, Hughes next season which is nice if we're struggling with cap space. Opens up a lot of options for us for sure.

It opens up us being able to lose Graves and run a left side of Siegenthaler, Bahl, Hughes next season which is nice if we're struggling with cap space. Opens up a lot of options for us for sure.
- Pomegrant

100%. Being able to let Luke feast on opposing bottom 6s in a sheltered role on the 3rd pair could be a massive advantage for us.

I was listening to the PDOcast with Dim Filipovic and Mitch Brown from EPRinkside last week, and they were talking about how if they were the Devils, they would let both Graves and Sevo walk, either use Bahl or sign a cheapish vet to fill Graves spot in the top 4 for next season, and just run a 3rd pair of Luke and Nemec. Talked about how their play styles really compliment each other and that their skating/puck abilities would allow them to just feast night in and night out in a sheltered role dominating other teams depth. Definitely would be a little risky, but that's an option if Nemec is ready to be up.(I personally think he starts in Utica, but you never know if he has a great summer and camp). Would certainly be a fun pair to watch lol.

Luke and Nemec together is the future for sure. But having Smith rotate in and out is fine too or as you said, pick up a cheap vet to rotate too. You can have Luke/Nemec move up and down between NHL/AHL as needed too. The flexibility to sure up the forward group here with the cheap young contracts is really attractive.

This Saturday night should call for a great night of hockey:

Devils / Bruins at 8pm
National Championship (potentially featuring LH) at 830pm

I can see either Graves or Sevo signing for a team friendly deal to stay on a competitive team. Definitely not both. Rather have Graves because he brings physicality and is younger.

Can we give Nico some love? When I said he was Bergeron 2.0, people here laughed and called me crazy.

Is there a better two way center at his age, maybe even in the whole NHL regardless of age? Talk about playing the game the right way.

He's a finesse player that plays the dirty game.

He's Elias smart. Makes these little plays that your avg player can't see to make.

I'm thrilled he's the Captain of this team.

The Devils have 7 of the top 100 players in the league in GSVA this season, including 3 in the top 20. Jack, Nico, and Dougie are the 3 in the top 20, and the remaining players inside the top 100 are Bratt, Timo, Tatar, and Sevo. This teams core is going to be so good for so long.

Can we give Nico some love? When I said he was Bergeron 2.0, people here laughed and called me crazy.

Is there a better two way center at his age, maybe even in the whole NHL regardless of age? Talk about playing the game the right way.

He's a finesse player that plays the dirty game.

He's Elias smart. Makes these little plays that your avg player can't see to make.

I'm thrilled he's the Captain of this team.
- Leniwm1

Amen. He’s really in his own element this season and I’m hall for him. Always loved his personality but had questions on his top-end ability. Reminds me of Elias with his smarts and mindset, and he should still only get better, along with Hughes and Bratt. Good times. Just gotta work the cap. Will be interesting if we do a 3yr deal for Graves or not. Almost seems like it could be a Graves vs Tatar question this offseason. We have depth in both positions but both players play pretty important roles for this team.

Amen. He’s really in his own element this season and I’m hall for him. Always loved his personality but had questions on his top-end ability. Reminds me of Elias with his smarts and mindset, and he should still only get better, along with Hughes and Bratt. Good times. Just gotta work the cap. Will be interesting if we do a 3yr deal for Graves or not. Almost seems like it could be a Graves vs Tatar question this offseason. We have depth in both positions but both players play pretty important roles for this team.
- MartysBetter88

If Nico ever decided to stop playing 200ft ( he wont ), he'd be a 100pt player. He's killing it in faceoffs, does the dirty work, in fact, that whole line does the dirty work. As for Tatar, I love his feistiness. He's another engine that doesn't quit. No wonder that line is great, all three play a tough game and all three have amazing offensive talents. I'll be sad if Tatar walks. But the bright side is we still have Holtz to bank on.

I have a weird feeling Meir and Bratt extensions are gonna be announced right before playoff hockey.

I love me some Nico Hischier.

I have a weird feeling Meir and Bratt extensions are gonna be announced right before playoff hockey.
- Leniwm1

They won't, but I'm confident they'll get it done in the offseason. These guys are young, going to get guaranteed money, and will be playing for a playoff contender the entire time. Hard to pass up an opportunity like that.

Highly highly doubt either contract is announced by the playoffs. It was already reported that the Devils and Meiers camp aren't going to talk extension until the season is over. And even though we know an offer is on the table to Bratt, we all know how Bratts agent is. He's gonna hold out until the very last second to see if Fitz caves on his demands. No shot either gets announced before our season ends tbh.

I think both will end up getting done, but I'm far more confident in Timo staying over Bratt. Not gonna even worry about any of that until the season is over though, way more important things to be focused on over the next few weeks lol.

No Haula on the ice for morning skate, and Vanecek is in the starters net. Lines:

Tatar-Nico-Mercer
Palat-Jack-Bratt
Meier-Boqvist-Bastian
Wood-McLeod-Sharangovich

Bahl-Dougie
Graves-Marino
Siegs/Smith-Sevo

No Haula on the ice for morning skate, and Vanecek is in the starters net. Lines:

Tatar-Nico-Mercer
Palat-Jack-Bratt
Meier-Boqvist-Bastian
Wood-McLeod-Sharangovich

Bahl-Dougie
Graves-Marino
Siegs/Smith-Sevo
- vlongo4419

Thanks twitter

Thanks twitter
- shvingter88

Hey I don’t mind it. I just come here for Devils news and don’t bother with anywhere else. Vlongo has me covered lol.

Just don’t know where we fit everyone, assuming Luke, Nemec and Casey all develop into top 4 dmen. Dougie isn’t going anywhere, Marino is super solid, then you have Bahl, who took substantial strides this year. Maybe Siegenthaler or Marino eventually get traded in a couple years.. even though they’re only 25 and just hitting their primes now. Maybe Graves just signs for 2 years until the ELCs are up for these kids. Severson is obviously gone.

Siegenthaler-Hamilton
Hughes-Marino
Bahl-Nemec
Casey?

If we re-sign Bratt and Meier, the same goes with the forward group, especially with Mercer looking good. Who knows what Holtz will amount to.

This all further amplifies why the Palat deal was and will be stupid, unless he scores some playoff series-winning goals. 6M for a grinder on the downside of his career.. for 4 MORE years. I’d MUCH rather keep Tatar over Palat, and have him for 2 mil less and a year less term.

Just don’t know where we fit everyone, assuming Luke, Nemec and Casey all develop into top 4 dmen. Dougie isn’t going anywhere, Marino is super solid, then you have Bahl, who took substantial strides this year. Maybe Siegenthaler or Marino eventually get traded in a couple years.. even though they’re only 25 and just hitting their primes now. Maybe Graves just signs for 2 years until the ELCs are up for these kids. Severson is obviously gone.

Siegenthaler-Hamilton
Hughes-Marino
Bahl-Nemec
Casey?
- MartysBetter88

Definitely a really good problem to have if it gets to that point! Plus a guy like Topias Vilen who has played really well in the Liiga, and I believe is expected to be in Utica next season? Could be wrong on that, but im pretty sure i saw that. I think all these guys trending up is what made Mukhamadullin expendable too. We're definitely loaded on the back end in terms of both current roster and prospects on the way.

Totally agree on Tatar too, guy has been really good. Had a rough start last year but this year he's been the guy we were hoping he'd be when we sign him. Hopefully we're able to keep him. Maybe same thing happens with Palat in year 2? Gotta remember he had groin surgery and missed 1/3 of the season when he's trying to get settled in and find his role in a new team. I fully expect him to bounce back and have a nice year next season. Beyond that though, who knows. I was only expecting 2 years of surplus value on his contract, but the surgery definitely hurt him this year. Still though, he hasn't been awful for the most part and I'm assuming he'll ramp up in the playoffs.