I know we have some die-hards here. I don't usually watch a ton of pre-season hockey, but this year I'm so psyched for the upcoming season I watched the first 2 and plan to record tonight. My takes so far:
- Obviously Hughes getting 2 the first night is exciting. he didn't dominate, but he showed just how good he can be and had great chemistry with Gusev obviously on the OT winner but also earlier with a filthy no look pass to the slot where Gus got robbed.
-Gus looks terrific and frankly the Devs haven't had this kind of forward depth in camp in at least 10 years. Some good players will be going to Binghamton/Europe/Juniors/ or vets traded before the season starts
-Schneider has looked great so far in a small sample size, but combining that with how well he played down the stretch last year and a the Worlds its very encouraging
-The one downer so far has been Ty Smith. He hasn't been awful, but he's struggling more than I expected. He didn't have a good prospects challenge, and they are in a tough spot with him. He's too young to go to the AHL so if he doesn't make the big team he has to go back to Juniors which I think will do him no good because he will simply be too good for that league. I almost think they are better off keeping him and working him in and out of the lineup as a 7th Dman and having him travel and practice in the NHL full time. They are in a better spot with Boqvist if they don't keep him because he can go back and play in a higher level league in Sweden.
Really hope Hughes in particular is as good as advertised, the Devils could use a superstar player. I know that’s odd to say since they have the #1 overall pick from two years ago who seems very good and Hall just won MVP a season ago but you know what I mean. If Hughes could become a player who’s among the top few in the league it would mean a lot for the franchise.
Obviously they had Marty for a couple decades but you don’t really go to games to watch a goalie.
Interesting point I heard on Sirius NHL radio the other day: the Knights originally got a few picks including a 2nd rounder to take Gus and not someone else in the expansion draft, then traded him to the Devils for a 2 and 4. So they basically got 4 draft picks including 2 2nd rounders to do nothing but park Gus in their paperwork for a few years. That's damb good management.
Gusev and Hughes already have nice chemistry on the ice and I am very excited to see them paired together. Wayne Simmonds was supposed to play on their line for the first preseason but was a last second scratch.
I am very excited to see how this team plays at full strength. Hall just returned so they should be fully healthy.
As for Ty Smith he made a terrible decision versus the Rangers but I am hopeful that he learns from his mistakes. We need him to earn a roster spot not be given one.
This kid is truly a special player.
Hughes looks like an elite talent who makes things happen. Hope Kakko will give him a decent long-term rivalry.
Hughes looks like an elite talent who makes things happen. Hope Kakko will give him a decent long-term rivalry.
Kakko looked as good as advertised the other night. He is going to be a star as well.
He's not going to be close to Ovechkin but all of us would be thrilled if he similar to Panarin. I expect Gusev to post 60+ points next season if he stays healthy as he will be playing the majority of the time with Hughes or Hischier. .
McLeod has looked very solid so far. With all the depth added this offseason McLeod could end up as the 4th line center or he could move to RW. His speed would a welcomed addition to the 4th line.
I am excited about Bratt. I wonder where he is going to play. I would prefer to see him on the second line with Gusev and Hughes. Then Boqvist can play LW on the 3rd line with Zajac/Zacha and Simmonds.
I am excited about Bratt. I wonder where he is going to play. I would prefer to see him on the second line with Gusev and Hughes. Then Boqvist can play LW on the 3rd line with Zajac/Zacha and Simmonds.
Yep that's exactly how see it. Hall Nico Palms 1st line with Hughes between Bratt and Gus. The speed and talent on that 2nd line can be devastating. Simmonds-Zajac-Coleman would be a hell of a 3rd line.
So far Schneider and Blackwood have picked up right where they left off. The barometer of the team will be the D. Subban is a big difference maker there but it will come down to the other guys. Seems like Vats might be moved to the left to play with Subban. How does he handle it? Butcher has been great so far and hopefully he's ready to bounce back this year. How much does Greene have left?
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I am excited about Bratt. I wonder where he is going to play. I would prefer to see him on the second line with Gusev and Hughes. Then Boqvist can play LW on the 3rd line with Zajac/Zacha and Simmonds.
Yep that's exactly how see it. Hall Nico Palms 1st line with Hughes between Bratt and Gus. The speed and talent on that 2nd line can be devastating. Simmonds-Zajac-Coleman would be a hell of a 3rd line.
So far Schneider and Blackwood have picked up right where they left off. The barometer of the team will be the D. Subban is a big difference maker there but it will come down to the other guys. Seems like Vats might be moved to the left to play with Subban. How does he handle it? Butcher has been great so far and hopefully he's ready to bounce back this year. How much does Greene have left?
I wonder if they will keep Vatanen on the left side with Subban. I would prefer to see Greene on the 3rd line. At his age they need to limit his minutes to keep him effective.
I would like to see Boqvist on the 3rd line. His speed would be greatly needed if Zajac and Simmonds are on the line. It's entirely possible that Simmonds ends up on the 4th line at some point. The bottom 6 are going to be pretty talented with some combination Boqvist, Coleman, Zacha, Zajac, Simmonds, Wood, McLeod, and Bastian. This is how I would like to see the lines start off.
Hall Hischier Palmieri
Gusev Hughes Bratt
Boqvist Zajac Simmonds
Wood Zacha Coleman
Bastian
Butcher Subban
Smith Severson
Greene Vatanen
Carrick
Blackwood
Schneider