NFT: NHL Thread: Season Less than a Week Out

In comment 15425223 Jay on the Island said:

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In comment 15424355 pjcas18 said: Quote: Edmunson likely out of the year to deal with personal matters (his father is sick). MTL is in trouble. 2 top 4 D gone for the season, Price gone and they weren't a talented team before that. They could really be in the Shane Wright sweepstakes, though the top 5 next year is absolutely loaded. Yea your team is looking pretty dreadful so far without those players. At least you have a real shot at Wright.

I like Connor Geekie, Matthew Savoie, and Ivan Miroshnichenko too (and more) - this is a strong draft (at the top at least). Wright is off to a slow start this year which will temper some enthusiasm about his ceiling - at one point he was sort of slotted between Matthews and McDavid, but I think unless he really pours it on he will wind up around Lafreniere level.

In comment 15425227 pjcas18 said:

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I like Connor Geekie, Matthew Savoie, and Ivan Miroshnichenko too (and more) - this is a strong draft (at the top at least). Wright is off to a slow start this year which will temper some enthusiasm about his ceiling - at one point he was sort of slotted between Matthews and McDavid, but I think unless he really pours it on he will wind up around Lafreniere level.

Do you think next years draft will be stronger since scouts have had more time to evaluate players as opposed to last year? I would expect to see more overage players drafted that scouts missed last year.

In comment 15425670 Jay on the Island said:

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In comment 15425227 pjcas18 said: Quote: I like Connor Geekie, Matthew Savoie, and Ivan Miroshnichenko too (and more) - this is a strong draft (at the top at least). Wright is off to a slow start this year which will temper some enthusiasm about his ceiling - at one point he was sort of slotted between Matthews and McDavid, but I think unless he really pours it on he will wind up around Lafreniere level. Do you think next years draft will be stronger since scouts have had more time to evaluate players as opposed to last year? I would expect to see more overage players drafted that scouts missed last year.

next year 2022 or 2023? I think the 2022 draft is loaded.

As far as I know (and I'm not an expert) you won't see overage North Americans drafted unless you mean 19. You are no longer eligible for the draft if you will turn 20 before 12/31 of the draft year.

Euros can be drafted older - and you could see more older European players drafted I guess.

In comment 15425225 Jay on the Island said:

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They looked very poor last night without Hughes. Ruff makes things so much worse by moving McLeod to the second line center role instead of Mercer and then after the first period moves Sharangovich to the 4th line with Gauthier and goon Geersten for some reason. I still can't believe they hired Ruff over Gallant.

Jay I wouldn't panic just yet. It was one bad game and the Caps always kick our ass not to mention we had our 3rd string goalie in net. We'll miss Jack but hopefully he's back before too long. Ty Smith returns tonight and it sounds like your boy Dawes is getting the start in goal. Mac should be back soon. I love Sharengovich but no problem with Ruff trying to light a fire under his ass. I know it's only 3 games but he's been pretty invisible so far. With Jack out the Devs need those young guys like Bratt, Nico and Sharengovich to step up and score.

Were gonna get a power play but Ruff idiotically challenged a goal that was never gonna count. Nico pushed the goalie's pad. Do now we lose our PP and our challenge for the game.

so wrong about PIT.

I think Mike Sullivan has to be the coach I'd pick if I'm starting a team and can pick anyone, even over Trotz.

no Crosby, no Malkin, no Letang, no stars prospects, but somehow they win.

In comment 15426021 pjcas18 said:

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so wrong about PIT. I think Mike Sullivan has to be the coach I'd pick if I'm starting a team and can pick anyone, even over Trotz. no Crosby, no Malkin, no Letang, no stars prospects, but somehow they win.

Yeah I've learned never to count out the Caps or Pens. I think they'll win forever. Devil's beat the Sabres in OT. Zacha with a nasty writer to win it. Nico Daws was superb in net, kept the Devs in it the first 30 minutes when they were severely out played. Sabres actually look very interesting. Tons of speed. If Tokarski keeps playing well in net they will not be an easy team to face night in night out.

off the "schneid" (is that how you spell it)?

anyway, a hat trick from Matthew Perreault - I couldn't stand him his whole career because he always played well vs MTL.

not a bad 4th liner. If only the top 2 lines could score.

Gallagher? Anderson? Caufield? Toffoli?

If the Habs nuke it, I'd trade Gallagher and Toffoli first.

Bergevin said it's a long shot Weber ever plays again.

I was wrong about Joel Edmunson - he could be back this week.

In comment 15426029 Stu11 said:

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Yeah I've learned never to count out the Caps or Pens. I think they'll win forever. Devil's beat the Sabres in OT. Zacha with a nasty writer to win it. Nico Daws was superb in net, kept the Devs in it the first 30 minutes when they were severely out played. Sabres actually look very interesting. Tons of speed. If Tokarski keeps playing well in net they will not be an easy team to face night in night out.

Now you know why I love Daws. He was excellent last night despite the team not doing him any favors in the first. He is so quick and athletic. It's a noticeable difference between him and Wedgewood. I would start Daws until Bernier or Blackwood return and send Wedgewood to Utica. Let Daws be the backup until both vets return and then let him be the guy in Utica.

In comment 15425885 pjcas18 said:

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next year 2022 or 2023? I think the 2022 draft is loaded. As far as I know (and I'm not an expert) you won't see overage North Americans drafted unless you mean 19. You are no longer eligible for the draft if you will turn 20 before 12/31 of the draft year. Euros can be drafted older - and you could see more older European players drafted I guess.

I meant the 2022 draft.

In comment 15426719 Jay on the Island said:

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In comment 15426029 Stu11 said: Quote: Yeah I've learned never to count out the Caps or Pens. I think they'll win forever. Devil's beat the Sabres in OT. Zacha with a nasty writer to win it. Nico Daws was superb in net, kept the Devs in it the first 30 minutes when they were severely out played. Sabres actually look very interesting. Tons of speed. If Tokarski keeps playing well in net they will not be an easy team to face night in night out. Now you know why I love Daws. He was excellent last night despite the team not doing him any favors in the first. He is so quick and athletic. It's a noticeable difference between him and Wedgewood. I would start Daws until Bernier or Blackwood return and send Wedgewood to Utica. Let Daws be the backup until both vets return and then let him be the guy in Utica.

Yeah I was really impressed by his lack of unnecessary movement. Young goalies often are sliding all over the place. He looked calm and collected. I definitely would start him till Bernier or Blackwood is back. Thankfully Mac is getting vaccinated.

undefeated start coming to and end, getting run out of the Garden in Boston. 4 - 1 after 2.

In comment 15426956 pjcas18 said:

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undefeated start coming to and end, getting run out of the Garden in Boston. 4 - 1 after 2.

I almost spoke too soon. SJS came storming back, emptied the net down 4 - 3 and had some chances. Bruins held on, unfortunately.

Daws not quite as impressive as he was in his debut. Got run after 3 goals in 8 minutes to start the game. 4-0 I'm the first it was lights out. Calgary looks real improved early. Subban got $5,000 for a.trip on Lucic last night. Well deserved. It was a dirty play/borderline slee foot by PK similar to what he did to Reeves in the pre-season. He needs to cut it out. Frankly I think he's cooked. His shot rarely gets through any more and his play in his own zone is deteriorating by the game. I'd love to see him gone. Thankfully Blackwood is practicing now and getting vaccinated. We can't survivor be inconsistent goaltending especially with Jack out.

In comment 15431473 Stu11 said:

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Daws not quite as impressive as he was in his debut. Got run after 3 goals in 8 minutes to start the game. 4-0 I'm the first it was lights out. Calgary looks real improved early. Subban got $5,000 for a.trip on Lucic last night. Well deserved. It was a dirty play/borderline slee foot by PK similar to what he did to Reeves in the pre-season. He needs to cut it out. Frankly I think he's cooked. His shot rarely gets through any more and his play in his own zone is deteriorating by the game. I'd love to see him gone. Thankfully Blackwood is practicing now and getting vaccinated. We can't survivor be inconsistent goaltending especially with Jack out.

Yea Daws looked like a 20 year old rookie in the first but thank goodness Blackwood and Bernier returned to practice. Hopefully we get at least one of them back soon so we no longer have to see Wedgewood in net for the Devils. As you mentioned the Devils have no margin for error with Hughes out. For them to have any chance they need the goaltending to play great and the defense needs to step up.

out in Chicago, with the team completing it's investigation into the sexual abuse allegations against the former video coach. Bowman has also stepped down as the GM of the US Olympic Team. The Blackhawks were fined $2MM. Joel Queenville, now Florida's coach, will meet with Bettman tomorrow - Queenville has stated he first became aware of the allegations last summer, but the investigation found he was involved in a meeting about it in 2010. Current Winnipeg Jets GM Kevin Chevaldayoff was at the same meeting as Queenville, according to the investigation - presumably he'll be talking to Bettman as well.
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In comment 15431607 Mad Mike said:

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out in Chicago, with the team completing it's investigation into the sexual abuse allegations against the former video coach. Bowman has also stepped down as the GM of the US Olympic Team. The Blackhawks were fined $2MM. Joel Queenville, now Florida's coach, will meet with Bettman tomorrow - Queenville has stated he first became aware of the allegations last summer, but the investigation found he was involved in a meeting about it in 2010. Current Winnipeg Jets GM Kevin Chevaldayoff was at the same meeting as Queenville, according to the investigation - presumably he'll be talking to Bettman as well. link - ( New Window )

I saw some of the screenshots on Twitter. These people are scumbags. I'd suspend pretty much all of them if I was Bettman.

the league, law enforcement, whatever need to go scorched earth on this.

Quenneville should be fired and banned for life from hockey.

Cheveldayoff should be fired and banned for life from hockey.

And more Blackhawks officials - they knew and let him (Aldrich) take the Stanley Cup to a high school and be around kids and they swept it under the rug.

the players who knew (which is most if not all) and belittled Beach because of it should be suspended for a long, long time.

Normally I'm not in favor of punishing people for things from so long ago, but holy shit this is so far beyond acceptable behavior no punishment for the authority figures who knew and made a conscious decision to ignore it or worse put it back on Beach all deserve to rot in hell - a long, slow, painful death. And that would be too kind.

gut wrenching video of Beach being interviewed on TSN. No one deserves that.
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That Chicago story-which I just heard about yesterday-was absolutely disgusting.

In comment 15431961 pjcas18 said:

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the league, law enforcement, whatever need to go scorched earth on this. Quenneville should be fired and banned for life from hockey. Cheveldayoff should be fired and banned for life from hockey. And more Blackhawks officials - they knew and let him (Aldrich) take the Stanley Cup to a high school and be around kids and they swept it under the rug. the players who knew (which is most if not all) and belittled Beach because of it should be suspended for a long, long time. Normally I'm not in favor of punishing people for things from so long ago, but holy shit this is so far beyond acceptable behavior no punishment for the authority figures who knew and made a conscious decision to ignore it or worse put it back on Beach all deserve to rot in hell - a long, slow, painful death. And that would be too kind.

I couldn’t agree more. Bettman better come down hard on everyone involved.

And then some. Honestly I can't come up with a punishment I feel adequately fits the offense here for that orginization. 2 mill fine? Shit they hit the Devs 3 mill for the Kovy contract and that was over 10 years ago. Obviously everyone involved needs to be suspended for life. Fucking Quennevile. On top off it all he lied to the NHL during the investigation! AND GOT TO COACH TONIGHT. What a dark day for the league. For christ sakes the scumbag players were riding him about it in real time in the immediate aftermath of it happening!!! I mean the NCAA strips teams of titles and makes teams take down their banners. I always think that's stupid, but in this case that cup banner needs to come down asap. On top of all the suspensions for anyone involved they should lose a minimum of like 3 first rounders.

for their failure to act in situations like this, people will continue to turn a blind eye to it IMO or at best not give it the attention incidents like this should get.

After Aldrich was politely allowed to resign from the Blackhawks he went to three different education institutions where he ultimately did this again, this time to a child.

If the Blackhawks don't share some of that responsibility (and who knows how many incidents went unreported) it would be a travesty and the worst thing is during his video interview Beach breaks down and apologizes to the victim that he didn't do more to prevent Aldrich from doing it to someone else.

fuck that. I can't type about this anymore because I get so pissed off.

In comment 15432547 pjcas18 said:

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for their failure to act in situations like this, people will continue to turn a blind eye to it IMO or at best not give it the attention incidents like this should get. After Aldrich was politely allowed to resign from the Blackhawks he went to three different education institutions where he ultimately did this again, this time to a child. If the Blackhawks don't share some of that responsibility (and who knows how many incidents went unreported) it would be a travesty and the worst thing is during his video interview Beach breaks down and apologizes to the victim that he didn't do more to prevent Aldrich from doing it to someone else. fuck that. I can't type about this anymore because I get so pissed off.

PJ this whole thing is so infuriating. To me this is the worst situation of this nature I've ever seen. This wasn't some small cabal of organizational leadership that was covering it up. Literally the whole fucking organization knew down to the players who made it even worse for the poor kid by showering him with homophobic slurs during practice. Fucking Toews the "captain". Piece of shit needs to be stripped of that C yesterday. I mean were the ushers and hot dog vendors in on it too? PJ you are a 1000% correct. Unless the leadership that enabled and welcomed this predator to attack again and again go to jail there will be no deterrent.

thing that someone can point me to?

In comment 15431961 pjcas18 said:

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the league, law enforcement, whatever need to go scorched earth on this. Quenneville should be fired and banned for life from hockey. Cheveldayoff should be fired and banned for life from hockey. And more Blackhawks officials - they knew and let him (Aldrich) take the Stanley Cup to a high school and be around kids and they swept it under the rug. the players who knew (which is most if not all) and belittled Beach because of it should be suspended for a long, long time. Normally I'm not in favor of punishing people for things from so long ago, but holy shit this is so far beyond acceptable behavior no punishment for the authority figures who knew and made a conscious decision to ignore it or worse put it back on Beach all deserve to rot in hell - a long, slow, painful death. And that would be too kind.

100%.

I am honestly befuddled at the whole thing. Okay, you don't release it during the playoffs... but why not late June? July? August? There is an incredible selfishness to not releasing it immediately. But I can see how people behave that way. I do not understand hiding it for months, though.

You see the Joe Paterno scandal a year later and don't cleanse your organization of this?

Not how I'd want someone to respond to this sort of thing.
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In comment 15432732 Metnut said:

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thing that someone can point me to?

this link is pretty good, I suggest if you can get it the interview that Beach (the victim) did with TSN's Rick Westhead. It was hard to watch, but I feel like everyone in sports owes it to Beach to watch it.

I never experienced anything on this scale or really anything close thank god, but my daughters program had charges of sexual harassment levied by a former player against the owner of the program.

Safe sport was completely useless for the victim and the parents of current players and the program only told us it was charges of verbal abuse because he used profanity. I was a coach and I sat in a room and the Program Director said verbatim "it is really just a scorned player lodging a trumped up charge, but we need to take it seriously. It won't be long before he clears his name"

A mother on my daughters team found out what was actually going on only because she knew a friend of a friend...and saw the sexually explicit text messages the owner of the program sent to the victim (and underage kid).

That program director knew the whole time. She is still in her role.

So, the only tiny relatable thing I can share is how do they leave the program owner in his role and allow him around children (or adults) and not at least warn anyone?

Luckily for us that was as bad as it got and he was forced to sell the program (though somehow the director still has her job), but I can easily see how it could have been way worse.

The whole system needs to be burned down. Mass Hockey, USA hockey, and safe sport (especially safe sport).


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In comment 15432547 pjcas18 said:

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for their failure to act in situations like this, people will continue to turn a blind eye to it IMO or at best not give it the attention incidents like this should get. After Aldrich was politely allowed to resign from the Blackhawks he went to three different education institutions where he ultimately did this again, this time to a child. If the Blackhawks don't share some of that responsibility (and who knows how many incidents went unreported) it would be a travesty and the worst thing is during his video interview Beach breaks down and apologizes to the victim that he didn't do more to prevent Aldrich from doing it to someone else. fuck that. I can't type about this anymore because I get so pissed off.

The more facts I read the more disgusted I get. How the fuck could they allow this POS to quietly resign? You don't need to be a parent to realize what a disgusting monster he is.

What I couldn't believe is that the dude did it AGAIN after leaving the Blackhawks. Chicago could have stopped that, but instead turned a blind eye so they could win a Stanley Cup. Absolutely disgusting. Their coach-I forget the dude's name-should have been fired yesterday by Florida.

Quennville on his way out.

Kevin Weekes
@KevinWeekes
·
35m
I’m hearing there’s a coaching change coming shortly with the @FlaPanthers
. Keep an eye on my @espn
colleague John Tortorella as one of the top potential candidates.
@NHL
@NHLNetwork
#HockeyTwitter .

In comment 15433025 pjcas18 said:

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Quennville on his way out. Kevin Weekes @KevinWeekes · 35m I’m hearing there’s a coaching change coming shortly with the @FlaPanthers . Keep an eye on my @espn colleague John Tortorella as one of the top potential candidates. @NHL @NHLNetwork #HockeyTwitter .

There has to be a morality clause that can void it. Fuck him.

Matt Porter
@mattyports
·
37s
Joel Quenneville has resigned as coach of the Florida Panthers, the team said.

Because Florida would be required to pay his remaining salary had they fired him. Bettman should still ban him for life without pay in the event that he can still receive some of his remaining contract from Florida.

is left wide open for Quenneville to return.

Not sure why re-entry to the league is even discussed in here.

I know above I said he should be banned for life and maybe he should, but this is not the time IMO to handle such conditions.

You've got to be kidding me.

The NHL couldn't have handled this worse if they were being paid to do so.

yadda, yadda, yadda-ing the alleged sexual assault of one of his players by one of his coaches, then lying about it?

Real soft Bettman.

news Kakko back in for the NYR.

close to a deal for Jack Eichel.

In comment 15433632 Greg from LI said:

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You've got to be kidding me. The NHL couldn't have handled this worse if they were being paid to do so.

Fuck Bettman, he should receive significant heat for how poorly he handled this. Of course I’m not the least bit surprised.

In comment 15434020 pjcas18 said:

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close to a deal for Jack Eichel.

Huh? I guess he's gonna miss most if not all the rest of the regular season so they can pull a Tampa and stash him on LTIR. Otherwise I don't see how they could do it cap wise.

In comment 15434237 Stu11 said:

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In comment 15434020 pjcas18 said: Quote: close to a deal for Jack Eichel. Huh? I guess he's gonna miss most if not all the rest of the regular season so they can pull a Tampa and stash him on LTIR. Otherwise I don't see how they could do it cap wise.

I think they have to have Eichel fit on the roster first before going LTIR, and they have 6.5M in space right now due to LTIR.

So my guess is they send someone back to BUF like Dadonov or McNabb (in addition to whatever they trade to make the deal work) to make the salary difference or LVG offers better players/pics and gets salary relief. It's really just 3.5M in salary for one year they need to clear.

In comment 15434241 pjcas18 said:

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In comment 15434237 Stu11 said: Quote: In comment 15434020 pjcas18 said: Quote: close to a deal for Jack Eichel. Huh? I guess he's gonna miss most if not all the rest of the regular season so they can pull a Tampa and stash him on LTIR. Otherwise I don't see how they could do it cap wise. I think they have to have Eichel fit on the roster first before going LTIR, and they have 6.5M in space right now due to LTIR. So my guess is they send someone back to BUF like Dadonov or McNabb (in addition to whatever they trade to make the deal work) to make the salary difference or LVG offers better players/pics and gets salary relief. It's really just 3.5M in salary for one year they need to clear.

Gotcha. Very interesting. They are one team that can afford the patience to let him sit out and if they get him back come playoff time that would make them real tough.

NYR to win the SC.

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JFresh @JFreshHockey Roster Builder Standings Projection (and Change Since Preseason) - October 30 #LGRW Chart with upwards trend #LetsGoBuffalo Chart with upwards trend #LetsGoCanes Chart with upwards trend #Blackhawks Chart with downwards trend #Yotes Chart with downwards trend #GoHabsGo Chart with downwards trend

Darren Dreger
@DarrenDreger
·
12m
The roller coaster that is the the Jack Eichel saga continues to twist and turn. Trade talks heated up and cooled this week. Seems like talks have reheated today. Stay tuned.

Goaltending is such a difference maker. Once Pitt tied it in the 3rd, they sent the Kitchen sink at the Devs for a good 8 minutes or so including 2 pp's and Bernier stood in his head. Not in love with the penalty shot call given to Bratt but I'll definitely take it. With Jack out 5 or 6 more weeks we need every point. Blackwood should make his debut any day now maybe as soon as today.

In comment 15434923 Stu11 said:

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Goaltending is such a difference maker. Once Pitt tied it in the 3rd, they sent the Kitchen sink at the Devs for a good 8 minutes or so including 2 pp's and Bernier stood in his head. Not in love with the penalty shot call given to Bratt but I'll definitely take it. With Jack out 5 or 6 more weeks we need every point. Blackwood should make his debut any day now maybe as soon as today.

Yes we saw again tonight how important goaltending is. After a great game by Bernier last night Wedgewood turns in another mediocre performance and gives up a lead late in the 3rd period only to lose in a shootout to Columbus.

It's time to demote Gauthier and replace him with Boqvist or even Talvitie. With Wood due back soon I doubt they promote Holtz even though he is tearing up the AHL. I hope this was the last time we see Wedgewood play in the NHL for the Devils.

In comment 15435427 Jay on the Island said:

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In comment 15434923 Stu11 said: Quote: Goaltending is such a difference maker. Once Pitt tied it in the 3rd, they sent the Kitchen sink at the Devs for a good 8 minutes or so including 2 pp's and Bernier stood in his head. Not in love with the penalty shot call given to Bratt but I'll definitely take it. With Jack out 5 or 6 more weeks we need every point. Blackwood should make his debut any day now maybe as soon as today. Yes we saw again tonight how important goaltending is. After a great game by Bernier last night Wedgewood turns in another mediocre performance and gives up a lead late in the 3rd period only to lose in a shootout to Columbus. It's time to demote Gauthier and replace him with Boqvist or even Talvitie. With Wood due back soon I doubt they promote Holtz even though he is tearing up the AHL. I hope this was the last time we see Wedgewood play in the NHL for the Devils.

Yep I was there Jay was saying the same thing to my brother. No way that 3rd period goal can go in. I agree that 4th line has been useless. Up close you really see the difference legit top pairing Dmen like Graves and Hamilton can make. Their size and skill dwarfs the garbage we've been running out there on the back line. Dougie had a goal and 10 shots. Bratt needs to finish. He has too much speed and skill to be held off the score sheet against a mediocre team like Columbus

In comment 15435478 Stu11 said:

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Yep I was there Jay was saying the same thing to my brother. No way that 3rd period goal can go in. I agree that 4th line has been useless. Up close you really see the difference legit top pairing Dmen like Graves and Hamilton can make. Their size and skill dwarfs the garbage we've been running out there on the back line. Dougie had a goal and 10 shots. Bratt needs to finish. He has too much speed and skill to be held off the score sheet against a mediocre team like Columbus

There is a lot wrong with the Devils right now but it’s not who you would expect. Sharangovich, Bratt, and Ty Smith have not been good so far. Ty Smith cost them the game last night and he clearly needed time in the AHL since he missed all of camp and has only played 4 games. Hischier only has 3 points but he is playing very well and it seems like he should score two goals most nights but just isn’t finishing.

You’re right Hamilton has been worth the money so far. After a slow start him and Graves have been great together. Since we received news that Hughes will be re-evaluated in 5 weeks the Devils need to make changes to stay in it.

It’s time to promote Holtz. They need a sniper to put with Nico and after seeing Mercer thrive in a top 6 role I am confident that Holtz can hold his own too.

His all around game has been exactly as advertised. Threw the best hit of the day and also got Korpisolo so mad he actually took a swing at him lol. Yeah Sharengovich has been a MAJOR disappointment. I was hoping for 20+ goals out of him and he looks lost. Oh well its still early, hopefully he finds his game on the trip out west. I agree Holtz needs to be called up yesterday. We have no finishing right now and the guy is an absolute sniper.