NFT: NHL Thread: training camp less than a week away

It's the upgrade on D and goaltending that have taken the Devs to the next level. Especially the goaltending. I saw a stat towards the end of last season that the Devs expected goals against was even or a little ahead of the Rangers yet they finished 30-40 points behind them because of Shesterkin while our goalies were pretty much 30th or below in every cat. Marino has been a rock. Along with adding Siegenthaler as a top 4 guy and Dougie as a #1 scoring type D to QB the PP. Tom Fitzgerald really has done a great job rebuilding the back line. It will be interesting to see what they do at the deadline if they're in it. I'd think they'd try to add some vet size/sand paper. Also what happens when Luke Hughes finishes his season at Michigan. Do they sign and throw him right in there? Even with no injuries right now he could take Smith's spot on the 3rd pairing.

In comment 15909450 Stu11 said:

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. Also what happens when Luke Hughes finishes his season at Michigan. Do they sign and throw him right in there? Even with no injuries right now he could take Smith's spot on the 3rd pairing.

Before the season started Luke Hughes said that this would be his final season in Michigan. If the Devils are still in the playoff hunt as seasons end I would be absolutely shocked if Luke Hughes doesn't sign his ELC to play in the NHL at the end of the season and into the playoffs. Imagine the offensive boost adding a player like him at the end of the season. Send Bahl back to the AHL and replace Smith in the lineup with Hughes.

I think that the Devils shouldn't make any moves at the deadline unless injuries arise. The one position I would suggest they look into is backup goaltending if Blackwood comes back and isn't playing well. Palat will be back later in the year and I expect Luke Hughes to join the team after Michigan's season ends. Also the Devils still have Nemec in the AHL.

What do you know about KHL goalie Dmitri Nikolayev. There has been discussion about him amongst Devils fan and the understanding is that he will be an UFA at the end of his KHL contract which expires after this season. He has been a star this season despite being just 22 years old. He currently sports a 1.63 GA/G and a .942 save %.

I hope the Devils go hard for him this offseason because he could be the next great Russian goaltender who is available for a cheap ELC.

In comment 15909710 Jay on the Island said:

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What do you know about KHL goalie Dmitri Nikolayev. There has been discussion about him amongst Devils fan and the understanding is that he will be an UFA at the end of his KHL contract which expires after this season. He has been a star this season despite being just 22 years old. He currently sports a 1.63 GA/G and a .942 save %. I hope the Devils go hard for him this offseason because he could be the next great Russian goaltender who is available for a cheap ELC.

I hadn't heard of him until this year.

Russian goalies are starting to get a lot more NHL consideration with this latest crop, Shesterkin, Sorokin, Samsonov, even Askarov, so it's not strange I hadn't heard of him - those guys dominated the international tournaments for years for Russia.

is playing for a great KHL team but his performance is still very impressive. Being that he is basically free to sign with any NHL team after the KHL season ends makes him even more exciting as an option. As he is subject to an ELC no team can obtain his services by outbidding others.

Nikolayev will likely focus on the team that gives him the best chance of immediate playing time so I hope that NJ is high on his list. I could see Toronto and Edmonton going hard for him.

I agree I'd love to see the Devs get him. Like PJ said you can't argue with the NHL success of Russian goalies lately.

Great game. Devs led 2-1 after 2 and I felt it was a battle of styles with the Leafs getting more puck possession and forcheck and the Devs attacking more with their speed off the rush. However the first 15 minutes of the 3rd was all Devs. They should have had an insurance goal or 2 but Murray stoned them and the Leafs got a softie short side with 2 minutes to go. The Devs dominated the puck in OT, after the Leafs finally took it Jack has a quick steal got stoned but Yegor cleaned up the rebound for the winner. Jack didn't score tonight but he played like a mad man forcing turnovers in the offensive zone to creat glorious chances. This is becoming no joke, the Devs are starting to create some space with other team's besides Boston of course who keeps rolling with yet another win tonight. Great to see Sharengovich get the winner, maybe that gets him going. There are talented teams in the league but it's hard to imagine putting out more talent than the Devs can at any time in 3 on 3 OT.

Sharangovich needs to get going but hopefully they play him with Hughes more as he seems to score at a much higher rate when he is playing with him.

I keep wondering what Luke Hughes must be thinking. I can't wait until he is added later in the year.

(Luke that is) projected #1 in a re-draft.

The group of skilled forwards they can put out in 3 on 3 OT with Luke & Dougie alternating as the one D guy...just insane

In comment 15911892 Stu11 said:

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The group of skilled forwards they can put out in 3 on 3 OT with Luke & Dougie alternating as the one D guy...just insane

Even if they decide to protect him as they did with Will Butcher and Ty Smith during their rookie seasons Luke could still have a big impact.

One of the most exciting things about this season is that this team has two potential defensive studs in Hughes and Nemec on the way.

shopping Karlsson


4 years after this at $11.5M per, good luck.

In comment 15912842 pjcas18 said:

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shopping Karlsson 4 years after this at $11.5M per, good luck.

Yeah Karlsson is on one of the Dman heaters of all time. 22 points in 10 games but that contract woooof. Nobody who's any sort of contender can afford that under the cap even prorated.

#12 today. Ho hummer 5-1 vs the Sens. It was foot soldier day. McLeod, Bastain, Boqvist and Haula got his first as a Dev finally. Iove listening to Boomer and the point the midday show on Sirius NHL radio. They really give great views on the league. They have been all over the Devils, what they said yesterday really made sense. The Devil's treat the puck like it's their's. They simply don't give it up. Also they don't play to the score. They simply Play their game whether they are up 3 down 3 or tied.

In comment 15913009 Stu11 said:

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#12 today. Ho hummer 5-1 vs the Sens. It was foot soldier day. McLeod, Bastain, Boqvist and Haula got his first as a Dev finally. Iove listening to Boomer and the point the midday show on Sirius NHL radio. They really give great views on the league. They have been all over the Devils, what they said yesterday really made sense. The Devil's treat the puck like it's their's. They simply don't give it up. Also they don't play to the score. They simply Play their game whether they are up 3 down 3 or tied.

Another impressive win today. The Devils won 5-1 despite Hughes and Bratt no recording a point. It was great to see the bottom 6 carry the load today.

Schmid was good again today. If he continues to play well the Devils are going to have a tough decision to make when Blackwood is healthy.

that should be a goal in the Leafs game.

I hate that, if the net comes off, it sucks, maybe a penalty if it was in any way intentional, but no way that should count with the net off, way before the shot.

habs flyers, awesome ending (to regulation)

In comment 15913189 pjcas18 said:

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habs flyers, awesome ending (to regulation)

Habs went down 2 - 0 in the first two min. tied it up to end the period. they took the lead in the 2nd and gave it back pretty quickly. 3 - 3 entering the 3rd.

PHI took the lead halfway through the 3rd and it stayed that way until the Habs pulled the goalie and it became a shooting gallery Suzuki with a bullet seam pass to Caufield who one-timed the GT goal with 1.9 seconds left.

Just a fun game for Hockey Fights Cancer night at the Bell.

Weirdest OT I've seen. Both teams top lines were spent from the end of the 3rd, so it seemed like they kept circling and there were very few chances - unusual for OT - Suzuki filthy in the shoot out.

Other than the Devils game (we have been hearing that a lot from all teams) the Habs have been a fun team to watch.

Wi-fi and Deslaurier dropped the mitts. He is becoming a fan favorite quickly.

start is ridiculous, along with the Devils and NGL I thought both were probably playoff teams, I didn't expect starts like this from either - especially BOS who played the beginning of the year without Marchand and McAvoy.

I got home right around the time it was ending they were talking about and replaying that last sequence with Caufield on NHL network. Caught the Ranger's game crazy ending. 0-0 till about 6 minutes to go. The Rangers scored and then got an empty netter with a minute left. Logan Couture scored with 15 seconds left then amazingly almost tipped in another one with 4 seconds left, Shesterkin had to make a sprawling save. Dallas smoked the Isles in the 3rd. They are such a weird franchise Dallas. It seems like every season is separate. One year they go to the cup finals, then they stink, now they're on fire again.

They are so young but they are playing great hockey. Every time I watch Caufield I am disappointed that the Devils were able to trade up for him. When he fell to the teens I was begging the Devils to move up to keep him with Hughes.

they had the top pick, so obviously not a contender and a flawed team, but they do have a lot of talent.

So, they probably need to accelerate the rebuild a little like the Rangers did only without the lottery luck.

It would be nice to add one of the big 3 from this coming draft.

And they need a franchise goalie. I like Primeau, but I wonder how many 7th round picks materialized into a legit franchise goalie.

I expect them to be active traders heading in to the 2023 draft.

Players like Josh Anderson, Joel Edmunsson, Joel Armia, David Savard, Jake Allen, Mike Hoffman, Christian Dvorak, Evegeni Dadonov, maybe even Drouin if he can get back on the ice, could all be dealt.

I now hope they don't deal Sean Monahan. Now healthy, he is looking more like the promising 24 year old who put up a ppg. I do think they'll trade him, but he is so good when healthy.

Crazy facts from last night- that was the first goal Syd has ever gotten in Chicago, also that's the first time the Pens won in Chicago since 2009. As it gets more than n the rear view mirror people will forget, but damn Chicago had a great run. Florida is pretty much NHL .500 at this point which is a huge disappointment for them. Honestly it's really easy, but that huge blockbuster trade really hasn't worked out well for either them or Calgary. Tkatchuk has been good but they gave up too much. Huberdeau has been demoted to the 3rd line he's been so bad. Weegar has been fine but Calgary has struggled.

In comment 15916247 Stu11 said:

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Crazy facts from last night- that was the first goal Syd has ever gotten in Chicago, also that's the first time the Pens won in Chicago since 2009. As it gets more than n the rear view mirror people will forget, but damn Chicago had a great run. Florida is pretty much NHL .500 at this point which is a huge disappointment for them. Honestly it's really easy, but that huge blockbuster trade really hasn't worked out well for either them or Calgary. Tkatchuk has been good but they gave up too much. Huberdeau has been demoted to the 3rd line he's been so bad. Weegar has been fine but Calgary has struggled.

As much credit as Mike Sullivan gets, I don't think it's enough. he's one of the short list of coaches I'd consider when starting a new team or doing a coaching search.

In comment 15916296 pjcas18 said:

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As much credit as Mike Sullivan gets, I don't think it's enough. he's one of the short list of coaches I'd consider when starting a new team or doing a coaching search.

He's the best coach in the NHL IMO.

It seems like I might at least be getting 1 out of 2 so far. Washington has looked pretty ordinary.

Vanacek really had Connor Mac's # tonight. Absolutely stoned him 3 or 4 times including a wrap around that he looked dead to rights on. Jay I told you it was only a matter of time before Yegor heated up. That wrister is just too nasty to keep down. I know they'll be a backside to this but I just don't want it to ever end lol

As you said Stu his shot is too good. He is such a streaky player but when he’s hot he’s a potential 30 goal scorer.

The Devils finally sent Alexander Holtz and Kevin Bahl down to the AHL. Holtz needs to play every game.

fighting it out to see who will never lose again.

Those two should play each other, lol. I don't think they play until Christmas week and then they play @NJD twice that week (12/23 and 12/28)

Bruins a ridiculous + 40 goal differential through 19 games while picking up 34 out of 38 points, Devils, not far behind +29 while picking up 32 out of 38 possible points.


LVG not far behind their pace 31 points out of 40, but "just" + 22 GD to pace the West.

In comment 15917785 Jay on the Island said:

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The Devils finally sent Alexander Holtz and Kevin Bahl down to the AHL. Holtz needs to play every game.

Yeah it's a shame with both. They were in and out of the lineup the first 5 gams or so but once the Devs hot this heater there's no way barring injury that they were gonna change the lineup. They'll at least get to play every night now. Devs vs Toronto tomorrow night to try and get the franchise record.

Rielly to LTIR in TOR. Big loss. Not sure how severe his knee is, but he's out a min of 10 games now.

MTL and TOR aren't exactly friendly trade partners, but with Matheson back, the Habs could easily trade someone like David Savard or Joel Edmundson. Not that either replaces Rielly, they don't move the puck like him, but both are steady, affordable, veteran defensemen.

with his 1000th point last night. Made me think, he's a 1st ballot HOFer easy and I wondered how many HOFers are in the league right now.

Crosby
Malkin
Ovie
Bergeron
Stamkos?
Kucherov?
Vasilevskiy?
Kane
Toews
Kopitar?
McDavid
Matthews
Hedman
Karlsson?

Price? technically not retired
MAF?

anyone else? Anyone not belong? I know players like Chara will get in, but he's retired

In comment 15913441 pjcas18 said:

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they had the top pick, so obviously not a contender and a flawed team, but they do have a lot of talent. So, they probably need to accelerate the rebuild a little like the Rangers did only without the lottery luck. It would be nice to add one of the big 3 from this coming draft. And they need a franchise goalie. I like Primeau, but I wonder how many 7th round picks materialized into a legit franchise goalie. I expect them to be active traders heading in to the 2023 draft. Players like Josh Anderson, Joel Edmunsson, Joel Armia, David Savard, Jake Allen, Mike Hoffman, Christian Dvorak, Evegeni Dadonov, maybe even Drouin if he can get back on the ice, could all be dealt. I now hope they don't deal Sean Monahan. Now healthy, he is looking more like the promising 24 year old who put up a ppg. I do think they'll trade him, but he is so good when healthy.

My view is the Devils did this closer to right than NYR. They signed Hughes to a long-term deal that looks cheap today. Habs should do the same with some of their young guys to long-term deals.

You're always taking risk somewhere. I'd rather take it with the younger guys than be in NYRs position praying Panarin or Zibanejad or Trochek don't fall off a cliff.

Separately, I was disappointed to see Shane Wright sent to the AHL. Wish he was getting more burn.

In comment 15918202 pjcas18 said:

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with his 1000th point last night. Made me think, he's a 1st ballot HOFer easy and I wondered how many HOFers are in the league right now. Crosby Malkin Ovie Bergeron Stamkos? Kucherov? Vasilevskiy? Kane Toews Kopitar? McDavid Matthews Hedman Karlsson? Price? technically not retired MAF? anyone else? Anyone not belong? I know players like Chara will get in, but he's retired

I'd add MacKinnon and Makar. I think Kessel should make it too but not sure if he does?

I think Eichel and Adam Fox make it too.

And Ryan Reaves, obviously.

they are handling Wright. It's not like they're expected to contend, get the kid some playing time.

I think they want him to play in the Worlds, so getting him in better shape in the AHL as a "conditioning stint" may make sense - I think he could be back in the NHL (he needs to stay in the AHL 10 games) just in time for the Habs game - it will be fun if Wright plays.

That said, as of today (and this can obviously change) I'm really glad the habs took Slafkovsky. There is a lot to like about his game (even with playing on the 4th line).

of hockey tonight.

15 games.

Habs on a b2b off their worst game of the year. Still had a nice Caufield goal, but they got run out of the building by BUF. Another very poor start. They were down 2 - 0 in the first minute and 3 - 0 in the first 5.

Tough to come back from that.

Kakko scored last night, Laf got two assists.

Kakko had a great chance where the goalie made a tremendous save last night.

Caught the last few periods of the Rangers game last night. Rangers finally got hot 5v5 the 2nd and 3rd periods. Yeah Brett that was a crazy sequence where Peterson got caught out of the crease for what seemed like 3 or 4 seconds and then dive across and made the save on Kakko then the Kings come right down and tied it, only to have Zibanejad set up Kreider with a long pass off the end boards less than a minute later for the winner.

I actually missed the game and only saw the clip on Twitter. 10:30 start time is too late for me on a week night!

Re-draft today. I only was able to listen to the first 6 picks. It's funny we all thought it was a blah top of the draft that year, but turns out it was a great draft. Their top 6 was:
1.Makar
2.Heiskanen
3.Jason Robertson
4.Nico
5.Suzuki
6.Elias Pederson
I agree mostly. Obviously Makar is a no brainer. The shutdown D aspect of Heiskanen is interesting, though I think I'd go with either Nico or Robertson at 2 & 3 and the Heiskanen at 4. Either way the Stars made out like bandits at that draft huh?

a great draft.

If Josh Norris was healthy he's not far behind those guys, maybe Oettinger too.

In comment 15919335 Stu11 said:

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Re-draft today. I only was able to listen to the first 6 picks. It's funny we all thought it was a blah top of the draft that year, but turns out it was a great draft. Their top 6 was: 1.Makar 2.Heiskanen 3.Jason Robertson 4.Nico 5.Suzuki 6.Elias Pederson I agree mostly. Obviously Makar is a no brainer. The shutdown D aspect of Heiskanen is interesting, though I think I'd go with either Nico or Robertson at 2 & 3 and the Heiskanen at 4. Either way the Stars made out like bandits at that draft huh?

Gotta be a mistake. Lias Andersson should be #1.

In comment 15919335 Stu11 said:

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Re-draft today. I only was able to listen to the first 6 picks. It's funny we all thought it was a blah top of the draft that year, but turns out it was a great draft. Their top 6 was: 1.Makar 2.Heiskanen 3.Jason Robertson 4.Nico 5.Suzuki 6.Elias Pederson I agree mostly. Obviously Makar is a no brainer. The shutdown D aspect of Heiskanen is interesting, though I think I'd go with either Nico or Robertson at 2 & 3 and the Heiskanen at 4. Either way the Stars made out like bandits at that draft huh?

top pair D, top line wing, and franchise goalie - that's not a bad draft.

Devs finally drop one. Devs had 3 goals wiped out. The first one absolutely should have stood, the other 2 were probably the right calls. Devs fell behind 2-0 after 1, dominated the last 40 minutes but could only manage to get one to count. The 3rd dissalowed goal I guess was the right call, Haula kicked the puck in the opposite direction of the goal but it deflected of a leaf and in. I guess if you propel the puck forward the rulebook says you wipe it out.

streak also ended.

Bruins home streak however, still intact.

Thinking about the 2017 draft and this might be controversial because I know how good Makar is and Pettersson is and Hischier when healthy (even Heiskanen, Suzuki and often overlooked Robert Thomas), but I might put Jason Robertson first when it's all said and done.

I know he doesn't get the hype playing in DAL and not having the same team success some of the other players have, but if J-Rob was a center I'd be willing to have him at the top right now, but as a wing, I think he could still wind up the best player from this draft class.

I would probably take him 2 that draft and Nico 3. Thing is if you did a league wide draft right now Makar could easily be #2 behind Connor Mac so I'd have to take him #1 that draft.

today, easily it's Makar, I was saying if you revisit this down the road.

players like Robertson have to "prove it" a little more than someone like Makar just by nature of D vs F and because Makar is so good offensively he would be penciled in to D1 and PP1, Robertson (and forwards in general) have more to prove IMO before earning those opportunities.

passed away today, RIP.

In comment 15919808 pjcas18 said:

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passed away today, RIP.

Wow didn't know he was that close to the end a few weeks ago in Toronto that night. Makes that moment all that much more special.