If Holtz is a bust it’ll be for different reasons. He has a great shot but not great skating, or at least not the skating we need in this uptempo system. Potentially Reid Boucher without the noncery.
Thanks for another great season Todd! We have come a long way from me getting fired up reading your hockeybuzz articles on the potential of adding Will Butcher to the lineup lmao
I can't help but be excited regarding Luke Hughes, a full season (and hopefully many more) of Timo, the growth that McLeod showed in the playoffs (hopefully not a fluke), and the continued growth of Dawson Mercer. Hoping Nemec turns into the player he's projected to be, and maybe a surprise or two from the forwards down on the farm. Outside of Holtz and Foote, maybe a guy like Josh Filmon can take that next step.
Year long lurker, first time (I think?) commenter, but as a jersey boy born and raised, who now finds himself in Virginia, it’s been a blast to be able to follow along here as the team had such a great season.
Fantastic work, and looking forward to continuing the ride in the years to come!
Todd - Thank you for all your insights. Good stuff all the time!
NJD/Fitz will have to figure out a way to get selectively bigger in top 9. They ultimately drafted small, fast, talented forwards over a series of years ( I guess that is what fell to them), and it shows positively but there are some negative side effects to that stylistic bias in their forward selection. I would say their smallish size upfront made it easier for CAR to knock them off the puck too frequently. J Stahl long reach was also on display at times.
The Dcorp will look a lot different in 2025 than in 2023, and finally their draft acumen will impact their top 2 pairs. Not focusing on Dcorp earlier and only getting help via draft just now has been issue only solved by some smart tactical moves, that basically worked out. Kudos to them. But the next NJD Stanley Cup champs will have a substantially different Dcorp than what we saw recently (Hope they dont regret the two Dmen sent to SJS).
? Not sure I understand what you are saying? Last night's game could easily have been a win! Then, we would have lost in 6 or 7 or moved on to the next round! The rebuilt is over! The Devils have arrived, indeed!
They are real close.....the inexperience in a playoff season hurt them but now, having a taste of both eliminating the Rangers and being eliminated by the Canes will bring them closer next season. Also, good goaltending is not good enough!! You almost have to be perfect!
Should be an interesting off-season anticipating some moves to help!!!
Amazing writeup Todd! I agree that Severson and Wood are definitely gone this summer? I love what Tatar brought during the season but he was such a non factor in the postseason that it makes sense to move on. Graves is interesting only because the team does need another defenseman on the left side more than the right side. What would you do with Graves and if you move on from him, who would you target as a replacement? I know Luke is ready to take one of the two LD spots behind Siegenthaler but I’m not sure he’s ready to be the regular LD2.
Really happy with this season and the future of this team. Beating the rangers was a really nice treat this year. It’s been a while since we had a reason to celebrate this team. Finally invested in season tickets as the future is so bright. Todd, if you are ever in jersey. You have all my info lol. You got a seat to any home game you want. But I get a sneak peak at the game recap before it’s published. Exciting times to be a devils fan again!
Your awesome analysis all season made this more fun - thanks Todd.
What a season! Great coverage as always todd. Appreciate your hard work!
thank you!
Great season! More than we could have asked for in September.
Oh and Luke is already a stud - if Nemec blossoms too, watch out!
I’m a little worried about Holtz - he screams Zacha 2.0
I’m sure you’re going to cover this in future blogs, but who’s ready to step up from the minors and take on a 3rd line role?
Best part of all this, people will want to sign here now - aka vets willing to take a pay cut to chase a cup.
I’m ready for next season, LGD!!!
Even if Holtz doesn't work out as a top 6 winger that draft was still a great draft with getting Mercer at 18.
If Holtz is a bust it’ll be for different reasons. He has a great shot but not great skating, or at least not the skating we need in this uptempo system. Potentially Reid Boucher without the noncery.
Thanks for another great season Todd! We have come a long way from me getting fired up reading your hockeybuzz articles on the potential of adding Will Butcher to the lineup lmao
I can't help but be excited regarding Luke Hughes, a full season (and hopefully many more) of Timo, the growth that McLeod showed in the playoffs (hopefully not a fluke), and the continued growth of Dawson Mercer. Hoping Nemec turns into the player he's projected to be, and maybe a surprise or two from the forwards down on the farm. Outside of Holtz and Foote, maybe a guy like Josh Filmon can take that next step.
I forgot Tobias Vilen. Could be a wildcard on defense.
Let me join the expressions of appreciation for Todd's excellent coverage of the Devils.
Thank you!
Great work this season Todd!
Thanks Eric!
Year long lurker, first time (I think?) commenter, but as a jersey boy born and raised, who now finds himself in Virginia, it’s been a blast to be able to follow along here as the team had such a great season.
Fantastic work, and looking forward to continuing the ride in the years to come!
Favorite single season ever, to many more loke this one
Amazing season! It was so well-deserved, after a decade of futility!
Todd - Thank you for all your insights. Good stuff all the time!
NJD/Fitz will have to figure out a way to get selectively bigger in top 9. They ultimately drafted small, fast, talented forwards over a series of years ( I guess that is what fell to them), and it shows positively but there are some negative side effects to that stylistic bias in their forward selection. I would say their smallish size upfront made it easier for CAR to knock them off the puck too frequently. J Stahl long reach was also on display at times.
The Dcorp will look a lot different in 2025 than in 2023, and finally their draft acumen will impact their top 2 pairs. Not focusing on Dcorp earlier and only getting help via draft just now has been issue only solved by some smart tactical moves, that basically worked out. Kudos to them. But the next NJD Stanley Cup champs will have a substantially different Dcorp than what we saw recently (Hope they dont regret the two Dmen sent to SJS).
Timo was worth it! Besides, they were expendable! Best of luck to them, though!
I hate that we all have to wait another five months to see Luke Hughes again. Easy Calder frontrunner next season.
I think Bedard will win because he's going to put up 70 points. Hughes would need, like, 45 and top pairing minutes to best that.
Crap, I forgot about Bedard. Lowering my expectations to “easy Calder top three”
Luke will be in the conversation! Maybe even Simon, too! Wouldn't that be awesome!
We lost in 5, the Islanders only lost in 6; I think we can see which team is further ahead in their rebuild
? Not sure I understand what you are saying? Last night's game could easily have been a win! Then, we would have lost in 6 or 7 or moved on to the next round! The rebuilt is over! The Devils have arrived, indeed!
We back baby!!!!
Bertuzzi would be a good fit no?
They are real close.....the inexperience in a playoff season hurt them but now, having a taste of both eliminating the Rangers and being eliminated by the Canes will bring them closer next season. Also, good goaltending is not good enough!! You almost have to be perfect!
Should be an interesting off-season anticipating some moves to help!!!
Amazing writeup Todd! I agree that Severson and Wood are definitely gone this summer? I love what Tatar brought during the season but he was such a non factor in the postseason that it makes sense to move on. Graves is interesting only because the team does need another defenseman on the left side more than the right side. What would you do with Graves and if you move on from him, who would you target as a replacement? I know Luke is ready to take one of the two LD spots behind Siegenthaler but I’m not sure he’s ready to be the regular LD2.
Really happy with this season and the future of this team. Beating the rangers was a really nice treat this year. It’s been a while since we had a reason to celebrate this team. Finally invested in season tickets as the future is so bright. Todd, if you are ever in jersey. You have all my info lol. You got a seat to any home game you want. But I get a sneak peak at the game recap before it’s published. Exciting times to be a devils fan again!