Would be nice to see the 3 of them back Monday
- smellmyfinger

I agree. But getting 3 out 4 makes it easier to give them more time

Would be nice to see the 3 of them back Monday
- smellmyfinger

+1 if we count Rico

I still don't know what to make of this team.

I didn't see Butcher, Gibbons, Bratt, Boyle, even Coleman and Noesen as being such contributors over the course of 30 games like they have been. I NEVER knew Boyle was this much of a player. I don't think many of us saw this coming with these guys. Nearly 1/3 of our lineup has been a shocking surprise.

I still don't know what to make of this team.

I didn't see Butcher, Gibbons, Bratt, Boyle, even Coleman and Noesen as being such contributors over the course of 30 games like they have been. I NEVER knew Boyle was this much of a player. I don't think many of us saw this coming with these guys. Nearly 1/3 of our lineup has been a shocking surprise.
- MartysBetter88

Yeah and Taylor hall still sucks too

This is an interesting place for the Devils to be.

There is an undeniable 'Cinderella' aspect to this team. The suprisingly mature abilities of Nico, Bratt and the rookies, the 'hockey God gift like' emergence of Gibbons, The Boyle story, The Cory story, The Hall story with never seeing the playoffs, losing a fan favorite player like Rico for stability on the back end, etc, etc. This all adds up to a lot of emotional investment from the fan base which would make this a story book year to make it into the playoffs.

We are almost halfway through the year, still in the hunt, and have 50% of the top 6 about to come back after each being intermittently out at different times throughout the first half of the year.

I am a little worried about the long term durability of the younger guys who aren't used to playing so many games, especially at the NHL level. If they all can stay healthy also, but time will tell what happens there. If all of these pieces add up like it looks they are this team is going to be real good for quite a while. 3 years from now Nico will only be 21 and the rest of these kids in their mid 20's. Add some key pieces and this team could really be something to talk about.

I was hoping we would have signed Radulov this past year when he was UFA. I think The Stars gave him a longer term deal than is wise, but watching him last night, he would have been great on the 2/3 line RW for the Devils.

I am also thinking we see a strong push from Vatanen and Johanssen to prove their worth to the team here. They can't be happy with what they have brought to the table so far.

Looking at the fact Mojo was historically not injured often, one would think he will be more consistently healthy for the rest of the year, but luck is not always predictable.

I wonder if Lappin scoring complicates who comes out if all three of Hall, Palmieri, and MoJo are good to go Monday. I would have assumed Lappin, Hayes, and one of Noesen or Stafford would be the three to come out.

I wonder if Lappin scoring complicates who comes out if all three of Hall, Palmieri, and MoJo are good to go Monday. I would have assumed Lappin, Hayes, and one of Noesen or Stafford would be the three to come out.
- MannySilvers

Lappin has been assigned to Binghamton. It appears Stafford is still safe.

I wonder if Lappin scoring complicates who comes out if all three of Hall, Palmieri, and MoJo are good to go Monday. I would have assumed Lappin, Hayes, and one of Noesen or Stafford would be the three to come out.
- MannySilvers

Well when the big 3 come back we can almost certainly sit Stafford and Hayes as they haven't brought much.

Lappin returned to Binghamton

Who is returning to the line up? Hall? Palms? Mojo?

Lappin returned to Binghamton

Who is returning to the line up? Hall? Palms? Mojo?
- dmarsden2988

Palms has been skating, and I think he went with the team to Montreal, so I’m guessing he is the closest.

Lappin returned to Binghamton

Who is returning to the line up? Hall? Palms? Mojo?
- dmarsden2988

Could be all 3. We'll see who practices tomorrow. I'd imagine Hayes would come out of the lineup, Lappin was already sent down. The third guy out would be interesting. My guess is Stafford because at this point I don't see that he's bringing more to the table than Zacha.

Just want to point out that Nolan Patrick has 6 points in 22 games and is sporting a 39.3% CF% averaging barely over a shot per game. Hischier has 20 points in 32 games with a 48.3% CF% and is at over 2 shots a game.

Just a friendly reminder for those of you who thought we should've taken Patrick.

I was hoping we would have signed Radulov this past year when he was UFA. I think The Stars gave him a longer term deal than is wise, but watching him last night, he would have been great on the 2/3 line RW for the Devils.
- TRDevil

More like first or second line

Just want to point out that Nolan Patrick has 6 points in 22 games and is sporting a 39.3% CF% averaging barely over a shot per game. Hischier has 20 points in 32 games with a 48.3% CF% and is at over 2 shots a game.

Just a friendly reminder for those of you who thought we should've taken Patrick.
- CaptCrankypants

Joe Thornton had 7 points in 55 games his rookie year

Just want to point out that Nolan Patrick has 6 points in 22 games and is sporting a 39.3% CF% averaging barely over a shot per game. Hischier has 20 points in 32 games with a 48.3% CF% and is at over 2 shots a game.

Just a friendly reminder for those of you who thought we should've taken Patrick.
- CaptCrankypants

I’m happy with Hischier, it’s impossible to not be, but Nolan Patrick is going to be a very good player as well.

Joe Thornton had 7 points in 55 games his rookie year
- shvingter88

Nolan Patrick isn't gonna be Joe Thornton.

I’m happy with Hischier, it’s impossible to not be, but Nolan Patrick is going to be a very good player as well.
- smellmyfinger

Obviously way too early to dismiss him, but it's not a good sign for him to be struggling as much as he has. I expected Patrick to be the better player year one, I wanted Hischier for his upside. I still think Hischier has more upside than Patrick, but he's also been the better player in year-one.

Obviously way too early to dismiss him, but it's not a good sign for him to be struggling as much as he has. I expected Patrick to be the better player year one, I wanted Hischier for his upside. I still think Hischier has more upside than Patrick, but he's also been the better player in year-one.
- CaptCrankypants

Our suspicion is that the double hernia surgeries really screwed his offseason training. He didn't even start seriously skating until right before camp started. Doesn't help that his most frequent linemate is Dale (frank)ing Weise. He's shown flashes more recently but we're willing to be patient with him.

Nolan Patrick isn't gonna be Joe Thornton.
- CaptCrankypants

Ok Socrates

Ok Socrates
- shvingter88

not even Nostradamus?

not even Nostradamus?
- Pomegrant

Nolan Plato

Yeah and Taylor hall still sucks too
- shvingter88

He's no Patrick Kane, and I want a Kane (who doesn't?), but I'm content with Hall. He's done well for us this year.

Looks like Hall and Palms were full participants in practice today