Todd Cordell: Devils 4, Islanders 3: Schneider puts forth vintage performance, steals win

I think Hughes gonna take 1C and the 2nd will be Goose, Nico, Bratt.

I think Jack needs not to worry about playing with a guy that cant communicate where as Nico and Bratt, being European might be able to communicate with Goose more efficiently.

Also, both lines had such chemistry.

This is unreal.

I think Hughes gonna take 1C and the 2nd will be Goose, Nico, Bratt.

I think Jack needs not to worry about playing with a guy that cant communicate where as Nico and Bratt, being European might be able to communicate with Goose more efficiently.

Also, both lines had such chemistry.

This is unreal.
- Leniwm1

I'm sure there will be some shuffling in the last two games and we'll know more then, but it sure is looking like that. They've stapled Gusev to Hischier.

I think Nico stays the 1C because he’s older, stronger and more defensively responsible. Plus has been playing great. Hughes might take it from him at some point but not out of camp.

I think Hughes gonna take 1C and the 2nd will be Goose, Nico, Bratt.

I think Jack needs not to worry about playing with a guy that cant communicate where as Nico and Bratt, being European might be able to communicate with Goose more efficiently.

Also, both lines had such chemistry.

This is unreal.
- Leniwm1

I think if Gusev-Nico-Bratt is locked in as a line and Hall-Hughes-Palms is a line they probably play it as a 1A, 1B type thing where both lines get similar ice time. Which is obviously a good thing and keeps Zajacs line fresh and taking a lot of defensive zone starts.

I think Hughes gonna take 1C and the 2nd will be Goose, Nico, Bratt.

I think Jack needs not to worry about playing with a guy that cant communicate where as Nico and Bratt, being European might be able to communicate with Goose more efficiently.

Also, both lines had such chemistry.

This is unreal.
- Leniwm1

Agreed. It looks like we have 2 first lines. I'm sure one line will get hot, and then get the tougher shutdown match-ups, while the other line runs a-muck. Most teams (ours included) has just one shutdown line and 3 hopeful offensive units. Exciting hockey! If Schneids can muster a .920 sv%, we will be in the playoffs.

I have always wondered what would happen if Hall was on RW. With the power of his shot, I bet he could crank one timers in from over there. A top line of Gusev-Nico/Hughes-Hall would be nuts.

Gusev-Hughes-Hall
Bratt-Nico-Palmeiri
Boqvist-Zajac-Simmonds
Wood/Maltzev-Zacha-Coleman

That would be a decent line-up IMO

I think if Gusev-Nico-Bratt is locked in as a line and Hall-Hughes-Palms is a line they probably play it as a 1A, 1B type thing where both lines get similar ice time. Which is obviously a good thing and keeps Zajacs line fresh and taking a lot of defensive zone starts.
- smellmyfinger

This is what I've been thinking as well. Doesn't have anything to do with "taking away 1C from nico," its more of a pairing thing and making matchups difficult for the other team.

I guess the geat thing is Gusev has looked great with Nico and Hughes. No matter that combination of 6 players have lined up together they have been great. So there's really no wrong choice.

I knew my eyes weren't deceiving me.

Who's more effective? Coleman or Wood? Boqvist or Wood? Zacha or Wood? Simmonds or Wood?? McLeod or Wood!? MALTSEV or Wood??

Wood will make the team, but heck if I care if he sits in the press box while more effective players work on our 4th line.

Hall-Hischier-Palmieri
Gusev-Hughes-Bratt
Boqvist-Zajac-Simmonds
Coleman-Zacha-McLeod/Hayden/Anderson/Bastian

We don't need Wood.

Man, Zajac had a 57.84 FO% last season, and 57.43 the season prior, with a career average of 53.6. He's only been below 51 % twice.. 3 seasons ago and in 06-07

Wood would basically be a healthy scratch for a while until an injury happens if he didn't make it: he'd have to go through waivers (played more than 180) to be sent down, and the organization would definitely lose him in that process.

NJ better watch what they do with their bottom six, because Wood is a bottom six kind of guy. Much as anyone might gush over having four lines of offence, that crap won't fly in the second half of the season and in the playoffs - and I wouldn't jump on the millennial bandwagon where they think they can just outskill everyone - because it's the resurrection of the ancient way (which got outmoded) - not the new way.

If it were me, I'd send one of my young guys there, despite how well they played, to start the season, and keep Wood on the fourth line. No risk of losing them to waivers.

Remember when Jacobs was the best D prospect outside of Santini? Yikes. He probably won't even get claimed.

Remember when Jacobs was the best D prospect outside of Santini? Yikes. He probably won't even get claimed.
- willschulme

I didn’t think he was awful but he isn’t good.

With Groleau, Strait, Tennyson and Melchiori locks to be cut next, that leaves us at 26 if I'm counting correctly. If we cut Rooney, Bastian and Hayden that puts us at 23. It becomes a question of if we want to keep Boqvist and especially McLeod if we know they might not play every night.

I bet Smith will get at least the 9 games. It's unfortunate that the rules don't allow him to go to the AHL which is probably the ideal scenario. I think he'll get a few games at the start of the season and if his play really doesn't improve he'll go back to the WHL. One of the few disappointments so far in preseason, but it's not over yet.

I would give McLeod, Woods job. Basically the same player but at least McLeod has showed up for training camp. Wood has been awful.

Ty Smith should have been cut. He looked terrible in the Buffalo tournament, he showed nothing in the intro-squad scrimmages, and his preseason has been a flat out disaster. Every time he is on the ice he fumbles the puck, loses coverage, or makes a crappy pass.

With Groleau, Strait, Tennyson and Melchiori locks to be cut next, that leaves us at 26 if I'm counting correctly. If we cut Rooney, Bastian and Hayden that puts us at 23. It becomes a question of if we want to keep Boqvist and especially McLeod if we know they might not play every night.
- willschulme

we ARE keeping Boqvist. not even a question.

we ARE keeping Boqvist. not even a question.
- MartysBetter88

Yeah it's more of a question for McLeod. He's earned a spot, but you wonder if his time is better spent in the AHL on the top line.

Scott Wedgewood, Beau Bennett and Reid Boucher on waivers

Scott Wedgewood, Beau Bennett and Reid Boucher on waivers
- willschulme

BRING EM ALL BACK!

Reid put up 31 goals and 31 assists in 56 games for Utica last year. He’s a real good AHLer but I think his skating does him in on the NHL level.

BRING EM ALL BACK!
- MartysBetter88

Um. No.

Um. No.
- Queenie_5_hole

I don't really think sending Smith down to Juniors is going to help him at all. He really needs to be able to play against tougher competition to get better. I think keeping him for nine games makes a lot of sense, and then probably keeping him afterward even if he is rotating as a 6-7th defenseman.

I don't really think sending Smith down to Juniors is going to help him at all. He really needs to be able to play against tougher competition to get better. I think keeping him for nine games makes a lot of sense, and then probably keeping him afterward even if he is rotating as a 6-7th defenseman.
- Pomegrant

That makes sense but if he stinks his way thru the prospect challenge games, all of preseason and 9 NHL games I don’t see how you keep him with the big club.