Roger Mussa: Devils - Flyers 7pm Tilt

Gonna embarrass the Flyers tonight and make them sellers at the TDL!

I feel like the drop pass should be option B, it doesn't make sense to do it every time.

I figured out who Sherangovich reminds me of... Jeff Carter.

Feels like they're playing Merkley a lot and he just isn't super effective. I'd be fine if he was playing 4th line role but he isn't doing much of anything compared to Gusev outside of skating ability.

I figured out who Sherangovich reminds me of... Jeff Carter.
- Leniwm1

There releases are similar for sure.

Feels like they're playing Merkley a lot and he just isn't super effective. I'd be fine if he was playing 4th line role but he isn't doing much of anything compared to Gusev outside of skating ability.
- Pomegrant

At least let Gusev build up his trade value. Also, is Zacha now a good pick or did we just get lucky that he figured everything out?

At least let Gusev build up his trade value. Also, is Zacha now a good pick or did we just get lucky that he figured everything out?
- rmdevil313

YES!

At least let Gusev build up his trade value. Also, is Zacha now a good pick or did we just get lucky that he figured everything out?
- rmdevil313

Zacha was a bad pick at the time because our team was so bad that we just needed the best player available. We went with a classic Lou "grit" pick, which Zacha isn't a gritty player at all. The power forward billing he had was always wrong. But if he was playing under better coaches he'd probably developed into a much better player, the one we're seeing now. I've always been rooting for him to be good so glad he's looking like a real threat now.

I'm game to bring back Zajac on a 1-year deal. As I said in a recent post, the bottom 6 is without a player with more than 1-2 years of NHL experience. Zajac is effective in a 3rd line role and I think beneficial for the kids and room.. which is mostly kids.

At least let Gusev build up his trade value. Also, is Zacha now a good pick or did we just get lucky that he figured everything out?
- rmdevil313

Considering the picks that came right after Zacha I’m not sure we can ever call him a “good pick”. That being said, I think we all hope he could at least prove he belonged in the NHL and at least developed some kind of offensive touch. If Zacha maintains what he is doing this season, he will have greatly exceeded my perennially lowering expectations for him. Happy for him that he seems to have finally figured it out.

Considering the picks that came right after Zacha I’m not sure we can ever call him a “good pick”. That being said, I think we all hope he could at least prove he belonged in the NHL and at least developed some kind of offensive touch. If Zacha maintains what he is doing this season, he will have greatly exceeded my perennially lowering expectations for him. Happy for him that he seems to have finally figured it out.
- smellmyfinger

..I mean I know he's playing better, but he still has just 1 goal and 4a in the past 13 games. He's on pace for 50pts in 82 games, .. just 10pts better than what he was on pace for last season. Nevertheless.. good things.
I still want to see Zacha-Hischier-Bratt.

I'm game to bring back Zajac on a 1-year deal. As I said in a recent post, the bottom 6 is without a player with more than 1-2 years of NHL experience. Zajac is effective in a 3rd line role and I think beneficial for the kids and room.. which is mostly kids.
- MartysBetter88

You are right.

One thing I don't think we talk about enough, or value enough, is the veteran locker room presence. And impact on and off the ice.

Remember, this is a super young team. Id bring back Zajac and try to keep Subban.

Is Gusev still going to be with the Devils after the trade deadline? Seems like he and HCLR haven't meshed very well to date. Seems like a waste to be paying this guy what the Devils are just so he can continue to be a healthy scratch more often than not?

And, Tyce Thompson is signed. 2yr deal starting this season, reporting to the Devs today.

You are right.

One thing I don't think we talk about enough, or value enough, is the veteran locker room presence. And impact on and off the ice.

Remember, this is a super young team. Id bring back Zajac and try to keep Subban.
- Devils Advocate

This team definitely needs some veterans on it and the right mix is important.

Travis is going to be 36 in May and he's is not a very productive player. He's looked better then expected this year but I sure would not pay a lot for what he brings.

The RIGHT guy to keep (money issue aside) is Palmeri. He's should still have good years ahead and has been productive. Totally get that we might need to trade him. Just saying holding on to Travis isn't that helpful.


Great News about Tyce Thompson.

As for Shamula's question about Gusev, it's a problem. He's not playing well enough that I'd think we could recover assets by trading him. I think they need to stop benching him and try to figure out a way to get him going. Nick Merkley doesn't bring enough to the game that he should be in over Goose; although he's probably better defensively.

If Nico was healthy, I feel like we'd have some better options....

I think Gusev is a player you move on from considering the outlook of our current NHL team/potential future teams with our current prospect list. We're going to be very fast on every line and we've all seen how limited of a skater Gusev is.

While I don't think it's mandatory for a player to "fast" to be in our lineup, he's a player that tends to slow down when handling the puck (to his benefit when he's playing well), meanwhile our team seemingly looks to push the pace with the puck. It just doesn't seem like a fit for him or us moving forward.

I'd look to get whatever it is we can, thank him for his efforts and wish him well in the future. I don't doubt he can contribute and the team getting him may very well "win" the deal due to his increased production after the trade, but sometimes you just need to cut bait in a scenario that isn't benefitting either party.

I think Gusev is a player you move on from considering the outlook of our current NHL team/potential future teams with our current prospect list. We're going to be very fast on every line and we've all seen how limited of a skater Gusev is.

While I don't think it's mandatory for a player to "fast" to be in our lineup, he's a player that tends to slow down when handling the puck (to his benefit when he's playing well), meanwhile our team seemingly looks to push the pace with the puck. It just doesn't seem like a fit for him or us moving forward.

I'd look to get whatever it is we can, thank him for his efforts and wish him well in the future. I don't doubt he can contribute and the team getting him may very well "win" the deal due to his increased production after the trade, but sometimes you just need to cut bait in a scenario that isn't benefitting either party.
- SteveJ123

Good Points. I like the guy and I think he's got a lot of skills. Just doesn't seem like a great fit for us and maybe his game isn't really suited for the NHL. But I agree, if he got into a better situation he could become very productive...

Seems like the type of player Pittsburgh could use to keep their window open.

Awesome news about Tyce Thompson. Speaks to how high the Devils are on him that he won't be starting in Bing, whereas Talvitie is expected to sign soon as well but he'll be starting in the AHL.

I figured out who Sherangovich reminds me of... Jeff Carter.
- Leniwm1

Fair enough. A lanky centre who shoots from everywhere. I like it. He's certainly forcing his way into the lineup nicely. Him, Maltsev, and Kuokk are going to play some serious minutes after the trade deadline hopefully. I still think if there is any possibility to get a Coleman-esque haul for Zacha, do it. Sharangovich is shaping up to be a good 3C with offensive upside. Zero PIMS, +5 on a struggling team, and pacing for 21 goals per 82 games is a fantastic rookie season for the former KHL sniper.

I know Zacha plays in tougher match-ups, but this is his best season to date, and his 7 goals, -12 rating in his 6th season does leave something to be desired. If the price is right (and only if, I am a fan of the guy), I am fine with moving on from him.

..I mean I know he's playing better, but he still has just 1 goal and 4a in the past 13 games. He's on pace for 50pts in 82 games, .. just 10pts better than what he was on pace for last season. Nevertheless.. good things.
I still want to see Zacha-Hischier-Bratt.
- MartysBetter88

I honestly thought he had a lot more points than he does, but outside of miles wood I think that’s true for just about everyone.

I honestly thought he had a lot more points than he does, but outside of miles wood I think that’s true for just about everyone.
- rmdevil313

The reality is this team doesn't score a lot and hasn't in years. Watching the kids develop has been great but we are very short in high end talent.

Awesome news about Tyce Thompson. Speaks to how high the Devils are on him that he won't be starting in Bing, whereas Talvitie is expected to sign soon as well but he'll be starting in the AHL.
- vlongo4419

He is going straight to the NHL? I wonder if he said he would only sign if he was on the NHL roster?

Wonder if he makes the line up where he would play


Also was checking out the roster and kuok is 3rd in points (forwards), good for him but that's not saying much as a team

He is going straight to the NHL? I wonder if he said he would only sign if he was on the NHL roster?

Wonder if he makes the line up where he would play


Also was checking out the roster and kuok is 3rd in points (forwards), good for him but that's not saying much as a team
- dmarsden2988

He apparently is, yes. Masisak says he has to quarantine first but is expected to be with the big club after a stint on the taxi squad to learn the systems. As to where he fits in the lineup, right now before anybody is traded away i'd just slot him in over Merkley. Hes not the fastest guy but he can really shoot the puck. Lets see what hes got

He apparently is, yes. Masisak says he has to quarantine first but is expected to be with the big club after a stint on the taxi squad to learn the systems. As to where he fits in the lineup, right now before anybody is traded away i'd just slot him in over Merkley. Hes not the fastest guy but he can really shoot the puck. Lets see what hes got
- vlongo4419

Do you know what position he plays? I've seen him listed as a C and RW. More often at RW.