Sam Woo: Will The Devils Rekindle That Magic?

The only thing we're rekindling is losing unless we find a goalie.

How to feel at the midway point? Well I thought the team would have a better record. But injuries (Hughes, Hamilton, Wood, Covid) did not help there. You can see the core players improving so that is a plus. But some have regressed (Smith - sophomore slump or injury; Blackwood - injury?). Fitz and ownership need to do more for next and following years. Ruff and coaching staff need to go. So overall rating = C- and trending down depending how they do the rest of the way. Shortly will have to determine to watch for team wins or start reading about draft eligible players....

no

The real question is will goaltending magically become league average? That's the magic this team needs.

Here's a crazy idea: Let's temper expectations for this team as they have been poop for years and haven't shown us any reason to think otherwise. Then IF (cant emphasize the IF enough) they play well we can all enjoy the season.

If you predict playoffs for this team next season...please share what you're smoking with the rest of us

If you predict playoffs for this team next season...please share what you're smoking with the rest of us
- justTHEtip1220

Kielbasa

We're basically a team with 2/3rds of a top line and three 3rd lines, ECHL quality goal tending, and a decent defense if you consider Hamilton, Sevs, Siegs, and Graves. Factor in a dinosaur of a coach that has failed to implement any sort of system or team identity, the worse special team coaches in the history of the league, and the luck to play in the hardest division in hockey and it is a perfect storm of factors that will keep many of us drinking heavily for years to come.

The only joy i find in this team is trying to internally debate which player has failed my expectations the most. It is a tight race between Nico, Smith, and that turd BWood.

Here's a crazy idea: Let's temper expectations for this team as they have been poop for years and haven't shown us any reason to think otherwise. Then IF (cant emphasize the IF enough) they play well we can all enjoy the season.

If you predict playoffs for this team next season...please share what you're smoking with the rest of us
- justTHEtip1220

So our expectations as fans should just accept the team spinning tires every single year until they magically don't suck?

The only thing we're rekindling is losing unless we find a goalie.
- FAZOOL

And forwards and dmen and a coaching staff

No good to win now… tank out. Higher draft pick for the highest bust available.

Lines:

Zacha-Hischier-Bastian
Shara-Hughes-Bratt
Johnsson-Mercer-Tatar
Vesey-Boqvist-Kuok

Siegs-Severson
White-Graves
Smith-Subban

Gillies

Not sure why Johnsson/Mercer have to be a pair when they haven't produced much this season when Bratt was taken away from them. Maybe play Johnsson with Hischier and see what happens.

Not sure why Johnsson/Mercer have to be a pair when they haven't produced much this season when Bratt was taken away from them. Maybe play Johnsson with Hischier and see what happens.
- Pomegrant

Yep agreed. I would even move Mercer to wing and roll out a Johnsson-Nico-Mercer line tbh. Nothing to lose at this point to see how it goes. But instead we're apparently just rotating 4th liners onto his line and hoping he can hard carry the line. And now not only does he have a 4th liner with him, but hes back with the boat anchor Zacha as well. Poor guy

Yep agreed. I would even move Mercer to wing and roll out a Johnsson-Nico-Mercer line tbh. Nothing to lose at this point to see how it goes. But instead we're apparently just rotating 4th liners onto his line and hoping he can hard carry the line. And now not only does he have a 4th liner with him, but hes back with the boat anchor Zacha as well. Poor guy
- vlongo4419

Hischier was on an 11 game point streak and fans still say he isn't good enough all while doing it with offensively allergic linemates lol.

Speaking of boat anchors Smith being back doesn't bring any confidence. Not that Jaros was good or anything but maybe let Ty get some rest and call somebody up to give them a shot. Let's see what we've got.

I predict that we have a goalie fake an injury tonight. Bratt gets hit in the face with a puck. We get two bench minors for too many men on the ice. And throw in a short handed goal.

At least we didn't sign e Kane

And forwards and dmen and a coaching staff
- shvingter88

Oh yeah that too.

6-1 Tampa. All of Tampa’s goals scored in the 2nd.

Actually got some big saves out of Gilles that period but really need to reign in amount of scoring chances being given up. Every power play goal extends Recchi's tenure with the team though.

What magic? From the late 90’s

Wow, our powerplay has been so good lately.

lol

Sports

I predict that we have a goalie fake an injury tonight. Bratt gets hit in the face with a puck. We get two bench minors for too many men on the ice. And throw in a short handed goal.
- DevilDogDez

Close. Penalty shot and a short handed goal against during a double minor. But you were so close…