Sam Woo: RAISING HELL: Devils Are In Eleven Heaven After OT Victory Over Maple Leafs

Well, it won’t last forever, but my oh my it’s been fun to watch.
I’ve been pretty critical of Ruff and I’m still not sold on him. Not sure if it’s just the natural progression of young professionals or the coaching staff, but it’s nice to see them play to their speed and strength. It’s paid off in the results we see. In addition to cutting down on the boneheaded mistakes which comes with time with a young group. The veteran adds have probably helped a bit.
Maybe the biggest thing has been VV stepping into the goalie role and taking it. Hopefully he keeps progressing because i think Blackwood is done in NJ.
Good to see Nico take that next big step and silence the doubters. Hughes will be next, probably moreso next season. But he’s got some elite talent under the surface in addition to leadership qualities. Having two young leaders is a boon

Nico Hischier is elite and all of the idiots who did their re-draft lists look even dumber than they already did.

Nico Hischier is elite and all of the idiots who did their re-draft lists look even dumber than they already did.
- Pomegrant

It’s the players around him

Well, it won’t last forever, but my oh my it’s been fun to watch.
I’ve been pretty critical of Ruff and I’m still not sold on him. Not sure if it’s just the natural progression of young professionals or the coaching staff, but it’s nice to see them play to their speed and strength. It’s paid off in the results we see. In addition to cutting down on the boneheaded mistakes which comes with time with a young group. The veteran adds have probably helped a bit.
Maybe the biggest thing has been VV stepping into the goalie role and taking it. Hopefully he keeps progressing because i think Blackwood is done in NJ.
Good to see Nico take that next big step and silence the doubters. Hughes will be next, probably moreso next season. But he’s got some elite talent under the surface in addition to leadership qualities. Having two young leaders is a boon
- FLdevilsFAN

You see leadership qualities in Jack? The team must see it too since he has an A, but I don't feel as strongly. Nico definitely does, and it's epic to see him take another jump in his play. Maybe it's Jack's personality, but I can infer and guess at a couple of things in his attitude.. such as he doesn't love being second fiddle to Nico, never wanted to be drafted to the armpit of America New Jersey, he likes winning but I feel like he's almost playing a team game despite really wanting to be the star of the show, and perhaps really enjoyed and got used to being the star of the show back in juniors. He was always the best, and perhaps not being the best when he got to the NHL and the following years is like a hit to his ego and identity. He never really seems fulfilled or joyful.

But this is all Dr. Phil nonsense to say that my only area of potential concern with Jack is his mental state and how that could affect the team. I also know that maybe it's all good and I'm making something out of nothing.

You see leadership qualities in Jack? The team must see it too since he has an A, but I don't feel as strongly. Nico definitely does, and it's epic to see him take another jump in his play. Maybe it's Jack's personality, but I can infer and guess at a couple of things in his attitude.. such as he doesn't love being second fiddle to Nico, never wanted to be drafted to the armpit of America New Jersey, he likes winning but I feel like he's almost playing a team game despite really wanting to be the star of the show, and perhaps really enjoyed and got used to being the star of the show back in juniors. He was always the best, and perhaps not being the best when he got to the NHL and the following years is like a hit to his ego and identity. He never really seems fulfilled or joyful.

But this is all Dr. Phil nonsense to say that my only area of potential concern with Jack is his mental state and how that could affect the team. I also know that maybe it's all good and I'm making something out of nothing.
- MartysBetter88

I didn’t get any of that. He strikes me as a kid who wants to win. Period. He routinely makes unselfish plays with the puck.
We all know the history of NJ missing out on top FA, but bottom line is winning fixes (just about) everything. If you’re making the playoffs every year and competitive enough to challenge for the Cup, you tend to accept a lot more. If NJ can return to being a perennial playoff team, people will want to play in NJ. If not, well, can you blame them for wanting to leave.
Not everyone is Marty. Days of guys staying with the same franchise are winding down. And even then, to be honest: Marty was winning Cups and he had heavy pull with Lou. Why would he leave? They won enough he got Cups and enough that he got records. Again, winning fixed everything. If this team continues to win and players feel it’s sustainable because of system, team composition, whatever, then they’ll want to play in NJ. This includes Jack and Nico. Nico got paid. So will the others that make themselves essential to winning.

You see leadership qualities in Jack? The team must see it too since he has an A, but I don't feel as strongly. Nico definitely does, and it's epic to see him take another jump in his play. Maybe it's Jack's personality, but I can infer and guess at a couple of things in his attitude.. such as he doesn't love being second fiddle to Nico, never wanted to be drafted to the armpit of America New Jersey, he likes winning but I feel like he's almost playing a team game despite really wanting to be the star of the show, and perhaps really enjoyed and got used to being the star of the show back in juniors. He was always the best, and perhaps not being the best when he got to the NHL and the following years is like a hit to his ego and identity. He never really seems fulfilled or joyful.

But this is all Dr. Phil nonsense to say that my only area of potential concern with Jack is his mental state and how that could affect the team. I also know that maybe it's all good and I'm making something out of nothing.
- MartysBetter88

I’m sure he didn’t want to be drafted here but having a family friend in shero helped smooth that over I would think

I’m sure he didn’t want to be drafted here but having a family friend in shero helped smooth that over I would think
- shvingter88

I'm sure 8 million dollars helps too.

I'm sure 8 million dollars helps too.
- Pomegrant

Doesn’t hurt