If the Devils are still in “figuring things out mode” the front office should do the team’s stars and prospects the absolute bare minimum and bring in some protection so they’re not shells of themselves by the time the team is truly ready. Wheel and deal hockey doesn’t win cups.
If the Devils are still in “figuring things out mode” the front office should do the team’s stars and prospects the absolute bare minimum and bring in some protection so they’re not shells of themselves by the time the team is truly ready. Wheel and deal hockey doesn’t win cups.
I’d like to think this was printed and hung in the locker room before the game. Timo turned it around this afternoon.
The Devils need performances like today to be the norm from him, not the exception, though.
@justhere4fun87@CTurnnidge Love this reply - not being sarcastic. This is reasonable except for the fact that we’re approaching ‘win now’ mode, at least in my opinion. How much longer would you give him before it’s time to cut losses?
@CTurnnidge Eye test doesn’t lie. Timo has lost a step. Sure the system and position may impact his natural fit in the team’s gameplan, but it does not explain his lack of dominance physically (which we expected of him) - on both sides of the puck.
@vtafro Fair. I still believe he has lost a step in a big way - even when not producing points he does not provide that physical presence we thought he would. I’m not optimistic.
@w_finck He has underperformed significantly in the regular season as well, he is not excused. But Meier carries an $8.8m cap hit compared to Palat’s $6m so he’s a higher priority fix in my opinion.
I’ve been trying to justify Timo Meier’s performance, or lack thereof, like everyone else.
The eye test reveals the obvious. Something isn’t right.
What about the numbers? Specifically, what about a major part of his game, hits?
Is Timo avoiding contact? Stats don’t lie.
Why?
If you are a Devils fan this is a must listen.
Bobby Holík uses the early 2000s Rangers, whom he played for in 2002-03, as an example of underperformance stemming from the top.
“When organizations are not successful for long periods of time, it is because of mismanagement.”
And that should be it folks. I don’t think there’s much for me to comment on. If the Devils are planning on building a winning culture, Ty Smith surely isn’t part of it. Tom Fitzgerald must recoup assets in a trade – anything short of that is knowingly retaining a liability.
NEWS: @hughweber1 is leaving HBSE this summer.
He's been at the @Devils/@Sixers/@PruCenter parent for nine years, serving in the last three as president of the whole org.
More from me and @soshnick 👇
https://t.co/3XQFSpQFmV
@BDog9902 Last reply was slightly confusing. I meant trade excess forward depth + a future pick for an impact defenseman now, circumventing the ‘defense take longer to develop’ process. No right or wrong way - just my off the cuff thought. Will dig into film of potential picks further.
@BDog9902 With the current forward pool and a potential addition of Juraj, the Devils would be in perfect position to trim the forward fat + a future pick for an impact defenseman now. A lot of what-ifs for all of that to happen – but that’s my long view GM vision talking.
@BDog9902 I don’t dislike Nemec or Jiricek. My reasoning is as follows: Juraj has a large frame, skill and mobility. A Rantanen-like player is exactly what our high school-sized superstars need to unleash full potential. Juraj is also *hopefully* ready to play immediately (see Olympics).