I just can't see why they didn't go back to Schmid this game. It would've been one thing if Vanecek had a strong outing last game, but he didn't.
- Pomegrant

I thought for sure Schmid would start. Hell i'll take Blackwood over Vanecek right now!

I thought for sure Schmid would start. Hell i'll take Blackwood over Vanecek right now!
- FAZOOL

Ill take Tootoo and Ruutu over Bratt right now

I honestly hope we just lose tomorrow so I can get off this train. This team has so much potential but just makes poop decisions then caves once poop doesn’t go there way.

Ill take Tootoo and Ruutu over Bratt right now
- devils2929

Playing over 17 minutes on the top line while having ZERO SHOTS is inexcusable. If he even thinks about getting more than 6mil he’s in for a rude awakening.

Ill take Tootoo and Ruutu over Bratt right now
- devils2929

Who’s Bratt?

As I said last post, we need to find a way to stop the Canes stretch passes along with the quick tips into the middle of the ice that they use to advance into the neutral zone without having to out-skate us, this also prevents us from getting turnovers on the rush because the puck spends such a little amount of time in the neutral zone. SECONDLY we have to find a way to counter act there 1, 2, 2 fore-check, it suffocates us in our own end and causes mayhem and is preventing us from getting the puck out of our own end.

As I said last post, we need to find a way to stop the Canes stretch passes along with the quick tips into the middle of the ice that they use to advance into the neutral zone without having to out-skate us, this also prevents us from getting turnovers on the rush because the puck spends such a little amount of time in the neutral zone. SECONDLY we have to find a way to counter act there 1, 2, 2 fore-check, it suffocates us in our own end and causes mayhem and is preventing us from getting the puck out of our own end.
- cu45161

If we haven't found a way four games in I doubt we ever will.

I thought for sure Schmid would start. Hell i'll take Blackwood over Vanecek right now!
- FAZOOL

Really don't think it matters who was in net last night. Our offense was putrid and a handful (can say that when there's 6 of them) of Canes goals were from high danger areas with a guy left alone in front. No excuse for that in playoff hockey. In fact, VV made some great saves in 1st period to bail out Dmen/bad turnovers. I know, lipstick on a pig but maybe VV could have gotten 1-2 of them overall, but then we still lose 4-1 instead of 6-1.

My point is we lost this game because the entire team sucked, goalie(s) included.

I think it really goes to show how good of a coach Brindamour is because he's getting the most of a really injured squad without a lot of top end talent and has them play consistently well. We're getting out coached and it really shows. Most of what Lindy has done this series is just move things around at random to see if it'll work without intention which isn't good enough. And this stems back to the regular season in which we couldn't figure out line combos all season. Yes, our top end talent need to produce more but if you change the lines every game they can't get into a rhythm.

I just can't see why they didn't go back to Schmid this game. It would've been one thing if Vanecek had a strong outing last game, but he didn't.
- Pomegrant

Schmid had been pulled in 3 of his last 4 games, so starting VV made sense

Schmid had been pulled in 3 of his last 4 games, so starting VV made sense
- Crushers68

Vanecek has let in 5 goals in every start this postseason so maybe go with the guy who has actually played well at some point idk

They're learning the hard way about what it takes to win playoff hockey, and that's fine because the experience they are gaining is invaluable. Next year hopefully they can take it a step further.

Vanecek has let in 5 goals in every start this postseason so maybe go with the guy who has actually played well at some point idk
- Pomegrant

This. Even when he was a Cap, Vanecek has never had a good playoff performance. Every single playoff appearance hes saved under expected. He turns into Jon Gillies once the lights get bright lol.

Outside of a trade this summer, which is unlikely, we gotta hope Schmid continues improving and can be the guy. Vanecek is a 1B, which is perfectly fine for the regular season, but you're never winning in the playoffs with him.

Other than the select elite goalies, the volatility season to season for goalies is just too much to risk trading assets for. I'd gladly run Schmid/Vanecek out for a season and just see what happens. If you're not getting one of the best it's not worth it, and even then you just never know if they're going to turn pumpkin like Bobrovsky (although he's had a solid postseason this year).

This offseason we have a lot of work to be done with locking down top talent but also revamping the forward depth in a way that'll allow us to be competitive in the playoffs.

Other than the select elite goalies, the volatility season to season for goalies is just too much to risk trading assets for. I'd gladly run Schmid/Vanecek out for a season and just see what happens. If you're not getting one of the best it's not worth it, and even then you just never know if they're going to turn pumpkin like Bobrovsky (although he's had a solid postseason this year).

This offseason we have a lot of work to be done with locking down top talent but also revamping the forward depth in a way that'll allow us to be competitive in the playoffs.
- Pomegrant

Yeah it's not like Andersen/Raanta are elite. They just need to be good for the first 10-15 minutes of a game and then the team kind of does the rest.

Yeah it's not like Andersen/Raanta are elite. They just need to be good for the first 10-15 minutes of a game and then the team kind of does the rest.
- BINGO!

^ this.

More often than not, the Devils have needed (be it VV or Schmid) to come in and steal a game because the forwards/Dmen in front of them forgot to show up. Sadly, they really haven't done that (maybe Schmid, but even he wasn't tested bc team played so well).

When the skaters showed up, the team has won. When the skaters haven't, they've lost - that simple.

Other than the select elite goalies, the volatility season to season for goalies is just too much to risk trading assets for. I'd gladly run Schmid/Vanecek out for a season and just see what happens. If you're not getting one of the best it's not worth it, and even then you just never know if they're going to turn pumpkin like Bobrovsky (although he's had a solid postseason this year).

This offseason we have a lot of work to be done with locking down top talent but also revamping the forward depth in a way that'll allow us to be competitive in the playoffs.
- Pomegrant

Should be really interesting to see what Fitz does with the forward group. Bratt is the biggest question mark for sure. Someone in Cordells discord who apparently has some inside info said yesterday that Bratts camp still wants 9M a year. If that's the case, he won't be on the team after the summer. And that trade likely won't end up being in our favor, we're looking at like futures and a middle 6 forward in return most likely.

Either way, changes are going to made to the roster up front for sure.

Should be really interesting to see what Fitz does with the forward group. Bratt is the biggest question mark for sure. Someone in Cordells discord who apparently has some inside info said yesterday that Bratts camp still wants 9M a year. If that's the case, he won't be on the team after the summer. And that trade likely won't end up being in our favor, we're looking at like futures and a middle 6 forward in return most likely.

Either way, changes are going to made to the roster up front for sure.
- vlongo4419

Yea I can’t give this guy 9mil. Maybe he’s playing with some severe injury but he’s been a no show. Right now he’s looking more like a 7.5max guy than 9. Money can be spent elsewhere. Man o man how sweet it would’ve been to swap Bratt and whatever for Tkachuk.

Bratt is looking closer to a 7mil guy than anything. You just look the way Timo plays and you know hockey guys love that he's engaged physically all the time. Sure, he hasn't lit it up on the scoresheet but you know they'll pay out for him. Bratt has had dominant stretches at time but when he isn't producing doesn't contribute a ton in other aspects which is concerning.

Yea I can’t give this guy 9mil. Maybe he’s playing with some severe injury but he’s been a no show. Right now he’s looking more like a 7.5max guy than 9. Money can be spent elsewhere. Man o man how sweet it would’ve been to swap Bratt and whatever for Tkachuk.
- MartysBetter88

$9mil? I wore his jersey to the game last night and I was embarrassed.

Yea I can’t give this guy 9mil. Maybe he’s playing with some severe injury but he’s been a no show. Right now he’s looking more like a 7.5max guy than 9. Money can be spent elsewhere. Man o man how sweet it would’ve been to swap Bratt and whatever for Tkachuk.
- MartysBetter88

Bratt for Blake Coleman

Bratt for Blake Coleman
- shvingter88

Rod Pelley wouldn't have let us down, that's for sure.

Wtf is with this random popup spam nonsense the past week on here?

Luke Hughes is so BAD on D he might be a -50 next year

BRUTAL

So what are the odds we see Blackwood tomorrow? Lol. Friedman apparently said to not be surprised if he's in net. The team didn't practice today and is apparently not having a morning skate tomorrow. Would be weird throwing him in after not playing in like a month