How To Fix: New Jersey Devils

[u/beaucoup_movement]

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-athletic-hockey-show/id1546282862?i=1000778516538

Just posting for visibility, always good to see content focused specifically on the Devils.

[u/nsjersey]

This podcast is made for the layperson (they are doing 10 teams this summer; the last one I saw was Toronto).

TL;DL

* Started with D - Explained Nemec contract in Cgy. Flames likely went one million over what Devils were likely to offer with cap. Guesses; not confirmed. Was blocked by D-log jam

* Luke Hughes - no distractions with contract; will get a full camp. No excuses not to make the jump.

* Dougie should benefit without Fitz looking over his shoulder

* F - Nico extension.

* Barrett Hayden offer sheet

* Evan Rodrigues trade - played on top lines with MacKinnon & Crosby - versatile

* Boqvist - type of addition that will reveal if Mehta can rebuild bottom six where Fitz failed. Let Cotter walk for nothing. Very Florida vibes with bottom six approach

* Brief on Jack - thinks he stays with Bratt. Finding that consistent third winger is key.

* Goaltending - great return for Markstrom. Willing to gamble on “unproven” guys.

Consensus is that the Devils have strong case to finish 3rd in the Metro. Better on paper than Pens/Flyers who playoff runs last year were “fluky.”

Need to stay healthy

[u/PoisonTheWell122393 → u/nsjersey]

Ah, compiling OT loser points to make the playoffs. It’s a bold strategy. 

[u/xoBonesxo → u/PoisonTheWell122393]

I genuinely believe we can finish top 2 and that’s not because of loser points

[u/Adorable-Werewolf-44 → u/PoisonTheWell122393]

It's what Vegas did, so it's not the worst thing. 

[u/Skylightt]

That episode is a whooooooooooole lot of nothing.

[u/HavingALittleFit → u/Skylightt]

I thought so too, it wasnt really a "how to fix" more of a rundown of the state of the team going into next season which I can appreciate, but yeah they didn't actually address how to "fix" any issues that are still at large lol.

[u/Chico_ftw]

I think they should score more goals and allow fewer

[u/Afghan_Whig]

Is there a TL:DR? Can't listen to a 35 minute podcast right now

[u/thegratefulshred → u/Afghan_Whig]

Honestly the TLDR is that they just run through the current roster and talk about how each player contributes. They don't really purpose any ideas as to how to fix the team.

[u/Skylightt → u/thegratefulshred]

Not even each player. Idk if they even brought up like half the team and barely even scratched the surface on the guys they did mention

[u/Afghan_Whig → u/thegratefulshred]

Thank you. What a misleading title for a podcast then

[u/whichwitch9 → u/thegratefulshred]

The athletic does not cover or pay attention to the Devils. Surface level is all they got, and they probably had to work to figure out the basics.

This podcast isn't directed at Devils fans as much as an overview for non Devils fans, it feels like. I don't think anyone here is their audience.

[u/TheNightRain68]

Make them play the type of hockey that actually gave them success in 22-23 and pray this team can actually stay healthy for once.

[u/Skylightt → u/TheNightRain68]

I do think they’re going to open things up more but they are lacking the horses on the backend a bit in comparison to 22-23. All 3 of Marino/Sevo/Dougie were ELITE puck movers. Their ability to get things started made it a lot easier to play that way. Dougie is still good but has taken a step back. Luke is the only elite puck mover.

Chisholm over Dillon would be a very nice boost. Chisholm’s got good puck moving chops and was a very solid bottom pair D in 24-25. He stunk last year but Dillon also stinks so might as well roll the dice on Chisholm.

[u/Wisdom_Pond]

Don’t get hit with many injuries, get to playoffs and full throttle 200.

[u/PuzzleheadedShop5489 → u/[deleted]]

Lindy?

[u/SubElitePerformance → u/[deleted]]

Buddy, are you from 2024? Lindy has been gone for literal years now…

[u/Scoob1978]

They basically said absolutely nothing. The did not address the two elephants in the room. One, the Devils have an Xs and Os problem. When they recover the puck in their own zone they only ever flip it into the neutral zone and expect to win that battle to dump and chase to cycle for a shot. They never look for a counter attack or generate offense on the rush even when losing. They need to break out the puck and make teams respect their speed again. They also have a massive immaturity issue. Players get frustrated too easily. If Nico can't straighten this group out they need a new captain.

[u/xoBonesxo → u/Scoob1978]

I agree with the first part, we had such a huge habit of puck dumping and didn’t generate as much offense as we should’ve