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LawJeffreyL

Member Since
Jun. 18, 2015
Favourite Team
New Jersey Devils
2nd Favourite Team
Detroit Red Wings
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Forum: Armchair-GMFeb. 27, 2023 at 4:36 p.m.
Thread: 23-24
<div class="quote"><div class="quote_t">Quoting: <b>pretzelcoatl</b></div><div>I've never seen anyone say "compete" was an issue. I had seen talk about his skating and pace of play, and the former is no longer an issue. The problem right now is that he is not adjusted to the pace the NHL game moves at. I have no idea where you're getting lazy or scared from, he's been playing pro since he was a teenager and that was never an issue. I don't see that in his game, I see him processing a little too slowly.</div></div>

Regardless of the issue, we can both agree we really want him to piece it together at the NHL level. A guy who scored 26 goals in 52 games in the AHL doesn't lack the skill, clearly. He had a few games in NJ where he battled hard and was rewarded with more ice time and produced. Devils didn't do him any favors by keeping him in NJ rather than Utica for the bulk of this season, but whatever it is that has prevented him from converting his obvious talent to being an effective member of the lineup, it's hard to be confident that suddenly he'll be THAT guy next season. Let's hope he completely destroys any criticism of his game and can start looking like the player we hoped we had drafted
Forum: Armchair-GMFeb. 27, 2023 at 3:34 p.m.
Thread: 23-24
<div class="quote"><div class="quote_t">Quoting: <b>pretzelcoatl</b></div><div>Awful analysis of Holtz. Making a player change to a style they're unsuited for is a recipe for disaster. He will be perfectly effective playing his style of game as soon as next year.</div></div>

Holtz has NHL skill, but he doesn't work in the system and the knock on his game when he was drafted and to this point in time is simply he doesn't have enough "compete" in his game. I am not saying he should be a 4th liner, nor change his game to be a grinder, but he plays the game soft and passive at this point. Every single one of us (myself included) had the exact same analysis of Holtz last season as "he'll be effective next year," and we were wrong. I hope he finds that next dynamic of his game to make himself an effective option, but if asking the kid to actually compete every shift is asking him to "change his style," then I guess we'll just get what we get with the kid. As I said originally, top-6 skill and could add tremendous value, but seems on the ice he's either lazy or he's scared, and I really don't think he's scared.
Forum: Armchair-GMOct. 7, 2019 at 4:19 p.m.
Thread: New Lines
<div class="quote"><div class="quote_t">Quoting: <b>Book_Hockey</b></div><div>Hughes should be paired with Bratt/Boqvist and Palms. No reason to keep him on the 3rd line with guys who cant keep up with him skating wise after two games. If Hynes keeps this up he wont be behind the bench come the new year,</div></div>

Eventually, I believe you are right. However, in this situation, you are putting very offensive minded players on a line together, and instantly making them a target for other teams to put their own offensive lines against them to pin them in their own zone. There needs to be some better defensive linemates to play with Hughes as well as for Bratt/Boqvist to create some sense of balance and mentorship in the defensive zone. The goal is to hopefully get these kids to improve in that area and then be able to play together, and become true threats in that department. (This is true for Gusev, as well. His play in his own zone needs to bump up a bit, just like Hughes, Boqvist, and to a lesser extent, Bratt
Forum: Armchair-GMJun. 26, 2019 at 2:29 p.m.
Thread: Not a New Jersey fan but what do you think
<div class="quote"><div class="quote_t">Quoting: <b>nalzugaray12</b></div><div>Thanks for the response. When I was building the team I only signed Agostino because I didn't know how Devils fans felt about him so I brought him back to be safe. I'm a Boston fan and he wasn't a great player here, but it looks like he had a decent year for NJ this past year.

Also I saw your note about Zacha being played in a depth center position. I just personally don't think the man can take his game to the next level if he's in a fourth line role. Would it be crazy if Zajac played a 4th line center position? (Assuming Zacha outplays him)</div></div>

If the team acquires another top 6 guy, Zacha could be Centered between Boqvist and Bastian (potentially) which would be a great "3rd scoring line," in my eyes.
Zajac centering Coleman and Wood would be the checking line that could do wonders shutting down top lines, as well. Zacha is a very reliable defensive player who can chip in offensively. Zajac isn't getting any younger. The long term plan, hopefully, is for Zacha to slot in to that defensive center role in the future.
That being said, if Zacha is to slide to the wing, I think he'd be best suited 2LW with Hughes and Palmieri, moving Bratt to the 1RW role. Coleman has thrived on the wing, so if Zacha is playing LW, McLeod would likely jump up to the 4C role.

Sorry if that was a bit more information than you asked for