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Opie

Opie
Member Since
May 9, 2017
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New Jersey Devils
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Forum: Armchair-GMJul. 10, 2023 at 12:08 a.m.
Forum: Armchair-GMJul. 1, 2023 at 9:22 p.m.
Thread: Noice
Ick
Forum: Armchair-GMJun. 28, 2023 at 5:05 p.m.
Forum: Armchair-GMJun. 28, 2023 at 4:04 p.m.
Thread: All they need is a goalie
<div class="quote"><div class="quote_t">Quoting: <b>TheEarthmaster</b></div><div>Because they're otherwise extremely well positioned to be cup contenders next year. This is the kind of move you might make at the deadline for any other position, but goalie needs to be pretty much settled in the offseason.

If Hellebuyck is going to the highest bidder, the price for a one year acquisition should be well in NJs grasp without really hampering any of their future.</div></div>

Barring a career changing injury to part of their core, they are well positioned for several years. I suspect Holtz is ultimately who replaces Toffoli &amp; is still seen as part of the core. I can't see him going for a rental ... If he busts at 3RW this year, playing alongside Palat &amp; Haula, then sure, he's probably going the Sharangovich route.
Forum: Armchair-GMMay 14, 2023 at 12:06 p.m.
Thread: what to do
<div class="quote"><div class="quote_t">Quoting: <b>CalvinKlein</b></div><div>Everything you said is true, goals and points aren't the only things that matters and McLeod is a good role player.

I just think teams tend to overpay bottom 6 players, and I'd like him to score a bit more before I pay him $2-3 million</div></div>

Me too. I think he has at least 10-12 per season in him ... Let's hope he gets there.

Let me revise that. While I think he has it in him, it seems implausible to me that he can consistently reach 10 in the Devs system. With Hischier and Hughes available, McLeod will always be 70% dzs with NJ. Outside of those two, Bratt, few others, NJ does not allow the players to exit D zone skating or passing their way out, maybe along the boards with a player stationed on the D blueline occasionally, but not inside the D zone. If MM wins draw, Bastian &amp; McLeod chip it out or try the long stretch to Wood breaking down the opposite wing, which, being super low percentage plays, result in a turnover &amp; restart in neutral zone ... Kinda hard for me to see McLeod getting many shot opportunities given that ongoing scenario, but maybe I am wrong about that. Last year was his career high shot total with 90. By way of comparison, Hischier, who is closer to 50/50 zone starts put up over 250 shots ... Hughes at 74% ozs has shot total over 330.

10 goals while taking 90 shots is in line with NHL average shooting percentage, but that 4th line never gets the same quality of shots. They are typically solo efforts without traffic in front, during a change. When they do get oz time, they score at a decent clip, using low cycle and driving net, it's just the opportunity is rare. I'm just not sure expecting McLeod to put up over 8 to 10 goals is going to be realistic with this team.
Forum: Armchair-GMMay 14, 2023 at 11:25 a.m.
Thread: what to do
<div class="quote"><div class="quote_t">Quoting: <b>CalvinKlein</b></div><div>I wouldn't pay anything more than $1.5 million for Mcleod, He's very good on faceoffs and had a good playoffs, but he scored 4 goals this year.</div></div>

I'm not advocating for paying him much more, but goals are not a good measure of the man.

McLeod had a 70% defensive zone start rate (by way of comparison, Hughes was 26.5% dzs%) ... And that's only down from 77% the year before because Ruff had him take important offensive zone draws only to skate off immediately after to be replaced. This guy plays the tough minutes backed up to his own goal &amp; gives them some solid PK minutes too. His role is not to score goals, nor is he given much of an opportunity. The guy is an effective role player because he knows his role, knows his limitations &amp; plays to his identity. That is extremely valuable in a bottom six guy. Too many other players don't understand this, extend themselves &amp; make too many mistakes, as McLeod did in his early years. You are right, he is far away from that contract (3.7), but he's probably more valuable than 1.5, certainly on the open market he gets at least 2 plus.