I would run Holtz with Nico and Meier and send Mercer down with Palat and Haula. Holtz cannot be the main scoring guy on his line with skating and decision making. Also spreads out the scoring

Goon

JBITBPITNHL

Sources say Jack Hughes is good at hockey. Also Vejemelka remains the most underrated goalie in hockey

How I’d like to see lines…at some point

Toffoli - Hughes - Bratt
Haula - Hischier - Mercer
Meier - McLeod - Palat
Nosek - Lazar - Bastian

I feel like Hischier and Meier are forced together. Would like to see them split up. And McLeod is playing very confidently, where he left off in playoffs. Give him a game lined up with Meier and Palat to give a heavier look 3rd unit.

They are still writing articles, ”Is Jack Hughes already truly elite?”

Must be warm under that rock they’ve been living under…

"He wasn't a PPG until last year" I guess they missed 56 points in 49 games

Mikey looks good. I will still miss jesper boqvist forever

Brendan Smith is not an NHL hockey player. Get him out

Timo simply needs to stop taking penalties

Been saying this all summer. We are going to miss Severson and Graves *a lot* this year. Our blueline is in shambles. Right now, this is not a playoff team.

Brendan Smith moment

Smith hasn’t been great…but I feel like everyone has been asleep.

Also not sure Toffoli with Hughes and Bratt is best long-term option. I feel like he slows them down.

Smith limits what Luke can do imo.

been very impressed with Mcleod, not so much with Lazar or Bastian.

Palat Hischier Holtz
Haula Hughes Bratt
Meier Mercer Toffoli
??

Get Colin Miller a shot in the lineup

Palat - Hughes - Bratt
Haula - Hischier - Mercer
Meier - McLeod - Toffoli
Nosek - Lazar - Bastian

I want to see Meier and McLeod together.

Holtz out of the lineup? (I understand you can't play him 4th line bc that's not the kind of player he is but I'd like to see him stay in the lineup somehow)
Also I'd rather have Haula with Hughes than Palat as long as he can finish his chances this year (which he's been fine at since like february).

It's tough, bc right now I feel like:

Holtz, Hughes (duh), Bratt, Haula, Mcleod and Toffoli are playing like our 6 best forwards and have definitely earned top 9 play

But you obviously expect Mercer, Palat, Hischier, and Meier to improve. 10 guys for 9 spots.

Holtz can't play a 4th line role so he'd have to be scratched.
Idk how mercer would do in that role at 4c
and I don't want to put Haula or McLeod down there

At what point do we simply have to give nemec a shot (once he gets healthy again)?

This time share Power Play is the worst idea imaginable for the Devils. Imagine splitting up McDavid, Drai, and RNH. Separating Jack from Nico and Dougie is almost as dumb. They need to load up the first unit and leave Jack out there as long as he wants, preferably 1:30+, like many other superstars do. Let's start winning some games before we get all creative!

Yeah. One of Palat and Mercer needs to get off the PP.

unit 1: Hischier Bratt Toffoli Hamilton
Unit 2: Meier Mercer Holtz Luke
Whole time: Jack Hughes (with haula/palat coming on for last 30 seconds if need be)

I think the problem we had was that there were multiple guys that play the same position. Holtz and Mercer at left dot. Bratt and Timo at right dot. To load up one, we’d have to make choices…

Holtz ~ Hischier ~ Bratt
Jack ~ Hamilton

Then we have Luke, Meier on bench and no Tatar to break puck into o-zone (unless we double shift Jack or Bratt).

Not saying I agree with the call, but I understand the dilemma.

I think Luke has the speed to take the puck up, as does Jack assuming Bratt does it for PP1

Sorokin is perhaps good at hockey