ECQF: New Jersey Devils [MET2] vs New York Rangers [MET3] - Devils Win 4-3

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Saqe

No offense but the only way you can compare the Devils core to the Avalance is if you haven't watched them. There is not a single player on the Devils roster that I would take over MacKinnon, Rantanen or Makar. Not even projecting close to those guys. Also listing guys like Nemec or Holtz as core guys is pretty generous. Colorado also has guys like Byram who is way better than most of those guys on the list. I guess Newhook would be also core for them according to this definition.


Panthers last year had core pieces Barkov 26, Verhaege 26, Reinahrt 26, Duclair 26, Ekblad 26 and Forsling 25 so yeah, if you make the cut off at 25 then the Devils are going to look a lot younger.

At 21 and after 4 seasons, Mackinnon had 16 goals, 53 points. Frankly, he wasn't projecting anywhere near what he is now. Hughes has 43 goals and 99 points at the same age and NHL experience.

Hischier at 23 has finally hit PPG. Landeskog at 23 was behind that.

They don't have a Rantanen, but they do have Mercer and Bratt. They have no Makar, but no one does. They have Hamilton. And Nemec and Luke Hughes on the way. They've drafted D heavy lately.

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by Saqe

No offense but the only way you can compare the Devils core to the Avalance is if you haven't watched them. There is not a single player on the Devils roster that I would take over MacKinnon, Rantanen or Makar. Not even projecting close to those guys. Also listing guys like Nemec or Holtz as core guys is pretty generous. Colorado also has guys like Byram who is way better than most of those guys on the list. I guess Newhook would be also core for them according to this definition.


Panthers last year had core pieces Barkov 26, Verhaege 26, Reinahrt 26, Duclair 26, Ekblad 26 and Forsling 25 so yeah, if you make the cut off at 25 then the Devils are going to look a lot younger.

Last year's Avs team was way further down the development curve. This Devils team to me reminds me of the 18-19 Avs team that upset the Flames.

They aren't going to win this year, but they don't have to.

Hughes at 21, is better than Mackinnon was at 21. Can't say they aren't projecting close to each other. (Fun fact in 18-19 Mackinnon had 41 goals and 99 points at 23, this year Hughes had 43 goals and 99 points at 21)

Landeskog and Hischier are very similar players.

L.Hughes and C.Makar actually have identical NCAA production and NHLe. If you recall that 18-19 team added Makar for the playoffs, just like this year the Devils are adding Hughes. Makar is likely much better, but Hughes is no slouch.

Nemec and Byram have similar potential IMO.

Devils don't have Rantanen (Holtz not progressing as hoped hurts there) - but I would say that Bratt, Mercer, Meier (if he re-signs), Hamilton, Marino, Siegenthaler etc is a better core beyond the young guys than Colorado had in 18-19.

In terms of the Panthers and the ages...I'm pretty sure you were the one that said 24-26 was a players "prime", so I was just using your own definition. And by your own definition 26 was on the wrong side of the curve.

[Saqe]

I guess I'll have to totally disagree about Hughes being better than MacKinnon, never seen anything that would make me think that even though he outscored MacK (who was then playing behind Duchene IIRC). I see him very much like Gaudreau, it will be interesting to see when the years take toll on him how he fairs in the playoffs being "the guy" on that team and also smaller size.



This years stats are also misleading, just like the stats Panthers' last year when everyone was having career years. I really doubt they will repeat the same kind of regular season next year.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Saqe

I guess I'll have to totally disagree about Hughes being better than MacKinnon, never seen anything that would make me think that even though he outscored MacK (who was then playing behind Duchene IIRC). I see him very much like Gaudreau, it will be interesting to see when the years take toll on him how he fairs in the playoffs being "the guy" on that team and also smaller size.



This years stats are also misleading, just like the stats Panthers' last year when everyone was having career years. I really doubt they will repeat the same kind of regular season next year.

I don’t know that he will ever have the drive of Mackinnon. It’s just that it’s a bit of a tough assessment to say he won’t be as good when he’s been outscoring Mackinnon in each of their respective 4 years.

Mackinnon did play on the same team as Duchene, but in year 4 he was definitely ahead of him on the lineup. And he outscored him, which was kind of sad for Duchene who had only 41 points over a full season.

EDIT: remember back when Monahan was leading Mackinnon for those early years? Good times

[Johnny Makarov]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

What are you talking about? They just had a 112 point season and their core hasn't even hit their prime years. Jack Hughes is 21 years old. All their top forwards are under 25 years old and Luke Hughes hasn't even entered the picture. They won't win the cup this season but they have potential to be the next great team as there's a lot of parallels to the Avalanche.

hahaha Gaudreau has the last laugh! He is already golfing and boating while these losers are destroying their bodies in playoff hockey! haha Stupid Devils!

[Saqe]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

I don’t know that he will ever have the drive of Mackinnon. It’s just that it’s a bit of a tough assessment to say he won’t be as good when he’s been outscoring Mackinnon in each of their respective 4 years.

Mackinnon did play on the same team as Duchene, but in year 4 he was definitely ahead of him on the lineup. And he outscored him, which was kind of sad for Duchene who had only 41 points over a full season.

EDIT: remember back when Monahan was leading Mackinnon for those early years? Good times

Yup. Mack had a rough start and also was kind of pissy if I recall correctly but the talent and explosiveness was always there.

[DoubleK]

Originally Posted by Saqe

Yup. Mack had a rough start and also was kind of pissy if I recall correctly but the talent and explosiveness was always there.

Your takes are many things, but correct isn't one of them.

[DoubleK]

Devils are getting worked right now

[Winsor_Pilates]

This one is over.
Devils have an exciting future but not there yet & no way they win 4/5 with this goaltending match-up.

[Karl]

Well...it was a great regular season Devs. Gotta show some guts but it's gotta be guts with discipline. That is if you wanna still make this a series...

[DoubleK]

Akira better be getting the start the rest of the way

[Karl]

Originally Posted by DoubleK

Akira better be getting the start the rest of the way

I don't know if that'll make any notable difference. At least, that won't be enough.

The Devils players have to make better decisions with the puck and get their nerves sorted out properly to do that. They have to stop making consistent passes into teammates skates or off the mark as well as stop turning the puck over in horrible areas of their defensive zone.

If they can iron those things out, maybe they can make some traction in this series, if not, it won't make any lick of difference who they put in their net.

[DoubleK]

He's the goalie of the future. Get him some playoff games.

[Hockey_Ninja]

I figured the lack of playoff experience would hurt the Devils. I did expect them to put up a better fight. The series isn’t over though

[Cali Panthers Fan]

I said the Rangers would win the President's trophy this season, for whatever that's worth. I think they have it in them to go all the way to the finals. We shall see, but they look really good so far.

[The Cobra]

If you look up “another gear in the playoffs”, you’ll see a picture of Patrick Kane.

[The Cobra]

Originally Posted by Saqe

I guess I'll have to totally disagree about Hughes being better than MacKinnon, never seen anything that would make me think that even though he outscored MacK (who was then playing behind Duchene IIRC). I see him very much like Gaudreau, it will be interesting to see when the years take toll on him how he fairs in the playoffs being "the guy" on that team and also smaller size.



This years stats are also misleading, just like the stats Panthers' last year when everyone was having career years. I really doubt they will repeat the same kind of regular season next year.

McKinnon was playing behind Duchene because he didn’t deserve to be playing ahead of him.

But points aren’t the end all of a players worth.

It’s hard to imagine that anyone will be better than the current version of McKinnon. That’s just common sense. But Hughes has a chance.

[Saqe]

Originally Posted by The Cobra

McKinnon was playing behind Duchene because he didn’t deserve to be playing ahead of him.

But points aren’t the end all of a players worth.

It’s hard to imagine that anyone will be better than the current version of McKinnon. That’s just common sense. But Hughes has a chance.

Seems like a lot of revisionist history going on here. Mackinnon absolutely projected better than Hughes, during his draft year and after even though he didn't produce the same numbers at 21. Also just as a curiosity checked MacKinnon's numbers at 22 and he scored 97 points in 74 games and put up six points in six games in the playoffs. Also ever since he has averaged 1.3 PPG in the playoffs.

I'd bet money Hughes never reaches that, not now or in the future. In fact I think his numbers will go down and his effectiveness in the playoffs remains a big questionmark for me.

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by Hockey_Ninja

I figured the lack of playoff experience would hurt the Devils. I did expect them to put up a better fight. The series isn’t over though

I didn't and the series is over.

[DoubleK]

Much better start from the Devils