The guys discuss the late game decisions from Lindy Ruff, benching Alexander Holts in a tight game, having already produced a Power Play goal.
The timing is frustrating, and Adam and Danny look at if Ruff is carrying the same energy for all young players that he has for Holtz.
Does this mean a trade could be coming, or simply that the higher the expectations – the harder Lindy will coach.
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8 Comments
If you guys could show the play Ruff is talking about, that would be REALLY helpful. Thanks. Looking forward this discussion.
Luke Hughes GAVE THE PUCK to Tampa and they SCORED….Ruff punished him with 20 minutes…..What other coach takes a 20+ goal scorer and buries him on the 4th line averaging 10-12 minutes a game? Ruff has something against the kid that goes beyond play on the ice. I have said this all season, glad it is finally out in the open.
No one on the team is treated in the same manner as Holtz. If it did happen there would be very little to debate. Strapping him with 4th liners does nothing for his development. Data shows he's at his best with McLeod, Lazar, and Jack. No one thinks he should be getting top 6 minutes, but he does not belong on the 4th line. Put him on the 3rd line and leave him there. As far as at the end of the Montreal game, he should've been on the ice. They needed a goal, and he is one of their best at 5 v 5.
It’s becoming clear, that the Taffoli trade, was not a win for The Devils. Sharangovich, was ANOTHER sniper that Ruff refused to play consistently. Yes, we had a solid team last year, but Sharangovich wasn’t worth the trade for a 31 year-old free agent. Good for Calgary.
My hunch is no Jack until after the ASG. Hopefully Smith and Siegenthaler won't be too far behind him. Really tough stretch coming up, we'll see how they do.
As far as the idea Lindy LIKES Holtz and is "protecting him or molding him", both Jack and Nico have said that the thing they love about Ruff is he let them play and make their mistakes. Clearly, he is handling Holtz differently.
Love the response by Holtz yesterday with Gwg against Columbus
Ruff must have been so pissed when Holtz scored against Columbus. Haha. Holtz of the top 6 scores on the team Holtz is tied for 5, None of the top 6 scorers have a positive +/‐. Two players are "0", Holtz is -2, all the way up to Tiffoli (who isn't a penalty killer either) at -9. Of those 6, Holtz has the 2nd best shot percentage at 16.7%. AND Holtz does this with a revolving door of players all while averaging 5:22 less ice time the the next player on the list…..not to mention that 11 of his 12 goals have come in 5v5 play.
SO MUCH TO HATE HERE!
I can see why Lindy Ruff, with his 488% coaching percentage would want to bench him, especially when the Devils hadn't scored a 5v5 goal in 5 periods.