The guys look at the poor play of Vitek Vanecek, and why Akira Schmid needs to given a chance in the starting role.
Fans seem to want to go after Lindy Ruff, which brings the question, what game are we watching? With stability coming to the defense, and Nico Hischier guiding the squad back on course, it is only between the pipes where the very real concerns should be.
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14 Comments
As usual another great break-down of topics and situations. I really look forward to your podcasts. It's no secret I can't stand Ruff as a coach. He has consistently underperformed as our head coach. Lindy needed that incredible season last year JUST to get to 500%. It's not the system, it's Ruff's ability to get the most out of the players. I don't think he has it in him to be a drill sergeant when the team is not living up to expectations (unless you are a new player…then maybe he benches you)
To Danny's point, I AM mad at Fitz too. He has a blind spot toward Ruff, and brought him back last season and let Brunette walk away. Brunette was responsible for Florida's unforeseen rise to relevance, and, imo, is the reason the Devils played so intently last year….and Nashville…a legit dog of a team…is on a 6 game winning streak, just about the time our Devils went on our run last year. That is my major knock on Fitz. I think Ruff will never get us over the finish line.
Bastian and Timo plus Hamilton +- is a issue what’s going on take Bastian out of lineup
This team, unfortunately, is very easily mind-fucked. We went on that great run in October-November last season. Look at how that ref screwed us from breaking the record of longest winning streak in franchise history….after that, we hit a bad skid. Same thing sort of happened this year…your superstar, Jack Hughes got hurt, along with your captain? Thats your leader. How do you stop an army? You stop their general. Same principle with Nico being out. Ever since he came back, they started playing with heart again. Do I think Ruff needs to go? I think so…but if things change for the better, I will change my mind.
Anyone with eyeballs knows that V was let out to dry on every single goal.
None of which was his fault.
The goalie change was simply to spark the team.
Ruff has certainly held some players accountable, but not all. Dougie $9M/year Hamilton has been the cause of countless defensive breakdowns and is never benched.
Slow starts have plagued this team for over a year now. It's part of the coach's job to make sure players are motivated and prepared right from puck drop, but that hasn't been resolved.
If one or two players are underperforming, then those players need to figure it out. If the whole team is underperforming, then the coach needs to figure it out. Even with the injuries in mind, this team had been underperforming.
Even if the system is great, if the team isn't able to execute it properly, then the coach either needs to teach and motivate the team to execute it better, or change the system to one that the team can execute properly.
If Ruff does get fired, it will be because he wasn't capable of getting the team to play to his expectations.
Time to give Akira the 'starter' net for a run of gms here, absolutely guys. NJ still needs another goalie no matter what, bc VV just isn't going to be the guy for us… so why wait if there's a move that CAN be made? I like the guy off the ice. The team defense has been very shaky. But… he's not making those key saves to bail them out when the coverage completely collapses. We need him to rob the opposition of a few here and there, and NJ just isn't getting that from him as frequently as NEEDED to win a few more games. Hoping #40 can seize this opportunity in the meantime. LGD
Sounds good. Now can Akira actually learn to give us 3 QS in a row? Cause if not we'll be back to making bold proclamations again every two weeks.
Just like my Gladiators in the ECHL nothing matters if you allow four goals in every game
We did well last year because we had a better defense, VV played way over his head and relatively little injuries. Ruffs system only thrives with a good goalie and we don’t have one. Especially not for the playoffs. Also wanna say Ruff was a FOOL for putting Nico and Jack back into their games after leaving with injuries.
First of all, I completely disagree with both of you, about Lindy Ruff. The guy has a record, away from Brunette, of something laughably bad: 54-156. Do you both honestly believe, that Ruff ALONE, turned this team around? There is simply no way, that I am buying that. When do you begin to blame coaching? When we miss the playoffs this year? The injuries, are part of the problem, but not the ENTIRE problem. They had a full roster in the beginning, and they didn’t exactly look convincing. The great Fitzgerald, was gifted HOW many top 10, top 20 picks? With a shaky goaltender, and a leaky defense, he brings in goal scorers, who are not exactly known for great DEFENSIVE play i.e. Taffoli, Meier. Smart moves? My biggest gripe? They come out to 80% of the games, playing 20-30 minutes, of the 60 minutes, that they SHOULD be playing. Lack of motivation, is ON LINDY RUFF. One more thing, if they truly over-achieved last season, what does THAT say about Ruff? Can a coach be handed a more talented team, than he has? He STILL can put it together, to be a legitimate threat?
The Devils need to bring on an elite goaltender. 🏒🇺🇸
Mackenzie Blackwood looks great for the SHARKS.
Nice trade, NJD!!!!
HAHAHAHA.
LOL.
GO FLAMES GO!
Great vid fellas. Totally agree on Schmid. It’s a shame he couldn’t get the win last night vs SJ. That would be totally cemented him at the starter for the near future. It’s time for Fitz to go out and bring in a goalie.
I love the potential that Schmid carries, it makes him such a fascinating player and an even more fascinating goalie. I got a #40 jersey on the way and I really want to see him thrive.