Challenge #35 - New Jersey Devils Discussion Thread

[bruins72]

All challenge 35 talk here!

[jesterx7769]

Poor Jagr

[CJ]

A pretty rubbish team you chose there! You weren't evil enough to choose Buffalo I guess (or where they a challenge last year?)

[bruins72]

Yeah, we used Buffalo not that long ago. The Devils are pretty bad (and old) now though. It was between them and the Senators for this one and I decided to go with the Devils.

Looking at this roster, it might have been a Stanley Cup team 5-8 years ago. So many of these players used to be so good!

[jesterx7769]

I am 99% sure I already know the answer but wanted to ask it here because a lot of people missed it in the rules last challenge...

We have unlimited trades per season after season 1 correct (July1st) ? As long as it fits the trading tiers

edit: FALSE, I READ THE RULES, 2 TRADES PER SEASON NOW

[bruins72]

Where did you see 2 trades per season? That wasn't the intention.

[jesterx7769]

It says 2 under the NHL rules, but I see that is separate from the "alternate core players" rules. Sorry, I just looked at NHL to make sure I read them. I am wrong, which means I was right the first time!

[bruins72]

Yup. We're using the Alternate Core Roster rules.

[jesterx7769]

I took the time to list the tiers for the Devils players if anyone wants to dl this sheet. Bruins does enough work so I figured I would do this

https://onedrive.live.com/redir?resid=6 ... ile%2cxlsx

[Manimal]

I took the time to list the tiers for the Devils players if anyone wants to dl this sheet. Bruins does enough work so I figured I would do this

https://onedrive.live.com/redir?resid=6 ... ile%2cxlsx

Excellent!

[bruins72]

Good idea! Thanks, Jester!

[Animal31]

A pretty rubbish team you chose there! You weren't evil enough to choose Buffalo I guess (or where they a challenge last year?)

Y u gott h8

[bruins72]

At least the team's staff is pretty good to start...

[jesterx7769]

I actually think they are pretty good especially for a challenge team.

- Goaltender clearly top notch to start
- Defense young and all NHL caliber at least (hopefully they have potential and grow)
- Three good Centers
- Good NHL caliber Wingers

The problem with the team is going to be age. Losing guys like Zidlicky and Jagr as the season starts is going to hurt when they decline quickly. Same with the older wingers.

I am actually going to try building them as a defensive team and try to learn all defensive tactics since I have not done that before and they seem like a good team to try that with.

edit: It's hard to find 10 guys on this team who I can see still being around in 5 season and not have retired by then! Zidlicky, Salvador, Elias, Cammalleri (pushing it), Zubrus, Gomez, Jagr, Ryder, Havlat. That's 9 guys who won't make it 5 seasons!

[Animal31]

At least the team's staff is pretty good to start...

darn right it is

[bruins72]

I got the Season Preview news item. They actually ranked the Devils #18 out of 30! LOL!

[jesterx7769]

What!? luck you I was 29th

[King Eric]

I just wanted to say, I really want to play these challenges, but the rules are so over the top. I liked the ones that were used in the Penguins challenge much better. Just my 2 cents.

[bruins72]

I'm sorry you feel that way, Eric. We've found that over the course of so many challenges that we need these rules to make it an actual challenge.

[jesterx7769]

The most challenging part of the rules is setting up your core, the trade restrictions have lessened overall as you can make as many as you want. As far GP and ATOI I don't really look at them that much give it a try and you might be surprised once you get started

[jesterx7769]

Just uploaded my first 20 games, pretty dissapointed and let down

My offense has been just atrocious especially on the PP. I had some D injuries but didn't help but I don't think thats it. Schneider has done amazing overall and got 2 shutouts winning defensive player of the week...but let up 6 goals in the third game that week!

I thought this team was guaranteed a playoff spot but we will see. I think the age of the key players has already affected them even though their skill abilities are still decent.

[bruins72]

I've only completed the preseason and haven't played any of the regular season yet. In the preseason, Jagr has been tearing it up. I've had him on the 3rd line and 1st PP unit. I think that's going to be the key with him. Don't tire him out. So much of this team is old though. There's lots of youth on the defense but the forwards are so old. I'm already thinking about how I can get rid of many of them in season 2. Guys like Havlat, Gomez, and Zubrus really need to go. Elias too. I just have to hope that I can trade them for something! Oh and I have no use for Smurfs like Cammalleri and Gionta either.

[jesterx7769]

My best player for value surprisingly has been Mark Fraser who I had to call up when I had 3 D's injured (nothing major). Through 36 GP he has a 6.94 rating and+/- of 1! Def did not expect that from him.

[batdad]

1. Devils ranked 18 because of reputations of those who belong in the senior centre with Captain Lou Albano..I mean Lamoreillo?
2. Eric--Yeah sorry you feel that way. The challenges have to have rule changes from time to time and mix things up as well. Things get boring and too easy too fast. Just play it open and everyone has super teams.

I am still wondering if someday we should allow trades to be open, and BAN trading for certain players only. The superstuds and supergoalies who win you games and cups just by being on your roster.

I agree Bruins....the rules need to be there in some way shape or form....


AND ERIC--_Here is a thought....instead of complaining about the rules, and whining about them a bit...why don't you ACTUALLY CONTRIBUTE TO THE PROCESS of making the challenges and setting them up....and you know have some ideas that might make the challenges

1. A CHALLENGE--not a slaughter show.
2. Different and unique, yet not overly complex.

COmplaining is fine...but B72 does this all on his own for nothing, and on his time...so maybe suggest something, or get in and help out a little?

B72 asked for suggestions and what was it...2 people (me and jester? ) who responded. Very few anyway.

Contribution instead of complaint goes a long way to actually having people take your thought patterns in stride instead of writing you off as a whiner.

[jesterx7769]

Alright time for season 1 breakdown...

Team sucked more than I thought. Was somewhat hanging in there until Zajac missed all of Q4. This made us finish 4th from last in the league, missing the playoffs by 7 wins. I think getting 2 more wins per Q would have been possible, but alas it did not happen. PP was horrid which clearly needs addressing. Goals Against was decent but its hard when you only have 1 or 2 lines that can score. Oh yeah, my waiver pick up was Paul Gaustad who has helped a lot defensively.

Come draft time had the 4th pick (didn't change from lottery) so I went Pavel Zacha as he was the biggest center and close to NHL ready. I figure he can step in as a third line center soon to at least help the defensive mind set of the game.

Free Agency was a little disappointing in terms of options that could help. I put in offers to Mike Green, Dubinsky, and Cody Franson and only Mike Green accepted. Eventhough defense is strong on the Devils I figure it best to "secure" my entire defense now in season 1. Green should help that horrid PP and he is basically a replacement for Zidlicky.

No trades yet, I tried to take advantage of some of the teams unloading guys bc of the salary cap but missed out.

Onwards to Season 2....

Through Q1 my team is night and day for some reason despite only minor, and quite frankly, not good on paper changes. Through 20 games I have allowed the LEAST amount of goals in the league

Offensively I scored 10 more goals in Q1 than S1, however I still don't think my team is that good. Matteau and Zharkov are running my top line with Henrique, however that experiment has somehow worked so far. We will see how long it lasts.