Prospect Info: #129 Arseny Gritsyuk RW

It makes more sense for Grits to start his ELC next season. But I'm also kinda bitter that the Canes got Nikishin to come over immediately.
I don't think it does make more sense, tbh. He'd make more money next year not on an ELC, and for guys that don't project to be gamebreakers, cash in hand is more valuable.
 
It's not dumb at all. Dumb would be blowing an ELC year for a 14th forward. I only thought the Devils would have to blow the ELC year because otherwise Gritsyuk wouldn't sign here, but if he's willing to actually play out a season on an ELC, that's great.
i don’t think he’s a 14th forward but i guess that’s tbd. if he helps the devils win 1 round against the hurricanes the extra revenue from 2-3 more home games will cover a year of his next contract, and i still don’t think our cap is in danger with its expected rise.

i know that’s a gross oversimplication of it but they made the playoffs and they have a strong defensive system. they should be trying to win and putting the best available team on the ice - nothing is guaranteed in the future.
 
  • Like
Reactions: PKs Broken Stick
I don't mind waiting for next year. Gritsyuk having a full summer, camp and then coming in and he knows what's asked of him + probably will get a chance with Jack early if he stuns in preseason (good chance he will) and you just got an absurd surplus value out of an ELC. I know us fans want the in the moment satisfaction of seeing Gritsyuk v Carolina and it would be cool to see former KHL teammates v each other this quickly but the Canes need Nishikin more than the Devils need Gritsyuk in their timeline. If the Devils were in the Canes spot of consistently floundering in the playoffs then I'd say they'd be more pressed to get him into this series but without Jack/Siegs, what are really they going to achieve by burning an ELC deal? Don't want to do with the Rags just did with Perrarault too. Gritsyuk could have an awful game in the playoffs and be glued in the press box by Keefe.

The flexibility of Gritsyuk in 25-26 affords us is way better than the games he plays now in the playoffs when adjustment period will happen. I wouldn't be surprised if Nishikin has an awful game versus us and RBA sits him for the playoffs or a long time.
 
It's not dumb at all. Dumb would be blowing an ELC year for a 14th forward. I only thought the Devils would have to blow the ELC year because otherwise Gritsyuk wouldn't sign here, but if he's willing to actually play out a season on an ELC, that's great.

What makes you think he'd be the 14th forward. This team's forward lineup is trash (right now).
 
i don’t think he’s a 14th forward but i guess that’s tbd. if he helps the devils win 1 round against the hurricanes the extra revenue from 2-3 more home games will cover a year of his next contract, and i still don’t think our cap is in danger with its expected rise.

i know that’s a gross oversimplication of it but they made the playoffs and they have a strong defensive system. they should be trying to win and putting the best available team on the ice - nothing is guaranteed in the future.

That's not the calculus at all. The Devils have to abide by the salary cap next season regardless of what happens this season.

I just don't think that they would've used Gritsyuk a lot or possibly at all, and that he is way, way more valuable next year having had a training camp to adjust to North America.

What makes you think he'd be the 14th forward. This team's forward lineup is trash (right now).

Because coaches don't typically put a player who has not played at all directly into the lineup. The Leafs did it with Matthew Knies in 2023, but he was North American. I'm struggling to think of a European who dropped in late and went right into a playoff lineup.
 
Goal is to build a contending roster next season and having Grits on an ELC will really help the math
Adding Grits to the middle/bottom-6 with reinforcements there should do wonders. Biggest weakness for this group imo. Thankfully it's the easiest to fix.

Can't wait for the official contract announcement!
 
  • Like
Reactions: My3Sons
What makes you think he'd be the 14th forward. This team's forward lineup is trash (right now).
I think Keefe is a bit old school and is reluctant to put rookies/young prospects in his lineup. He has yo-yo'd Nemec and Casey all season.

Hasn't bothered calling up Beckman (when he was with the organization), Foote only played 5 games, Halonen only 2 games. The bottom 6 has been pretty bad all season, but he doesn't want to try any new blood. Maybe this is more Fitz domain on who gets called up but Keefe would have a say on what players he wants.

Gritsyuk game isn't really built for the bottom 6. If he doesn't contribute from game 1 in the playoffs, I could see Keefe immediately benching him.

I think it is better giving him a full training camp and preseason to assess him starting from next season. I do think he does stick. But maybe a little risky throwing him into the fire immediately into a playoff game.
 
  • Like
Reactions: NJDevs26
While I’d love Grits to come over immediately, it does make sense to not burn the ELC. How much do you guys think he could make when he becomes RFA? That money would be saved now and can be utilized by Fitzgerald in the off-season to further bolster the forward group. Luke is going to get his bag but maybe (and I know it’s wishful thinking) we can make a run at Ehlers as a UFA and/or bring in a legitimate 3C. I like what I’ve seen from Glass but I still think it’s a bit of a leap of faith to slot him there next season. A 4th line of Cotter-Glass-? would certainly be formidable.

Anyhow…back to Gritsyuk…I’ve been bullish on the kid for a long time and he gives the middle six an injection of skill that is sorely needed.
 
This is either imprecisely stated or untrue. Russian players have less control over their careers but most of them do want to come over to North America when given the opportunity.

I only thought the Devils would have to blow the ELC year because otherwise Gritsyuk wouldn't sign here, but if he's willing to actually play out a season on an ELC, that's great.
????
 
There certainly seems to be a level on incongruousness to them.
Most want to come.

Grits may have leveraged the fact he doesn’t have to come to burn his ELC year this year. He can want to come and still decide the Devils aren’t playing fair with him financially and decide not to.

Those 2 statements can live perfectly together. They can even live together if Grits hated the idea of USA and would never come.
 
Most want to come.

Grits may have leveraged the fact he doesn’t have to come to burn his ELC year this year. He can want to come and still decide the Devils aren’t playing fair with him financially and decide not to.

Those 2 statements can live perfectly together. They can even live together if Grits hated the idea of USA and would never come.
NHL teams often play financial hardball with guys for whom they own their rights. It's pretty standard.

But Grits is 24 and still in Russia.
 

Users who are viewing this thread

  • Ad

    Ad