Devils 2019 offseason team discussion (news and notes) XI

[AgentBrodeur]

Caufield wasnt a defensive gem, but look what Hughes did with him. But yes i think the top pairing D should be out durring that line , 2nd pair will get 2nd and 4th liners?

 

[Wingman77]

Lol absolutely not

So far, Wood has been better in a shorter time span and showed signs of improvement in a shorter time span as well.

He struggled to start last season after his contract situation and he was trying to play and east west style instead of the north south style that was already working for him. Once he got back to his north south style he fared far better the rest of the season and looked like the normal Wood, and an improved Wood from the seaon prior. While still using his speed, he has also been able to slow his game down mentally and make smarter decisions.

Zacha has better tools and the potential to be a better player in the long run. He just has not put that together consistently yet outside of post thanksgiving last season. Maybe that was a turing point he needed and will be able to continue riding it going forward.

That aside, it is really otherwise irrelevant, we need both to continue to progress steadily regardless of who is or isn't better if the team wants to turn this mess around once and for all.

 

[NJDevs]

Based on their careers to date, Wood is better Zacha. I don't see anyway you can argue otherwise.

I'm sick of the argument, Zacha's last 20 games of last season were good. Well what happened to his first 60 games! How can you not take that into account. Career high of 25 points.

No?

Zacha has a career points per game of .378, Miles has .365.

Zacha has a career shooting % of 9.8. Wood has 8.5.

Zacha is an immensely better defensive player than Wood, exemplified by his PK time.

Miles is also over 1.5 years older than Zacha, and plays a less impactful and demanding of a position.

All that said, to state you're "sick of" the argument that a young 21 year-old (at the time of his improvement) played strong the last 20 games (of his third season in the league) shows a clear lack of understanding of the developmental process. Every season thus far, his point per game have gone up. As has his confidence. As has his impact. This seems a clear case of unfairly comparing players based on their draft pedigree.

And I say all this as someone who owns a Wood jersey, not a Zacha jersey. I'm not sure what either of them will peak out to be in the league, but your post is blatantly incorrect.

 

[njdevil26]

Probably Vancouver

Would think Vancouver would rate Hughes high given they have his brother.

 

[Blender]

Every single season we get these "leaked" reports of off the board draft boards from teams that don't have the top picks, yet the teams with the top picks never seem to be among them.

 

[MNDevilsfan]

Yeah, it is really easy to rank Dach over Hughes when there is basically no chance of ever having to walk up to the stage and make that pick.

 

[Better Call Sal]

Yeah, it is really easy to rank Dach over Hughes when there is basically no chance of ever having to walk up to the stage and make that pick.

This is the correct take.

 

[JrFischer54]

Still have plenty of leadership on the team, it won't be that big of a deal

andy greene travis zajac? vatanen? not a whole lot of veteran leadership esp considering 2 of those guys might not be here after this season.

 

[Ripshot 43]

Damnit.

Does this mean we are going to burn a year off his ELC this season?

 

[JrFischer54]

There are lots ways to deal with a possible Hall trade if he knows where he wants to go or can give Shero a number of places he'd be happy to go and especially if any of them are interested in extending him. But it's complicated.

But the relevant thing is that Shero has already tipped his hand that he's okay with Hall playing out the season here. I take him at his word but in that case, how not to let it become a massive distraction as time goes on and also how not to get nothing in return for him if and when he leaves?

He has high value now to a team that believes it can extend or resign him but the major moves have already been made and I don't expect any more blockbuster trades before the season. So the next window may open when clubs can see how they are doing and still believe they may be able to restructure and compete as St. Louis turned things around last year, though not that late.

Personally I'm already distracted by the Hall talk. It's obviously the most important unknown. But maybe Shero is right - it's not "unknown" for this season.

100% what i said. i am highly skeptical with hall resigning before this season ends. that does not mean i dont think he will resign here i just dont think he does anything until next summer. everyone on here will want him gone at the deadline if thats the case or even sooner? your just crazy and scared of what past ufa's did in a TOTALLY DIFFERENT TIME and totally different owners and mentality.

the only way i worry that hall leaves here is if this team is in the bottom of the nhl again. as long as the team is competitive all season and make the playoffs or close to it then i am very confident he will stay.

but trading hall DURING a playoff chase? sends so many wrong signals just amazing that you guys of all people would be fine with shipping him off IN A PLAYOFF RACE! hahaha comical.

 

[Ripshot 43]

Hischier is going to flourish this season. Between his own growth the past 2 years/this offseason and benefitting from teams realizing they will have to choose between defending his line or Hughes with their top guys. Hischier is going to have a monster year.

 

[Scooooooooooooot]

andy greene travis zajac? vatanen? not a whole lot of veteran leadership esp considering 2 of those guys might not be here after this season.

Palmieri, Coleman, Subban, Severson, simmonds for at least this year.

 

[JrFischer54]

Hischier is going to flourish this season. Between his own growth the past 2 years/this offseason and benefitting from teams realizing they will have to choose between defending his line or Hughes with their top guys. Hischier is going to have a monster year.

yeah if anyone does fantasy hockey the devils should have a couple gems in the middle rounds

 

[NJDevs]

There are lots ways to deal with a possible Hall trade if he knows where he wants to go or can give Shero a number of places he'd be happy to go and especially if any of them are interested in extending him. But it's complicated.

But the relevant thing is that Shero has already tipped his hand that he's okay with Hall playing out the season here. I take him at his word but in that case, how not to let it become a massive distraction as time goes on and also how not to get nothing in return for him if and when he leaves?

He has high value now to a team that believes it can extend or resign him but the major moves have already been made and I don't expect any more blockbuster trades before the season. So the next window may open when clubs can see how they are doing and still believe they may be able to restructure and compete as St. Louis turned things around last year, though not that late.

Personally I'm already distracted by the Hall talk. It's obviously the most important unknown. But maybe Shero is right - it's not "unknown" for this season.

Where did Shero state, or even hint at this?

 

[JrFischer54]

Palmieri, Coleman, Subban, Severson, simmonds for at least this year.

severson is 24
coleman 27 with 3 pro years
subban first year with the team
simmonds first and probably only year with the team
palmieri i will give you.

so again not really oozing with leadership IMO.

 

[NJDevs]

severson is 24
coleman 27 with 3 pro years
subban first year with the team
simmonds first and probably only year with the team
palmieri i will give you.

so again not really oozing with leadership IMO.

Please provide your definition of a "veteran". Or are you conflating "veteran" with "leader"?

All of those players are veterans in my book. They've multiple years of experience and success at their positions, and they carry themselves as professionals. And, even still, your reasoning for dismissing them as leaders is also illogical. If they are someone for whom you want your younger players to model themselves after, they are leaders. All of those players arguably qualify.

 

[glenwo2]

The coyotes also had Victor Soderstrom 3rd on their draft board. Also it's so much easier to rank Hughes 3rd when you arent the one making the first pick, imagine a fan base reacting to taking Kirby Dach over Hughes? I would pay to see that happen to another team.

Or how about Kirby Dach over Bowen Byram or Alex Turcotte?

The only more head-scratching move than the BlackHawks GM is the Red Wings GM.

 

[ChicksDigTheTrap]

severson is 24
coleman 27 with 3 pro years
subban first year with the team
simmonds first and probably only year with the team
palmieri i will give you.

so again not really oozing with leadership IMO.

Why do you view Hall as having "leadership" skills? Edmonton made and won a round in the playoffs the year after he left - something they never did with him. Hall has admitted to not working as hard as other elite players during the offseason and admitted to Shero he was playing at about 50% of his capabilities after the 16-17 season. IMO a consistent effort is a bare necessity for a leader.

 

[Capt Nico Poo]

Hischier is going to flourish this season. Between his own growth the past 2 years/this offseason and benefitting from teams realizing they will have to choose between defending his line or Hughes with their top guys. Hischier is going to have a monster year.

Agreed.

I think we are in a great position: Hughes to draw media attention from Hichsier anf Hischier to carry weight for Hughes to get solid 2nd line minutes. Far better than if we didnt have Nico and... Zajac? would be #1 c. Might be more pressure for Jack to do more than he is supposed to.

Im predicting this year wont be remebered from Hughes' heroics, id say this might be the year of Hischier making it to the top centermen category.

 

[Scooooooooooooot]

Why do you view Hall as having "leadership" skills? Edmonton made and won a round in the playoffs the year after he left - something they never did with him. Hall has admitted to not working as hard as other elite players during the offseason and admitted to Shero he was playing at about 50% of his capabilities after the 16-17 season. IMO a consistent effort is a bare necessity for a leader.

Yes Edmonton, known organization with great leadership and culture. Nailed it.

 

[NJDevs]

Or how about Kirby Dach over Bowen Byram or Alex Turcotte?

The only more head-scratching move than the BlackHawks GM is the Red Wings GM.

Seider is a stud. I think hindsight will one day prove that selection wasn't as far a reach as some currently consider it.

 

[New Jersey Devils]

I've said it before and I'll say it again, Palms should be named captain after Greene leaves.

 

[Scooooooooooooot]

Seider is a stud. I think hindsight will one day prove that selection wasn't as far a reach as some currently consider it.

I like Seider a lot, in retrospect I think that pick will age fine. If Arizona won the 3rd pick and took Soderstrom as they seemingly would have, that would have been hilarious.

 

[Scooooooooooooot]

I've said it before and I'll say it again, Palms should be named captain after Greene leaves.

Nico*

 

[Better Call Sal]

I've said it before and I'll say it again, Palms should be named captain after Greene leaves.

I can get behind this movement.