Devils 2021-22 team discussion (news, notes and speculation) - part XII

[Lou is God]

I don’t know how one could be someone that has been here for 7 years and trust the organization. There is still a lot of work to be done and there have been a lot of false starts in that time.

Not trust them in what way? Our last two GM's including the current one are classy and good hockey men, not a couple of shady fools. Hamilton has said it's night and day in how the Devils treat their players opposed to Hurricanes.

 

[jkrdevil]

Not trust them in what way? Our last two GM's including the current one are classy and good hockey men, not a bunch of shady fools. Hamilton has said it's night and day in how the Devils treat their players opposed to Hurricanes.

Trust them in being able to win. 7 years of losing can take a toll on a player. If I were in his shoes I would probably look for a more sure thing situation.

Jack, Nico, Bratt and Dougie are nice, but there is still a long long way to go. Can you trust the team to get the goaltending right? Can you trust that the prospects being hyped are actually going to be good (granted this goes for every team)? Can you trust that team will actually have a coaching staff that puts players in a good position to win?

 

[Lou is God]

Trust them in being able to win. 7 years of losing can take a toll on a player. If I were in his shoes I would probably look for a more sure thing situation.

Jack, Nico, Bratt and Dougie are nice, but there is still a long long way to go. Can you trust the team to get the goaltending right? Can you trust that the prospects being hyped are actually going to be good (granted this goes for every team)? Can you trust that team will actually have a coaching staff that puts players in a good position to win?

I don't think we're that long away, I think this losing has browbeaten into our heads so much we can only see dark clouds ahead, and that's understandable. But I think we're this close to taking the next step, the talent is there, right now it's been injuries and Covid that has been the problem.

But goaltending is a concern, up to last year I thought Blackwood was our answer, not anymore. However we got some special young players right now and Hamilton on defense with Graves and Jonas looking legit.

I'm finally seeing the light.

 

[glenwo2]

Just want to say that Reid Boucher is a piece of sh*t.

That is all.

 

[britdevil]

Hockey culture is toxic.

Bunch of entitled rich brats who are being protected by powerful organisations.

 

[Guadana]

The list of prospects is odd:

“While there would be a few untouchables and prospects Matthew Knies and Topi Niemela come to mind, there are still a number of players who could be used to package with a contract or two of their current NHL roster…

Rodion Amirov, Nick Robertson, Mac Hollowell, and Filip Kral are all players who have value on the trade market and could help fetch an NHL-proven upgrade before this season’s trade deadline. While Toronto doesn’t have a third, fourth, fifth or sixth-round pick at the 2022 NHL entry draft, it doesn’t mean Dubas and company can’t get creative to acquire more picks or include another prospect instead to suit the needs of other teams.“

Amirov, the other Robertson and then who and who?

Hollowell was their 4th round pick in 2018: a RHD, 5’10” & 170, whose been in the AHL (and ECHL) since 2019-20. Not good in his own end project.

Král was their 5th round pick in 2018: a LHD, 6’1” and 175lbs, depth defensive prospect with more of a chance to be a bottom pairing depth guy but lol

I get why this Leafs fanboy very serious-minded Hockey Writer is protective of Niemelä but Toronto’s lower end defensive prospects are very low end and not fit material for a Severson trade.

I’ll take Amirov from their list.

He is leafs fan boy writer.
Niemela is a good prospect, but if Leafs want to have cheap RHD who can play 23 min in all situations, they will pay. Amirov is ok, but I don’t think that’s enough.
———-

For all of guys who want Severson to stay
I have mantra for you.

Before season there were 124 players in the league with 6+ mil salary. It’s a 4 players per team.
If Devils want to manage team normally they MUST trade Severson. Because he is not our top-4 overall player. Nico, Jack, Dougie now have their 6+ and Bratt will be our fourth player .

I think Severson has his own prons and cons, he is ok when he play with Jonas, but he makes his mistakes, his offensive job must be taken by Hamilton and Luke in the future.

This is a time, when Devils must start to decide, who will be a part of the team and have their big checks, and who will be replaced by cheaper versions. If devils wants to be a team with good deep of roster, they must safe money and find another option - give Bahl or Okhotiuk opportunity to play on the right side, find cheaper defensive minded player on the market, make a trade.
Devils will need to sign Graves, Mercer after a year, maybe find another goalie, Siegenthaler will have more money, Sharangovich has some potential to have more than he has now, and Fitz must think about to find scoring power winger for top six and even think about third center.

There were no room for Severson new deal, only if he will make big discount. If only we want to manage team smartly.

 

[glenwo2]

Well Bouchers Instagram is now private and I've been blocked. f*** off and rot.

You're surprised by this?

What did you think was going to happen when the sh*t hit the fan with this clown?

And to think...we were all rooting for him while he was wearing a Devils Jersey.

To quote @JimEIV : "WHAT A DISGRACE!"

I hope he gets Jail time....

 

[Buck Dancer]

He is leafs fan boy writer.
Niemela is a good prospect, but if Leafs want to have cheap RHD who can play 23 min in all situations, they will pay. Amirov is ok, but I don’t think that’s enough.
———-

For all of guys who want Severson to stay
I have mantra for you.

Before season there were 124 players in the league with 6+ mil salary. It’s a 4 players per team.
If Devils want to manage team normally they MUST trade Severson. Because he is not our top-4 overall player. Nico, Jack, Dougie now have their 6+ and Bratt will be our fourth player .

I think Severson has his own prons and cons, he is ok when he play with Jonas, but he makes his mistakes, his offensive job must be taken by Hamilton and Luke in the future.

This is a time, when Devils must start to decide, who will be a part of the team and have their big checks, and who will be replaced by cheaper versions. If devils wants to be a team with good deep of roster, they must safe money and find another option - give Bahl or Okhotiuk opportunity to play on the right side, find cheaper defensive minded player on the market, make a trade.
Devils will need to sign Graves, Mercer after a year, maybe find another goalie, Siegenthaler will have more money, Sharangovich has some potential to have more than he has now, and Fitz must think about to find scoring power winger for top six and even think about third center.

There were no room for Severson new deal, only if he will make big discount. If only we want to manage team smartly.

Couldn’t agree more. I’ve been saying all along that we need balance and resigning Severson screw’s everything up. We can’t have all those offensive minded dman on one team, it just doesn’t make any sense. We can find a cheaper right handed dman who will possibly play a more defensive role to pair with Smith and eventually Hughes. Siegenthaler is playing lights out but he would be our main shutdown guy on our 3rd pair with one of Smith or Hughes.

Resigning Severson seems like a good idea for this year and next year, but will turn out to be a very bad idea for the next years of his new deal. I’ve seen enough of his brain cramps for me to move on and keep Graves, who’s actually good at defending in our zone and on the PK. He’ll demand a smaller deal as well and already has chemistry with Hamilton on our 1st pair.

Utilizing Severson as a trade chip is really in our best interest. We can get something solid in return and if we have to add to make it happen, so be it, but all in all… we have to utilize Damon as a trade chip during the deadline or this summer.

 

[Billdo]

You're surprised by this?

What did you think was going to happen when the sh*t hit the fan with this clown?

And to think...we were all rooting for him while he was wearing a Devils Jersey.

To quote @JimEIV : "WHAT A DISGRACE!"

I hope he gets Jail time....

Oh no I'm not surprised by it. I expected it after I wrote what I wrote this morning.

 

[JrFischer54]

Hockey culture is toxic.

Bunch of entitled rich brats who are being protected by powerful organisations.

while it’s true in any sport I do feel that hockey is a lot more entitled and rich coming up through the ranks. What does that buy? Protection when mommy and daddy have money. That just follows them

 

[JrFischer54]

I get he was a “minor” when this happened but damn how don’t you have to register as a sex offender at least.

 

[britdevil]

I get he was a “minor” when this happened but damn how don’t you have to register as a sex offender at least.

His card is marked for life. Nothing official but all it will take is a simple google search and this guy is toast. Unemployable.

He better hope he saved for the future because he ain't getting shit now.

 

[britdevil]

while it’s true in any sport I do feel that hockey is a lot more entitled and rich coming up through the ranks. What does that buy? Protection when mommy and daddy have money. That just follows them

The sport itself requires thousands of dollars of investment to become a pro. It's unsurprising that you'll get a lot of brats who have no idea how the world works, mostly because they've never heard "no".

The vast majority of spoiled shits never make it in the NHL, but due to their parents influence, leave University with degrees that they don't deserve.

Sickening really.

 

[Better Call Sal]

Dr. Spock looking ass preying on an innocent 12 year old and using his position to threaten/blackmail her into it a second time.

Hopefully the sentencing at the end of the month fits the actual crime because this all definitely appears like he is getting off with a slap on the wrist so far.

 

[Triumph]

Couldn’t agree more. I’ve been saying all along that we need balance and resigning Severson screw’s everything up. We can’t have all those offensive minded dman on one team, it just doesn’t make any sense. We can find a cheaper right handed dman who will possibly play a more defensive role to pair with Smith and eventually Hughes. Siegenthaler is playing lights out but he would be our main shutdown guy on our 3rd pair with one of Smith or Hughes.

Resigning Severson seems like a good idea for this year and next year, but will turn out to be a very bad idea for the next years of his new deal. I’ve seen enough of his brain cramps for me to move on and keep Graves, who’s actually good at defending in our zone and on the PK. He’ll demand a smaller deal as well and already has chemistry with Hamilton on our 1st pair.

Utilizing Severson as a trade chip is really in our best interest. We can get something solid in return and if we have to add to make it happen, so be it, but all in all… we have to utilize Damon as a trade chip during the deadline or this summer.

Ty Smith has played so poorly this year that absolutely no decisions should be made that hinge on him being a long-term piece on this roster. Luke Hughes is playing the right side in college and could play the right side here, given the lack of options organizationally, especially to start. This isn't to say the Devils should definitely keep Severson, but I can't imagine the offers being that high for him, either. He's an RHD, yes, but he isn't very good on the power play, isn't a great penalty killer, and he has poor results at even strength.

 

[tailfins]

Ty Smith has played so poorly this year that absolutely no decisions should be made that hinge on him being a long-term piece on this roster. Luke Hughes is playing the right side in college and could play the right side here, given the lack of options organizationally, especially to start. This isn't to say the Devils should definitely keep Severson, but I can't imagine the offers being that high for him, either. He's an RHD, yes, but he isn't very good on the power play, isn't a great penalty killer, and he has poor results at even strength.

Do you mean trade offers or UFA contract offers?

 

[JrFischer54]

Hopefully she can sue for civil and bankrupt him

 

[Buck Dancer]

Ty Smith has played so poorly this year that absolutely no decisions should be made that hinge on him being a long-term piece on this roster. Luke Hughes is playing the right side in college and could play the right side here, given the lack of options organizationally, especially to start. This isn't to say the Devils should definitely keep Severson, but I can't imagine the offers being that high for him, either. He's an RHD, yes, but he isn't very good on the power play, isn't a great penalty killer, and he has poor results at even strength.

For those reasons you just mentioned, it would completely screw us to resign Severson to the deal he’ll try and get on the open market. He’s not giving us a hometown discount, let’s just get that option off the table once and for all.

Moving him at the deadline, with retention, would land us a pretty significant package. He’s a good but not great top #4 dman and when Ben Chariot is probably getting a 1st, someone like Severson could fetch that and then some.

As for Ty Smith, I can’t see how someone goes to being a reliable dman in his rookie year to a complete train wreck the following year. Maybe it has something to do with the dumb ass system we seem to use in our own zone, I don’t know but I’m not writing him off just yet. I would much rather roll the dice with Ty Smith becoming the player we saw his rookie year then screwing up our cap by resigning Severson to a deal with too much term and too much money.

 

[Camille the Eel]

gtfo I don’t care if he’s become a better person since it happened which apparently he hadn’t since that girl tweeted he was asking for nudes from her.

the news account is indeed that of a violent rape perpetrated on a 12 year old. So if that’s accurate, you are right that it’s nearly impossible to understand how you simply file the charge and let it go away on good behavior or how the DA agrees to it either. So there’s something in how this was handled that does not add up. It smells - if the news accounts are accurate.

 

[Triumph]

For those reasons you just mentioned, it would completely screw us to resign Severson to the deal he’ll try and get on the open market. He’s not giving us a hometown discount, let’s just get that option off the table once and for all.

You say things very definitely that you have absolutely no knowledge of.

Moving him at the deadline, with retention, would land us a pretty significant package. He’s a good but not great top #4 dman and when Ben Chariot is probably getting a 1st, someone like Severson could fetch that and then some.

Yes, we get it, you are surrounded by Habs media. Most playoff teams have 2 RHD who they like. Severson might slot in on the 2nd pair on some of these teams, but does he slot in on the 2nd pair for a 1st round pick + something? Tom Fitzgerald should have zero interest in moving out Damon Severson for just a 1st round pick. He can probably get that sort of return next year. Who's going overboard for Severson even with retention? The Lightning only have 1 top 4 RHD but they're already really good and they don't have cap room. Vegas has no cap room. John Klingberg is also on the market, so that decreases Severson's price.

The one team I see that's a good match is Toronto, if the Devils can trade something like Severson (50% retained) + one of their LHDs (Bahl, Vukojevic, Okhotiuk) for Holl, Amirov, 2022 1st, Ritchie. Something like this could work. But again, Klingberg might be their guy.

As for Ty Smith, I can’t see how someone goes to being a reliable dman in his rookie year to a complete train wreck the following year. Maybe it has something to do with the dumb ass system we seem to use in our own zone, I don’t know but I’m not writing him off just yet. I would much rather roll the dice with Ty Smith becoming the player we saw his rookie year then screwing up our cap by resigning Severson to a deal with too much term and too much money.

I am not writing him off either, but the Devils should make zero moves with the notion that Ty Smith is going to be a top 4 dman for this team long-term. These opinions are not contradictory. And it of course should be noted that Ty Smith's solid rookie season was almost exclusively spent with Damon Severson, the player who you think cannot possibly pair with him long-term.

 

[Buck Dancer]

You say things very definitely that you have absolutely no knowledge of.



Yes, we get it, you are surrounded by Habs media. Most playoff teams have 2 RHD who they like. Severson might slot in on the 2nd pair on some of these teams, but does he slot in on the 2nd pair for a 1st round pick + something? Tom Fitzgerald should have zero interest in moving out Damon Severson for just a 1st round pick. He can probably get that sort of return next year. Who's going overboard for Severson even with retention? The Lightning only have 1 top 4 RHD but they're already really good and they don't have cap room. Vegas has no cap room. John Klingberg is also on the market, so that decreases Severson's price.

The one team I see that's a good match is Toronto, if the Devils can trade something like Severson (50% retained) + one of their LHDs (Bahl, Vukojevic, Okhotiuk) for Holl, Amirov, 2022 1st, Ritchie. Something like this could work. But again, Klingberg might be their guy.



I am not writing him off either, but the Devils should make zero moves with the notion that Ty Smith is going to be a top 4 dman for this team long-term. These opinions are not contradictory. And it of course should be noted that Ty Smith's solid rookie season was almost exclusively spent with Damon Severson, the player who you think cannot possibly pair with him long-term.

So you think that a guy who’s about to hit free agency for the first time in his career is going to take a pay cut, in order to stay on a team that couldn’t crack the playoffs but once, and got destroyed in the 1st round? It’s not definitive but if you use common sense, it kind of is.

As for his return, teams would be doing backflips if they could add Severson for 2 playoffs runs at less then 2.5M$. The Leafs are in win now mode and instead of wasting major assets on Klingberg, for one playoff push, they’d have Severson for a minimum of 2. There’s other teams that can use his services, so I don’t know why it’s the Leafs or bust.

Regarding Ty Smith, it’s more about him then anything else. He did play with Severson last year but I don’t think Damon is the main reason why Ty was so great, in fact, I’d even say that Severson wasn’t that much of a factor. He needs to take a step back and reassess things.

 

[devilsblood]

Couldn’t agree more. I’ve been saying all along that we need balance and resigning Severson screw’s everything up. We can’t have all those offensive minded dman on one team, it just doesn’t make any sense. We can find a cheaper right handed dman who will possibly play a more defensive role to pair with Smith and eventually Hughes. Siegenthaler is playing lights out but he would be our main shutdown guy on our 3rd pair with one of Smith or Hughes.

Resigning Severson seems like a good idea for this year and next year, but will turn out to be a very bad idea for the next years of his new deal. I’ve seen enough of his brain cramps for me to move on and keep Graves, who’s actually good at defending in our zone and on the PK. He’ll demand a smaller deal as well and already has chemistry with Hamilton on our 1st pair.

Utilizing Severson as a trade chip is really in our best interest. We can get something solid in return and if we have to add to make it happen, so be it, but all in all… we have to utilize Damon as a trade chip during the deadline or this summer.

Sev's does provide balance in that we have a bunch of lhd's but very few rhd's.

I also think with the acquisition of Graves and Sieg's, and with each playing to the level they have, there isn't a signficant offensive/defensive imbalance.

I am a proponent of replacing Subban next year with a defensive oriented PKing rhd for that 3rd pair. I imagine we can find a player of that ilk rather cheaply.

 

[devilsblood]

I am not writing him off either, but the Devils should make zero moves with the notion that Ty Smith is going to be a top 4 dman for this team long-term. These opinions are not contradictory. And it of course should be noted that Ty Smith's solid rookie season was almost exclusively spent with Damon Severson, the player who you think cannot possibly pair with him long-term.

And the rise of Graves and Sieg's releaves the pressure of needing Smith to be a top 4 d-man. Not to mention Hughes and Shak.

Smith on the bottom pair with a defensive partner is fine imo. If he improves great, if not, not a big deal.

 

[Buck Dancer]

Sev's does provide balance in that we have a bunch of lhd's but very few rhd's.

I also think with the acquisition of Graves and Sieg's, and with each playing to the level they have, there isn't a signficant offensive/defensive imbalance.

I am a proponent of replacing Subban next year with a defensive oriented PKing rhd for that 3rd pair. I imagine we can find a player of that ilk rather cheaply.

We have to look further then our nose when analyzing the Severson situation. If we do lock up Graves and Siegenthaler, that means we’ll have Graves, Hamilton, Siegenthaler and Smith, which leaves 2 spots for up and coming kids (Hughes, Shak, Bahl, etc) and possibly a defensive veteran. Adding Severson either removes the option of adding that defensive veteran or will block on of our kids who kind of play the same game Severson does.

I also agree that having 3 RHD and 3 LHD is ideal but it isn’t a must. You see plenty of teams around the league that don’t have that balance and make it work just fine, hence why I can see a Siegenthaler-Smith pairing on our 3rd unit and eventually have Hughes and that more defensive minded dman as our 2nd pair.

 

[Triumph]

So you think that a guy who’s about to hit free agency for the first time in his career is going to take a pay cut, in order to stay on a team that couldn’t crack the playoffs but once, and got destroyed in the 1st round? It’s not definitive but if you use common sense, it kind of is.

Taylor Hall got traded off the Oilers having never made the playoffs in his 6 seasons there and by Shero's account, he still wished he was there for their success. So again, you don't know what you're talking about - there's reasons why people stay places you would think they would leave, and there's reasons why people leave places you think they would stay, and it isn't always money, and it isn't always opportunity. Do I think it's likely Severson will take some sort of discount? Yes, if the Devils make him a long-term offer this summer and he's interested in that. I'm not sure the Devils would do that and I'm not sure Damon would want that.

As for his return, teams would be doing backflips if they could add Severson for 2 playoffs runs at less then 2.5M$. The Leafs are in win now mode and instead of wasting major assets on Klingberg, for one playoff push, they’d have Severson for a minimum of 2. There’s other teams that can use his services, so I don’t know why it’s the Leafs or bust.

There's not very many and there's no guarantees the Devils would retain salary. They should, it doesn't mean they will. Tampa is running out of assets they can afford to trade and I don't really want any of the Katchouk/Colton/Joseph/Raddysh set - these players are too old and it's very hard to sort out which of them will actually be top 9 players long-term, and Tampa probably needs these guys regardless. I can list off all the other playoff teams that clearly have 0 interest in such a deal, but why bother. Teams do not like trading 1st round picks + major young assets, they typically only do this if they're sure about the player, and Damon Severson does not offer that assurance. He's not going to be your PP1 guy. He's not going to be your PK1 guy. Klingberg is also on the market.

Regarding Ty Smith, it’s more about him then anything else. He did play with Severson last year but I don’t think Damon is the main reason why Ty was so great, in fact, I’d even say that Severson wasn’t that much of a factor. He needs to take a step back and reassess things.

The point is that Ty Smith's best results in the NHL came with Damon Severson. I don't think he is the 'main reason' either.