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Devils discussion (news, notes and speculation) - 2026-27 offseason part III

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devilsblood said:
8-7 isn't even that good. That's like an 87 point pace.

So clearly Draistl is not a core player.
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The simple reality is that any team loses their franchise cornerstone are going to lose games. It doesnt make the rest of the team bad. Its a idiotic comparison to make.

All of these since 2023
VGK without Eichel are 14-12-6
TB without Kuch are 4-5-2
COL without Makar are 6-6-1
COL without Mack are 3-2-0
EDM without McDavid are 9-11-1
MIN without Kaprizov are 23-24-5
TOR without Mattherws 17-16-5
FLA without Barkov (BEFORE this season. Didnt include cause its a huge sample but obv they sucked without him) are 11-10-3

Alot of bad non core players on these teams wow. I can keep going but you get the point
 
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First priority is the fourth line. We've see the top lines succeed - this team had no depth at all last year and pretty much everybody who got into a game who wasn't part of the initial 12 forwards was terrible, and some of them who were part of that list were also awful. Hameenaho might be an NHLer this season, he might not be, but improving that is a must. The team just hemorrhaged goals when they were on the ice. I expect Nico and Timo to bounce back to be positive goal differential players, they've been that pretty much their whole careers, it's getting the lower lines closer to break even which will help this team in the short and long-term, because those players can also hopefully move up the depth chart when there's injuries and not be a complete void.

I like Cotter, but he has to go. Just doesn't do enough defensively to justify his imperfect offense.

I'd like to see Mercer dealt, but now that we don't have Nemec to go with it, it makes that package significantly less enticing. I still don't want to see him on the team next year. I think he's about to lose his spot at ES, but we don't really have anyone to replace his penalty killing.
 
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Triumph said:
First priority is the fourth line. We've see the top lines succeed - this team had no depth at all last year and pretty much everybody who got into a game who wasn't part of the initial 12 forwards was terrible, and some of them who were part of that list were also awful. Hameenaho might be an NHLer this season, he might not be, but improving that is a must. The team just hemorrhaged goals when they were on the ice. I expect Nico and Timo to bounce back to be positive goal differential players, they've been that pretty much their whole careers, it's getting the lower lines closer to break even which will help this team in the short and long-term, because those players can also hopefully move up the depth chart when there's injuries and not be a complete void.

I like Cotter, but he has to go. Just doesn't do enough defensively to justify his imperfect offense.

I'd like to see Mercer dealt, but now that we don't have Nemec to go with it, it makes that package significantly less enticing. I still don't want to see him on the team next year. I think he's about to lose his spot at ES, but we don't really have anyone to replace his penalty killing.
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Its such a huge part of the game for a coach when you can put a 4th line out there vs tough opposition and not get crushed.

If it even gets you 2/3 shifts per game where the top guys get easier matchup son the ice its a huge win.

As for Mercer, I think Lenni can do better then him 5 on 5. For the PK, you can find good PKers who play 4th line minutes at like 900k per year.
 
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devs8626 said:
Moving Timo would be a brilliant move.
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I think we need to add forwards, not discard them. I understand that Mercer is most likely going. As for Timo, I’d like to seem him play one more season on his natural wing . He’s also one of our top 6 wingers that can play a physical game when he wants. Can always move him in 2027.
 
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ZachaFlockaFlame said:
No I don't mean Fitz, I meant "we" as a fanbase. Just because Fitz was god awful at every possible facet of being a GM doesn't mean Sunny will automatically will be better. New GM's have to earn their good graces, if Sunny f***s up then he deserves to be have his feet held to the fire, we don't know how he does as the main guy outside of Florida until he shows us a track record. I said I loved the Nemec trade so he's off to a good start but we can't just have a honey moon phase early because this team is dire straits to get back to contention.
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We as a fanbase can do nothing but spend money on the team or not. Season ticket holders get to vent their spleen to the ticket reps. That's it. Beyond that we have nothing to do with the team. We don't know what Mehta will or won't do. I get the frustration but we have to see what develops over the next couple of seasons.
 
devilsblood said:
McDavid has missed all of 23 games the last 6 years.

8-7-0 without McDavid in 24-25.

So not surprisingly your arguments are not based on reality.
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A .500 record across 15 games is treading water. The oilers also went 10-5-2 without draisaitl in the lineup. The last time Nathan Mackinnon missed significant time, the avalanche went 13-3-1 in those games.

The Florida panthers lost their best forward and top center for nearly the entire season and still finished within three points of the devils.

This idea that it’s normal for a really good team to turn to utter dogshit incapable if treading water is a totally made up concept. Good teams with good players weather temporary storms like this, they don’t just f***ing crumble because of one injury.
 
Triumph said:
First priority is the fourth line. We've see the top lines succeed - this team had no depth at all last year and pretty much everybody who got into a game who wasn't part of the initial 12 forwards was terrible, and some of them who were part of that list were also awful. Hameenaho might be an NHLer this season, he might not be, but improving that is a must. The team just hemorrhaged goals when they were on the ice. I expect Nico and Timo to bounce back to be positive goal differential players, they've been that pretty much their whole careers, it's getting the lower lines closer to break even which will help this team in the short and long-term, because those players can also hopefully move up the depth chart when there's injuries and not be a complete void.

I like Cotter, but he has to go. Just doesn't do enough defensively to justify his imperfect offense.

I'd like to see Mercer dealt, but now that we don't have Nemec to go with it, it makes that package significantly less enticing. I still don't want to see him on the team next year. I think he's about to lose his spot at ES, but we don't really have anyone to replace his penalty killing.
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I bet Grits could play PK.

But yeah, I don't often put a big priority on a 4th line, except when it's as bad as it was last year.

Although I do have to put some of that blame on the system. Way too many guys gave us absolutely nothing. 100 gp's out of Glendenning, Hammikko, Bjug and zero goals. 60+ gp's out of another bunch of goals led to 3 whole goals.

Dad's 1 whole point in 24. Not a 4th liner I know, but just overall the system seemed to stymie way too many guys.
 
guitarguyvic said:
A .500 record across 15 games is treading water. The oilers also went 10-5-2 without draisaitl in the lineup. The last time Nathan Mackinnon missed significant time, the avalanche went 13-3-1 in those games.

The Florida panthers lost their best forward and top center for nearly the entire season and still finished within three points of the devils.

This idea that it’s normal for a really good team to turn to utter dogshit incapable if treading water is a totally made up concept. Good teams with good players weather temporary storms like this, they don’t just f***ing crumble because of one injury.
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This is a hilarious spin zone to say they sucked without their best player :laugh: :laugh:
 
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devilsblood said:
If 3 different fwds dominate in terms of goals for, while the other 9 get crushed, does this mean the 3 forwards who dominated aren't good?
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If the team is winning with those three forwards despite those other nine, but then suddenly stinks if player #1 is removed from the equation, then you’re telling me that says nothing about players 2 and 3? Ok. Lol
 
guitarguyvic said:
A .500 record across 15 games is treading water. The oilers also went 10-5-2 without draisaitl in the lineup. The last time Nathan Mackinnon missed significant time, the avalanche went 13-3-1 in those games.

The Florida panthers lost their best forward and top center for nearly the entire season and still finished within three points of the devils.

This idea that it’s normal for a really good team to turn to utter dogshit incapable if treading water is a totally made up concept. Good teams with good players weather temporary storms like this, they don’t just f***ing crumble because of one injury.
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As DevilsTrap pointed out, all 8 of those wins were against non playoff teams.

9-11-1 the last 2 years without McDavid. But sure, make it seem like they played well.

Back to back Stanley cup champions missing the playoffs because Barkov was out doesn't help your point.
 
guitarguyvic said:
A .500 record across 15 games is treading water. The oilers also went 10-5-2 without draisaitl in the lineup. The last time Nathan Mackinnon missed significant time, the avalanche went 13-3-1 in those games.

The Florida panthers lost their best forward and top center for nearly the entire season and still finished within three points of the devils.

This idea that it’s normal for a really good team to turn to utter dogshit incapable if treading water is a totally made up concept. Good teams with good players weather temporary storms like this, they don’t just f***ing crumble because of one injury.
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We treaded water enough without Jack to hang on to playoff spot the previous season.
 
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guitarguyvic said:
If the team is winning with those three forwards despite those other nine, but then suddenly stinks if player #1 is removed from the equation, then you’re telling me that says nothing about players 2 and 3? Ok. Lol
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If players 2 and 3 are still dominating their minutes, I'd say yeah, that says nothing.
 
found this archived footage of the devils treading water if it helps?

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devilsblood said:
If players 2 and 3 are still dominating their minutes, I'd say yeah, that says nothing.
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Lol this says it all. Right back to square one. If the underlyings look good, then apparently no amount of macro end results, even across a large volume of time and games, means anything. Amazing.
 
guitarguyvic said:
Lol this says it all. Right back to square one. If the underlyings look good, then apparently no amount of macro end results, even across a large volume of time and games, means anything. Amazing.
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As I've said numerous times, not just "underlyings" but goals for. 56% the 3 years prior to this one for both Bratt and Nico.

That's really good.

You want to say Timo at 51% or Mercer whatever he was at aren't good enough. I won't disagree.
 
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