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

[Devils Trap]

Curious if you guys would do this? I think this cost + 14m in salary is prob too much for me to stomach

 

[Devs3cups]

Curious if you guys would do this? I think this cost + 14m in salary is prob too much for me to stomach

Same. I’d do Mercer + prospect instead of Grits in that instance.

 

[Better Call Sal]

The team was at its best when fully healthy. That includes guys like Grits, Glass, Brown slotting into an appropriate part of the lineup.

Timo needs to finish

Bratt needs to take pucks to the net more

Nico needs less defensive zone responsibilities so he doesn’t get burned out as much

Jack needs to be healthy


Those are your issues for our top dogs.

Sometimes, it's just that simple. Thank you.

 

[Devils Trap]

Same. I’d do Mercer + prospect instead of Grits in that instance.

Yea but my guess is Mercer doesnt have the value that Grits does

 

[SteveCangialosi123]

I’m not including Gritsyuk in the deal. I think they can sign him to a deal that would represent a massive savings.

 

[Devils Trap]

I’m not including Gritsyuk in the deal. I think they can sign him to a deal that would represent a massive savings.

Agree, sign him long term for 5.5-6. Put him in the Top 6 and I think he can give you 25-30 goals.

25 goals at 5.5 vs 40 goals at 14 Million, I think Ill take the cheaper guy

 

[devilsblood]

Apparently Jack asked f or Brown to play with him in the back half of the year. It was a request and it worked out. I wouldnt be surprised if we start with Brown on that line next year

The worry is, Brown's underlyings werent good. My guess is he was running on a luck streak and we should get another Top 6 guy

56% sf for Brown final 25 games. This being mostly with healthy Jack.

Only 50% with Glass.

But, not surprisingly, atrocious numbers with the likes of Cotter and Palat in limited though not insignificant toi.

 

[Dougie Donuts]

15 million a year for a player who would play on our third line sounds like a recipe for disaster. Robertson is a great player but I'd be balking at that. Especially when we have our own players to re-sign

 

[thebeernerd]

jack missed what 20 games? that sank the season

bratt nico timo the foundational "leaders" the top guys on this team couldn't tread water for 20 games until jack got back. then when he did come back it was jack show and everyone else was stuck in mud.

I completely agree that the system for two months sunk the production. I've said it before and I'll stick by it. But something will happen next season, it always does. And I don't trust this group of sad sacks to soldier on.

 

[SteveCangialosi123]

I’m hoping for Mercer+ for McCann or Tippett but idk if that can happen

 

[Devils Trap]

I’m hoping for Mercer+ for McCann or Tippett but idk if that can happen

I cant see PHI giving up Tippett but he would be perfect next to Nico IMO

Wouldnt put him with Jack cause Tippett likes the puck on his stick to much. Ive said since the end of the year McCann is the perfect op 6 fit for us. I would love him

 

[thebeernerd]

Curious if you guys would do this? I think this cost + 14m in salary is prob too much for me to stomach

Gee I wonder if those first rounders we got might make this possible. But no thanks to Grits... see if they can try someone else.

$14 million is a bit steep but given Sunny's expertise at filling out the lower rungs of the roster, I'd definitely consider this, at the very least.

 

[Devils Trap]

Gee I wonder if those first rounders we got might make this possible. But no thanks to Grits... see if they can try someone else.

$14 million is a bit steep but given Sunny's expertise at filling out the lower rungs of the roster, I'd definitely consider this, at the very least.

Yes but we cant fill out the lower part of the roster with cheap guys until we can get rid of some of these overpaid dudes with NMCs

 

[Better Call Sal]

I'm not parting with Grits. I want to see things through with him. He has all the potential to be a sneaky productive player at a reasonable contract for the next few years.

 

[thebeernerd]

Yes but we cant fill out the lower part of the roster with cheap guys until we can get rid of some of these overpaid dudes with NMCs

One of them, at least, will have to be a throw-in for any trade.

 

[devilsblood]

If it were to continue sure, but I think most of Bratt's went back to normal once Jack returned. Its clear they have amazing chemistry.

We need more goals from Timo, but I like how he played. He has to finish his chances but Ill take him over someone who cant create anything

Well sure, but Bratt needs to contribute offense away from Jack. Especially given how often he is hurt.

Timo went from "volume shooter" to one of the least accurate shooting seasons ever. 3% of his 5v5 shot attempts went in the net. When your far and away shot attempt leader shoots that low, it's drags down team numbers.

Jack played most of the season with one hand and still buried 6% of his attempts.

Bratt's unimpressive 5v5 production included 4.5% shot attempt burial.

 

[Devils Trap]

Well sure, but Bratt needs to contribute offense away from Jack. Especially given how often he is hurt.

Timo went from "volume shooter" to one of the least accurate shooting seasons ever. 3% of his 5v5 shot attempts went in the net. When your far and away shot attempt leader shoots that low, it's drags down team numbers.

Jack played most of the season with one hand and still buried 6% of his attempts.

Bratt's unimpressive 5v5 production included 4.5% shot attempt burial.

Agreed on all fronts but its very difficult to find a better underlying card then this from Bratt last year. Im not blaming him for others inability to finish

He also played his best 5 on 5 defense in his career

 

[Captain3rdLine]

And none stayed in their organization longer than like 6 months

Not only is that irrelevant, but it’s completely untrue.

 

[devilsblood]

I'm not parting with Grits. I want to see things through with him. He has all the potential to be a sneaky productive player at a reasonable contract for the next few years.

I don't disagree, but if Minny says we need Grits, I think you have to.

Robertson too(though I'm not so into getting him).

A guy like Larkin though? Probably not.

Said this yesterday, but you could make a very strong case that Grits was our best fwd last year. It's hard to find an on ice number that isn't superb. In fairly difficult minutes.

 

[Devils Trap]

I don't disagree, but if Minny says we need Grits, I think you have to.

Robertson too(though I'm not so into getting him).

A guy like Larkin though? Probably not.

Said this yesterday, but you could make a very strong case that Grits was our best fwd last year. It's hard to find an on ice number that isn't superb. In fairly difficult minutes.

Agreed 100%. I was blown away by how defensively responsible he was as well. I expected the typical Russian scorer with bad defense (which is my bad for believing in stereotypes)

 

[devilsblood]

Same. I’d do Mercer + prospect instead of Grits in that instance.

Swap Mercer and it's MUCH easier to swallow.

Really the only concern at that point is the contract.

Although, until Quinn is figured out, we can't make this deal.

 

[Billdo]

15 million a year for a player who would play on our third line sounds like a recipe for disaster. Robertson is a great player but I'd be balking at that. Especially when we have our own players to re-sign

3rd line? He'd immediately be the LW that Jacks never had.

 

[Dougie Donuts]

3rd line? He'd immediately be the LW that Jacks never had.

For whatever reason I thought Robertson was a center. Senior moment. My mistake.

 

[NJDevs26]

Yeah Grits is probably a fair ask but I'd hate to give up one of the few people on this current team I can actually root for to get another highly paid merc until he shows otherwise.

 

[devilsblood]

Agreed on all fronts but its very difficult to find a better underlying card then this from Bratt last year. Im not blaming him for others inability to finish

He also played his best 5 on 5 defense in his career

View attachment 1259186

As Jim likes to point out, it's 5 years of 5v5 goals decline for Bratt.

He had more 5v5 goals in the covid shortened year.

Can't blame it on linemates not finishing.