Devils discussion (news, notes and speculation) - draft and FA edition

[devilsblood]

'Only' $1.2 - the Devils should not be spending this kind of money on this position.

Yes, the Devils found Kovacevic, something which is a once-in-a-decade kind of trade, and they have even less room to add a player like that because Casey and Nemec are a year older - it's entirely possible that even if they trade Hamilton that this guy isn't dressing most nights, that he is beaten out by Casey.

That's why someone like Brodie makes a ton of sense - can play both sides, is at the point in his career where he has to choose between a steady gig on a bad team and press box duty with a good one, and is already making a sizable salary from his buyout from Chicago.

Alec Martinez is another option.

You mention $1 mil above. Maybe Merril at 33 makes a little less on this contract? I dunno, but would I spend an extra $200K on a competent player? sure, especially if Kova is out a while.

Martinez turns 38 in a month, also looks shot, and just last year signed a one year $4mil deal. Not sure I want him, not sure he'd take a 75% pay cut to ride the bench most of the year.

 

[theoptimist]

The worst contract in the league belongs to us and it’s not close. We also haven’t made the playoffs in consecutive years in a long time. Let’s talk solutions.

 

[devilsblood]

The worst contract in the league belongs to us and it’s not close. We also haven’t made the playoffs in consecutive years in a long time. Let’s talk solutions.

Trade Palat, make the playoffs. Problem solved.

 

[HoliksGhost]

Trade Palat, make the playoffs. Problem solved.

 

[Andre Palot]

You mention $1 mil above. Maybe Merril at 33 makes a little less on this contract? I dunno, but would I spend an extra $200K on a competent player? sure, especially if Kova is out a while.

Martinez turns 38 in a month, also looks shot, and just last year signed a one year $4mil deal. Not sure I want him, not sure he'd take a 75% pay cut to ride the bench most of the year.

I always liked Jon Merrill's game and felt he was a more underrated defenseman for us. But I don't think Jon Merrill would be an effective player for us all these years later.

 

[MadDevil]

The worst contract in the league belongs to us and it’s not close. We also haven’t made the playoffs in consecutive years in a long time. Let’s talk solutions.

Palat? I'm not sure he's even in the top 10 of worst contracts in the league. They still need to get rid of it somehow though.

 

[Monsieur Verdoux]

'Only' $1.2 - the Devils should not be spending this kind of money on this position.

Yes, the Devils found Kovacevic, something which is a once-in-a-decade kind of trade, and they have even less room to add a player like that because Casey and Nemec are a year older - it's entirely possible that even if they trade Hamilton that this guy isn't dressing most nights, that he is beaten out by Casey.

That's why someone like Brodie makes a ton of sense - can play both sides, is at the point in his career where he has to choose between a steady gig on a bad team and press box duty with a good one, and is already making a sizable salary from his buyout from Chicago.

Alec Martinez is another option.

Martinez has already retired.

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

The worst contract in the league belongs to us and it’s not close. We also haven’t made the playoffs in consecutive years in a long time. Let’s talk solutions.

which contract is "the worst in the league and it isn't close?" Please enlighten us!

 

[theoptimist]

Palat? I'm not sure he's even in the top 10 of worst contracts in the league. They still need to get rid of it somehow though.

Two years ago it was “one of the worst” contracts because Cam Atkinson was making silly money with Philadelphia and Jamie Benn was a $9M 3LW. Fast forward, Cam was bought out and signed a league minimum deal and Jamie Benn will sign for much lower than his previous deal.

We have the worst contract in the league. Bob’s contract was bad when it was signed years ago but who cares now with 2 cup wins in back to back seasons. They’re a dynasty.

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

Two years ago it was “one of the worst” contracts because Cam Atkinson was making silly money with Philadelphia and Jamie Benn was a $9M 3LW. Fast forward, Cam was bought out and signed a league minimum deal and Jamie Benn will sign for much lower than his previous deal.

We have the worst contract in the league. Bob’s contract was bad when it was signed years ago but who cares now with 2 cup wins in back to back seasons. They’re a dynasty.

I honestly don't think you pay attention to the rest of the NHL enough if you think Palat's contract is the worst in the league.

 

[Triumph]

Martinez has already retired.

Ah ha, well that explains why he wasn't listed as a UFA even though his contract had expired, I thought it was just some sort of oversight.

 

[thebeernerd]

6 years ago today Devils traded for PK Subban.

And there are still people who think he's a locker room pariah. Every single Devil loved having him as a teammate. When Jack's career is all said and done- or even before then- I'm sure we'll find out that Subban was a huge role model early on.

I know that Subban never panned out here on the ice, but that was still a good deal just for the intangibles. It isn't like we really gave up anything of worth so that makes it easier to swallow.

Are the Devils going to be a player in the offer sheet game? Seems like it's worth exploring heavily. Who do we want if we go that route?

Many teams are going to be interested in offer sheets. We're not one of them. Luke Hughes's next deal is going to consume time and much of our remaining cap space, assuming a big contract doesn't leave in a trade. Fortunately, we don't have any legitimate targets that can be offer sheeted.

 

[thebeernerd]

The worst contract in the league belongs to us and it’s not close. We also haven’t made the playoffs in consecutive years in a long time. Let’s talk solutions.

I've got one in mind that you'll surely disagree with

 

[Triumph]

Many teams are going to be interested in offer sheets. We're not one of them. Luke Hughes's next deal is going to consume time and much of our remaining cap space, assuming a big contract doesn't leave in a trade. Fortunately, we don't have any legitimate targets that can be offer sheeted.

I disagree, I think the Devils have kept all their relevant 2026 picks so as to be a potential player in the offer sheet game. I don't think they offer sheet anyone at the 1-2-3 level but there's the possibility of throwing one at someone lower.

 

[thebeernerd]

I disagree, I think the Devils have kept all their relevant 2026 picks so as to be a potential player in the offer sheet game. I don't think they offer sheet anyone at the 1-2-3 level but there's the possibility of throwing one at someone lower.

I'd be all for that, honestly, especially in a free agency market that's both barren and expensive. Fitz did say offer sheets will be happening this season as a general observation.

 

[PKs Broken Stick]

And there are still people who think he's a locker room pariah. Every single Devil loved having him as a teammate. When Jack's career is all said and done- or even before then- I'm sure we'll find out that Subban was a huge role model early on.

Ofc they did. Everyone loves the parent who is your best friend and never disciplines you. Not the best comparison but yea. I'm sure a lot of the players did not like Stevens, but he led them to several cups.

Ofc it's a large assumption on my part but just seeing how he is in the broadcasts...he seems like a huge distraction.

 

[thebeernerd]

Ofc they did. Everyone loves the parent who is your best friend and never disciplines you. Not the best comparison but yea. I'm sure a lot of the players did not like Stevens, but he led them to several cups.

Ofc it's a large assumption on my part but just seeing how he is in the broadcasts...he seems like a huge distraction.

Perhaps you're right as a whole, but with Jack I can tell there was (and probably still is) something more between them, like he was a mentor. But that's just my speculation from the outside.

 

[Billdo]

Subban was good for the organization even if it didn't translate on the ice. I don't think he was as bad as many say but overall I really thought he was good for the club.

 

[RANDOMH3RO]

I liked subban in Montreal and then soured on him in Nashville but loved him as a devil. It’s great to have a guy on the national broadcast being a blatant devils homer. Always shouts out Jack, had Nico #1 on his selke ballet too this season.

 

[Triumph]

The Devils aren't looking for a third goalie. They need a long term solution in net.

The Devils have options for a third goalie. From that perspective, there's no material difference between Daws and Poulter - other than Poulter took longer to arrive (in large part because he's an undrafted player vs Daws being a third rounder). Malek could also challenge for the third goalie given his performance in Liiga.

Where the Devils don't have many options at the moment is on the NHL squad. You're correct that Poulter and Malek are big question marks if the Devils end up needing them to play major roles in the NHL. The Devils have had a long look at Daws. Either they seem him being part of the future (next couple of years) with the Devils and want him to be the NHL back-up this year, or they should move him out of the organization and sign someone else as a back-up. They can then give Poulter / Malek some spot duty in the NHL - this would be a lot more useful than keeping Daws in that role as they can at least they can see if Poulter / Malek could be more than a third goalie.

There are material differences between Poulter and Daws, or at least the team believes that there are, because they gave NHL time to Daws and not to Poulter.

They should in no universe have Poulter or Malek be the 3rd goalie, goalies with no provenance and no NHL experience as the third guy is a bad idea. If they lose Daws to waivers and this is how things end up, so be it, that means they acquired a decent backup I would hope, but that is a lot better scenario than them deciding that they have to get a 6th round pick for Daws instead.

 

[Better Call Sal]

Minor note for those interested.

 

[Edmonton East]

View attachment 1053955

What crap is this sourced from? Palat and Hamilton have 10 team TRADE LISTS. Meaning they can only be traded to 10 teams. As previously mentioned, they effectively still have full NMCs with how restrictive that clause is. All they have to do is list contenders and cap strapped teams July 1st.

edit: example of possible list - Devils discussion (news, notes and speculation) - offseason edition

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

I honestly don't understand why people worry about NTCs so much tbh. How many times have you seen a player be approached by a team for a trade and say "nah, I know you don't want me anymore, I'm staying!"

Almost every time, when a player is approached, they realize the writing is on the wall. Why would they want to stay with a team that doesn't want them anymore?

 

[Triumph]

I honestly don't understand why people worry about NTCs so much tbh. How many times have you seen a player be approached by a team for a trade and say "nah, I know you don't want me anymore, I'm staying!"

Almost every time, when a player is approached, they realize the writing is on the wall. Why would they want to stay with a team that doesn't want them anymore?

We don't hear about the times this happens, I think - I think it's more common than is reported, but is certainly less common than the catastrophizers want to make it seem.

 

[Triumph]

Minor note for those interested.

Meh, Gritsyuk is 24 and has been a pro for 5 years, development camp is a waste of his time. He'll dominate the prospect tournament if he goes and if he gives a shit about it.