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

[Guadana]

There's top unit, and then there's everybody else. Top unit guys will rarely have the best numbers, because their role is much more difficult.

Jack was a +1 on the PK over the course of the season, and had a 41% shots for percentage. Now I thought Jack and Bratt were both excellent on the PK, their quickness and stick skills allowing them to pressure pucks high in the zone and they created tons of chances going the other way, reminiscant of Parise and Kovy back in 11-12. But Jack never took the opening faceoff on the PK. Having just 4 D-zone PK zone starts for the season compared to 3 offensive zone PK zone starts. He was also rarely out there vs top units.

Nico by comparison was on for zero O-zone faceoffs and 139 d-zone. Always taking the opening faceoff vs opposition top PP units.

Haula just 39 zone starts, rarely taking the opening face off and his toi was more split vs top and 2nd units.

The year prior when Haula played the most PK minutes, Nico, who was not on that top unit, had the better numbers. Lazar had really good numbers in more limited minutes, as did Nosek.

Which is not to say Haula isn't a good PK'r, and of course Devils will need to find someone else to play those minutes., but he really didn't play a big role on the PK for NJ. The most important thing is the ability to take and win a faceoff.

Damn. Why we are arguing about it. He is a second unit player who played 1.5 min. With best numbers in the league. Both units are important and both units are actual pk players, its not PP unit. Important part doesnt mean the most important part. Still need to find replacement. 1.5 min per game -second pk unit - second pk center is important role. Its not third unit. Move on. Fitz has a jod to find third line center who is capable to play pk. Personally Im sayin about Suter all over the time. Never said we will never replace Haula or something and he should stay.

 

[MasterofGrond]

if we get a whole new 4th line (pray emoji) one of them can be a PK guy, I would hope

 

[Zacha37]

Still not a lot of money left over to fill 4 spots after Luke’s extension and a 3rd goalie

You don’t think Daws will be the the third goalie?

 

[devilsblood]

if we get a whole new 4th line (pray emoji) one of them can be a PK guy, I would hope

Or a legit 3rd C.

This Lamm's guy is going to be given a shot.

I don't want to say it's not a big deal, but, it's kind of not.

 

[devilsblood]

Damn. Why we are arguing about it. He is a second unit player who played 1.5 min. With best numbers in the league. Both units are important and both units are actual pk players, its not PP unit. Important part doesnt mean the most important part. Still need to find replacement. 1.5 min per game -second pk unit - second pk center is important role. Its not third unit. Move on. Fitz has a jod to find third line center who is capable to play pk. Personally Im sayin about Suter all over the time. Never said we will never replace Haula or something and he should stay.

I remember when Zacha was on our 2nd unit and put up some of the best numbers in the league.

I wouldn't say we missed him.

Edit to your edit: Why are we arguing about it? I'm off from work, sitting on the couch drinking coffee. What else am I supposed to be doing?

 

[NJDevs26]

I am not convinced Fitz even WANTS to trade him. No matter how up agains the cap we are. It is possib le he is clearly in this upcoming seasons plans. And that is npt a bad thing either necessarily.

Not sure I agree with the last part but I could absolutely see Fitz wanting him around again. Thing is, if he doesn't move him or Dougie he really isn't going to be able to do a lot this offseason.

 

[Guadana]

I remember when Zacha was on our 2nd unit and put up some of the best numbers in the league.

I wouldn't say we missed him.

Revisiting the trade it still a question was it good or not in vacuum. With context it was a good trade for both sides.
In Haula case - he is oldering player Devils should find better replacement. Anyone who is worrying about sending Haula away should stop to worrying. We should worry about who will replace him in middle six role.

 

[Triumph]

My point is not that Palat is worth his contract or that I particularly want to keep him. Simply I don't think it's particularly likely that we can move his full cap hit without paying assets, and if you're not moving his full cap hit, you're almost certainly paying as much or more to replace him. If you're retaining salary on him it's even worse.

I just think it's more likely that Palat performs somewhere closer to his career average at least one more year than he plays how he did last year. If that ends up being the case, I don't think you're replacing that for less than $6m in this years UFA market. I'm very pro paying other teams to retain on a player we are buying but I don't see that being a viable route to replacing Palat.

Also I think it's fair to say the market got Neiderreiter wrong for some reason and that shouldn't be a reasonable expectation of contract value for this off-season

The trouble with Palat is that he was on easy mode all year playing with Jack and Bratt and still put up career lows in points/60 and shots/60, and away from those guys he was awful, just absolutely line-killing. He did get to play on easy mode with Nico and Bratt in the playoffs and played well with those guys, but he's just not doing enough with some of the best linemates a player can possibly have.

His xGF away from Bratt this season was under 40%.

I know there might've been things going on away from the rink with him this past season but it's also just possible that he shows up to camp absolutely through.

I think that this is pretty easily replaceable through trade or free agency, and I think even having to hang on to 33% of Palat's deal, it is replaceable.

 

[devilsblood]

You don’t think Daws will be the the third goalie?

he'd have to pass through waivers. Thought is either he is 2nd goalie, or he is traded.

Would Devils be confident with Poulter as 3rd goalie?

 

[devilsblood]

Revisiting the trade it still a question was it good or not in vacuum. With context it was a good trade for both sides.
In Haula case - he is oldering player Devils should find better replacement. Anyone who is worrying about sending Haula away should stop to worrying. We should worry about who will replace him in middle six role.

I was debating this (see my edit above as to why I debate these things) yesterday, but the Haula from 24-25 doesn't really need to be replaced 5v5. We have guys who were as good if not better then the Haula from this past season.

Yes we need to upgrade the entire group but I really don't look at this like, "now Haula's gone we need to fill that role". OK maybe on the PK, but not 5v5. We have guys who can do what he did last year.

 

[devsfan8]

Not sure I agree with the last part but I could absolutely see Fitz wanting him around again. Thing is, if he doesn't move him or Dougie he really isn't going to be able to do a lot this offseason.

We dont know that and cant assume it. We have no idea what his mindset is. I think a RHD is beimg moved simply because we have multiple.

 

[TheUnseenHand]

We dont know that and cant assume it. We have no idea what his mindset is. I think a RHD is beimg moved simply because we have multiple.

He's probably looking for a couple more MacDermids.

 

[Zacha37]

he'd have to pass through waivers. Thought is either he is 2nd goalie, or he is traded.

Would Devils be confident with Poulter as 3rd goalie?

Wasn’t aware, makes sense though. Probably wouldn’t be confident in Poulter either. However, I assume a third stringer would come with a fairly low AAV that won’t be enough to handcuff us at all.

 

[NJDevs26]

We dont know that and cant assume it. We have no idea what his mindset is. I think a RHD is beimg moved simply because we have multiple.

Considering Palat got a ton of top six time last year I don’t think Fitz is done with him either. Yeah I could see him moving Dougie because of the box he put himself in but that’s not going to be as easy as it gets made out to be.

 

[devilsblood]

I am not convinced Fitz even WANTS to trade him. No matter how up agains the cap we are. It is possib le he is clearly in this upcoming seasons plans. And that is npt a bad thing either necessarily.

I'm going to go out on a limb and say Fitz would love to unload that contract.

I'm doubting he even wants the player around anymore, but he definitely wants that contract gone.

 

[devsfan8]

I'm going to go out on a limb and say Fitz would love to unload that contract.

I'm doubting he even wants the player around anymore, but he definitely wants that contract gone.

You might be right. Entering the offseaosn he described described season as some players who underachieved. Haula was certainly one. So was Palat. He could he next.

 

[Lou Bloom]

I am not convinced Fitz even WANTS to trade him. No matter how up agains the cap we are. It is possib le he is clearly in this upcoming seasons plans. And that is npt a bad thing either necessarily.

Fitz would absolutely trade Palat if possible, the problem is his contract is not moveable without significant compensation for taking it on which is probably not worth it for the Devils at this point.

 

[devilsblood]

Considering Palat got a ton of top six time last year I don’t think Fitz is done with him either. Yeah I could see him moving Dougie because of the box he put himself in but that’s not going to be as easy as it gets made out to be.

Palat got a ton of top 6 time because he was able to bury some goals with Jack, and was lousy away from him.

I don't think Fitz or Keefe actually thought Palat was effective this year. Merely trying to put him in a position where he wasn't a complete drag.

 

[devilsblood]

With Kova out, we could use a defensive oriented depth level RHD. Especially if we move Hamilton.

So could we trade Palat for an equivalent older, overpaid guy who can start the season in the lineup but move him to the players suite once Kova is back?

Palat, +3rd, maybe retain $2mil for 33 year old making $4 mil for one more season? Something like that?

 

[Bcap88]

idk if kreider gets moved and which palat was a comparable this year I don’t see it being an issue moving palat. The only thing is his clauses

 

[Guadana]

I was debating this (see my edit above as to why I debate these things) yesterday, but the Haula from 24-25 doesn't really need to be replaced 5v5. We have guys who were as good if not better then the Haula from this past season.

Yes we need to upgrade the entire group but I really don't look at this like, "now Haula's gone we need to fill that role". OK maybe on the PK, but not 5v5. We have guys who can do what he did last year.

I didnt say spmething about his 5 on 5 performance past season. He was quite bad mostly. And he is getting older. Even if he will bounce back, smart gm cant trust in it. Its a wishful thinking. Shero did it all the time, sometimes it worked, mostly it didnt. I dont wanna see any gamble. After the season Devils had and Haula had he should be replaced. Because he isnt center 5 on 5 anymore, even if he is Devils have Glass as a better centerman for fourth line role. Devils have Cotter as a better offensive role player. And Haula wasnt good enough to play on the third line at all. Fans are talking and crying how Devils cant even think about winning against Florida and Florida have much better third liners. Haulas PK duties is a task for Fitz to replace. I hope he will find good third line center who will be good line center and hoog pk player in the same time.

 

[Mgd31]

You don’t think Daws will be the the third goalie?

Then we need a second one

 

[devsfan8]

Fitz would absolutely trade Palat if possible, the problem is his contract is not moveable without significant compensation for taking it on which is probably not worth it for the Devils at this point.

Palat and a 25 2nd for a 5th.

Problem solved.

 

[Lou Bloom]

idk if kreider gets moved and which palat was a comparable this year I don’t see it being an issue moving palat. The only thing is his clauses

Kreider put up 39 goals and 75 points the previous season and had put up 52, 36 and 39 goals in three straight seasons prior to this season. He also is one of the better goal scorers on the PK and plays a physical style.

He’s not comparable to Palat who has put up sub 35 points the last 3 seasons and whose value is basically just 5v5 play.

 

[Lou Bloom]

Palat and a 25 2nd for a 5th.

Problem solved.

No team is taking on his contract for just a 2nd round pick, they’d have to give up at least their 2026 1st rounder at minimum.