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

[Devils Trap]

Seeing what VGK fans think Hertl will be dealt for less then people expect.

I think we should be all over this:
- 6.7 Million and reportedly VGK would eat a little bit
- Even if they dont, with the cap rising this isnt horrible.
- Hertl was 56% in FOs last year and over 58% in his last 2 seasons.
- Played with Timo Meier ALOT and has clear chemistry.
- Big Body so Fitz loves it

All in All, would give Keefe Options. We could staple him with Jack and let him take the FOs and play the dirty areas OR split liens three ways and have: 1) Jack Line 2) Nico Line 3) Hertl / Timo line

Kinda akin to how we found Timo played well with Mercer as a play driver on his own line.

That being said we need to clear some cap room to be able to take that on here.

 

[Omar Little]

I would trade Hamilton for Hertl. I think Vegas would consider that if (1) Marner doesnt sign there (2) Pietrangelo is injured for the season

 

[Zippy316]

Seeing what VGK fans think Hertl will be dealt for less then people expect.

I think we should be all over this:
- 6.7 Million and reportedly VGK would eat a little bit
- Even if they dont, with the cap rising this isnt horrible.
- Hertl was 56% in FOs last year and over 58% in his last 2 seasons.
- Played with Timo Meier ALOT and has clear chemistry.
- Big Body so Fitz loves it

All in All, would give Keefe Options. We could staple him with Jack and let him take the FOs and play the dirty areas OR split liens three ways and have: 1) Jack Line 2) Nico Line 3) Hertl / Timo line

Kinda akin to how we found Timo played well with Mercer as a play driver on his own line.

That being said we need to clear some cap room to be able to take that on here.

Hertl would be a fantastic add. In an ideal world, we should add a forward who could be a capable 2C. Hertl would absolutely be that.

I would add a sweetener to move Palat out if we can get Hertl at a cheaper price because Vegas wants Marner:

Hughes - Hertl - Bratt
Gritsyuk - Hischier - Meier
Mercer - X - Noesen
Cotter - Lammikko - XXX

That would be a fantastic lineup. The flexibility to run Hughes - Hischier - Hertl down the middle would be massive as well. It would allow the Devils to do something similar to what Panthers are doing with a strong top nine and then an energy/utility fourth line.

If Fitzgerald could pull this off, it would almost offset his inability to draft and develop centers so far. The center position would be set for years and it’s so much easier to add depth wingers when your centers can drive the play.

 

[HoliksGhost]

If Hamilton gets his shot back, he’ll be missed but haven’t seen it since returned… too soon to know

 

[MasterofGrond]

You can’t really insulate yourself from a good goalie going down. It’s unironically a better ruse of resources to have a guy who might be good and is cheap than one who is mediocre and more expensive and hope your goalie is good to go

 

[None Shall Pass]

Yeah, Daws will be a fine backup goalie. The cap is real and we don't have a lot of it.

 

[Killing Joke]

I would trade Hamilton for Hertl. I think Vegas would consider that if (1) Marner doesnt sign there (2) Pietrangelo is injured for the season

We aren’t trading Dougie unless we get a dman who can move the puck in return.

If I’m trading him anywhere besides Vancouver to get Quinn, it’s Utah for Hayton and Kesselring. Get a top 4 d that’s big and can skate and is on a cheap contract, and a depth center.

 

[Smitty426]

I’d be fine with this, but the problem is the same as Allen: not many quality goalies to go around a weak free agent pool, which will mean an overpay.

AFP has him at $1.43M per

 

[Devils Trap]

Hertl would be a fantastic add. In an ideal world, we should add a forward who could be a capable 2C. Hertl would absolutely be that.

I would add a sweetener to move Palat out if we can get Hertl at a cheaper price because Vegas wants Marner:

Hughes - Hertl - Bratt
Gritsyuk - Hischier - Meier
Mercer - X - Noesen
Cotter - Lammikko - XXX

That would be a fantastic lineup. The flexibility to run Hughes - Hischier - Hertl down the middle would be massive as well. It would allow the Devils to do something similar to what Panthers are doing with a strong top nine and then an energy/utility fourth line.

If Fitzgerald could pull this off, it would almost offset his inability to draft and develop centers so far. The center position would be set for years and it’s so much easier to add depth wingers when your centers can drive the play.

This team works Cap wise: Can move guys around as needed, but kinda like spreading out the Centers.

Dont even need to move Dougie, just Palat. Gives 3 lines that can all play drive. Not sure about Drouin's contract - had good points in COL but stapled to Mackinnon though.

edit; Isnt taking into account that Kovy is on LTIR (not adding any cap for us)

 

[My3Sons]

This team works Cap wise: Can move guys around as needed, but kinda like spreading out the Centers.

Dont even need to move Dougie, just Palat. Gives 3 lines that can all play drive. Not sure about Drouin's contract - had good points in COL but stapled to Mackinnon though.

edit; Isnt taking into account that Kovy is on LTIR (not adding any cap for us)View attachment 1055332

You have Hertl in the wrong spot. He's supposed to be the 2C.

 

[Devils Trap]

You have Hertl in the wrong spot. He's supposed to be the 2C.

You are right, lemme fix

 

[thebeernerd]

Hey here’s a thought, if the Canucks re-sign Demko as it seems like they’re headed towards, why not put in some interest in Silovs? He’s certainly a better AHL goalie than Daws, so probably more NHL ready.

 

[Smitty426]

Dan Cloutier?

Member him?

We aren’t trading Dougie unless we get a dman who can move the puck in return.

If I’m trading him anywhere besides Vancouver to get Quinn, it’s Utah for Hayton and Kesselring. Get a top 4 d that’s big and can skate and is on a cheap contract, and a depth center.

They wouldn't give up 2 centers but id ask for McBains rights and Stenlund. Move Palat and get a top 6 fwd. Done

 

[RSeen]

Seeing what VGK fans think Hertl will be dealt for less then people expect.

I think we should be all over this:
- 6.7 Million and reportedly VGK would eat a little bit
- Even if they dont, with the cap rising this isnt horrible.
- Hertl was 56% in FOs last year and over 58% in his last 2 seasons.
- Played with Timo Meier ALOT and has clear chemistry.
- Big Body so Fitz loves it

All in All, would give Keefe Options. We could staple him with Jack and let him take the FOs and play the dirty areas OR split liens three ways and have: 1) Jack Line 2) Nico Line 3) Hertl / Timo line

Kinda akin to how we found Timo played well with Mercer as a play driver on his own line.

That being said we need to clear some cap room to be able to take that on here.

He is good but his age and contract is a concern for me. I'd pass.

 

[RSeen]

If Kyrou is available, I'd be trying to acquire him for sure. Need to dump Dougie or Palat+Mercer to make it work but would be worth it.

 

[PizzaAndPucks]

Hey here’s a thought, if the Canucks re-sign Demko as it seems like they’re headed towards, why not put in some interest in Silovs? He’s certainly a better AHL goalie than Daws, so probably more NHL ready.

Still unproven at the NHL level for the most part.

Daws has had such an up and down career since we took him. That hip that he got repaired was hampering him for a few years he said. Last season's sample size was small but he put up impressive numbers. Having the better group of defensemen & team system playing infront of him from the previous season helps. Its a gamble running him as a backup but there is some hope there. He's had some games at the NHL level where he looked really good.

 

[Zippy316]

This team works Cap wise: Can move guys around as needed, but kinda like spreading out the Centers.

Dont even need to move Dougie, just Palat. Gives 3 lines that can all play drive. Not sure about Drouin's contract - had good points in COL but stapled to Mackinnon though.

edit; Isnt taking into account that Kovy is on LTIR (not adding any cap for us)View attachment 1055332

If you have Hughes, Hertl, and Hischier as your top 3 centers, you could get by with a weaker wing group too.

There’s a host of middling, but intriguing wingers like Mangiapane, Beauvillier, and Kapanen that could be useful pieces as a third wheel to one of those centers and Bratt/Meier.

Not a fan of Drouin as an option for this team. Another pass first forward who plays a softer game isn’t what this team needs. If we’re going to target anyone in that range, it should be someone who can score goals.

 

[Devils Trap]

If you have Hughes, Hertl, and Hischier as your top 3 centers, you could get by with a weaker wing group too.

There’s a host of middling, but intriguing wingers like Mangiapane, Beauvillier, and Kapanen that could be useful pieces as a third wheel to one of those centers and Bratt/Meier.

Not a fan of Drouin as an option for this team. Another pass first forward who plays a softer game isn’t what this team needs. If we’re going to target anyone in that range, it should be someone who can score goals.

Fair point, I was just looking down UFAs who shouldnt cost much but could put up points.

 

[PizzaAndPucks]

If you have Hughes, Hertl, and Hischier as your top 3 centers, you could get by with a weaker wing group too.

There’s a host of middling, but intriguing wingers like Mangiapane, Beauvillier, and Kapanen that could be useful pieces as a third wheel to one of those centers and Bratt/Meier.

Not a fan of Drouin as an option for this team. Another pass first forward who plays a softer game isn’t what this team needs. If we’re going to target anyone in that range, it should be someone who can score goals.

Gotta try to find another Noesen type where they might be able to catch some fire with an expanded role.

I would love for them to go after Kane if possible. I could picture him finding some good chemistry playing with Jack/Bratt. Could be a great wing to play with Nico & Meier... They could balance out that line with Kane's lack of defensive play.

 

[Brodeur]

Not sure I see a fit with Utah. They seem alright with Sergachev on PP1 and Durzi on PP2. Kesselring had a nice season absorbing unplanned minutes due to injuries from Durzi/Marino. They gave Durzi a relatively big extension about a year ago.

If anything they might have a surplus of RHD. I wondered if they might try to sell high on Kesselring to a team like Buffalo.

 

[Guttersniped]

I mean at least like 70-80% of the posts here are critical of Fitz to the point where I’m tired of rehashing past offseasons when we’re on the brink of another one and a chance to hopefully fix some of those mistakes. But this idea that anyone would think they’re the only one calling out Fitz here is just not based in reality.

Alas, someone can’t crow about always amazingly right and be based in reality at the same time.

 

[Oneiro]

Utah is an interesting squad. I don't know how good they'll be in the long run but they have a lot of options with cap space and a ton of tradable players. And I think players will start to see them as a destination soon.

 

[devsfan8]

Seeing what VGK fans think Hertl will be dealt for less then people expect.

I think we should be all over this:
- 6.7 Million and reportedly VGK would eat a little bit
- Even if they dont, with the cap rising this isnt horrible.
- Hertl was 56% in FOs last year and over 58% in his last 2 seasons.
- Played with Timo Meier ALOT and has clear chemistry.
- Big Body so Fitz loves it

All in All, would give Keefe Options. We could staple him with Jack and let him take the FOs and play the dirty areas OR split liens three ways and have: 1) Jack Line 2) Nico Line 3) Hertl / Timo line

Kinda akin to how we found Timo played well with Mercer as a play driver on his own line.

That being said we need to clear some cap room to be able to take that on here.

The Devils (or any team) can make moves before clearing space. Teams can be over the cap during the summer. I am hoping thats Fitz aggressiveness this summer is more of a get him now and worry later attitude.