Devils discussion (news, notes and speculation) - offseason edition

[Brodeur]

Goalie spots have been evaporating by the week with some of the recent extensions. Ballpark depth charts going into free agency:

UFA: Samsonov-Allen-Forsberg-Georgiev-Vanecek-Kahkonen-Lyon-Husso-Vladar-Rittich-Reimer

ANA: Gibson - Dostal
CGY: Wolf - (Cooley?)
EDM: Skinner - Pickard
LAK: Kuemper - (Portillo?)
SEA: Daccord - Grubauer
SJS: - Askarov
VAN: Demko - Lankinen - Silovs
VGK: Hill - Schmid?

ARZ: Vejmelka - Ingram
CHI: Knight - Brossoit - Soderblom
COL: Blackwood - Wedgewood
DAL: Oettinger - DeSmith
MIN: Gustavsson - (Wallstedt?)
NSH: Saros - Annunen
STL: Binnington - Hofer
WPG: Hellebucyk - Comrie

BOS: Swayman - Korpisalo
BUF: Luukkonen - (Levi?)
DET: Mrazek - Talbot
FLO: Bobrovsky -
MON: Montembeault - Dobes - Primeau
OTT: Ullmark - (Merilainen?)
TBL: Vasilevskiy - Johansson
TOR: Stolarz - Woll

CAR: Andersen - Kochetkov
CLB: Merzlikins - Tarasov
NJD: Markstrom - (Daws?)
NYI: Sorokin - Varlamov
NYR: Shesterkin - Quick
PHI: Ersson - Fedotov
PIT: Jarry - Nedeljkovic
WSH: Thompson - Lindgren

San Jose is probably the only team outright looking for a starter. I could see them giving a high AAV short term deal a la Alexander Wennberg to a vet goalie to share the crease with Askarov. My guess would be Ilya Samsonov.

Alex Lyon did alright for Florida in 2022-23, so I wonder if he'd be on their radar as Bobrovsky's backup again.

I wouldn't be opposed to bringing Allen back for a year if he the feeling was mutual.

 

[thebeernerd]

I don't want Allen back because he's going to be too sought after in free agency to be cheap.

 

[JK3]

I think they have to give Daws a look as the backup to start. Maybe bring in a cheap veteran 3rd option in case, but the pickings look awfully slim out there in free agency.

I know everyone is going to cite the Vitek/Schmid argument again, but this team has some actual defensive depth and structure that should still help if Markstrom and Daws don't play up to par. The same cannot be said for Lindy's team in 23-24.

I still think they'll try to move on from Dougie this summer because of the sheer numbers game going on at the blueline. But with Kovacevic already confirming he won't be ready to start the year, they may be less inclined to do it now. I feel like Palat is going to be much tougher to move this year.

I still also selfishly want Dumoulin back.

After extending Luke we can barely afford to do the bare minimum, there's no cash left. Another goalie is a luxury and that's after next years bump to 95.5. I can't believe we're capped out already and have barely seen any results. Fitz is going to have to pull something out of his ass if he wants to make any significant improvements.

 

[Brodeur]

I don't want Allen back because he's going to be too sought after in free agency to be cheap.

Outside of San Jose, I'm not sure how many teams would be looking at Allen as a potential starter. I suppose Calgary could offer a higher AAV short term deal since Wolf is cheap for 2025-26. Not sure what Buffalo's plan is whether they'd want a vet or Devon Levi as backup. Most other teams would probably be looking at Allen as a backup and probably wouldn't break the bank.

There could be fewer than six NHL goalie spots open depending on how some teams feel about their internal prospects. And maybe one more if Seattle buys out Grubauer but they're already giving Daccord starter money.

 

[Zippy316]

What is Luke going to get, 8-8.5? 12 mil with his extension and a decent 3C and 4RW is going to be tight. Fourth line guy will be cheap buy yeah that 3C. This doesn't account for the goalie situation, are we running with Markstrom and Daws? Daws is cheap.

Man are they really f***ed unless they move out somebody. I think Palat needs to go first. Not sure if they want to move Haula, he's pretty versatile. He did look much better when he came back at the end of the season. If they move out Dougie they probably should grab a stopgap RD. That will eat into the savings, they might have to retain to dump him too. Good luck Tommy!

Everytime I crunch the numbers it feels like it gets to the same conclusion you are.

Someone has to go to revamp the roster. Hamilton is the obvious choice and to effectively swap his 9 million for a middle-six forward and a replacement defender.

Palat and Dillon are the only two other guys where their value cap-wise exceeds what they bring. For all their faults, if you move out Haula/Mercer, you need to replace them with guys that likely make just as much, if not more.

My hope is that Fitzgerald manages to swap Hamilton & Palat’s 15 million for 3-4 guys making the same amount, but giving us better overall depth.

 

[Better Call Sal]

After extending Luke we can barely afford to do the bare minimum, there's no cash left. Another goalie is a luxury and that's after next years bump to 95.5. I can't believe we're capped out already and have barely seen any results. Fitz is going to have to pull something out of his ass if he wants to make any significant improvements.

Part of me does wonder if the Luke extension will come a bit lighter term or cap wise than we expect to sort of kick the can down the road with the other necessary moves that will be required. Might have to be a wink-wink type of deal.

I don't know if that's realistic, but might be the card he has to play. Especially if he can even let him know he's trying to bring his brother over in the near future.

 

[Zippy316]

Goalie spots have been evaporating by the week with some of the recent extensions. Ballpark depth charts going into free agency:



San Jose is probably the only team outright looking for a starter. I could see them giving a high AAV short term deal a la Alexander Wennberg to a vet goalie to share the crease with Askarov. My guess would be Ilya Samsonov.

Alex Lyon did alright for Florida in 2022-23, so I wonder if he'd be on their radar as Bobrovsky's backup again.

I wouldn't be opposed to bringing Allen back for a year if he the feeling was mutual.

Of these choices, I feel like Husso as a cheap show me deal to compete with Daws makes the most sense. I wouldn’t mind Kahkonen or Reimer either.

Vanecek would make sense, but that bridge is already burned. Georgiev makes sense too, but given how unpopular a team he seems, I’d steer clear.

 

[dgibb10]

Some may hate it but I would not be opposed to (depending on Keefe's thoughts and what he wants to do) making a move like Haula for Jarnkrok+Kampf if keefe likes these guys for his bottom 6.

 

[dgibb10]

Some 3C options you could move Mercer alone or in a package for (or get a package for):

Morgan Geekie
Ryan McLeod
Peyton Krebs
Cole Sillinger
Anton Lundell
Joel Eriksson-Ek
Shane Pinto
Ridley Greid
Barrett Hayton
Connor McMichael
Gabriel Vilardi

Pretty wide range in skill and archetypes there but all are RFAs or have contracts; didn’t include any UFAs or rentals

A krebs glass bottom 6 duo could be interesting. Competition and some upside

 

[Better Call Sal]

Knowing the amount of real dollars he's owed makes this somewhat more intriguing. While I think moving Dougie makes the most sense with the current roster makeup, I do agree the team might not look to do it this year. The numbers game on the right side is crazy right now.

I wonder when they'll have a clear timeline on Kovacevic's recovery.

 

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

Some 3C options you could move Mercer alone or in a package for (or get a package for):

Morgan Geekie
Ryan McLeod
Peyton Krebs
Cole Sillinger
Anton Lundell
Joel Eriksson-Ek
Shane Pinto
Ridley Greid
Barrett Hayton
Connor McMichael
Gabriel Vilardi

Pretty wide range in skill and archetypes there but all are RFAs or have contracts; didn’t include any UFAs or rentals

JEE isn't moving in a Mercer trade, did you think Rossi before typing that out? Lmao

 

[dgibb10]

Knowing the amount of real dollars he's owed makes this somewhat more intriguing. While I think moving Dougie makes the most sense with the current roster makeup, I do agree the team might not look to do it this year. The numbers game on the right side is crazy right now.

I wonder when they'll have a clear timeline on Kovacevic's recovery.

If you wait till July 1st 2026 he's owed just 6 mill for the final 2 years

 

[JK3]

Part of me does wonder if the Luke extension will come a bit lighter term or cap wise than we expect to sort of kick the can down the road with the other necessary moves that will be required. Might have to be a wink-wink type of deal.

I don't know if that's realistic, but might be the card he has to play. Especially if he can even let him know he's trying to bring his brother over in the near future.

Luke should ask for one dollar more than Jack lol, I think they should throw all the money at him now though. The cap is projected to go up to $113.5 in 27-28 so get him locked in now.

Next year or so is going to be tough cap wise but if Fitz can manage to ice a competent team the for next few years we should be good. A bunch of these big contracts will be gone. Dougie and Palat hurt pretty bad now but we'll have all our top guys locked in for some pretty good bargains, (other than TImo, not terrible but 1 or so mil too much). Once those guys come off we're golden, Dillon too. After that we have to take care of Nico.

 

[Monsieur Verdoux]

Some may hate it but I would not be opposed to (depending on Keefe's thoughts and what he wants to do) making a move like Haula for Jarnkrok+Kampf if keefe likes these guys for his bottom 6.

Yeah, I would hate it. Those guys aren't upgrade to Haula. Something else, please.

 

[dgibb10]

Yeah, I would hate it. Those guys aren't upgrade to Haula. Something else, please.

Sometimes the bottom 6 isn't about upgrades on paper as much as it is guys who fit what the coach wants to do.

If Keefe trusts a bottom 6 like Palat-Glass-Jarnkrok, Cotter-Kampf-Noesen, I certainly don't think those guys are out of place in those roles at all.

 

[PKs Broken Stick]

After extending Luke we can barely afford to do the bare minimum, there's no cash left. Another goalie is a luxury and that's after next years bump to 95.5. I can't believe we're capped out already and have barely seen any results. Fitz is going to have to pull something out of his ass if he wants to make any significant improvements.

That's what happens when you just sit around....waiting. Can't afford to take 5+ years to start competing in a cap world. Oh and also that's what happens when you have shitty drafting too. I guess that's the bigger problem.

 

[Better Call Sal]

The Dillon situation will be interesting to hear about. I know he alluded to positives and that what he's been told is he can recover and be ready for training camp, but I'm very curious how his recovery goes. Such a freak thing.

 

[JK3]

That's what happens when you just sit around....waiting. Can't afford to take 5+ years to start competing in a cap world. Oh and also that's what happens when you have shitty drafting too. I guess that's the bigger problem.

Ugh that drafting, just one of those centers and we'd be in a much better place. Solid guys on cheap ELC's would help tremendously.

 

[Billdo]

Feels like Hamilton is going to be the guy to go. Odds are the Devils have to take a cap dump in return and I’m hoping they could get a useful forward like Marchment, Schenn, Copp, or Compher in return.

I see that cap dump as replacing Glass’ roster spot, unless he’s returning cheap. I would ideally like to see another center option and then a depth forward like Beauvillier/Mangiapane that might be able to third wheel in the top six and keep Palat in the bottom six.

If that’s the case, you’re looking at something like the below which has some good flexibility too:

Gritsyuk - Hischier - Meier
Palat - Hughes - Bratt
Noesen - 3C - Mercer
Cotter - Haula - XXXX

If Palat is in the top 6 to start the season, I want Fitz fired.

 

[Aurinko]

Yeah, I would hate it. Those guys aren't upgrade to Haula. Something else, please.

I might be the biggest Haula homie in this board, but I swear he couple years in him. He is borderline game breaker on a good night and he is one of the players that improves under pressure. In a game when you are trailing, he is still my go to guy for bringing the tempo: does high quality passes and shots even when under pressure, has the nerves to look for the right play.

 

[Comparison Ford]

The Dillon situation will be interesting to hear about. I know he alluded to positives and that what he's been told is he can recover and be ready for training camp, but I'm very curious how his recovery goes. Such a freak thing.

I wouldn’t be surprised if we sign Dumolin and Dillon doesn’t play this year. That injury looked so scary

 

[Monsieur Verdoux]

Sometimes the bottom 6 isn't about upgrades on paper as much as it is guys who fit what the coach wants to do.

If Keefe trusts a bottom 6 like Palat-Glass-Jarnkrok, Cotter-Kampf-Noesen, I certainly don't think those guys are out of place in those roles at all.

In the playoffs, Kämpf was a healthy scratch and Järnkrok was almost unplayable (he had one assist in 12 games and didn't do nothing). I don't understand why the Devils would want to use cap space on those players.

And I would hate that bottom six.

 

[dgibb10]

In the playoffs, Kämpf was a healthy scratch and Järnkrok was almost unplayable (he had one assist in 12 games and didn't do nothing). I don't understand why the Devils would want to use cap space on those players.

And I must say that I would hate that bottom six.

Yes, hence why they would be undervalued assets that Keefe can utilize better, assuming he wants them.

This is how you need to build a bottom 6. Find guys who are undervalued that you can use better. Not chasing after the highs.

 

[dgibb10]

I wouldn’t be surprised if we sign Dumolin and Dillon doesn’t play this year. That injury looked so scary

Dumo is not happening. He's gonna require a multi year commitment at a similar figure to dillon anyway.

 

[Edmonton East]

What is Luke going to get, 8-8.5? 12 mil with his extension and a decent 3C and 4RW is going to be tight. Fourth line guy will be cheap buy yeah that 3C. This doesn't account for the goalie situation, are we running with Markstrom and Daws? Daws is cheap.

Man are they really f***ed unless they move out somebody. I think Palat needs to go first. Not sure if they want to move Haula, he's pretty versatile. He did look much better when he came back at the end of the season. If they move out Dougie they probably should grab a stopgap RD. That will eat into the savings, they might have to retain to dump him too. Good luck Tommy!

It's okay, Tommy Fitz has the team in such a great spot that he thought handing out another NMC and material $$$ to non puck mover RD Kovacevic was a great idea! That totally made sense while already having numerous anchor contracts that are impossible or difficult to move due to handing out NMCs like it's trick-or-treating on Halloween.....and while having blatantly obvious more pressing needs on the roster. Nevermind that Kovacevic def would have been worth a 1st+ or solid forward prospect at the deadline instead of paying him that much w/ clause....which then could have been leveraged to add a C, move cap combo, whatever.

I don't think Luke should get above $8. And yea, due to cap/contract constraints and more pressing needs, I think they should roll with Daws. No, that isn't ideal, but realistically they can't afford another $2m on top for a backup and competently address other parts of the roster. Would be nice to still have Schmid tbh and hope 1 of the 2 works out...

On Palat, I'm on record saying he was 100% gonna be gone this offseason. However, I thought it was a 10 team NO TRADE list this summer....not a 10 team approved list. Basically if Palat wants to stay, all he has to do is jot down 10 contenders and the Devs are f'd (Hamilton can do the same). Hilarious Palat got a 10 team list....while Nico got the more traditional less restrictive 10 team no trade. Same with Jack when his flips.