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

[Devils731]

Probably not, but for those pounding the table that there is simply no universe where this could happen, I'm saying it can in a roundabout way as I literally saw it happen. I don't doubt Vancouver is desperate to keep Quinn and if it means skirting the line to let Jack and Luke know they'g be paid insanely by the Canucks if it ever came to that I wouldn't be surprised if that happens someway somehow. Again, it's the same agent so chatting with the agent probably happens plenty. What they discuss in the hypothetical sense probably gets pretty close to tampering.

It’s not that tampering can’t happen it’s that in this scenario it makes no sense anyway.

“Hey Luke, in 5 years, when Jack’s contract ends and I’ve long been fired as the GM, I will definitely have re-signed Quinn and have offered you a massive deal and will get Jack to also sign a massive deal.

Please negotiate with this 5 year promise that I likely won’t even be here to execute in mind”

So ya, informal discussions happen all the time but this isn’t a scenario where it makes any sense and some clickbait website wouldn’t be the one to know about it.

Also, if it’s the website listed, they said the opposite of “Vancouver made an offer that the league rejected” which was the starting point of all this. Also that it was allowed to have informal discussions with other teams and players, which while they happen, are definitely not allowed.

 

[HugeInTheShire]

I think the key thing is "allowed". I don't think anyone is claiming they are allowed to make an offer. I don't think anyone is claiming they are allowed to make their desire to make an offer known. This is more about letting random information purposely leak. If done correctly it's virtually impossible to prove it was purposely or maliciously done. Especially with how incompetent the NHL is.

All that said, I tend to agree the article is garbage click bait. Ultimately I agree with and see the validity in both arguments being made here, and both arguments can be correct at the same time.

The problem is sure they can "accidently" leak interest, but as soon as they're attempting to leak specific numbers nobody will believe it's an accident anymore. Any accidental leak coupled with them saying the whole Quinn wants to play with his brothers thing, it won't be too hard to figure out.

 

[devilsblood]

3rd center ufa options. Brock Nelson? Gourde?

I wouldn't mind either guy on a one year deal, but I have to figure they demand at least 3 years deals, which I'd have to pass on.

 

[TrufleShufle]

I think what @Guadana is saying is the same thing that is happening with Quinn right now. Everyone knows the Devils want or will want him, nothing was ever offered, other teams know that Devils have the best chance at long term. Forget that the info came from the Van GM himself, but the point still stands.

The thought is out there, no offer was made, but everyone knows what everyone wants for the most part. The desires are known. It hurts other teams chances. It hurts Vans chances of signing him with out Devils ever saying a word.

It's not a 1 to 1 comparison so don't try to pick it apart, it's just the thought that a vague idea about what people want and will do make those things happen can have an impact on what's needed to make those things happen.

Whether the thought is right or not, I'm not debating, just saying he's not talking about tampering at all. He's not even talking about any thing that has happened.

 

[SteveCangialosi123]

3rd center ufa options. Brock Nelson? Gourde?

I wouldn't mind either guy on a one year deal, but I have to figure they demand at least 3 years deals, which I'd have to pass on.

Maybe if NYI or LA wants to shake things up, Pageau or Danault?

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

the funniest part about the offer sheet discussions (I saw Twitter nonsense from Canes fans this morning that said they'll offer sheet Luke lol) is that the player has to actually SIGN it. I think some people completely leave that part out. You can make an offer but unless the player actually signs an offer sheet, it is meaningless.

 

[theoptimist]

If Fitz were to get fired, it’d happen in the next two weeks. My gut feeling says he doesn’t get fired.

Fitz has no excuse to “come in second place” on any players this summer. Allocating $4M on a #5-6 defensemen (Kovacevic) that will be coming back from injury in 2026 is your typical galaxy brain move by Fitz. It was always a bad deal and the injury solidified that.

He HAS to yet again win the summer.

 

[Guadana]

I think most people understand what you're saying, but the fact is. The can't make an offer, they can't make it known they want to make an offer (this is tampering)

Quite simply, Vancouver isn't allowed to discuss a player that is on another team in any fashion, sneakily or publicly.

I know they cant make an offer. But some side could make a noise about potential offer to make an effect on the negotiations. In this situation they just can say "its a rumor, thats not us".

 

[devilsblood]

the funniest part about the offer sheet discussions (I saw Twitter nonsense from Canes fans this morning that said they'll offer sheet Luke lol) is that the player has to actually SIGN it. I think some people completely leave that part out. You can make an offer but unless the player actually signs an offer sheet, it is meaningless.

I think it's funnier that he's not actually eligible for an offer sheet.

It's equally as possible to time machine prime Mario Lemieux back into the league.

 

[Triumph]

If an unsigned offer sheet is sent to a player, it should be mandatory that that offer sheet's existence is revealed upon the player's retirement. No terms need be released, but it'd just be interesting to know how often it happens.

 

[theoptimist]

Like Marchy, don't want that contract. Let him be Nashville's anchor.

Palat for JM 1 for 1. Reunite Palat with Stamkos.

 

[devilsblood]

If Fitz were to get fired, it’d happen in the next two weeks. My gut feeling says he doesn’t get fired.

Fitz has no excuse to “come in second place” on any players this summer. Allocating $4M on a #5-6 defensemen (Kovacevic) that will be coming back from injury in 2026 is your typical galaxy brain move by Fitz. It was always a bad deal and the injury solidified that.

He HAS to yet again win the summer.

Your gut might be smarter then your head.

Love the Kova deal. Performed very well as a defense oriented #3-4 defenseman.

 

[HugeInTheShire]

I know they cant make an offer. But some side could make a noise about potential offer to make an effect on the negotiations. In this situation they just can say "its a rumor, thats not us".

I really don't think Vancouver is going to chance it especially considering how close they came to tampering already. The league will figure it out pretty quickly seeing as Vancouver has already left evidence.

 

[Brodeur]

3rd center ufa options. Brock Nelson? Gourde?

I wouldn't mind either guy on a one year deal, but I have to figure they demand at least 3 years deals, which I'd have to pass on.

Given how bad the UFA class is, they'll probably be able to command decent deals.

I'd be okay with bringing back Cody Glass for under his QO and then looking for a deadline upgrade if he isn't effective. I feel like there's gonna be some silly contracts handed out now that teams have cap space.

I think it's funnier that he's not actually eligible for an offer sheet.

It's equally as possible to time machine prime Mario Lemieux back into the league.

Offer sheet eligibility is always a pet peeve. One friend went on a long group text rant circa summer 2014 about there must be collusion for why Torey Krug hadn't been offer sheeted yet. I responded "he's not eligible to sign one."

Then circa summer 2019, my coworker insisted Nikita Gusev could sign one and cited some random amateur fan blogs.

 

[theoptimist]

Your gut might be smarter then your head.

Love the Kova deal. Performed very well as a defense oriented #3-4 defenseman.

Fitz signed a guy he knew for 6 months to play for another 5 years. #3-4 defensemen? Okay, let’s see what he looks like 6 months from now after coming back from knee injury. Remember, past success does not GUARANTEE future success (ask the Siegs-Dougie pairing from 22-23). If Fitz waited, we would have $4M in cap space today and probably only needed to give Kovacevic $2.5-3M on a one-year deal (buying us more time to assess Nemec). Now we get a reality where we have BOTH Nemec and Kovacevic for atleast 6 months. If we trade Nemec this summer, we still need a defender playing Kovy’s minutes until he gets back. What will that cost and for how many years? Do we acquire the player via UFA or trade?

 

[dgibb10]

Fitz signed a guy he knew for 6 months to play for another 5 years. #3-4 defensemen? Okay, let’s see what he looks like 6 months from now after coming back from knee injury. Remember, past success does not GUARANTEE future success (ask the Siegs-Dougie pairing from 22-23). If Fitz waited, we would have $4M in cap space today and probably only needed to give Kovacevic $2.5-3M on a one-year deal (buying us more time to assess Nemec). Now we get a reality where we have BOTH Nemec and Kovacevic for atleast 6 months. If we trade Nemec this summer, we still need a defender playing Kovy’s minutes until he gets back. What will that cost and for how many years? Do we acquire the player via UFA or trade?

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And if Kovy didn't get hurt we'd be looking at a lot more than 4 mill to bring him back.

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

I don't love the Kovacevic contract either (mainly because I don't think it was something that needed to be done), but I am not sure what the injury has to do with anything? The contract was signed in early March, he got injured in late April.

Also, there is no shot in hell that Kovacevic would take a $2.5 million deal for 1 year. That is just fantasy land stuff.

 

[theoptimist]

And if Kovy didn't get hurt we'd be looking at a lot more than 4 mill to bring him back.

Then we should have let him test UFA. Maybe I’m reading this wrong, but Fitz traded Marino for Kovacevic and the transition offense suffered because of this. It should have been Siegenthaler that was traded. I like Kovy but he’s really a #5-6 defensemen on a contender.

 

[dgibb10]

Then we should have let him test UFA. Maybe I’m reading this wrong, but Fitz traded Marino for Kovacevic and the transition offense suffered because of this. It should have been Siegenthaler that was traded. I like Kovy but he’s really a #5-6 defensemen on a contender.

Marino was replaced by Pesce.

So yes, you are reading it entirely wrong.

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

Then we should have let him test UFA. Maybe I’m reading this wrong, but Fitz traded Marino for Kovacevic and the transition offense suffered because of this. It should have been Siegenthaler that was traded. I like Kovy but he’s really a #5-6 defensemen on a contender.

Siegenthaler is one of the best defensive DMen in the NHL and is signed to an awesome contract.

What a weird thing to say.

You realize that you don't need to continue to have these takes, right? It is okay to change your mind and say "wow, Siegs played way better than I thought!" and move on with your life rather than doubling down on it 50 times.

and Marino was replaced by Pesce for all intents and purposes.

 

[dgibb10]

Siegenthaler is one of the best defensive DMen in the NHL and is signed to an awesome contract.

What a weird thing to say.

You realize that you don't need to continue to have these takes, right? It is okay to change your mind and say "wow, Siegs played way better than I thought!" and move on with your life rather than doubling down on it 50 times.

and Marino was replaced by Pesce for all intents and purposes.

ngl we probably should have gotten dinged for tampering when it came to Pesce.

Those rumours came out first (I didn't buy them) quite a bit before UFA, then we moved Marino, then he immediately signs in NJD at a discount at UFA open.

 

[glenwo2]

I'm with Nichols, it's time to bring Palmieri back

I swear...Nick was born with a smirk on his face.

 

[Billdo]

Then we should have let him test UFA. Maybe I’m reading this wrong, but Fitz traded Marino for Kovacevic and the transition offense suffered because of this. It should have been Siegenthaler that was traded. I like Kovy but he’s really a #5-6 defensemen on a contender.

That's what he will be when we contend.

 

[RyGuy]

His pubes are probably graying at this point

Wait....that can happen?!?

 

[devilsblood]

Fitz signed a guy he knew for 6 months to play for another 5 years. #3-4 defensemen? Okay, let’s see what he looks like 6 months from now after coming back from knee injury. Remember, past success does not GUARANTEE future success (ask the Siegs-Dougie pairing from 22-23). If Fitz waited, we would have $4M in cap space today and probably only needed to give Kovacevic $2.5-3M on a one-year deal (buying us more time to assess Nemec). Now we get a reality where we have BOTH Nemec and Kovacevic for atleast 6 months. If we trade Nemec this summer, we still need a defender playing Kovy’s minutes until he gets back. What will that cost and for how many years? Do we acquire the player via UFA or trade?

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I think it's great we signed a 27 year old guy who can handle heavy defensive minutes to a $4x5 deal. He's younger when that deal ends then Dillon was when we signed him.

Excellent deal.