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

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

The Checkers don't have any worthwhile prospects. They are built with older AHL lifers and THAT is why they are winning.

Like many, I thought tne AHL is a development league. Some are, some aren't.

This is the Checkers prospects...you tell me if this looks
Ike a development team. And of course, their goaltender has 5 NHL seasons.

Michael Benning:
A fourth-round pick by the Panthers, Benning is a key defenseman for the Checkers.

Oliver Okuliar and Mikulas Hovorka:
These two have signed deals with Florida and are making the jump to North America.

Nathan Staios and Mack Guzda:
These undrafted free agents have been playing well and are looking to make their mark on the Checkers.

Justin Sourdif:
A third-round draft pick, Sourdif has been enjoying his rookie season with the Checkers.

And that's fine imo because if injuries happen then Florida is able to recall them and play them in spots where they known they won't be targeted + they have experience in the league before to draw from. You need to a mix of talent in the AHL, it can't just be all youth because injuries are unfortunately the name of the game in this league.

 

[BurntToast]

He is way too expensive as a 3C if the rumors are true that he is trying to get a 7x7 contract.

Would it be too expensive? There are a lot of 3 liners who got 6 mil. I’m looking at one, who on the team right now. Plus, he can play center. Plus the cap is going up.

The biggest issue is finding ways to cut the dead weight.

 

[My3Sons]

Would it be too expensive? There are a lot of 3 liners who got 6 mil. I’m looking at one, who on the team right now. Plus, he can play center. Plus the cap is going up.

The biggest issue is finding ways to cut the dead weight.

Enough with the Nico slander. Maybe he fits the profile you posted of a 3C but he is hardly dead weight.

 

[SJinNewJersey]

If the Rossi rumors are true I would absolutely do it. That would give us the ability to roll 3 really good scoring lines. We looked the most lethal in the playoffs when all the lines clicked & all could score. That's the identity we should get back to. Imagine rolling this lineup. We would just need to get one winger to fill in the xxx. This gives us 3 lines that can score and a high end 4th line with Haula as the spare for when a center goes down.
Mercer-Nico-Meier
Xxx-Hughes-Bratt
Palat-Rossi-Grits
Cotter-Glass-Noeson
Haula

Rossi is 5 9, team doesn't need to get any smaller. Plus, he's looking for a deal we couldn't fit under our cap and what exact assets are the Wild going to want? They aren't just going to give him away.

 

[theoptimist]

He is way too expensive as a 3C if the rumors are true that he is trying to get a 7x7 contract.

You’re right. Fitz would have to 1) trade and 2) sign him to a deal. Very expensive, but this is your general manager - a lightweight, unprofessional, sorry piece of shit.

 

[Mgd31]

I had a dream last night we reqcuired Holtz for next year and he scored a goal in the first game in the season to make it 2-0. It was a slot shot from a pass from Nate Bastian.

I think it was the massive margarita I had before going to bed, talking.

 

[JimEIV]

I had a dream last night we reqcuired Holtz for next year and he scored a goal in the first game in the season to make it 2-0. It was a slot shot from a pass from Nate Bastian.

I think it was the massive margarita I had before going to bed, talking.

Did Utica go on to win the game or did they blow the lead?

 

[longislanddevil]

Mercer? Come on Nichols

I stopped taking this article seriously when Nichols says, “he wins puck battles.” Mercer has proven to me he is not a center at the NHL level. He isn’t the answer. This is an awful take by Nichols.

 

[Devils731]

I stopped taking this article seriously when Nichols says, “he wins puck battles.” Mercer has proven to me he is not a center at the NHL level. He isn’t the answer. This is an awful take by Nichols.

I agree Mercer isn’t an NHL center and his future is at wing…which is why it’s also crazy that I think Mercer looked more engaged at center to end last season, that’s how bad he looked at wing most of the year.

For me, the last 2 years I’ve said I want Mercer to pick a lane and either try to become quicker or try to become bigger. I think he can make either path work but being mediocre at both isn’t working.

 

[McDuffz88]

He is way too expensive as a 3C if the rumors are true that he is trying to get a 7x7 contract.

I view him more than a 3c. He's a 2c who we will play on the 3rd line to give it a much needed boost in offense/speed. When Hughes goes down with injury (100% inevitable) Rossi is our 2nd line center which isn't a bad spot to be in. If one day we somehow develop a 3c naturally or one lands in our lap we can simply push Rossi into the top 6 as a winger. 7 million for a 23 year old 2nd/3rd line center who just potted 60 points I'm perfectly fine with. Guy also hasn't missed a single game in over 2 seasons. We could use a guy who doesn't get injured much. If we're being honest with ourselves half our team is injury prone. A 7x7 contract for this you do all day. I mean we gave an aging palat 5x6. This move wouldn't cripple us at all and with the increases cap this will be a steal contract in a few years. You can also easily offload him if ever the time comes.

 

[Guadana]

I don't think that 7*7 for Rossi is a problem. He will not have this level of producing in Devils, especially as a third liner. There are no Kaprisov and pp spot for him. But he still could be great depth player or even top six partner. The question is how size is really important for us and how much wild will ask. I believe there will be a lot of buyers.

 

[Bad Goalie]

Just to pile on - this team is full of AHL lifers and former NHLers. Their goalie is Kaapo Kahkonen. Now, do the Devils have to improve in Utica, yes, does it really matter if that improvement is by signing a bunch of guys who got 100+ NHL games but are not now NHL quality players, not really.

I won't waste my time.

 

[Forge]

If you trade for Rossi and give him 7x7, my gut says he likely ends up as a top 6 wing, not a 3c.

 

[Guttersniped]

I just noticed that Vilén and Foote are labeled as Omaha Lancers in this graphic.

 

[AfroThunder396]

If you trade for Rossi and give him 7x7, my gut says he likely ends up as a top 6 wing, not a 3c.

Luckily we need one of those too

 

[njdevils1982]

I just noticed that Vilén and Foote are labeled as Omaha Lancers in this graphic.

View attachment 1044480

checked their site and they're not listed but holy crap, they have 31 forwards, 17 defencemen and 6 goalies. how do i get on this team as well?

they also have satan jr

 

[billingtons ghost]

We just need to find the next Sam Bennett or have Cotter morph into him.

I don't think we should look for a 3c. I think our top6 is nowhere good enough rn and truthfully, I think it means moving a biggish forward piece plus Nemec to find a legit talent that is either a prospect or RFA or Rantanenish scenario. All the Stanley Cup winners tend to have waves of core guys come through, keeping the three best but replacing the more expensive guys with contributions from rookies.

There's no doubt we need better scoring from all lines, but I think that's more of an indictment of guys like Mercer, Palat, Noesen, Tatar, Cotter playing in outsized roles.

 

[Emperoreddy]

Trying to package Mercer out for an upgrade does make sense.

 

[Oneiro]

Given that we traded for Markstrom after pissing a season away, I'm guessing Fitz's level of urgency is as high as it's ever been. I don't know if it's even possible to move off of all of Hamilton, Palat, Haula and Mercer in one season, but it wouldn't surprise me.

 

[JK3]

Ahhh I don’t know, I still think we need a traditional 3C. A checking line center that can take tons of face offs, shut down other lines and most importantly take the burden off of Nico. A Zajac would be amazing.

That would go a long way, Nicos line would be way more effective in the o zone not having to worry about defensive duties all the time.

Throw in a scoring winger up in the top six and we’re cooking. We can back fill the fourth line with whatever is laying around.

 

[HabsAddict]

Just to pile on - this team is full of AHL lifers and former NHLers. Their goalie is Kaapo Kahkonen. Now, do the Devils have to improve in Utica, yes, does it really matter if that improvement is by signing a bunch of guys who got 100+ NHL games but are not now NHL quality players, not really.

Half of the laval team are prospects. That's the only reason to own an AHL team. 30 year old AHL lifers are fillers

Plus if winning the Calder was that important we could of set up Hutson, Demidov and Dobes to go down. Plus a few more that just went past the NHL limit. I think Xhekaj was a few dozen over.

 

[RyGuy]

Foote stinks

Quit going through my gym bag, Bro.

 

[devilsfan950003]

I stopped taking this article seriously when Nichols says, “he wins puck battles.” Mercer has proven to me he is not a center at the NHL level. He isn’t the answer. This is an awful take by Nichols.

That was my response to this article. Stop making Mercer a center. He's a third-line wing. Don't make him something he's not.

 

[devilsfan950003]

I had a dream last night we reqcuired Holtz for next year and he scored a goal in the first game in the season to make it 2-0. It was a slot shot from a pass from Nate Bastian.

I think it was the massive margarita I had before going to bed, talking.

more like a nightmare.

 

[devilsblood]

Just to pile on - this team is full of AHL lifers and former NHLers. Their goalie is Kaapo Kahkonen. Now, do the Devils have to improve in Utica, yes, does it really matter if that improvement is by signing a bunch of guys who got 100+ NHL games but are not now NHL quality players, not really.

I see an NJ native, John Leonad is their leading playoff scorer, and another jerseyite is tied for third.

I also see, to your point, pool party.

And lastly I'd like to note that if Allen walks I'd be open to bringing in Kahkonen as the backup. Not sure what happened early this season but I still think he can play in the big leagues.