Devils discussion (news, notes and speculation) - offseason part II

[Goptor]

It’s weird because in season posters on here said to wait til summer when prices would be lower. #crazy



If I’m the devils I’m doing absolutely everything to get Mercer signed to way longer than 3 years. Lock him up on a 6 or 7 year deal on a down year before the cap goes up drastically? Instantly becomes an even more valuable trade chip in a year or two

Checked stats - He had a crazy good stretch between December1 and March1 - 0.925 save%. That was 3rd best in the league for that stretch counting starting goalies. Thats where all the hype got brought up. He was playing great going to trade deadline, Devils should pick him up.

His start wasn't as great. .914 from Oct1-March1 but it still was around the top 10 for starting goalies.

Most of this board is not interested because his finish to the season was god awful. .904 at the end the season. His season before that was really bad also so you're looking at a couple month hot streak just before the trade deadline included within 2 years of poor play. He's signed for his 34/35 yo season and 35/36 yo season at a fairly high AAV. Its a massive risk and not worth taking on when considering the asking price is still being bandied around from his hot streak.

 

[glenwo2]

Didn't HF used to be a rule against posting HockeyInsiderr?

Is there an echo in here?

 

[Bye Bye Blueston]

Honestly, Binnington should be up there close to Saros, Markstrom, and Ullmark as available 1A options.

Not sure if he’s fallen off, but Saad is also another intriguing name from the Blues. I would love to add him to play alongside Hughes or Hischier.

what would devils offer for saad?

 

[bossram]

I feel like if we get a Siegenthaller replacement, it should be a vet shutdown defender that could probably be had for much less than a 10th OA. Even just signing them as a UFA usually doesn't cost THAT much and usually doesn't involve a huge term.

I agree they need another legit, defensive LD to push down Siegs/Bahl.

That could be in the form of a true top-pairing guy though.

I would prioritize adding up front too, but they need more quality at all three positions.

 

[bossram]

I was also contemplating that there could be a package deal of Ullmark, Saros, Markstrom, or Binnington plus a roster player. If you could find the perfect deal, then maybe you could justify see the value in dealing #10.

But there really isn’t anyone on those rosters that the Devils could fit into their cap structure that makes sense. You’d have to really spruce up a deal like retain 50% on Markstrom/Binnington plus include a roster forward like Coleman/Saad for me to even start to consider offering #10.

If Binnington/Saros/Ullmark and especially Markstrom were the centerpiece asset of the deal, there is absolutely no way I would put the 10th on the table. None. Retention or adding some mid-roster player isn't cutting it.

My preference is just to use the pick add an elite prospect that could give them a nice, ELC push in two years.

If they're trading the 10th, it's for a real quality player, in their prime, with some degree of cost certainty. Otherwise just make the selection.

 

[JrFischer54]

Pick your poison with a goalie you want to give up a lot for a top guy like saros then give him a massive contract? Same for ullmark who is a unproven work horse btw. Or go with markstrom who’s older but on a shorter cap hit. I don’t need the second coming of Marty in net. Just want average to good goaltending on a consistent basis. I get 10 sounds rich but it’s still a very risky pick to get somewhere that will be impactful. I’m not talking 3rd line or 3rd pair caliber. The player needs to be top 6 or top 4 caliber and soon

 

[RSeen]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1798156672277340503

Nothing new. Ullmark, markstrom top the list.

Wonders if the devils go after Brenden Dillon.
Fitz also indicated we were too vanilla up front

Largely positive IMO. Dillon is interesting - would push Bahl to #7. I'd be curious on the contract, I'd assume 2 or 3 years given his age. 3 would be too long.

 

[JrFischer54]

If Binnington/Saros/Ullmark and especially Markstrom were the centerpiece asset of the deal, there is absolutely no way I would put the 10th on the table. None. Retention or adding some mid-roster player isn't cutting it.

My preference is just to use the pick add an elite prospect that could give them a nice, ELC push in two years.

If they're trading the 10th, it's for a real quality player, in their prime, with some degree of cost certainty. Otherwise just make the selection.

That’s true or he could just as easily bust. I don’t care about the cap in two years realistically it would be 3 before they sniff the nhl and probably year 4 by the time we know what we have with the player.

 

[bossram]

I'm kind of meh on Markstrom at this point.

I hope we have other (better) options than him. Of course he's better than the idea of acquiring Gibson. I hope to f***ing god that he isn't an option at this point, as was rumored in the first half of the year.

And the fact that Rogalski is still here is making me lose my enthusiasm for any goalie we may acquire.

To counter that, Vitek (and Schmid) played fine when Rogalski was goalie coach here in 22-23, so it's not a guarantee that Rogalski being here will negate a goalie from playing well here.

I really would be pissed if it's Markstrom. But I kinda feel like it's leaning that way.

 

[bossram]

That’s true or he could just as easily bust. I don’t care about the cap in two years realistically it would be 3 before they sniff the nhl and probably year 4 by the time we know what we have with the player.

I think the top 10-12 group of this draft is very strong. They'll be getting a very good prospect that should be expected to push for real playing time in 2 seasons.

ELC contributors are NOS to a contender. The Devils will have a lot of big re-signings coming up (Mercer, Luke, Hughes) in addition to whatever medium-large cap hits they add this offseason. A real ELC contributor would be great.

It's a cap league. Yes, the club should care about the cap. It's the peak of their contention window.

Again, like I said, I'm not 100% against trading the 10th. But the target has to be an Actually Good asset. Not some mid goalie that's already on his last legs.

 

[Forge]

I really would be pissed if it's Markstrom. But I kinda feel like it's leaning that way.

It's really whatever when it comes to the goalies for me. None of them are perfect. Its likely they'll pay more than I'm interested in while also understanding why they had to do it

 

[Devs3cups]

Leaning Markstrom right now for the simple fact that the cost will be lower and it’s not a huge commitment.

 

[bossram]

It's really whatever when it comes to the goalies for me. None of them are perfect. Its likely they'll pay more than I'm interested in while also understanding why they had to do it

I agree with the bolded. Which is why I'd rather they stay away from a "brand name" goalie who's actually past his prime and they're probably going to massively overpay for.

All the goalies available are meh. If they're acquiring meh, at least do it on the cheap.

These talks of the 10th overall being involved for a mid goalie are crazy.

 

[SKNJD9]

Leaning Markstrom right now for the simple fact that the cost will be lower and it’s not a huge commitment.

Makes the most sense. Fitzy wants to do a lot this summer it seems. Marky won't be ridiculously expensive and he would be more than fine playing behind a bolstered roster. Use 10ovr to get us a legit top 6 fwd or a D man

 

[SKNJD9]

Largely positive IMO. Dillon is interesting - would push Bahl to #7. I'd be curious on the contract, I'd assume 2 or 3 years given his age. 3 would be too long.

Say hi to the new Brendan Smith same as the old Smith lol

 

[Guadana]

To counter that, Vitek (and Schmid) played fine when Rogalski was goalie coach here in 22-23, so it's not a guarantee that Rogalski being here will negate a goalie from playing well here.

He didn't have enough time to spoil them. When the spring was started, VV looked bad.

 

[TheUnseenHand]

I want no part of Binnington. I'd rather Gibson and I really don't want Gibson. I have not been impressed with what I have seen of Askarov, though it is admittedly limited. It would cost prime assets and frankly I think a skater at 10 this year has a better chance of being more impactful in 2 years than does Askarov. Saros is going to be an anchor contract as soon as his insane mobility goes, which could be any time. He relies on it 100% of the time. Ullmark is interesting, though whoever signs him is going to hate the contract.

This all brings me to Markstrom likely being the best option. He should be the cheapest to aquire with the shortest commitment that should at least provide adequate goaltending. We are possibly about to see the last 2 Cups won by Hill and Skinner. We don't need a world beater in net. The only way to reasonably have one is to draft one.

 

[Darkauron]

I am not giving up our first for any goalie over 30 years unless they are veniza quality for years. Which markstrom is not

 

[NjdevilfanJim]

The only player you give the Habs the tenth for is Guhle ....I don't see that happening so you keep it and make the pick...

 

[TheUnseenHand]

I am not giving up our first for any goalie over 30 years unless they are veniza quality for years. Which markstrom is not

Of course not. I think his value here is way over inflated. If he is traded, the return is not going to be a first or a good prospect. If it is, yeah, I want absolutely no part of that. I don't want to trade the 10 oa for any of the apparently available goalies.

 

[JK3]

Yeah, if possible I’m coming around to grabbing Markstrom on the cheap and hopefully one our guys pans out by the time he’s done. I’d rather keep the pick but dangle that sucker, maybe someone overpays.

 

[None Shall Pass]

Sorry if 10 goes for a goalie that isn't in the Shesty/Sorokin tier than I'm going to set up a camp outside of Fitz's office and protest for days. That's absurd.

In no sane world is Markstrom worth any 1st round pick, let alone #10. The dude isn't on a cheap contract and isn't good and is old in hockey years.

Remember, we paid 9th overall for Cory Schneider who was a) signed at a decent contract for a few years b) elite and c) low mileage.

 

[TheUnseenHand]

Sorry if 10 goes for a goalie that isn't in the Shesty/Sorokin tier than I'm going to set up a camp outside of Fitz's office and protest for days. That's absurd.

In no sane world is Markstrom worth any 1st round pick, let alone #10. The dude isn't on a cheap contract and isn't good and is old in hockey years.

Remember, we paid 9th overall for Cory Schneider who was a) signed at a decent contract for a few years b) elite and c) low mileage.

And proceeded to break down shortly after. It's a huge risk.

 

[youryeah]

I'll be surprised if 10OA is traded for a goalie. nobody out there warrants that type of asset aside from maybe saros and even that's debatable.

I'd much rather trade it for top 6 help or, make the dang pick ourselves

 

[Better Call Sal]

Markstrom is my preferred target because it lets us maintain our flexibility. I don't envision his cost being as significant as it apparently was during the season last year. He should be easily attainable, and I think him and Allen together is a decent bet to make.

Saros seems like a pipe dream to begin with. I'm 50/50 on Ullmark. Either way, I don't think the 10OA is going to be moved for a goalie.