- Feb 5, 2010
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Devils discussion (news, notes and speculation) - offseason part II
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Homedresser
Proverbs 26:4-5
- Dec 7, 2021
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You're right. But this year he's got to move it. In win now mode. With the roster issues they have moving the pick to get NHL level talent is a must. First mistake of the offseason if he keeps the pick.
- Dec 20, 2018
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Mercer got bumped off of Jack’s lines because his defense is sketchy at times, and he wasn’t making up for it offensively.
He stopped getting his face caved in around Game 50 (Feb 20). The team’s underlying numbers perked up in general, but Mercer’s went from one of the worst to one the best then. (You need to ignore the last 10 games because everything went to hell for everyone in those.)
I’ll be disappointed if Mercer doesn’t have a strong season next year. he’ll be at an age and games played where you often see a jump.
That’s a very silly mindset. The first mistake of the offseason would be if he moves the pick just for the sake of moving it. Fitz can’t will a deal into existence. We don’t need to make a Ristolainen calibre trade.
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Forge
Blissfully Mediocre
Ultimately, I don't think he moves it. I feel pretty good that he's not going to move it for a goalie. There are some interesting skaters I think that would make interesting targets for the pick, but ultimately, I'd still be surprised if this pick gets moved.
This roster really doesn't require "win now" when you think about the ages of primary pieces. I could see how Fitz himself is in win now mode though. Depends on how comfortable he feels with regards to his job security, which I can't speak on.
Devils731
Registered User
- Jun 23, 2008
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That’s basically where I’m at with the pick as well.
Keep it or trade it, the important thing is to get good value. Making a panic move for this year where you lose value hurts across multiple seasons.
Also, generally, breaking the pick into multiple smaller pieces is a bad idea.
- Dec 20, 2018
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It seems like I might have a different different definition of “win now” than you.
Wanting to win and trying to become competitive, is different than “win now”, which requires some sustained winning IMO.
Fitz doesn’t have to force a trade.
Chiarelli did that at the 2016 draft and moves like that is why it took this long for Connor McDavid to get on a functional playoff team despite the other high picks.
100000 percent this. it’s too bad he has some trouble playing center (at this point in his career) because i think he’s a perfect middle six player who can sub sometimes on top line.
with what we have so far, how do y’all think the lineup shapes out to be?
bratt-jack-???
(not sure if meier is a good fit with jack, also seemingly like Haula fits in well there if we move bratt to RW)
palat-hischier-meier
(not sure if palat belongs on 2nd line, obviously is getting paid like a second line player)
???-haula-mercer
(would prefer haula on the wing, might be easier to snag a bottom / middle six winger in FA vs a third line center)
that’s my top 9, i really don’t see Holtz being on this team come september.
SteveCangialosi123
Registered User
It’s been gone over 1000 times, but there just aren’t many players, certainly not many goalies, that are worth a top 10 pick. I guess I wouldn’t mind moving it if we’re also getting a later 1st back.
They should add a wing who is a good fit with Jack.
XXXX - Hughes - Mercer
Palat - Haula - Holtz
Bratt Hischier Meier
Foote - XXXX - Bastian
this makes me miss Sharangovich
Normal Devil
Registered User
- Mar 16, 2014
- 1,512
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I don't hate this idea. Maybe we can find someone that will send us a really good player with some term, along with a later 1st, or a 2nd & 3rd or something. Devils really need to add some depth in the system, while also landing a very useful piece for this current roster.
theoptimist
Trade Siegenthaler
- Apr 22, 2014
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Just glad I'm not seeing Tatar in any of your lineups. Next, we will remove the long name-hamilton d pairing.
SteveCangialosi123
Registered User
SteveCangialosi123
Registered User
It probably would be ideal to get someone we know can handle full time C duties, but I thought Lazar did pretty well when he was asked to do it. I’d bring Nosek back for depth.
kiwidevil
____________________
- Mar 10, 2008
- 8,380
- 386
Good post.
But there will be some GM's out there who see him as much more than that, and will pay accordingly. Nows the time to move him, if the opportunity comes.
Clam Jensen
Registered User
I truly admire how passionately you dislike Siegs
Zajacs Bowl Cut
Lets Go Baby
Yeah I mean I don't even WANT to trade Mercer, but I wouldn't be totally against it if it came in a deal for an upgrade somewhere. I think Mercer can bounce back, but I tend to think he'll top out as a 50ish point forward rather than maybe a 70ish point forward...which again, is totally fine.
Mgd31
Registered User
Marty is going to reunite Binnington with Allen this offseason
XXX-Hughes-Bratt
Palat-Hischier-Meier
Holtz-Haula-Mercer
XXX-Lazar-Bastian
Foote, MacDermid
Seigenthaler-Hamilton
Hughes-Marino
Bahl-Nemec
XXX
Allen
I think this is the most realistic roster you can put together without any of our current UFAs or potential UFA signings. I don't think you can deny that we have to add 1 more top six forward. You can't count on getting multiple top6 quality forwards out of Palat/Haula/Mercer. You can't rely on Foote to be healthy and if MacDermid is expected to be a regular we're doomed already anyway.
I am 75% Holtz is gone and 25% willing to give him a chance under a new coach, but you have to have a backup option for him either way.
The top line LW spot is what I have no perfect answers for. I think a Henrique or Stephenson signing could be serviceable to rotate between that spot and the third line with Haula. I've said I would sign Foegele but it would be ambitious to pencil him into a role like that. There are a lot of good forwards not currently under contract next year but it remains to be seen how many of them actually make it to market. The profile we need of a physical, defensively responsible forward that is also capable of filling in at C and keeping up offensively in a top 6 role is extremely coveted and won't be cheap.
The 4th line spot needs to be either a center or someone who can slide in if Lazar is injured, because none of the legitimate 13th/14th forward options we have currently really play center. Like many here, I think Trenin would be a superb get for that spot. You also have to replace Holtz if you do trade him.
Every day that passes I'm more convinced that the best course of action is to focus on rebuilding the forward depth and hoping the combination of better health, better support, and a better defensive system fixes the D group. You have the cap space to add a league average or better in their role forward to basically every line if you want to.
Palat-Hischier-Meier
Holtz-Haula-Mercer
XXX-Lazar-Bastian
Foote, MacDermid
Seigenthaler-Hamilton
Hughes-Marino
Bahl-Nemec
XXX
Allen
I think this is the most realistic roster you can put together without any of our current UFAs or potential UFA signings. I don't think you can deny that we have to add 1 more top six forward. You can't count on getting multiple top6 quality forwards out of Palat/Haula/Mercer. You can't rely on Foote to be healthy and if MacDermid is expected to be a regular we're doomed already anyway.
I am 75% Holtz is gone and 25% willing to give him a chance under a new coach, but you have to have a backup option for him either way.
The top line LW spot is what I have no perfect answers for. I think a Henrique or Stephenson signing could be serviceable to rotate between that spot and the third line with Haula. I've said I would sign Foegele but it would be ambitious to pencil him into a role like that. There are a lot of good forwards not currently under contract next year but it remains to be seen how many of them actually make it to market. The profile we need of a physical, defensively responsible forward that is also capable of filling in at C and keeping up offensively in a top 6 role is extremely coveted and won't be cheap.
The 4th line spot needs to be either a center or someone who can slide in if Lazar is injured, because none of the legitimate 13th/14th forward options we have currently really play center. Like many here, I think Trenin would be a superb get for that spot. You also have to replace Holtz if you do trade him.
Every day that passes I'm more convinced that the best course of action is to focus on rebuilding the forward depth and hoping the combination of better health, better support, and a better defensive system fixes the D group. You have the cap space to add a league average or better in their role forward to basically every line if you want to.
I'm not even penciling holtz in my mind bc i think he is gone in a deal this summer, presumably whatever the goalie move ends up being. I am also of the thought that if there is one pairing up that has to be a thing, it is Hischier-Bratt.
AfroThunder396
[citation needed]
The reason Mercer ended up on the 4th line so much is because he played like garbage and wasn't producing at all.
He got benched Dec 19th against PHI and only had ~11 TOI. He had 1 point in the previous 13 games and had a grand total of 7 goals and 5 assists in 30 games on the season. For comparison, those 12 points were tied with Marino and [redacted] and fewer than Holtz (14) and Palat (13).
Mercer was playing at quite literally an AHL for the first chunk of the season yet he continued to get be given significant ice time. He should have been healthy scratched in November and I'm quite confident the only reason he wasn't scratched was due to his iron man streak.
He got benched Dec 19th against PHI and only had ~11 TOI. He had 1 point in the previous 13 games and had a grand total of 7 goals and 5 assists in 30 games on the season. For comparison, those 12 points were tied with Marino and [redacted] and fewer than Holtz (14) and Palat (13).
Mercer was playing at quite literally an AHL for the first chunk of the season yet he continued to get be given significant ice time. He should have been healthy scratched in November and I'm quite confident the only reason he wasn't scratched was due to his iron man streak.
njdevils1982
Hell Toupée!!!
oh ya.... i think i found our guy! 6'4" 231 lbs
with a name like that how could it it fail
(edit: just saw the habs signed him today.....no wonder he's trending on eliteprospects site)
with a name like that how could it it fail
Connor Hughes (b.1996) Hockey Stats and Profile at hockeydb.com
Statistics of Connor Hughes, a hockey player from London, ONT born Sep 10 1996 who was active from 2013 to 2025.
www.hockeydb.com
(edit: just saw the habs signed him today.....no wonder he's trending on eliteprospects site)
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