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

[Captain3rdLine]

The young forward option seems to be far more popular in a Nemec hypothetical. Any names people that would make sense to people? Isn’t really any names that come to me right away

 

[devilsfan950003]

It really would depends who gets hurt. Pesce or Kovacevic? Nemec is probably up as a PK option and to play some more defensive minutes. Luke or Hamilton? Casey might be strongly considered for his offensive game. Dillon or Siegenthaler? Probably either Hatakka or Misyul.

In all honesty, I don’t see Casey coming up to the NHL team this year unless it’s an absolute necessity. I feel like they’re just going to let him cook in the minors, especially when they have two veteran depth guys in White and DeSimone and a couple other bubble defenders like Hatakka and Misyul.

Has anyone heard of any updates on Hatakka's health? I live in the Bay Area and Sharks fans loved his skating abilities. However, mentioned he's often injured. Probably why they included him in the Meier trade.

 

[Captain3rdLine]

Has anyone heard of any updates on Hatakka's health? I live in the Bay Area and Sharks fans loved his skating abilities. However, mentioned he's often injured. Probably why they included him in the Meier trade.

I’d imagine he’s our 7th D once he’s healthy. He fills in if a LD gets hurt and Nemec does it it’s a RD.

Latest update from 3 days ago. He is back on the ice but a ways away from the sounds of it.

 

[JimEIV]

Have you watched many of his AHL games this season or are you watching his stats only?

Not a single one. Not even a highlight or clip on the Internet....4 assist from a #2 overall in 14 games in the AHL is worse than shit.... it's alarmingly bad.

There is no making believe that points aren't telling the whole story....there is no nuanced explanation or needing to see his gap control, decision making and defense....at the AHL level? Are you kidding?

if a 21 year old (soon to be) former #2 ain't dominating in the AHL in every aspect of the game.... he's not the player we thought he would be 3 years ago.

 

[Triumph]

I'm fine with trading Nemec....but guys like Bjorkstrand, Schwartz, Gourde....those are guys you trade two third round picks to acquire, or a second + third (Gourde will probably get more for position). Burakovsky has 28 points in his last 83 games and is entering his 30s. These guys shouldn't even be thoughts when it comes to moving Nemec.

Don't pay with a dollar and get change back when you actually have the 35 cents. Frankly, there are short term fill ins comparable to these guys available every year. There are always middle 6 wingers available (Gourde being the exception here, but he's also 33 years old and ostensibly produces at Erik Haula levels in terms of points).

Personal preference is that you move Nemec for a similar young forward imo.

The Devils have several organizational needs - they need young centers, they need some more forward depth, and they could use more draft picks - they're short a 1st round pick this year. A trade like this takes care of a lot of those.

The trouble with trading Nemec for a similar young forward is that you have to find that player and team. That's going to be extremely difficult. This sort of trade is much easier to make, and while you definitely lose some value, you potentially fix a lot of problems at once.

 

[Forge]

The Devils have several organizational needs - they need young centers, they need some more forward depth, and they could use more draft picks - they're short a 1st round pick this year. A trade like this takes care of a lot of those.

The trouble with trading Nemec for a similar young forward is that you have to find that player and team. That's going to be extremely difficult. This sort of trade is much easier to make, and while you definitely lose some value, you potentially fix a lot of problems at once.

I think you can fix the roster needs in the short term without flipping Nemec. Especially at these ages and this level of control.

I do agree that finding the right prospect trade would be difficult, I've said so myself.

If you're looking at this type of trade, I think you're going younger / longer control if you're involving Nemec. If you want to flip futures for Nemec, I'm not going to blow a gasket over it, especially if you're bleeding your coffers with other trades, though not my preference.

 

[Blackjack]

It’s getting awfully hard to not put in the paper that you got mad.

 

[Forge]

The young forward option seems to be far more popular in a Nemec hypothetical. Any names people that would make sense to people? Isn’t really any names that come to me right away

It won't happen, but McTavish is probably the dream, I think. Devils also may have to add there.

I don't hate the idea of maybe going younger than Nemec. Someone like Dalibor Dvorsky?

 

[Captain3rdLine]

The Devils have several organizational needs - they need young centers, they need some more forward depth, and they could use more draft picks - they're short a 1st round pick this year. A trade like this takes care of a lot of those.

The trouble with trading Nemec for a similar young forward is that you have to find that player and team. That's going to be extremely difficult. This sort of trade is much easier to make, and while you definitely lose some value, you potentially fix a lot of problems at once.

I think you can fix the roster needs in the short term without flipping Nemec. Especially at these ages and this level of control.

I do agree that finding the right prospect trade would be difficult, I've said so myself.

If you're looking at this type of trade, I think you're going younger / longer control if you're involving Nemec. If you want to flip futures for Nemec, I'm not going to blow a gasket over it, especially if you're bleeding your coffers with other trades, though not my preference.

You can fix those short term needs much better involving Nemec in the trade. And potentially get a top 6 forward with at least some term and even retention.

Again the whole reason I would be considering trading Nemec is if Kovacevic gets resigned essentially blocking Nemec from earning a lineup spot for the foreseeable future. Apart from injuries of course.
If that happens Nemec’s value is going to keep nosediving and I’d be concerned about his development. I don’t think for a second that his current AHL stint is very good for his development.

It won't happen, but McTavish is probably the dream, I think. Devils also may have to add there.

I don't hate the idea of maybe going younger than Nemec. Someone like Dalibor Dvorsky?

Not sure Dvorsky is that great but that seems like a reasonable level and kind of fit to be looking at.

Agree that Mctavish is a pipe dream as Anaheim definitely loves him. The problem is that pretty much any comparable prospect to Nemec’s level is going to be playing in the NHL and loved by their team. This is only a situation because of how good our team and specifically d core is. We probably have to target a slightly lesser level prospect (such as a Dvorsky)

 

[Devs3cups]

It won't happen, but McTavish is probably the dream, I think. Devils also may have to add there.

I don't hate the idea of maybe going younger than Nemec. Someone like Dalibor Dvorsky?

Dvorsky is interesting. STL have a few solid forward prospects, but it seems to be pretty bleak on the back end except for Lindstein? Nemec might help there.

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

"I havent watched a second of the AHL, but I know this player is bad" is certainly a take

 

[Captain3rdLine]

Dvorsky is a pretty meh prospect IMO. Decent production in the AHL and not a whole lot of skill or anything to be excited about.

 

[Alex NJD]

What would Kovacevic's market look like in UFA if his season continues on the same trajectory?

Big, right handed dman, decent skater, tough, not a grenade handler, played on one of the best defensive pairings in the league

28 years old and I don't think he's a 1 year wonder it's not like he's suddenly going to forget how to play defense

Am I crazy to think that an NHL GM out there would throw him 4+ million ?

 

[SteveCangialosi123]

Not a single one. Not even a highlight or clip on the Internet....4 assist from a #2 overall in 14 games in the AHL is worse than shit.... it's alarmingly bad.

There is no making believe that points aren't telling the whole story....there is no nuanced explanation or needing to see his gap control, decision making and defense....at the AHL level? Are you kidding?

if a 21 year old (soon to be) former #2 ain't dominating in the AHL in every aspect of the game.... he's not the player we thought he would be 3 years ago.

This is not progress. That is a disgrace.

 

[Captain3rdLine]

I probably look at Musty in San Jose before Dvorsky.

San Jose is a great fit for this hypothetical given their growing abundance of talented forward (and specifically center) prospects. But they don’t have much on the back end apart from a few LD in Muk, Dickinson, and Thrun. Bystedt is another less attractive option to Musty.

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

What would Kovacevic's market look like in UFA if his season continues on the same trajectory?

Big, right handed dman, decent skater, tough, not a grenade handler, played on one of the best defensive pairings in the league

28 years old and I don't think he's a 1 year wonder it's not like he's suddenly going to forget how to play defense

Am I crazy to think that an NHL GM out there would throw him 4+ million ?

I would imagine its at least 4 x $4-5 million at this point

 

[Devs3cups]

Dvorsky is a pretty meh prospect IMO. Decent production in the AHL and not a whole lot of skill or anything to be excited about.

Snuggerud? Lekkerimaki?

 

[PizzaAndPucks]

Good day to wear my new shirt haha

 

[Captain3rdLine]

What would Kovacevic's market look like in UFA if his season continues on the same trajectory?

Big, right handed dman, decent skater, tough, not a grenade handler, played on one of the best defensive pairings in the league

28 years old and I don't think he's a 1 year wonder it's not like he's suddenly going to forget how to play defense

Am I crazy to think that an NHL GM out there would throw him 4+ million ?

He’s a defensive defensmen with limited track record for his age at this level.

I would guess anywhere from 2.5-3.5 but could see someone going crazy and throwing 4-5 at him in UFA.

If we resign him I can’t see it being more than 3.5 for 3-4 years.

 

[JimEIV]

This is not progress. That is a disgrace.

This is high comedy....

Remember when no other under 20 year old had as many goals per game as Holtz....

Dominating the AHL for a high pick is baseline not an accomplishment. And this kid isn't even holding baseline this season

 

[Forge]

What would Kovacevic's market look like in UFA if his season continues on the same trajectory?

Big, right handed dman, decent skater, tough, not a grenade handler, played on one of the best defensive pairings in the league

28 years old and I don't think he's a 1 year wonder it's not like he's suddenly going to forget how to play defense

Am I crazy to think that an NHL GM out there would throw him 4+ million ?

I think it's the Jake Middleton contract

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

team is doing well, so Jim is really having to stretch to find his new scapegoat

never change!

 

[Captain3rdLine]

I would imagine its at least 4 x $4-5 million at this point

Highly doubt it’s at least that at this point. Defensive defensmen don’t get paid nearly as much and Kovacevic has a very limited track record.

Pesce got 5.5M after 9 years of being a rock solid top 4 defensmen. Kovacevic hasn’t even done so for a half a season yet. There’s no way he’s at least 4-5. I’d imagine thats his max in UFA at this point if anything.

Snuggerud? Lekkerimaki?

I’m looking at Musty in San Jose. And Bystedt as the lesser option.

Nemec would make a world of sense for them and we seem to have a solid relationship with Grier.

 

[Bcap88]

Two wins against Carolina out of the break would be HUGE

 

[Captain3rdLine]

Two wins against Carolina out of the break would be HUGE

Shouldn’t have said this.