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

[TrufleShufle]

Member when Nico was in the era of getting crapped on, just the normal, bust/not living up to the hype time frame that every high pick goes through outside of the obvious ones. Well when he had a great season with Hall, everyone shitting on him used it against him because he was playing with the MVP. Did we ever go back and say, well look at the trajectory of their careers, who really helped who? Should Nico get a bit more credit for Hall's trophy?

Admittedly random thought, just with seeing Hall's name come back up as a trade piece and him being scratched this season, made me wonder if that ever got brought back up.

 

[Forge]

If Ottawa is still looking at a restructuring on their roster, I'd check to see what needs to be added to Mercer to get Batherson as it seems like he'd be the guy they look to move on from and he has a nice contract.

I really don't have a ton of interest in moving Nemec yet because I think the trade match is really tough to find. I'm not sure what you do in a prospect for prospect type trade that also fits financially. Guys like Byfield or Beniers are tough to fit in with their contracts. You could do the two nickels for a dime thing maybe. Would you do Michael Hage + Jake Evans for Simon Nemec type deal?

 

[RSeen]

If Ottawa is still looking at a restructuring on their roster, I'd check to see what needs to be added to Mercer to get Batherson as it seems like he'd be the guy they look to move on from and he has a nice contract.

I really don't have a ton of interest in moving Nemec yet because I think the trade match is really tough to find. I'm not sure what you do in a prospect for prospect type trade that also fits financially. Guys like Byfield or Beniers are tough to fit in with their contracts. You could do the two nickels for a dime thing maybe. Would you do Michael Hage + Jake Evans for Simon Nemec type deal?

I don't see them moving Batherson given he is 26 and is PPG+. Mercer is probably not enough for the anyways.

 

[Forge]

I don't see them moving Batherson given he is 26 and is PPG+. Mercer is probably not enough for the anyways.

I wouldn't think so, but there was talk earlier this year about them shaking up the roster, so I'd kick the tires for sure and find out.

 

[TrufleShufle]

The thing that gives me pause is that Palmieri didn't work with Hughes in 20-21. I love Palms, but I'm not sure I would take that risk, because we already have two forwards that they won't play with Bratt/Hughes (Meier, Mercer).

Yea I remember being more excited at the idea of that line than I think any potential line combo. Like, how can they not score multiple times a game? Then it just did not work, really at all. Now that he's how many years older, I don't see how adding him to this team can excite anyone. Don't get me wrong, I'm a sucker for past Devils that I liked as people and will overlook a lot, I'm still hoping we give Kovy one last crack in the next few years, but I don't see how anyone can think he would really move the needle for us.

I could see him being another non gelling middle six guy that can't find a home on any line and hurts the ability of the team to change up lines easily.

 

[NjDevsRR]

Member when Nico was in the era of getting crapped on, just the normal, bust/not living up to the hype time frame that every high pick goes through outside of the obvious ones. Well when he had a great season with Hall, everyone shitting on him used it against him because he was playing with the MVP. Did we ever go back and say, well look at the trajectory of their careers, who really helped who? Should Nico get a bit more credit for Hall's trophy?

Admittedly random thought, just with seeing Hall's name come back up as a trade piece and him being scratched this season, made me wonder if that ever got brought back up.

Hall was legitimately insane that season. So many goals/assists where it was all him. Yes, Nico helped but my goodness, no one was stopping Hall that season.

 

[RSeen]

Hall was legitimately insane that season. So many goals/assists where it was all him. Yes, Nico helped but my goodness, no one was stopping Hall that season.

Nico was a rookie and while he performed well, Hall basically drove all the offence. Still think that season was probably the best forward season from a Devil ever.

 

[theoptimist]

Hockey fan first and Isles fan second. Do the Devils need or want Palmieri back for the playoff run? I believe the Isles will not be a playoff team and I would love to see your team and Palms go far.

No, the Devils do not need his services. We traded for then signed his younger brother Timo Meier.

 

[Triumph]

Member when Nico was in the era of getting crapped on, just the normal, bust/not living up to the hype time frame that every high pick goes through outside of the obvious ones. Well when he had a great season with Hall, everyone shitting on him used it against him because he was playing with the MVP. Did we ever go back and say, well look at the trajectory of their careers, who really helped who? Should Nico get a bit more credit for Hall's trophy?

Admittedly random thought, just with seeing Hall's name come back up as a trade piece and him being scratched this season, made me wonder if that ever got brought back up.

Hischier was good at working with Hall - he basically only shot the puck from in close - but he was otherwise nowhere close to the player he is now. All that falling down hurt him defensively. I don't really think he helped Hall all that much, but he also didn't hurt him at all either.

 

[devilsblood]

Tuch Isn’t a star play driver, he’s going to be reliant on who his teammates are for the highest point totals. That’s why when Thompson played like a superstar Tuch was over a PPG and when Thompson went back to scoring around 50-60 points Tuch followed suit. Put Tuch next to Jack and Bratt and I think you will see great numbers out of him.

Tuch's ppg season was driven largely by a career year on the pp where he scored 20 points, nearly double his 2nd best year. 8 PP goals, double his 2nd best year. On 22.8% shooting.

He also added ten non 5v5 ES points, including 6 goals, shooting a career high. Not sure how much of that is OT(I'm seeing 4 empty net goals and an empty net assist, so that's a big part of that), or what, but between those 20 PP points, and he will likely not be pp1 here, and these 10 es points which I assume he is unlikely to duplicate, I think the expectation if you bring him in is, similar to what we see from Meier. High 50's, maybe 60 points, but from a big physical presence. And unlike Meier, Tuch appears to bring high end defense.

I like the idea, especially if he is a legit good defensive fwd (I think 5v5 is more important then PK), his contract is certainly workable, but I would want to make sure he's healthy, and I'd be pretty reluctant to include Nemec in any trade.

 

[devilsblood]

Buffalo isn’t going to get out of their problems by trading one of the few useful veterans on the team - they also have some fairly obvious pieces that should make improving quite easy. They almost certainly wouldn’t accept a package built around and asset that they have plenty of already (young forwards.

Unfortunately they appear to have an abysmal GM who can’t find a way to make it any better.

They have 1.5 years left of Tuch. Unless they turn it around next season, he's gone anways. He might leave even if they turn it around next year.

So if they right deal was offered they'd listen.

 

[NJDfan86]

They have 1.5 years left of Tuch. Unless they turn it around next season, he's gone anways. He might leave even if they turn it around next year.

So if they right deal was offered they'd listen.

Perhaps, as other's have said he is a local so the pull to stay might keep him there - though if they keep being awful it won't matter.

All I know is that trading him for futures or worse players this season isn't going to dig them out of a hole - they have premium assets they can use to improve the team around him if they have any hope of making a run at the playoffs this year.

 

[TheBeerNerd]

Hall was legitimately insane that season. So many goals/assists where it was all him. Yes, Nico helped but my goodness, no one was stopping Hall that season.

Given how Hall was never the guy he was after that knee injury in LA the season after, I hope none of the Hughes brothers get hurt there. It's the same part of the body that ended Ellen's career right before the Nagano Olympics debuted women's hockey, too.