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

[JK3]

Who’s a good writer to follow? I have no idea anymore. I follow Nichols and Amanda and that’s it. Nichols kind of stinks and Amanda is only good for lineups lol.

Hell I’d take Andrew Gross at this point.

 

[Better Call Sal]

Who’s a good writer to follow? I have no idea anymore. I follow Nichols and Amanda and that’s it. Nichols kind of stinks and Amanda is only good for lineups lol.

Hell I’d take Andrew Gross at this point.

Honestly, Bill is a good follow on X. He has some good insights. Kristy for the Hockey News isn’t bad either.

 

[My3Sons]

Good, I would have the same reaction as him.

You would have gotten huffy about not being given free valet parking? That's fine but realize the teenagers you are being pissy with aren't the ones making the decisions. I was disappointed since I couldn't talk hockey with him but after seeing him in person I don't think I really wanted to after that. The guy who was interesting to talk to back then was Frank Brown of the Daily News.

 

[Mgd31]

You would have gotten huffy about not being given free valet parking? That's fine but realize the teenagers you are being pissy with aren't the ones making the decisions. I was disappointed since I couldn't talk hockey with him but after seeing him in person I don't think I really wanted to after that. The guy who was interesting to talk to back then was Frank Brown of the Daily News.

Nah I was just being sarcastic my friend

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

so, what contract are you giving Kovacevic? As the days go by, it gets harder and harder to think about letting him walk.

Do we think he'd take like 4 x $3.5?

 

[dgibb10]

so, what contract are you giving Kovacevic? As the days go by, it gets harder and harder to think about letting him walk.

Do we think he'd take like 4 x $3.5?

God I hope so.

Hopefully his lack of resume keeps the price somewhat low.

NGL it feels like the kind of piece florida is gonna go heavy after

 

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

so, what contract are you giving Kovacevic? As the days go by, it gets harder and harder to think about letting him walk.

Do we think he'd take like 4 x $3.5?

I give that to him tomorrow but he's parlaying himself into a big big payday with how GM's value RHD + his size

 

[Emperoreddy]

He is going to get paid this summer. He is thr type of player this year that GMs lose their minds over.

 

[Billdo]

so, what contract are you giving Kovacevic? As the days go by, it gets harder and harder to think about letting him walk.

Do we think he'd take like 4 x $3.5?

It's certainly a decision to not take lightly. I am of the mindset where we sign him for something that, maybe even 5 years x $4. Keep a presumably disgruntled Nemec in Utica next year too. See where we are at after, I'd imagine looking to move Hamilton might be the step after next season should they go this route.

 

[dzubrus8]

It's certainly a decision to not take lightly. I am of the mindset where we sign him for something that, maybe even 5 years x $4. Keep a presumably disgruntled Nemec in Utica next year too. See where we are at after, I'd imagine looking to move Hamilton might be the step after next season should they go this route.

I think end of this season is the right time to move Dougie. I’m wondering if Fitz could find a team to take Hamilton on spec similar to how the Devs took Subban despite being near the end of his career. He had 3x9 remaining like Hamilton albeit at 29 instead of 31. He was coming off a down year where he got hurt whereas as of right now Hamilton is on pace for his second best year

Even if it ends up being a 2 and a B prospect it frees up space in the NHL for whoever is more prepared between Casey and Nemec - and honestly without Hamilton I’d be happy bringing up either of them since there will be an opening on one of the PP units - and leaves the team with more than enough cap to re-sign Kovacevic who I think could get a 4x6 or 5x5 if the season ended today.

Also gives the Devils back some resources that they can use to rebuild the prospect pool or leverage in a trade. Thoughts?

 

[NjDevsRR]

Its poetic that on the season that Lemaire gets honored, the teams D play is the best it’s been in a LONG time

 

[Guttersniped]

Coleman brought back a 1st round pick + a recently drafted 1st rounder in Nolan Foote. And Coleman doesn’t have the same value as Alex Tuch.

Mercer + 2nd round pick + decent prospect doesn’t even get the conversation started.

You aren’t looking at contracts.

Tampa blew other bidders out of the water for Coleman because they needed dirt cheap forwards for the following season. If Coleman didn’t have another year at 1.8m he wouldn’t have gotten us that return.

They also gave San Jose a 1st for Goodrow because he had another year at 925k.

Brisebois was facing a major cap crunch.

Brisebois ended up only having to dump Tyler Johnson because the shortened season made Kucherov’s infamous season-long LTIR stint possible. It would’ve been much worse without that.

Also, I just don’t see Buffalo being all that interested in Nemec.

What they could really use is someone like Pesce to play with their young defenseman, preferably cost-controlled.

They’ve already got two young defenseman on massive deals plus Byram needs a new deal in the off-season. They know more than anyone that a 2OA’s salary comes with a top pick tax.

 

[Billdo]

I think end of this season is the right time to move Dougie. I’m wondering if Fitz could find a team to take Hamilton on spec similar to how the Devs took Subban despite being near the end of his career. He had 3x9 remaining like Hamilton albeit at 29 instead of 31. He was coming off a down year where he got hurt whereas as of right now Hamilton is on pace for his second best year

Even if it ends up being a 2 and a B prospect it frees up space in the NHL for whoever is more prepared between Casey and Nemec - and honestly without Hamilton I’d be happy bringing up either of them since there will be an opening on one of the PP units - and leaves the team with more than enough cap to re-sign Kovacevic who I think could get a 4x6 or 5x5 if the season ended today.

Also gives the Devils back some resources that they can use to rebuild the prospect pool or leverage in a trade. Thoughts?

I think they'd have to be absolutely certain that Nemec is ready for full time top 4 mins the year after next. They can roll Luke-Pesce, Siegenthaler-Kovacevic as the top 4 next year and have Dillon baby sit Nemec on the third pairing. Dougies going to have to be the guy that gets moved to accommodate all of that.

 

[TheBeerNerd]

The way Nemec is this season, I doubt he'll be ready for full-time NHL minutes next year. He's had his struggles in Utica.

Honestly, Bill is a good follow on X. He has some good insights. Kristy for the Hockey News isn’t bad either.

They are also both crossposting to Bluesky, if that platform is more your thing (it is for me, that's for damn sure). I think Kristy likes the engagement more over there.

 

[MasterofGrond]

The way Nemec is this season, I doubt he'll be ready for full-time NHL minutes next year. He's had his struggles in Utica.

They are also both crossposting to Bluesky, if that platform is more your thing (it is for me, that's for damn sure). I think Kristy likes the engagement more over there.

Nemec was ready for full time NHL minutes last season, and performed admirably is his.

Unless he just forgot how to play, I think it's very likely he rights the ship over the next 4 months, and we look at this as a blip caused by a preseason injury and maybe some confidence issues stemming from it. Also Utica is a shitshow, and Nemec (who has always been a little devil-may-care (compliment)) may simply do better in an environment surrounded by better, higher IQ players in a solid system.

 

[Lou Bloom]

You aren’t looking at contracts.

Tampa blew other bidders out of the water for Coleman because they needed dirt cheap forwards for the following season. If Coleman didn’t have another year at 1.8m he wouldn’t have gotten us that return.

They also gave San Jose a 1st for Goodrow because he had another year at 925k.

Brisebois was facing a major cap crunch.

Brisebois ended up only having to dump Tyler Johnson because the shortened season made Kucherov’s infamous season-long LTIR stint possible. It would’ve been much worse without that.

Also, I just don’t see Buffalo being all that interested in Nemec.

What they could really use is someone like Pesce to play with their young defenseman, preferably cost-controlled.

They’ve already got two young defenseman on massive deals plus Byram needs a new deal in the off-season. They know more than anyone that a 2OA’s salary comes with a top pick tax.

Of course contracts play a large part. That’s why Alex Tuch is so valuable, because there’s not many two way top 6 forwards with multiple years of control making $4.7M.

I disagree Buffalo wouldn’t be interested in Nemec. They were one of the teams interested in Jiricek, they also have a long term hole at RD that they don’t have an internal answer for.

 

[Triumph]

so, what contract are you giving Kovacevic? As the days go by, it gets harder and harder to think about letting him walk.

Do we think he'd take like 4 x $3.5?

Absolutely not. But mid 4s is a good starting point.

 

[MB3]

Not sure how you give Kovacevic >$4m when you already have too many RHD, you’re already smushing yourself up against the cap with an upcoming major raise for Luke Hughes, and when your top-9 has 2 (maybe 3) absolutely gaping holes.

 

[tailfins]

I wonder if Palat is being written off too soon.

He hasn't been good this year, but I also know the first 6 months or so after having our second kid was super stressful. Adding NICU on top of that - seems very reasonable for him to not be at 100%. Maybe we'll see a better Palat by the playoffs.

 

[SteveCangialosi123]

Not sure how you give Kovacevic >$4m when you already have too many RHD, you’re already smushing yourself up against the cap with an upcoming major raise for Luke Hughes, and when your top-9 has 2 (maybe 3) absolutely gaping holes.

Because he’s worth it and it allows you to trade from that position of strength. He’s not really a guy we can just afford to toss aside. He’s pivotal to our operation and a big reason we’re one of the best defensive teams in the NHL.

I also think the gaping holes in the top 9 are overstated. Jack has his A1 elite winger and they just need a guy to do dirty work next to them. Nico cooks with anyone you put him with. The holes that are there can be filled with the money saved by moving Doug and or Palat.

 

[Triumph]

Not sure how you give Kovacevic >$4m when you already have too many RHD, you’re already smushing yourself up against the cap with an upcoming major raise for Luke Hughes, and when your top-9 has 2 (maybe 3) absolutely gaping holes.

You make room for a player this good and this cheap. If Kovacevic wants $5M+, obviously he can walk, but there's a possibility to get a 1RD at the cost of what they paid Dillon.

 

[DerekDevils30]

From Friedman. Wonder if Fitz looks into this. Big bodied young forward who had 25 points in 45 games 2 seasons ago and is seemingly receiving the same treatment as Tomasino was. According to Preds fans on the trade board he can play C/LW and may be more comfortable in the middle. $775k cap hit and is a RFA.

 

[Better Call Sal]

I wonder if Palat is being written off too soon.

He hasn't been good this year, but I also know the first 6 months or so after having our second kid was super stressful. Adding NICU on top of that - seems very reasonable for him to not be at 100%. Maybe we'll see a better Palat by the playoffs.

I think we’d all love to believe you’re right. He’s going to be given all the time in the world with the two most skilled forwards on the team, so I’m hoping he continues to get into this rhythm he seems to be picking up right now. He certainly is earning the praise of his coach and linemates, so I hope it only continues to build his confidence.

Like it or not, he’s going to be here this season at a minimum. I’m rooting for him to keep it up. What he brings to the locker room is invaluable too.

 

[tailfins]

I think we’d all love to believe you’re right. He’s going to be given all the time in the world with the two most skilled forwards on the team, so I’m hoping he continues to get into this rhythm he seems to be picking up right now. He certainly is earning the praise of his coach and linemates, so I hope it only continues to build his confidence.

Like it or not, he’s going to be here this season at a minimum. I’m rooting for him to keep it up. What he brings to the locker room is invaluable too.

My only concern is that it may take 6 months to a year. We don't know what's going on at home.

My second cried (what felt like) non-stop every night for the first few months. My wife and I were barely hanging on. Our pediatrician finally told us he was hungry. Turned out he would get bored when eating, so he'd stop. He wasn't actually full. So different from our first kid - we had no idea.

And that's just a random example of a healthy second kid.

Throwing a second kind into the mix is a pretty big life change. I hope all is well for the Palat family, but it's a pretty big adjustment no matter what.

 

[Mr Bojanglez]

The GOAT, see avatar.

Looking back at the Fire and Ice blog we were really spoiled. Blog culture was crazy back then, you could find any sort of writer/enthusiast writing pretty lengthy entries on all sorts of topics.

Now it’s a quick blurb on Twitter redirecting to a small article behind a paywall.

I like to think TG knows how beloved he is by our fanbase.