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

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

I really hope the devils don’t send nemec for a package of players and picks.

if they send nemec, I hope it’s Nemec for a stud that checks all the boxes. Not a middle six guy, a prospect and a pick.

Or I hope it’s Nemec in a larger Devils package for a legitimate star - like the Brady Tkachuk move that I can’t stop praying about.

Tkachuk isn't moving if Ottawa gets in this year, neither should they anyway if they fall out late a la Detroit last year, hey're a good team as evidence with any decent goaltending they get.

Have been a pretty big supporter of Nemec on here and think there’s some serious potential there but the longer this goes the more I think trading him may make the most sense. There’s a point for a young player like him where I think being in the AHL is more harmful than good for his development and with Kovacevic’s emergence and our right side being potentially set moving forward he may be mostly in the AHL for a while still.


In speculating about potential deadline trade partners Seattle is one that makes sense to me. They’re having a tough season and seem to want to bring in some young skilled talent. We also don’t want to just bring a rental and they have some solid veteran forwards with 2-3 years left at reasonable cap hits. Some guys that come to mind.

Bjorkstrand - 2 years at 5.4M
Schwartz - 2 years at 5.5M
Gourde - 1 year at 5.17M (good deadline otherwise too?)
Burakovsky - 3 years at 5.5M
Mcann - 3 years at 5M (long shot)

Varying calibre of players there but think they could all be involved in a deal somehow along with some of Seattle’s prospects and retention.

For example
To NJ:
Oliver Bjorkstrand (50% retained)
Ryan Winterton (2 years left on ELC)
2025 2nd round pick

To Seattle:
Nemec


Might not be as much value as you want for Nemec but think it’s realistic and his value is only going to drop the longer he’s stuck behind Dougie, Pesce, and Kovacevic and in the AHL. Also thought about including Gourde retained but not sure how that would work cap wise unless Haula is going back the other way.

I love Bjorkstrand but no

 

[Triumph]

The Devils do not have salary cap room for another star, and Nemec won't likely bring back a star, either. The Devils are already having big issues with depth this season that are being covered over by the fact that they've had no injuries in their top 9 all season, which is almost unthinkable.

 

[SteveCangialosi123]

Gritsyuk coming over and being an immediate impact scorer would be very clutch for our depth over the next couple years, especially if we can’t dump Palat.

 

[Incharge1976]

I think the emergence of Kovacevic has complicated things a little bit. They want to sign him. Luke needs to be signed too.

Any move they make this season will probably be on the edges for some more depth but I don't see anything crazy unless it's a blockbuster deal.

They will need to shed some salary in the offseason, so the usual conversation pieces of Palat, Dougie, and possibly Mercer will be talked about a lot.

Personally, I ask Luke to work on his shot all offseason because he has had a bunch of chances that would take his 11 points in 13 games and make it gaudy. The kid is basically a few goals and PP1 time away from being a top 3 D in the game, which is pretty much saying who I would trade first. Let Nemec slide into the right side on the third pairing.

 

[Mr Bojanglez]

I really hope the devils don’t send nemec for a package of players and picks.

if they send nemec, I hope it’s Nemec for a stud that checks all the boxes. Not a middle six guy, a prospect and a pick.

Or I hope it’s Nemec in a larger Devils package for a legitimate star - like the Brady Tkachuk move that I can’t stop praying about.

I think Nemec is the kind of guy that will play better in the NHL than the AHL.

He did well last year, but also lost some gas on a pretty bad team.

I realize we got a logjam in the future - but i do think Nemec will be a good player

 

[Bleedred]

The team went from looking just eh or good but nothing great before Luke and Pesce debuted to a wagon again.

 

[Peter Sidorkiewicz]

The other option I’d be open to is trading Nemec for a similar level forward prospect. Anyone got any names that might make sense?

Jimmy Snuggerud from Blues

 

[Emperoreddy]

 

[Mr Bojanglez]

we have plenty of "meanness". I dont care about any of that. Get the best players possible for the middle 6.



that would be a brutal trade for us

 

[JimEIV]

I think Nemec has a lot of deficiencies in his game...not a big deal for a 19 year old, you expect a lot of that...
but as 20 year old about to turn 21 and a former #2 overall, not dominating in the AHL is more than a bit concerning.

Nemec should be almost forcing a call up right now and he's doing nothing of the sort.

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

I think Nemec has a lot of deficiencies in his game...not a big deal for a 19 year old, you expect a lot of that...
but as 20 year old about to turn 21 and a former #2 overall, not dominating in the AHL is more than a bit concerning.

Nemec should be almost forcing a call up right now and he's doing nothing of the sort.

and which DMan are you sitting for him?

 

[Saugus]

He’s a fine enough player, but the main reason I’d trade for Bjorkstrand is so that he can’t score against us anymore. Dude just loves to play against the Devils.

 

[OmNomNom]

He’s a fine enough player, but the main reason I’d trade for Bjorkstrand is so that he can’t score against us anymore. Dude just loves to play against the Devils.

Reminder he was another castron scouting gem, and how lucky we are to have Paul as our director

 

[NJDevils17]

I don’t think Markstrom has been strong on aggregate but 2nd in the league in GAA with 2.12. At the end of the day, he’s averaging 2ish goals allowed. Bad goals whatever, that’s good enough. Period.

 

[Mr Bojanglez]

I don’t think Markstrom has been strong on aggregate but 2nd in the league in GAA with 2.12. At the end of the day, he’s averaging 2ish goals allowed. Bad goals whatever, that’s good enough. Period.

he's still a good goalie. He does give up bad goals. Team doesn't seem to fold when gives up the softy.

I'm OK with the tandem we got.

 

[Emperoreddy]

We are a very good team and I'm tired of pretending we aren't.

Keefe has these guys playing defense that can win playoff series

 

[NJDevils17]

It’s weird to have this team as structured as they are after watching Lindy coach them for years. It’s a huge adjustment but they have the personnel to do it and the buy in from guys like Jack really really helps.

Sheldon has been awesome. Cannot say enough good things.

 

[Zippy316]

He’s a fine enough player, but the main reason I’d trade for Bjorkstrand is so that he can’t score against us anymore. Dude just loves to play against the Devils.

I love the idea of Bjorkstrand for his skill set. My only concern with trading for a pure winger is we just really don’t have that flexible center depth this year.

In 2022-23, we had Boqvist and Sharangovich who could slide to center in a pinch. This year, it’s Hischier-Hughes-Haula-Lazar-Dowling and that’s pretty much it. Maybe Cotter and Mercer, but I don’t think they ever really looked good at C.

That’s not even considering the elephant in the room as to whether Hughes is going to be a center come playoff time. So far his overall game is trending really well, but who knows what happens come playoff time. If Haula becomes the pseudo-center on Jack’s line, who ends up as 3C?

 

[NJDevils17]

One other thing - Luke Hughes is legitimately developing at an insane rate. I didn’t expect his D to develop that quickly and his offensive instincts are clearly there. I am so psyched to see where he is in 2-3 years. Lock him up under 9 in this offseason and it’ll be a great deal.

His skating is so good that he can recover from mistakes quickly. Insane stride and closing speed. Sometimes it looks bad but because he’s so skilled, it works.

 

[DerekDevils30]

One other thing - Luke Hughes is legitimately developing at an insane rate. I didn’t expect his D to develop that quickly and his offensive instincts are clearly there. I am so psyched to see where he is in 2-3 years. Lock him up under 9 in this offseason and it’ll be a great deal.

His skating is so good that he can recover from mistakes quickly. Insane stride and closing speed. Sometimes it looks bad but because he’s so skilled, it works.

He is well on his way to becoming a legitimate #1 D. A true pleasure to watch. Everything he does looks so effortless

 

[Emperoreddy]

I think a lot of us knew Luke had it in him, but wanted to rightfully temper expectations.

His skating ability and size alone gives him an unfair tool box.

He has it in him to win a Norris, but might always be blocked from it due to Quinn

 

[NJDevils17]

I think a lot of us knew Luke had it in him, but wanted to rightfully temper expectations.

His skating ability and size alone gives him an unfair tool box.

He has it in him to win a Norris, but might always be blocked from it due to Quinn

I think his physical skills are legit insane. Possibly the most talented toolbox in the league. I didn’t think the IQ would really ever be there compared to Quinn / Jack but his jump this season has me walking that back to an extent. Pesce is teaching him some savvy stuff man.

 

[Devils731]

One other thing - Luke Hughes is legitimately developing at an insane rate. I didn’t expect his D to develop that quickly and his offensive instincts are clearly there. I am so psyched to see where he is in 2-3 years. Lock him up under 9 in this offseason and it’ll be a great deal.

His skating is so good that he can recover from mistakes quickly. Insane stride and closing speed. Sometimes it looks bad but because he’s so skilled, it works.

When Luke is the weak side defender, he loves to camp out at the low half board rather than the point.

He knows he can skate and get back in most situations and this makes maintaining possession while also starting the attack easier and quicker.

It’s a big help when we he is on the ice.

 

[Saugus]

I just found out that I’m going to the game on Friday! My brother got us tickets as a gift.

Hoping the team keeps rolling, posts a strong win, and pads the division lead!

 

[Devs3cups]

One other thing - Luke Hughes is legitimately developing at an insane rate. I didn’t expect his D to develop that quickly and his offensive instincts are clearly there. I am so psyched to see where he is in 2-3 years. Lock him up under 9 in this offseason and it’ll be a great deal.

His skating is so good that he can recover from mistakes quickly. Insane stride and closing speed. Sometimes it looks bad but because he’s so skilled, it works.

Spot on. It's just the beginning for him. We're so lucky to have him on the squad for years to come.