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

[Peter Sidorkiewicz]

We’ll have to find a center to replace Haula, one near his 3.15m cap hit, and that won’t be easy.

Largely depends on how much you value haula I suppose. If he's a 4th line center, he's overpaid and you need a 3c anyway. May want to trim the fat off 3m for a 4th line center

If they want to keep him as the 3c, it's good financially, but he may not be good in that role.

That why I want to trade for Jake Evans. Yes he is a pending UFA but we get a look at him before free agenc and if he plays well then Fitz could re-sign him as the teams new 3C and trade Huala in the offseason.

 

[Rhodes 81]

I'd be more interested in a Lazar type deal where you get a player on a cheap contract that has a couple years left.

 

[onmygameboi]

Hey everyone,

Show Luke some love.

Do all 3 Hughes brothers go 1st overall in their respective re-drafts?

Top 2018 contenders (Quinn's draft) Rasmus Dahlin Brady Tkachuk Noah Dobson Evan Bouchard Top 2019 contenders (Jack's draft) Matt Boldy Moritz Seider Alex Vlasic Top 2021 contenders (Luke's draft) Simon Edvinsson Dyland Guenther Wyatt Johnston Owen Power William Eklund Kent Johnson Matty...

forums.hfboards.com

 

[Lou is God]

Pierre LeBrun on where Brandon Tanev might land at the trading deadline:

"All signs point to the pending unrestricted free agent winger getting dealt ahead of the deadline if the Kraken aren’t in the playoff chase, which seems rather likely as of now. My understanding is there are several contenders waiting to see if/when Tanev is on the market because they want a crack at him. He brings the kind of grindy game most playoff teams are looking for. He’s an excellent penalty killer who leads Seattle in shorthanded ice time. He won’t back down from anyone. I like the Devils as a fit. They’re looking for a bottom-six boost, and I can picture Tanev finding a nice spot in that Cup-contending lineup that has no shortage of offensive talent but could use a little more sandpaper."

 

[SteveCangialosi123]

Tanev doesn’t really interest me that much. Good speed, but I’m not sure how much of a boost he’d add to the Haula line over Cotter.

I’d rather target Gourde.

 

[PKs Broken Stick]

I'm not sure I agree with that.

Lindy was touted as a good development coach, but I'm not exactly sure why. What exactly did he teach? Wouldn't it be better to have a coach that teaches defensive responsible and system to new players, as opposed to a coach that allows free wheeling? How much coaching does it take to say "go out there and do whatever you want to do as long as you score a lot"?

I mean, maybe it helps with confidence? Or maybe it proves to young players that not playing within a structured system is disastrous in the NHL? I dunno.

Either way, it seems to have worked, so maybe I'm wrong.

I think a "good" development coach is just someone who has a good relationship with younger players. You know how some of the coaches in the league just seem to hate younger players

 

[New Jerseys Devil]

Goal!!

Edit: wrong thread lol

 

[Devs3cups]

Nemec scored 2 goals last night for Utica!

 

[Blackjack]

It’s hilarious that we have two NHL top four caliber RD in Utica because we don’t have room for them on the roster.

I mean, I know it’s not hilarious to them.

 

[Better Call Sal]

Hey that Newark hockey youth baseball cap Jack was donning after the Rangers game, any idea how I can get one?

Not sure if anyone responded to you on this before, but you can find the Devils youth foundation items here if you're interested. Just go to the DYF shop.

Get Involved - Devils Youth Foundation

devilsyouthfoundation.org

 

[RSeen]

It’s hilarious that we have two NHL top four caliber RD in Utica because we don’t have room for them on the roster.

I mean, I know it’s not hilarious to them.

They aren't top 4 NHL quality yet. They could but but they are not there.

 

[RSeen]

After this season, we have a few ways we can go with our RD.

1) Resign Kovacevic, keep Dougie, and not have Nemec/Casey at the NHL level, potentially trade 1 or both.

2) Resign Kovacevic, trade Dougie and promote one of Nemec/Casey

3) Not resign Kovacevic, keep Dougie and promote one of Nemec/Casey

I'd probably be in favour of #2, but only if we make a significant forward addition, though I would not want to give someone in their 30s term in free agency.

Dougie is a great guy and the offensive ability he brings is still important, not many Dman can score like he can, but Luke is ready for PP1 which will diminish Dougie's role, and Nemec/Casey can likely replace his minutes at even strength for cheaper, while freeing up cap space.

Though a trade would be tough to work out.

 

[njdevil26]

My thoughts on the defense:


For this season- I just won't entertain any ideas of splitting up Dillon and Hamilton. If they are somehow our "worst" D pair, it doesn't matter. The Devils quite literally have the best defense in the league. We have defensive pairs that have been together every single day since Luke and Pesce came back from injury. The chemistry is through the roof. With the way the team is playing defense and Markstrom's numbers in his last 10 starts you don't touch a darn thing.


Moving forward- I don't understand anyone that wants to trade Dougie Hamilton. He's on pace offensively to have the second best year of his career believe it or not. He had a rough start coming back from going a long time without playing hockey. His slow start brought out all of the ridiculous takes about his contract and trading him.

Fact of the matter is this- You can't trade him and act like Nemec and/or Casey are going to show up and magically put in 50-70 points while playing competent defense. They are still literal children... and the Devils are now in their cup window and you don't just downgrade the team for the sake of playing a kid.


If Kovacevic commands 5-6 million a year, the Devils can't afford him and then the situation takes care of itself. But something tells me he's going to be grateful for the opportunity here and sign a team friendly deal.

 

[Lou is God]

Not sure if anyone responded to you on this before, but you can find the Devils youth foundation items here if you're interested. Just go to the DYF shop.

Get Involved - Devils Youth Foundation

devilsyouthfoundation.org

Thank you!

 

[njdevil26]

Just want to brag that Timo and my son are besties now

 

[Blackjack]

They aren't top 4 NHL quality yet. They could but but they are not there.

That's a matter of opinion and I disagree.

Just want to brag that Timo and my son are besties now View attachment 952293

That's an awesome picture

 

[Mgd31]

So at 21 years old Luke Hughes is already one of the best defenseman in the league, huh?

 

[Oneiro]

So at 21 years old Luke Hughes is already one of the best defenseman in the league, huh?

They've got to get him signed. I'm starting to believe any number under 10 will look beautiful.

 

[Lou is God]

So at 21 years old Luke Hughes is already one of the best defenseman in the league, huh?

Poor Rachel and Lauren.

 

[JimEIV]

So at 21 years old Luke Hughes is already one of the best defenseman in the league, huh?

Getting better every day

 

[Devs3cups]

They've got to get him signed. I'm starting to believe any number under 10 will look beautiful.

It’s gonna get done sooner rather than later imo. The comps are there, the money is there. I’d guess it’s gonna happen soon.

 

[Billdo]

It’s hilarious that we have two NHL top four caliber RD in Utica because we don’t have room for them on the roster.

I mean, I know it’s not hilarious to them.

Potential. That's all Nemec and Casey are right now is potential.

 

[Saugus]

So at 21 years old Luke Hughes is already one of the best defenseman in the league, huh?

He’s probably the best skater I’ve ever seen, and I think the Niedermayer comparison is accurate in that regard.

His defensive play has taken great leaps this season. Pairing him with Pesce is the best thing we could have done for his development. Truly incredible how much he has improved something that had been a weakness and turned it into a strength.

If he gets PP1 time and some more confidence in his shot, he could easily put up huge point totals.

I think he’s already a solid #2 defenseman, maybe even a clear #1 on many teams. Within a couple years, we’ll be talking about him as an elite #1 and a perennial Norris contender.

We need to pay that man his money now, before it gets too expensive.

 

[Blackjack]

Potential. That's all Nemec and Casey are right now is potential.

Yeah? I guess I just imagined them both playing in the NHL

 

[Devils731]

So at 21 years old Luke Hughes is already one of the best defenseman in the league, huh?

Every game that he keeps this up, it’s less and less likely he’s running hot and more likely he’s just at this level.

His offense is getting better and better as he trusts himself more. Coming back from the injury he was playing it safe but one thing that Hughes has is that he can play aggressive offensively while his legs keep the risk of doing so low.

Even this level is great but I can still see even higher levels possible, which is a little crazy.