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

[Zippy316]

Who out of this list would you guys prefer to add ? ( somewhat rumoured to be available ) . Feel free to add others you are interested in that might be available .
Schenn
Evans
Nelson
McCann
Gourde
Laughton
Palms
Bjorkstrand

I now that McCann and Nelson and maybe Bjorkstrand are in different categories than the others in terms of cost , but factor that in , who do yuu guys want to add to our roster to bolster / adress our lack of forward depth ? McCann would be awesome but the cost would be high .

In order of your list:

Schenn - hard pass on his age and contract, plus already showing signs of regression
Evans - fourth liner having a career year reeks of overpayment, I don’t see him as any better than Haula
Nelson - love the fit, not the price for a rental this year
McCann - dream acquisition here, would be a fantastic add and checks all the boxes
Gourde - love the fit as 3C, but fear it’s an all-in move for the likely price (would want to see a scoring forward added too)
Laughton - price is going to be far too inflated for what he brings, hard pass
Palmieri - Best fit of the rental forwards, but also will cost the most. I’d lean towards getting Nyquist/Zucker for cheaper
Bjorkstrand - love the fit as a scoring top six forward, contract is going to be tough to squeeze in and add a 3C on top of it.

Lately, I’ve been leaning for Fitzgerald to either make a long-term acquisition (Bjorkstrand, McCann, etc) and another cheap center (Suter) or just add 2-3 quality depth for the second or third lines (Zucker, Nyquist, Beauvillier, Bjugstad, Pius Suter, etc.).

That mindset could definitely change depending on how the team looks like when Hischier returns. Ideally this team needs a scoring forward in the top six and a bottom six center, but given our cap situation, we may be better off adding some depth pieces and hoping to get some trio that clicks and is more than the sum of its parts.

 

[Andre Palot]

Palmieri was too streaky when he was with us the first time, I'd just imagine his game hasn't exactly aged like wine.

 

[Eggtimers]

Palmieri was too streaky when he was with us the first time, I'd just imagine his game hasn't exactly aged like wine.

I wasn’t a huge fan of Palms game either just before he left . Like you said , he was way too streaky and when he wasn’t scoring , he was invisible and didn’t provide much else . I’d pass on him too . I say either go hard for McCann . He has term and has good value . If not him , I’d prefer lesser moves for depth like Evans or P Suter or Bjugstad

 

[MB3]

Palmieri is playing 18 minutes a game and PP1. I have legitimately zero interest in him as a player.

 

[New Jerseys Devil]

Are we really in the position to be trading away a second overall defenseman who only just turned 21? Btw Happy Birthday, Simon!!

Would seem foolhardy to put all our eggs into the current basket when our best talents arent even nearing 30 years old yet (except poor Timo lol).

But thats just my opinion after-all!

 

[devilsblood]

Are we really in the position to be trading away a second overall defenseman who only just turned 21? Btw Happy Birthday, Simon!!

Would seem foolhardy to put all our eggs into the current basket when our best talents arent even nearing 30 years old yet (except poor Timo lol).

But thats just my opinion after-all!

Depends on 2 questions:

1)Do we still think he has high end upside?

2)What's the return?

 

[New Jerseys Devil]

Depends on 2 questions:

1)Do we still think he has high end upside?

2)What's the return?

Id like to think he does; would be pretty odd of the team to like him enough to take him but then turn on him before he's able to legally drink lol

As for a return Id hope its a lot if we did? Ive seen some comments around this website recently about moving him for options like second-line centers with 2-3 years on their UFA contracts that I dont quite understand. Why move a long-term asset for a shorter-term bolstering? Especially when the cap is going to rise at a rate that will allow us to entertain contracts elsewhere we normally couldnt

To me it makes more sense to move on from Seamus Casey who, with Luke here long-term, likely cant put up the gaudy numbers hes projected to playing PP2 in the future. Though I loved his short stint and Id be glad to keep him as well!

I only suggest Seamus because, from what Ive read on these two (only Nemec played a season with us), Simon sounds like the better defender and PKer. If Seamus is more of an offensive defenseman he may not see his full worth here with how crowded our powerplay already is

And all of this doesnt include our fantasy scenario of acquiring Quinn Hughes as a free agent!!


I know you cant keep every young prospect, no matter how tantalizing; but I think Simon Nemec fits perfectly into our future plans and would be a great 1-2 punch with Luke on opposite sides!

 

[MB3]

D+3 year is where I reeeeeeeeally start to look at other things as more contributing factors than "what pick we used on them". I agree that it sounds way better to say "21 year old 2nd overall pick" but our "22 year old 7th overall pick" was endlessly and negligently buoyed by this fanbase because of his draft capital and not at all because of what he showed us on the ice.

Nowhere near ready to give up on Nemo yet and I'd be furious if they traded him for peanuts, but if he's involved in getting a young talented forward back I'll save the Devils the trouble and drive him to the destination myself.

 

[dgibb10]

Just checked in on the whereabouts of Will Butcher.

Looks like he washed out of the KHL and is now in the DEL. 9 points in 24 games there.

This guy was once putting up the best on ice numbers of any Devils D-man.

Though, full disclosure I was also looking at his numbers with different d-partners while in NJ. Really good with Lovejoy in not especially favorable situations(guessing easy opposition though I don't have that breakdown) and bad to very bad with the likes of Sev's and Vat's in significantly easier situational usage.

Andy Greene was putting up bad numbers but playing some of the most difficult minutes you'll ever see.

I don't think unproven dman with no track record are particularly relevant as comparables when we're talking about a guy who has done this year after year after year.

There is a common denominator for Dougie Hamilton putting up elite offense across how many teams, how many coaches, how many years, how many partners, how many roles. It's Dougie Hamilton.

 

[New Jerseys Devil]

D+3 year is where I reeeeeeeeally start to look at other things as more contributing factors than "what pick we used on them". I agree that it sounds way better to say "21 year old 2nd overall pick" but our "22 year old 7th overall pick" was endlessly and negligently buoyed by this fanbase because of his draft capital and not at all because of what he showed us on the ice.

Nowhere near ready to give up on Nemo yet and I'd be furious if they traded him for peanuts, but if he's involved in getting a young talented forward back I'll save the Devils the trouble and drive him to the destination myself.

Holtz is a different scenario altogether though because Nemec not only impressed at the age of 19 but he was solid in his own end when most his age arent. Alexander by that age hadnt' even come over to the US yet!

I dont bring up the second overall draft selection as a way to boost his perceived value; but instead to show how much potential the team saw in him (and what he clearly showed us as well last year)

Holtz wasn't blocked but instead couldn't hold down a spot all that well; even though his even-strength goal scoring was decent from what I remember.

On the other hand Nemec had no chance of making this team when Kovacevic decided to rip off his Scooby Doo mask and reveal he is a distant relative of the Savard's

Not much else to say on the matter so I guess itll be a watch and see scenario. I just hope the team doesnt make a rash decision trying to be better now when I personally feel the team is still a few years away from greatness!

 

[None Shall Pass]

We've been spoiled by the recent quick development by the Makars and Quinn and must remember that defensemen generally take years to reach their peak. Hedman was a 2nd overall too and he took a good while to really come into his own.

Given the RD depth this year, it's hard, but if Nemec is an NHL regular next season, he's on track.

 

[New Jerseys Devil]

And can we please get all our power back on here in Jersey?! What a cruddy way to end the weekend!! Its almost impossible to build a Starry Night lego set in the candle-lit dark

 

[RNCDevil]

I would love to see a breakdown on Nemec in terms of raw attributes: positioning, passing, skating, panic, board work, decisions, physicality. I am not current but his skating looks average at best while his passing looks better than average and his panic looks better than average. This is just from. The two NHL showings this year so not well informed.

 

[longislanddevil]

Who out of this list would you guys prefer to add ? ( somewhat rumoured to be available ) . Feel free to add others you are interested in that might be available .
Schenn
Evans
Nelson
McCann
Gourde
Laughton
Palms
Bjorkstrand

I now that McCann and Nelson and maybe Bjorkstrand are in different categories than the others in terms of cost , but factor that in , who do yuu guys want to add to our roster to bolster / adress our lack of forward depth ? McCann would be awesome but the cost would be high .

In order:
McCann
Bjorkstrand
Nelson
Evans
Gourde
Palmieri
Schenn
Laughton

 

[IDEKWTM]

Fitz gonna spend all our money on lap dances from francophone pre-med students young enough to be his granddaughter

They still use the "pre-med" line?

 

[Clam Jensen]

And can we please get all our power back on here in Jersey?! What a cruddy way to end the weekend!! Its almost impossible to build a Starry Night lego set in the candle-lit dark

Luckily we’re all good in Morristown, but hope you get yours back soon!

 

[goonybird]

They still use the "pre-med" line?

They did when I was looking for breast cancer downtown Montreal

 

[New Jerseys Devil]

Luckily we’re all good in Morristown, but hope you get yours back soon!

We also lucked out just 30 minutes ago! Was a chilly night but not so bad everyone couldnt bundle. Was nervous about tonight though if it took long enough, wed probably have had to get a hotel for a night. House would have been around ~40-43 degrees by midnight

Hope everyone else is doing okay as well!

 

[IDEKWTM]

We got smoked with 2 consecutive storms with a combined 70cm of snow.

For those of you in the 11th province, that's close to 28 inches.

 

[Lou Bloom]

We've been spoiled by the recent quick development by the Makars and Quinn and must remember that defensemen generally take years to reach their peak. Hedman was a 2nd overall too and he took a good while to really come into his own.

Given the RD depth this year, it's hard, but if Nemec is an NHL regular next season, he's on track.

Nobody is saying he has to look like Makar or Hughes.

You don’t just stop scouting and evaluating a player and his potential because he’s already been drafted. It’s fair to look at Nemec and question the lack of high end physical tooks (average size and average skating), or his questionable positioning leading to odd man rushes against, the lack of physicality or the lack of dynamic skating/ playmaking (he has very good vision and passing but his skating limits his impact.) He’s still a good prospect but that doesn’t mean he should be viewed as this untouchable player or that we can’t readjust our expectations from draft day.

 

[Bleedred]

I was under the impression that Palmieri was signed for one more year after this. I SWORE Lou gave him a 5 year deal. I remember going ''Yeah, wouldn't have wanted him back for 5 years, that contract probably won't end up well by the end''.

Apparently he's done after this year. I've been thinking it was a 5 year deal the whole time. I kept seeing people calling him a rental.

I also thought for a while that Taylor Hall got a 5 year deal in 2021, but even he only got a 4 year deal.

Yeah, okay, I think I'd definitely be interested. I thought he had one more year left at $5 million. He does not.

 

[Guadana]

I was under the impression that Palmieri was signed for one more year after this. I SWORE Lou gave him a 5 year deal. I remember going ''Yeah, wouldn't have wanted him back for 5 years, that contract probably won't end up well by the end''.

Apparently he's done after this year. I've been thinking it was a 5 year deal the whole time. I kept seeing people calling him a rental.

I also thought for a while that Taylor Hall got a 5 year deal in 2021, but even he only got a 4 year deal.

Yeah, okay, I think I'd definitely be interested. I thought he had one more year left at $5 million. He does not.

Its hard to root for his trade because he wasnt good in the season we traded him. And when Palms cant score he doesnt exist on the ice mostly. May be its everything we need but we had Toffoli year ago and sometimes he looks very impactful, but before the trade even with his production it feels like we did loose nothing.

 

[SteveCangialosi123]

Its hard to root for his trade because he wasnt good in the season we traded him. And when Palms cant score he doesnt exist on the ice mostly. May be its everything we need but we had Toffoli year ago and sometimes he looks very impactful, but before the trade even with his production it feels like we did loose nothing.

I like that he can still skate

I could get behind bringing him back

 

[Lou Bloom]

I like that he can still skate

View attachment 978606

I could get behind bringing him back

Yeah, I think Palms is the best target as far as rentals. Has experience with Hughes, Hischier and Bratt, won't cost much (at most similar to the Toffoli trade value) and He's still a good finisher which is something the Devils could really use with their scoring issues.

 

[Triumph]

Palms didn't work well with Hughes. With Meier already a forward in our top 9 who doesn't work well with him, I don't like how that potentially constrains the lines.