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

[Clam Jensen]

You are not an optimist

It’s actually his name, “Theo P’Timist”

 

[Camille the Eel]

Maybe close to a month ago I felt its ok, we'll snap out of this..... but now I'm getting worried.

I barely see the games anymore so I can only go off so much via game summary and editorials, but feels like we've lost our compete level.... the scoring draught has become a huge factor right now...

What happened? Sure I can look at Timo n Bratt needing to get on the freakin scorecard but is that all that's needed? are the mintues to Palat and Tatar hurting us now that the season has progressed? Are the Hughes' brothers lack of discipline causing a rift?

Maybe Fitz needs to strike a deal for help or is it just us being better and get back on track?

We've lost a lot of ground in our secured playoff spot... so it's getting dicey and Idk how this roster is gonna respond to dicey?

I am most worried about the Markey injury. We saw last night the effect of a nasty soft goal early in a game. Not that Markstrom didn’t give them up too. But we saw the last couple of seasons the system wide effect of rotten goaltending. Before Markstrom getting hurt I was confident of the playoffs. Right now I have no idea what we are going to get from Allen over the next few weeks or how Markstrom is going to look when he comes back. This was the one injury (besides Nico or Jack or Bratt) I think we can least afford. Probably more than them. So that’s the cause of my anxiety about us now.

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

I am most worried about the Markey injury. We saw last night the effect of a nasty soft goal early in a game. Not that Markstrom didn’t give them up too. But we saw the last couple of seasons the system wide effect of rotten goaltending. Before Markstrom getting hurt I was confident of the playoffs. Right now I have no idea what we are going to get from Allen over the next few weeks or how Markstrom is going to look when he comes back. This was the one injury (besides Nico or Jack or Bratt) I think we can least afford. Probably more than them. So that’s the cause of my anxiety about us now.

its only going to hopefully be 5 more games of no Markstrom. I would imagine Markstrom is back or about to be back after the 4-nations tournament.

 

[Bleedred]

I am most worried about the Markey injury. We saw last night the effect of a nasty soft goal early in a game. Not that Markstrom didn’t give them up too. But we saw the last couple of seasons the system wide effect of rotten goaltending. Before Markstrom getting hurt I was confident of the playoffs. Right now I have no idea what we are going to get from Allen over the next few weeks or how Markstrom is going to look when he comes back. This was the one injury (besides Nico or Jack or Bratt) I think we can least afford. Probably more than them. So that’s the cause of my anxiety about us now.

It will be interesting to see what kind of a coach Keefe if when it comes to goalies. Whether he’ll stubbornly lean on Hedberg like DeBoer did in 2013. Or whether he’ll give someone else a chance if Allen has another outing like that. Like Hynes did with Kinkaid in 2018 when Cory was blowing up.

Keefe was very stubborn with Samsonov playing last year. He finally switched to Woll probably too late, but then Woll was injured for game 7 and he had no choice but to go to Samsonov.

If Daws is ever gonna be an NHL goalie for us then this would be the time to show it.

 

[HoliksGhost]

It will be interesting to see what kind of a coach Keefe if when it comes to goalies. Whether he’ll stubbornly lean on Hedberg like DeBoer did in 2013. Or whether he’ll give someone else a chance if Allen has another outing like that. Like Hynes did with Kinkaid in 2018 when Cory was blowing up.

Keefe was very stubborn with Samsonov playing last year. He finally switched to Woll probably too late, but then Woll was injured for game 7 and he had no choice but to go to Samsonov.

If Daws is ever gonna be an NHL goalie for us then this would be the time to show it.

Im not setting my hopes on Daws

 

[dendazen]

Wonder if Devils should try get Alex Tuch from Buffalo and for Seattle Bjorkstrand or Schwartz would probably better option than Gourde. I also think if inquiring on Rickard Rakell from Penguins worth a shot.

 

[TheUnseenHand]

Is Nico confirmed dead yet?

 

[Camille the Eel]

its only going to hopefully be 5 more games of no Markstrom. I would imagine Markstrom is back or about to be back after the 4-nations tournament.

from your keyboard to God's ears . . . Love the scenario and add that he comes back 100%

 

[NJersey]

Is Saad cooked? he got placed on waivers

 

[New Jersey Devils]

Honestly wouldn't mind him but he's got 1 year left at $4.5M and is probably cooked. If he were a center maybe. Probably wont make it to us anyway through waivers.

I did also see that Skinner is on the outs in Edmonton. Wouldn't mind him for the bottom-6, but probably cooked as well.

 

[Better Call Sal]

Is Nico confirmed dead yet?

They're off today, we'll find out tomorrow hopefully.

 

[Bleedred]

Im not setting my hopes on Daws

I’m not either.

But I’m also not setting my hopes on the guy who choked away the Blues 17-18 season as soon as they elevated him to starter, and who came close in 18-19 until the rando call up Binnington jumped in and they won the cup.

And that was when he was in his prime. You’d have to think the 34 year old version is probably a step or two behind the 27-28 year old version.

 

[Better Call Sal]

 

[TrufleShufle]

Is there a benefit to not putting Markstrom on IR? I thought that helps with building cap space if you do it. I'm 100% aware of my ignorance to the situation and rules behind IR/cap space, was just wondering the thought process. Has nothing to do with my fantasy team and needing the extra slot.

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

Is there a benefit to not putting Markstrom on IR? I thought that helps with building cap space if you do it. I'm 100% aware of my ignorance to the situation and rules behind IR/cap space, was just wondering the thought process. Has nothing to do with my fantasy team and needing the extra slot.

I am no expert, but I don't think normal IR helps with cap space, only LTIR. And with LTIR, they really do not "gain" cap space, because of Luke's potential bonuses.

I will let the experts chime in though.

 

[None Shall Pass]

IR frees up a roster spot but does not give you cap relief. LTIR does the same but also gives you the cap relief.

Guessing he's not on IR because they don't need the roster spot enough to put up with the associated rules.

Explainer if you need it: What’s the Difference Between Injured Reserve and Long-Term Injured Reserve?

 

[Nocashstyle]

I am no expert, but I don't think normal IR helps with cap space, only LTIR. And with LTIR, they really do not "gain" cap space, because of Luke's potential bonuses.

I will let the experts chime in though.

It helps me clear a spot in my fantasy lineup

 

[HBK27]

Is there a benefit to not putting Markstrom on IR? I thought that helps with building cap space if you do it. I'm 100% aware of my ignorance to the situation and rules behind IR/cap space, was just wondering the thought process. Has nothing to do with my fantasy team and needing the extra slot.

There is no benefit to putting Markstrom on IR other than opening up another roster spot.

Putting him on LTIR would allow NJ to replace some of his salary - for example, PuckPedia says they're currently $1.3M under the cap so putting Markstrom's $4.125M cap hit on LTIR would open up ~$2.8M in space to bring in additional salary.

However, once you're in LTIR you stop accumulating cap space, which we will likely need by the trade deadline to add players. Currently, PuckPedia is projecting $2.5M in deadline cap space.

As far as Luke's bonuses, I believe that whatever performance bonuses he gets this season will be taken out of any leftover cap space with the rest of the balance coming out of next season's cap. Finishing the season on LTIR means all the bonuses come out of next season. Luke is eligible for up to $1.85M in performance bonuses this season, though I can't find a breakdown of the various criteria he would have to hit.

 

[HoliksGhost]

Is Nico confirmed dead yet?

No but we should probably check on Bastion

 

[NjDevsRR]

No but we should probably check on Bastion

I wish Bastian WAS a Bastion

 

[guitarguyvic]

Bastian’s NHL career is probably in jeopardy at this point. He was mediocre but not awful last year. Been injured several times. Has has been bad since returning to the lineup this year, and now has presumably suffered a concussion. I have a hard time seeing how a guy who peaked as a #11/12 forward two years ago returns to that form when since that time he’s barely been cutting it in that role and has been injured repeatedly.

 

[HoliksGhost]

Bastian’s NHL career is probably in jeopardy at this point. He was mediocre but not awful last year. Been injured several times. Has has been bad since returning to the lineup this year, and now has presumably suffered a concussion. I have a hard time seeing how a guy who peaked as a #11/12 forward but over the last two years has barely been cutting it in that role and has been injured repeatedly returns to that peak form.

Can’t say I disagree

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

Bastian is a nothing-burger. Does nothing well.

don't wish the guy to be injured, but yeah. Time to move on.

 

[Oneiro]

Despite the losses, I've liked how Mercer has been playing lately. I think he's slowly improving and adding to his game.

 

[Billdo]

So if my math is correct, they need to start scoring more and they will win more.

No, your math is incorrect. They need to score many more than the other team.

Wonder if Devils should try get Alex Tuch from Buffalo and for Seattle Bjorkstrand or Schwartz would probably better option than Gourde. I also think if inquiring on Rickard Rakell from Penguins worth a shot.

I heard that McDavid guy is pretty good or maybe that Barkov fella from Florida.