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

[New Jerseys Devil]

Buchnevich already signed a 6 x $8M extension this past offseason.

Whoops! Thanks for the heads up

They need a center. Not a winger. Adding a winger doesn’t really have as big of an impact that people think it will have. Sure it mo Palat down the lineup, but it still leaves a whole in the 3rd and 4th lines which will hurt production. Meanwhile Palat’s production has picked up since mid-November and given there is only one puck I’m not sure how much juice there is to squeeze on that line given the production of Jack and Bratt.

A good 3rd line center probably gets Mercer and Cotter going. It also free’s Nico from has heavy of a defensive responsibilities and matchup which would help that line a bit.

If you are taking about bringing in a high priced winger you are missing the plot.

I didnt think too hard about it I just was talking about Buchnevich to a buddy and googled his contract; guess I read the information wrong though anyway!

 

[jkrdevil]

I guess my opinion is based on that Haula is out (for who knows how long), looked cooked offensively before leaving the lineup, and I don’t have confidence he would be 100% coming back. I just think pushing him down to the 4th line with a center addition is more bang for you buck than a winger. That also move Lazar (who is coming off an injury) to the wing.

I think the bottom 6 production problem is a center issue and bumping Palat down to the bottom 6 doesn’t solve that.

 

[Better Call Sal]

A fantastic interview when you have a chance to listen. Langs was a great solider for this franchise for a long time. I know his exit sucked, but he remains one of my all-time favorite players for this team.

 

[Lou Bloom]

I guess my opinion is based on that Haula is out (for who knows how long), looked cooked offensively before leaving the lineup, and I don’t have confidence he would be 100% coming back. I just think pushing him down to the 4th line with a center addition is more bang for you buck than a winger. That also move Lazar (who is coming off an injury) to the wing.

I think the bottom 6 production problem is a center issue and bumping Palat down to the bottom 6 doesn’t solve that.

I don't disagree that finding a quality 3C would be ideal. The point I'm making is that what matters most is making smart moves and acquiring good players whether they play center or wing.

The lack of bottom 6 production is not solely a center issue. The lack of production is due to having no one in the bottom 6 that is capable of driving play and creating chances.

 

[Emperoreddy]

If you can get a middle 6 center then they should, but I wouldn't be so hung up on a center that I would pass up a middle 6 winger to add a slight Dowling upgrade

 

[devilsblood]

We also have to consider that our recent impression of Haula is tainted. We don't know exactly how long the injury was slowing him down, but we can make a solid assumption that much of his poor play was due to an injury.

So if Devils mgmt thinks he can get back healthy they may not think it necessary to acquire a 3rd line center.

 

[Peter Sidorkiewicz]

Do you think Fitz could move Dawson Mercer for a Ryan O’Reilly trade?
Maybe they can expand the deal to include Nyqvist and Tatar (for cap reasons) as part of the deal. It would allow Devils to get an elite 3C who is locked in for another 2 seasons and a rental winger to replace Mercer on 3rd line or swap with Palat.

 

[Emperoreddy]

We also have to consider that our recent impression of Haula is tainted. We don't know exactly how long the injury was slowing him down, but we can make a solid assumption that much of his poor play was due to an injury.

So if Devils mgmt thinks he can get back healthy they may not think it necessary to acquire a 3rd line center.

Well even so, you can aquire a center that moves him to 4C or you could move him to wing