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

[Emperoreddy]

said it before but man does the nhl really need to revamp the schedule. last night had a playoff feel to it for obvious reasons with the bad blood and teams being near the top of the divisions. yet we are done playing them until maybe the playoffs or next year just like with the caps being done since end of nov? but yeah lets make sure we get utah seattle (every western team) in twice a year is just stupid. if playoffs are division heavy then you have to play more games in division/conference

i know people like seeing every team one time but i dunno just disappointing a great game like last night i go to see when we play them next and i didn't see them on the schedule bummer.

I would be fine taking some of the West coast games off the schedule in exchange for more in conference and in division games.

Every team doesn't need to play every team in the regular season

Would lighten the travel load for teams as well not having to do cross country trips as much.

 

[SJinNewJersey]

said it before but man does the nhl really need to revamp the schedule. last night had a playoff feel to it for obvious reasons with the bad blood and teams being near the top of the divisions. yet we are done playing them until maybe the playoffs or next year just like with the caps being done since end of nov? but yeah lets make sure we get utah seattle (every western team) in twice a year is just stupid. if playoffs are division heavy then you have to play more games in division/conference

i know people like seeing every team one time but i dunno just disappointing a great game like last night i go to see when we play them next and i didn't see them on the schedule bummer.

Come on, playing Philly 3 times in 12 days makes tons of sense.

 

[Emperoreddy]

We need to add a scoring threat in the top nine and another center who preferably can drive play well, ideally one who would gel better with our bottom six options we have. Depth defenseman may also be a need now that we’ve lost DeSimone.

For the scoring threat, Seattle has a lot of intriguing options in McCann, Schwartz, Bjorkstrand and Tolvanen. Palmieri makes sense too or Nelson who could fulfill both acquiring the C and scoring threat in one.

For the 3C, Gourde is the ideal target. I could see a young RFA eligible center like McLeod or Frost make sense as well depending on the price. Perhaps Fitzgerald goes outside the box for someone with term like O’Reilly. There’s some meat and potatoes guys like Kunin but I don’t think they really improve over Haula/Lazar.

With two additions like the above, we would have tons of flexibility with the lineup below:

Top 9 W/Palat - Hughes - Bratt
Meier - Hischier - Noesen
Top 9 W/Palat - 3C - Mercer
Cotter - Haula - Lazar
Tatar - Dowling - Bastian

Jake Evans is probably worth looking into as well for center depth if Montreal is willing to play ball

 

[Zippy316]

said it before but man does the nhl really need to revamp the schedule. last night had a playoff feel to it for obvious reasons with the bad blood and teams being near the top of the divisions. yet we are done playing them until maybe the playoffs or next year just like with the caps being done since end of nov? but yeah lets make sure we get utah seattle (every western team) in twice a year is just stupid. if playoffs are division heavy then you have to play more games in division/conference

i know people like seeing every team one time but i dunno just disappointing a great game like last night i go to see when we play them next and i didn't see them on the schedule bummer.

I’ve said before I would love to see this:

6 games x 7 division = 42 games
3 games x 8 conference = 24 games
1 game x 16 non-conference = 16 games

Scrap the divisional playoff nonsense and just seed the top team in each division 1 & 2 and then the rest by points.

Off-setting the lack of divisional regular season games by the divisional playoffs hasn’t created rivalries like they’ve wanted it to. It’s just led to top teams playing each other in the first round. Devils/Rangers was the #2 team in the east playing #5. Jets/Avs in the first round last year was equally as dumb.

Jake Evans is probably worth looking into as well for center depth if Montreal is willing to play ball

I’m not convinced Evans is an improvement over Haula, in all honesty. Gourde is my top target but I’d also keep tabs on Nelson.

 

[Lou Bloom]

I’m not convinced Evans is an improvement over Haula, in all honesty. Gourde is my top target but I’d also keep tabs on Nelson.

Problem with Gourde and Nelson is that they're both probably going to take a 1st round pick or equivalent prospect to acquire and I don't think it makes sense for the Devils to trade their 2026 1st round pick for either.

 

[glenwo2]

It is so weird to be able to visit this forum without needing to wear SUNGLASSES now (Dark mode is back finally for me).....

 

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

Hall for cheap + center depth would be the way I go

 

[Zippy316]

Problem with Gourde and Nelson is that they're both probably going to take a 1st round pick or equivalent prospect to acquire and I don't think it makes sense for the Devils to trade their 2026 1st round pick for either.

Maybe a conditional first, but I doubt either one would be an outright first round pick. It’ll likely be something conditional if they make the conference finals or Stanley cup finals.

Both teams have pieces that could interest the Devils where they may be able to double dip. Palmieri + Nelson or preferably Gourde + Bjorkstrand/Schwartz/Tolvanen/McCann/Burakovsky. I would be able to stomach a first + for the Seattle trade, especially since all of those forwards have term. Islanders one is tougher since both are older UFAs

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

Halonen is scratched for Utica tonight, so I wonder if he is getting called up

 

[Zippy316]

Hall for cheap + center depth would be the way I go

My concern with Hall is he’s more of the same with this team. He’s a play driving volume chance winger who isn’t particularly strong at converting his xG to G.

You can dominate a game all you want but if you can’t finish your chances or run into a hot goalie, it means nothing. Just ask the Hurricanes.

 

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

My concern with Hall is he’s more of the same with this team. He’s a play driving volume chance winger who isn’t particularly strong at converting his xG to G.

You can dominate a game all you want but if you can’t finish your chances or run into a hot goalie, it means nothing. Just ask the Hurricanes.

They're probably priced out of the top guys on the market who are finishers due to no first unless they offer the 2026 unprotected which would be incredibly dumb. If they offer it for a guy like Jared McCann who'd be an amazing fit with Jack/Bratt and has center flexibility I think too, then sure go crazy, but anyone on this current rental market would be foolish to do so. And the Devils are having a pretty bad finishing year but they're not close to the Canes issues. The Canes top stars go missing every postseason, our superstars played their best games in 2023 for the most part.

 

[Lou Bloom]

Maybe a conditional first, but I doubt either one would be an outright first round pick. It’ll likely be something conditional if they make the conference finals or Stanley cup finals.

Both teams have pieces that could interest the Devils where they may be able to double dip. Palmieri + Nelson or preferably Gourde + Bjorkstrand/Schwartz/Tolvanen/McCann/Burakovsky. I would be able to stomach a first + for the Seattle trade, especially since all of those forwards have term. Islanders one is tougher since both are older UFAs

Nelson is without doubt getting a first round pick outright. He's a top 6 center that plays all situations and has produced 75 and 69 points respectively the past two seasons and is still pacing for around a 50 point season despite only 1 point on the PP.

There's a chance Gourde doesn't bring back a 1st round pick since he's underperforming this season but teams overpay for centers and his playoff resume mixed with his ability to play in all situations will likely mean some team will overpay for him an offer a 1st round pick.

I don't see how the Devils are fitting two of those players under the cap. Some of those players are also worth a 1st round pick or more on their own (McCann and Bjorkstrand) and Seattle isn't going to retain salary on players with multiple years left on their contract (which is every player you listed).

 

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

Nelson is without doubt getting a first round pick outright. He's a top 6 center that plays all situations and has produced 75 and 69 points respectively the past two seasons and is still pacing for around a 50 point season despite only 1 point on the PP.

There's a chance Gourde doesn't bring back a 1st round pick since he's underperforming this season but teams overpay for centers and his playoff resume mixed with his ability to play in all situations will likely mean some team will overpay for him an offer a 1st round pick.

I don't see how the Devils are fitting two of those players under the cap. Some of those players are also worth a 1st round pick or more on their own (McCann and Bjorkstrand) and Seattle isn't going to retain salary on players with multiple years left on their contract (which is every player you listed).

I'd be more willing to offer our 2026 1st with less restrictions, even unprotected 1st for McCann but not for Bjorkstrand

 

[Lou Bloom]

I'd be more willing to offer our 2026 1st with less restrictions, even unprotected 1st for McCann but not for Bjorkstrand

It would take a large offer for them to move McCann, much more than just our 2026 1st round pick. They could wait until next TDL and still get a 1st round pick + with 1.5 years left on his contract.

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

Halonen is scratched for Utica tonight, so I wonder if he is getting called up

Comets announcer just confirmed

 

[TheUnseenHand]

Obviously this is more symbolic than anything, but still absolutely crazy. My toddler hits me harder.

Tkachuk’s hit from behind and charge were about 10x more dangerous.

This league is an absolute joke.

 

[NjDevsRR]

Throw Halonen in Noesens spot, why not

 

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

It would take a large offer for them to move McCann, much more than just our 2026 1st round pick. They could wait until next TDL and still get a 1st round pick + with 1.5 years left on his contract.

Yep, he's awesome + the year of control is where I'd be fully ok with it. Plus like I said above, the center flexibility of McCann could let them go back to what they did with Jack/Haula in 22/23

 

[Lou Bloom]

I still think a Mercer for Pinto swap would be ideal if possible. Ottawa already has Stuzle and Norris as their top two centers and recently signed Greig to a 4 year extension who probably fits better back at center where his lack of scoring production is less of a concern as a 3C. They will need some wingers long term with Giroux a UFA and no stand out options past Tkachuk and Batherson.

Still not sure Ottawa would do the trade but I think Pinto would be a great long term fit if Ottawa values Mercer.

 

[New Jerseys Devil]

What’s the upside?

For example, Keefe: “yeah Dougie can’t keep food down, has been shitting his brains out, and can’t breathe out of his nose.”

Which corner is Toronto going to dump the puck into tomorrow if given a choice? The side with the defenseman they know isn’t feeling 100% or the side with the defenseman that is feeling fine as far as they know?

I was thinking more along the lines of 'some guys are battling a sickness right now'. But maybe its the case that Noesen is the only one!

 

[Emperoreddy]

Halonen time

 

[Emperoreddy]

I still think a Mercer for Pinto swap would be ideal if possible. Ottawa already has Stuzle and Norris as their top two centers and recently signed Greig to a 4 year extension who probably fits better back at center where his lack of scoring production is less of a concern as a 3C. They will need some wingers long term with Giroux a UFA and no stand out options past Tkachuk and Batherson.

Still not sure Ottawa would do the trade but I think Pinto would be a great long term fit if Ottawa values Mercer.

We would have to replace Mercer then.

 

[New Jerseys Devil]

...
I’m not convinced Evans is an improvement over Haula, in all honesty. Gourde is my top target but I’d also keep tabs on Nelson.

I never like having to say bad things about our players, but.. Haula has been real bad!! Maybe this Jake Evans fella isnt all hes cracked up to be; but maybe its worth a shot? I dont know the price he warrants or if I want to pay that for a third line center!

 

[Lou Bloom]

We would have to replace Mercer then.

It's a lot easier to acquire a middle 6 winger than it is to find a long term 3C.

 

[Emperoreddy]