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

[NJDfan86]

I think dumping either guy is a bad idea too. The Devils as constituted just don't have a 13th forward at all. Who would play in a playoff game if anyone got hurt? Justin Dowling? Mike Hardman? You can go that shallow if you can just roll 3 lines for 20 minutes but the Devils really can't do that, they won't have a 3rd line like that either. They need to be at least 13 deep.

Will this be a concern going forward? I know we signed him to that contract but MacDermid can not be on the NHL roster after the trade deadline, if this is to be a cup winning roster.

 

[Forge]

I mean @Triumph's post is well taken about Palat being babysat by Jack/Bratt this year and cratering other lines, Mercer is probably the one that falls down in the bottom 6, but the original point was to show that Miller isn't the only guy that argument applies too

When nose is healthy, I think Mercer is already in the bottom 6

 

[Peter Sidorkiewicz]

Miller for Hamilton, the trade is one for one is intriguing. Both same age and make similar salary. Miller has two more years on his contract and you have to worry about those last two years if he will be still productive.

Hockey wise, i think Miller is an outstanding fit on Jack Hughes line. He can take faceoffs from Jack while playing wing. And i think he is the finisher that Jack and Bratt need. And he has a heavy shot from the point, so he would also be a one for one replacement for Dougie on PP. The problem is whether Miller is a cultural fit and we would still have a 3C problem in this scenario.

But overall, I think Miller for Hamilton will make us a better team. If (after this 'trade') you then flip Mercer for Ryan O'Reilly, the Devils can then win the cup imo.

 

[Clam Jensen]

Miller for Hamilton, the trade is one for one is intriguing. Both same age and make similar salary. Miller has two more years on his contract and you have to worry about those last two years if he will be still productive.

Hockey wise, i think Miller is an outstanding fit on Jack Hughes line. He can take faceoffs from Jack while playing wing. And i think he is the finisher that Jack and Bratt need. And he has a heavy shot from the point, so he would also be a one for one replacement for Dougie on PP. The problem is whether Miller is a cultural fit and we would still have a 3C problem in this scenario.

But overall, I think Miller for Hamilton will make us a better team. If you then flip Mercer for O'Reilly, the Devils can then win the cup imo.

I’d do this in a heartbeat but I highly doubt VAN does.

 

[KovalchukFistPump]

Miller for Hamilton, the trade is one for one is intriguing. Both same age and make similar salary. Miller has two more years on his contract and you have to worry about those last two years if he will be still productive.

Hockey wise, i think Miller is an outstanding fit on Jack Hughes line. He can take faceoffs from Jack while playing wing. And i think he is the finisher that Jack and Bratt need. And he has a heavy shot from the point, so he would also be a one for one replacement for Dougie on PP. The problem is whether Miller is a cultural fit and we would still have a 3C problem in this scenario.

But overall, I think Miller for Hamilton will make us a better team. If (after this 'trade') you then flip Mercer for Ryan O'Reilly, the Devils can then win the cup imo.

Why would the Canucks do this? They have Quinn Hughes and they pay a lot of money to Hronek too, who had 48 points last year.

 

[Triumph]

Ok then Mercer moves down to the bottom 6, the point is that someone in the top 6 moves down to the bottom 6 to make it deeper that's currently playing up there. Just assumed the 6M player didn't have to be babysat by the two elite talents of the roster.

And it's assuming they make corresponding moves after that, they can also do what they did at the end of 11-12 and let an AHL guy have a run to be a part of the playoff squad like they did with Stephen Gionta. Why can't someone like Halonen be that if he has a good run here soon?

Tatar has been doing cardio for the most of this year and that's coming from someone who's his biggest defenders on this board, he should not be playing in the playoffs this year at all anyway and was pretty f***ing bad in 2023 outside the G7 goal against the Rags

Stephen Gionta is one of the biggest fluke events to happen perhaps in the history of the NHL - a guy with barely any history of being a scorer anywhere scoring 2 points/60 in a playoff run is impossible to have happen again. So no, I don't think something like that will happen. Halonen might be something, and maybe he could be part of a playoff team, but I wouldn't count on it at all.

Tatar has not been good, but the thing I am trying to say is that he's going to be a hell of a lot better than what is behind him on the depth chart. It is pretty barren.

Will this be a concern going forward? I know we signed him to that contract but MacDermid can not be on the NHL roster after the trade deadline, if this is to be a cup winning roster.

MacDermid will be on the roster all season. I don't like it, but I do not understand the delusion that he will be waived. I don't think they gave him a 3 year deal to stick him on waivers and keep him in Utica for the final month of the season.

 

[Peter Sidorkiewicz]

Why would the Canucks do this? They have Quinn Hughes and they pay a lot of money to Hronek too, who had 48 points last year.

IF JT/Elias situation is becoming untenable as team mates one of them has to go. Getting back Hamilton who is still productive isnt a bad consolation prize in a trade market limited to 4 teams apparantly.

 

[MadDevil]

I don't see Dougie waiving his NMC to go to Vancouver.

 

[KovalchukFistPump]

Stephen Gionta is one of the biggest fluke events to happen perhaps in the history of the NHL - a guy with barely any history of being a scorer anywhere scoring 2 points/60 in a playoff run is impossible to have happen again. So no, I don't think something like that will happen. Halonen might be something, and maybe he could be part of a playoff team, but I wouldn't count on it at all.

Tatar has not been good, but the thing I am trying to say is that he's going to be a hell of a lot better than what is behind him on the depth chart. It is pretty barren.



MacDermid will be on the roster all season. I don't like it, but I do not understand the delusion that he will be waived. I don't think they gave him a 3 year deal to stick him on waivers and keep him in Utica for the final month of the season.

3 year deal is partially to waiver-proof him. Otherwise a team can claim him for emergency toughness the way we did last year. But I do agree they keep him and play him for certain games. He seemed useful to have around in the last game vs Rempe.

 

[Lou Bloom]

I’d do this in a heartbeat but I highly doubt VAN does.

I think Vancouver would do that trade, I just don't see Hamilton waiving his NMC to go to Vancouver.

 

[Killing Joke]

A retained O’Reilly would be way more appealing to me than Miller. He could still be a hell of a 3C even though he’s lost a step.

He likes Nashville. So I doubt he’d come here, plus Trotz wants an arm and a leg.

We also need more speed than what he has. Miller isn’t fast, but he’s faster than RO.

Dougie isn’t getting traded. His impacts on offense are not replaceable. Dillon needs to be replaced if we are replacing dmen. He’s just not working with dougie and the other pairs are too good to break up.

 

[CalamityX23]

If we move Hamilton I think we lose a big voice in the locker room

Idk if we want to jeopardize it during a soon to be playoff run

 

[RSeen]

If we move Hamilton I think we lose a big voice in the locker room

Idk if we want to jeopardize it during a soon to be playoff run

He has a NMC so he is not going anywhere.

 

[Devils731]

I like a lot of things I never plan to get because they are a poor value for my situation. So many grills and smokers…

 

[NJDfan86]

MacDermid will be on the roster all season. I don't like it, but I do not understand the delusion that he will be waived. I don't think they gave him a 3 year deal to stick him on waivers and keep him in Utica for the final month of the season.

Ok, thanks - I kind of agree. I would have a huge bump in faith in Fitzy if Mac becomes the up and down enforcer but you are correct they haven’t shown any indication that is the plan because he is borderline unplayable.

 

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

I'll wait and see, still think it's just talk to make the Rags move up on their price

 

[jkrdevil]

Why would Dougie waive off a contender mid-season? Why would the Devils move him before they have to pay Luke? Why would the Devils break up this defense core mid-season?

 

[Lou Bloom]

Why would Dougie waive off a contender mid-season? Why would the Devils move him before they have to pay Luke? Why would the Devils break up this defense core mid-season?

Agree with the first part but I could absolutely see the Devils wanting to move Dougie with Nemec waiting in the wings and a lack of forward depth. Won't happen because like you said there's no reason for Dougie to waive his NMC to go to Vancouver but long term risks aside it makes sense to trade from a position of strength for a position of weakness.

 

[Canucks LB]

The thread keeps mentioning Nemec + Mercer.

What are your thoughts on that?

Thanks for posting, BTW.

I think the Vancouver Canucks would do it, I just don’t think the New Jersey would.

It’s a tough trade because he does have a bunch of years left, but he has been a huge impact player for Vancouver for three years, other than quite hughes, He’s been our best player.

It’s a tricky situation, I think it’s a nice fit for New Jersey, but I just don’t know his value right now because of all the drama.

But if they’re talking about pure talent and strength, this could be another tkachuk situation, just with a older of a player.

JT Miller is loved by this fan base, we cheer his name on a regular basis, but there’s something weird going on, and it’s really affected this season for him.

 

[jkrdevil]

Agree with the first part but I could absolutely see the Devils wanting to move Dougie with Nemec waiting in the wings and a lack of forward depth. Won't happen because like you said there's no reason for Dougie to waive his NMC to go to Vancouver but long term risks aside it makes sense to trade from a position of strength for a position of weakness.

That’s why it is an offseason move.

 

[Lou Bloom]

That’s why it is an offseason move.

Even then I doubt Dougie will have Vancouver on his 10 team trade list.

 

[Devils731]

Nemec with an assist on the first Utica goal tonight. The more we talk about him, then more he keeps gathering points.

 

[jkrdevil]

Even then I doubt Dougie will have Vancouver on his 10 team trade list.

I don’t think Dougie necessarily would go to a Vancouver. That said a 10 team trade list is virtual a full NTC because you just have to put the Rangers and 9 other teams you wouldn’t trade him to on the list.

That said Luke getting a big extension probably puts the writing on the wall in terms of ice time and he may be willing then to work with the team on a deal.

 

[Killing Joke]

I think the Vancouver Canucks would do it, I just don’t think the New Jersey would.

It’s a tough trade because he does have a bunch of years left, but he has been a huge impact player for Vancouver for three years, other than quite hughes, He’s been our best player.

It’s a tricky situation, I think it’s a nice fit for New Jersey, but I just don’t know his value right now because of all the drama.

But if they’re talking about pure talent and strength, this could be another tkachuk situation, just with a older of a player.

JT Miller is loved by this fan base, we cheer his name on a regular basis, but there’s something weird going on, and it’s really affected this season for him.

Yea he’s got something personal going on right?

Is he also banged up still?

I know you guys have dealt with a ton of injuries so.

 

[Devils731]

I hope he plays tomorrow. I’d like the Devils to rotate through the “maybe” 4th line guys, give bunches of them a shot, and hope to find some unexpected chemistry between some of them at the NHL level.