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

[Better Call Sal]

Not sure if this is a hot take but I'd switch Gionta in for Zajac but I'm not up in arms over it.

I also think Jack makes the first team automatically for breaking the single season points record.

That's the other thing I really like about the ring of honor is that players like Madden and Gionta should be up there at some point.

Yeah, I get it. Other than Marty, when all is said and done, Jack will probably be the face of the franchise for his generation depending on how his legacy ends. It wasn't surprising, but I found him being put on the first team funny.

Have a ton of love for Gio too, wouldn't have hated him being there either. I'm intrigued by what they'll do with the Ring of Honor the rest of the way. I think Larry and Burns are automatics at some point. Lou deserves something even bigger like a statue in (appropriately named) Championship Plaza so he can be on the other entry side opposite Marty.

 

[Satans Hockey]

Yeah, I get it. Other than Marty, when all is said and done, Jack will probably be the face of the franchise for his generation depending on how his legacy ends. It wasn't surprising, but I found him being put on the first team funny.

Have a ton of love for Gio too, wouldn't have hated him being there either. I'm intrigued by what they'll do with the Ring of Honor the rest of the way. I think Larry and Burns are automatics at some point. Lou deserves something even bigger like a statue in (appropriately named) Championship Plaza so he can be on the other entry side opposite Marty.

Lou should really be next for whatever they decide to do. He ain't getting any younger and should be honored before he's no longer here. He definitely seems the type that wouldn't want that while he's still GM of another team but at the rate the Islanders are going that problem might solve itself soon anyway.

 

[bossram]

Cmon man. You and @SteveCangialosi123 with putting words in my mouth. Never did I ever say pointzzzz is the thing. Never did I ever say goalies don't matter.

And let's be honest: @devilsblood just pointed all those things out, you didn't suggest it or discuss it. Your contribution was a quiz with one stat.

You two need to actually stop making stuff up.



Actually Dowling is the whole reason, lol

No, me and devilsblood had a good discussion. I brought up several factors. You may have been confused because there was information beyond just the number in the points column. Your criticism of Meier was entirely focused on his lack of point production. This is not making things up or putting words in your mouth.

And hey, Meier had a nice game from the third line eh? Couple of points to satisfy you. A primary assist, and a second assist where he hunted the puck on the forecheck and stole it. Near 80% xG. A very solid game.

 

[Triumph]

Team is off today, so I don't expect to hear anything until potentially tomorrow.

I wouldn't expect to hear anything tomorrow, normally after an injury like this it takes a few days to evaluate. Could even be as late as Monday.

 

[Better Call Sal]

Lou should really be next for whatever they decide to do. He ain't getting any younger and should be honored before he's no longer here. He definitely seems the type that wouldn't want that while he's still GM of another team but at the rate the Islanders are going that problem might solve itself soon anyway.

I'm with you. I think that's the exact reason he hasn't been honored yet. And I imagine that if he parts ways with the Isles that will be it for him. The man is 82, I know he only knows the grind but retire and come back home, sir!

Seeing him there last night really put a smile on my face. Love Lou to death. If you haven't gotten a chance, listen to his portion of the media interview he did during the scrum.

 

[bossram]

IMO, today raised some eyes for me with how well everything looked / felt.

If we are all in on Timo Line 3 to dominate weaker competition, I think we need 2 pieces acquired in the deadline.

A 3C and a Middle 6 Winger.

Getting 2 forwards bumps Haula and Cotter down to where they should be, and where they are probably very well suited to play well and hopefully dominate.

Yanni Gourde seems like the obvious answer at 3 C Personally. Brock Nelson another option here.

The winger is more difficult to solve, but let’s throw in a Taylor Hall as a placeholder while we figure out what’s out there. Palmieri is one, maybe Bjorkstrand was rumored to be available.

Bratt - Nico - Noeson
Hall - Hughes - Palat
Timo - Gourde - Mercer
Cotter - Haula - Lazar

I’d feel insanely good about rolling those 4 lines through playoffs with scoring and solid defense throughout.

Those are the exact names I'm looking at: Gourde and Hall.

They're gonna need a goalie for the medium term too though, if Markstrom's injury is serious.

 

[Nubmer6]

thats my line!

You two on the same line? Who's centering you?

 

[devilsblood]

You two on the same line? Who's centering you?

Whoever it is better be good defensively.

 

[onmygameboi]

ahhhhhhhhhhhh leave it to hf to worry about giving up a 2nd instead of a 3rd its not that big of a deal.

I think it matters because those 2nd rounders will be used as trade bait at the deadline.

 

[Triumph]

Those are the exact names I'm looking at: Gourde and Hall.

They're gonna need a goalie for the medium term too though, if Markstrom's injury is serious.

The Devils can't trade big assets for 3 goalies in a calendar year. If Markstrom's injury is serious, they should roll with Allen and hope - if someone's willing to accept a 4th round pick or something like that for a backup or a young goalie falling out of favor somewhere, great, but the only guy on the roster who might fall apart next year is Markstrom himself.

 

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

We're probably in the same spot Ottawa is right now. Holding pattern until our starter comes back, I'm honestly fine with standing pat and hoping the skaters can play their balls off till the deadline. If Markstrom is cooked, then go get a goalie and a forward. If he comes back, go all in 1-2 forwards.

 

[bossram]

The Devils can't trade big assets for 3 goalies in a calendar year. If Markstrom's injury is serious, they should roll with Allen and hope - if someone's willing to accept a 4th round pick or something like that for a backup or a young goalie falling out of favor somewhere, great, but the only guy on the roster who might fall apart next year is Markstrom himself.

This was one of my concerns with the Markstrom acquisition to begin with: He always has durability issues. This injury isn't really his "fault" though, but a guy running into you is part of the normal course of what happens to a goalie.

I think the Devils can do some damage this season, but it's not gonna happen with mediocre goaltending.

I'm not saying pay a 1st, but maybe they can grab a Lankinen or Cam Talbot (If Markstrom is done).

 

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

The Devils can't trade big assets for 3 goalies in a calendar year. If Markstrom's injury is serious, they should roll with Allen and hope - if someone's willing to accept a 4th round pick or something like that for a backup or a young goalie falling out of favor somewhere, great, but the only guy on the roster who might fall apart next year is Markstrom himself.

Yeah, the goalie add has to be somewhat cheap. Alex Lyon in DET?

 

[dgibb10]

Allen would have to play 25/32 games from here on out

Over 50 games (the amount we've played so far) that would be 39 games. For context that would be a higher rate of starts than anyone but Hellebuyuck (and tied with Vasy)

Even if Markstrom is out for the year, and even if we just roll with Daws or Poulter, Jake Allen is not getting Vasy/Hellebuyuck usage

I think it matters because those 2nd rounders will be used as trade bait at the deadline.

 

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

This was one of my concerns with the Markstrom acquisition to begin with: He always has durability issues. This injury isn't really his "fault" though, but a guy running into you is part of the normal course of what happens to a goalie.

I think the Devils can do some damage this season, but it's not gonna happen with mediocre goaltending.

I'm not saying pay a 1st, but maybe they can grab a Lankinen or Cam Talbot (If Markstrom is done).

He has 2.5M next year too or else he'd be who I'd want as well but funny timing with the goalie I just named in my post above

 

[bossram]

He has 2.5M next year too or else he'd be who I'd want as well but funny timing with the goalie I just named in my post above

I'd be interested in Lyon too. I think Talbot would be fine, even with the extra year, as Allen is UFA anyway.

 

[devilsblood]

The Devils can't trade big assets for 3 goalies in a calendar year. If Markstrom's injury is serious, they should roll with Allen and hope - if someone's willing to accept a 4th round pick or something like that for a backup or a young goalie falling out of favor somewhere, great, but the only guy on the roster who might fall apart next year is Markstrom himself.

I dunno, if Markstrom is out, and we are willing to trade for an upgrade at any position, it should be goalie imo. How much we have put into the position in the past year shouldn't factor in to the fact that it would clearly be our biggest need.

As always would depend on the particular's but, assuming Markstrom is out, I'd rather a goalie then a 3rd center upgrade over Haula.

 

[devilsblood]

This was one of my concerns with the Markstrom acquisition to begin with: He always has durability issues. This injury isn't really his "fault" though, but a guy running into you is part of the normal course of what happens to a goalie.

I think the Devils can do some damage this season, but it's not gonna happen with mediocre goaltending.

I'm not saying pay a 1st, but maybe they can grab a Lankinen or Cam Talbot (If Markstrom is done).

Does he? 5th most gp's in the 3 years prior to this one.

4th most gp's in the 3 years prior to that.

Somewhere around 3-4 in the last 6 years.

dude's been a workhorse.

 

[NjDevsRR]

Id also reckon to say that any other goalie may have a broken leg in that kind of impact. It was gruesome looking and he skates off.

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

yeah, I can't get behind the durability stuff in this instance. A guy crashed into him at full speed into the goal. It isn't like he tweaked a groin in practice.

 

[onmygameboi]

Allen would have to play 25/32 games from here on out

Over 50 games (the amount we've played so far) that would be 39 games. For context that would be a higher rate of starts than anyone but Hellebuyuck (and tied with Vasy)

Even if Markstrom is out for the year, and even if we just roll with Daws or Poulter, Jake Allen is not getting Vasy/Hellebuyuck usage

I understand. Someone was saying that whether it's a 3rd or a 2nd doesn't matter. I was simply disagreeing and stating, that it does matter.

 

[HugeInTheShire]

I'd be shocked if NJ traded for a goalie, more likely they'll ride Allen and Daws until someone gets waived and make a claim. Or if they do make a deal it'll be for a guy they won't mind losing on waivers if Markstrom returns this season and comes super cheap.

 

[HBK27]

ahhhhhhhhhhhh leave it to hf to worry about giving up a 2nd instead of a 3rd its not that big of a deal.

Show me the posts where people are "worrying" about it.

It's something that is relative to Markstrom's injury now and worth discussing. Nobody is suggesting we start sitting Allen to avoid giving up the higher pick.

 

[Triumph]

I dunno, if Markstrom is out, and we are willing to trade for an upgrade at any position, it should be goalie imo. How much we have put into the position in the past year shouldn't factor in to the fact that it would clearly be our biggest need.

As always would depend on the particular's but, assuming Markstrom is out, I'd rather a goalie then a 3rd center upgrade over Haula.

They shouldn't trade for anything in that case. The season is likely lost and there's no point in spending assets to upgrade. Keep the 3 2nd round picks and run it back next year; maybe you get lucky and win a round.

 

[bossram]

Does he? 5th most gp's in the 3 years prior to this one.

4th most gp's in the 3 years prior to that.

Somewhere around 3-4 in the last 6 years.

dude's been a workhorse.

The timing of injuries kinda masks some of it.

He got hurt near the "end" of the covid-shortened season and was likely going to be out until the playoffs - had the season not been postponed. Then he got injured during the bubble playoffs.

21-22 it is known he was playing through an injury in the playoffs. Last season he broke down.

He's also just old at this point.