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

[Brooklyndevil]

I probably dislike Mercer more than anyone on this board, but trading him for a comparable forward is not a good idea IMO.

I wouldn’t trade him for a forward, but a decent center who can drive the third line and is good in the circle we would need to consider.

 

[Brooklyndevil]

I would guess so, or at least a game time decision.

I’d rather Nico rest for a game if he’s iffy for tonight. In a vacuum, I prefer players not extending their soreness injuries by playing through them.

How is Halonen as a player?

 

[SteveCangialosi123]

 

[Devils731]

How is Halonen as a player?

I don’t think we have seen him enough at the NHL level but I thought he seems like a guy who can be an NHL player.

He’s worked hard, in my eyes, but is a little physically limited at the NHL level so he needs to work hard to keep up with the play.

He’s been a good goal scorer at the AHL and college level so if he can keep that touch at the NHL level then he may add some small goal scoring potential to the bottom 6.

 

[dgibb10]

Potentially boeser as well. You may have to up the caliber of prospect you're giving up in that situation.

Gourde is probably the sweet spot, but given the lack of centers on the market, wouldn't surprise me if his return exceeded my expectations

I'd say this is a better year to be buying centers than last year.

Especially if we (as we should imo) try and dip into some guys with 2 years left with retention (dickinson, coyle, jgp, etc)

 

[Nocashstyle]

Did they not go back home after MTL?

 

[BostonDevil]

I'm throwing it out there: Zegras

Crap all over it.

Depressed asset, reasonable cap hit, short term deal, can play center, Jack's buddy.

Nothing is perfect but I would be willing to take a shot at this one. Shouldn't cost much as I think he may have worn out his welcome there. Lot's of upside potential still.

I'm sort of done with clogging the lineup with beef and we should swing back in the other direction a little bit.

 

[HellOnIce]

Did they not go back home after MTL?

Straight to PHI

 

[Cheddabombs]

This is where we need the angry/worried Dano reaction instead of Jokinen. Jokinen doesn't get my reaction to this quite right

 

[Forge]

I'd say this is a better year to be buying centers than last year.

Especially if we (as we should imo) try and dip into some guys with 2 years left with retention (dickinson, coyle, jgp, etc)

It definitely becomes more interesting when including the guys who have some term left as opposed to rentals.

 

[dgibb10]

It definitely becomes more interesting when including the guys who have some term left as opposed to rentals.

Even rentals I think Evans Gourde Nelson Granlund Suter Bjustad Frederic is a much more interesting crop than what? Monahan Henrique Wennberg?

 

[britdevil]

I'm throwing it out there: Zegras

Crap all over it.

Depressed asset, reasonable cap hit, short term deal, can play center, Jack's buddy.

Nothing is perfect but I would be willing to take a shot at this one. Shouldn't cost much as I think he may have worn out his welcome there. Lot's of upside potential still.

I'm sort of done with clogging the lineup with beef and we should swing back in the other direction a little bit.

Clogging up with beef? Who??

Our bottom six is pretty soft as is. Cotter and... I'm struggling bruh.

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

Zegras can't stay healthy either

 

[Forge]

Even rentals I think Evans Gourde Nelson Granlund Suter Bjustad Frederic is a much more interesting crop than what? Monahan Henrique Wennberg?

I don't know that I'm considering Frederic a true Center. I know thats been one of the kinks in his development is deciding where to play him and he keeps going back and forth. Sometimes he is, sometimes he isn't Etc.

I had just forgotten about Suter.

But yeah, overall you're not wrong. Definitely better than last year.

 

[dgibb10]

I don't know that I'm considering Frederic a true Center. I know thats been one of the kinks in his development is deciding where to play him and he keeps going back and forth. Sometimes he is, sometimes he isn't Etc.

I had just forgotten about Suter.

But yeah, overall you're not wrong. Definitely better than last year.

Also, a point to note about bottom 6Cs that may have been forgotten.

The Lars Eller trade from a couple months ago is out there serving as a benchmark of sorts.

Best believe fitzy uses him as a comp in every single negotiation

 

[Mr Bojanglez]

This is where we need the angry/worried Dano reaction instead of Jokinen. Jokinen doesn't get my reaction to this quite right

I'm no more worried than I was after the game. IDK. He's probably got something wrong with his ribs. Maybe he sits out 4 Nations.

 

[None Shall Pass]

Yeah Nico will definitely be sitting out the 4 Nations. I can 100% confirm that, per my sources.

 

[forceten]

We don't necessarily have to give up a 1st to make a big trade. Carolina didn't give up a first for Guentzel, Hall, or Raantanen, so why would we assume we had to?

Depth IS an issue for us - it does not add "depth" to replace an NHL roster forward with a better NHL roster forward. It makes the status-quo depth better, but does not add to the depth because depth implies a quantitative change, not just qualitative. (heck, you can add "depth" without quality, although why bother).

I really don't want Allen to play 40 games and cost us one of those 2nds. We need them for a trade or for drafting, and if he hits 40 he will barely hit 40. So that would be foolish.

 

[BostonDevil]

Clogging up with beef? Who??

Our bottom six is pretty soft as is. Cotter and... I'm struggling bruh.

We've got a lot of guys who would be characterized as 'tough to play against' being their #1 asset: Haula/Cotter/Nate/Noesen/Palat/Lazar

Those guys aren't here for point production.

Zegras can't stay healthy either

Exactly - Price goes down even more

 

[britdevil]

Yeah Nico will definitely be sitting out the 4 Nations. I can 100% confirm that, per my sources.

Swiss sitting out is a national pastime.

 

[dgibb10]

Get me a 3C and a wing

Palat-Jack-Bratt
WING-Nico-Noesen
Meier-3C-Mercer
Cotter-Haula-Lazar

 

[Bone Density]

 

[bossram]

I'm throwing it out there: Zegras

Crap all over it.

Depressed asset, reasonable cap hit, short term deal, can play center, Jack's buddy.

Nothing is perfect but I would be willing to take a shot at this one. Shouldn't cost much as I think he may have worn out his welcome there. Lot's of upside potential still.

I'm sort of done with clogging the lineup with beef and we should swing back in the other direction a little bit.

If he comes at a "distressed asset" price, I think the Devils should be interested.

I think it would be hard to come to an agreement on a fair trade though.

 

[NjDevsRR]

Did they not go back home after MTL?

Thank god I wasn’t the only one wondering if they went home first and bussed to PHI

 

[bossram]

Even rentals I think Evans Gourde Nelson Granlund Suter Bjustad Frederic is a much more interesting crop than what? Monahan Henrique Wennberg?

Agreed. Devils will have a lot of options for forward depth at the deadline, moreso than most years.

Most contenders will be looking at defense depth. The Devils are set there already. They're in a good position to address their needs in this trade market.