Devils discussion (news, notes and speculation) - part III
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theoptimist
Thank you, Fitz
- Apr 22, 2014
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Why would he terminate his contract? What is wrong? 25+ games to go and they're 6 points out. Why are you leaving?
GMs will do their homework, I'm sure.
Good, as long as it's somewhere else and not here.
Devils731
Registered User
- Jun 23, 2008
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The Blues tried to trade Saad and then waived him. Nobody wanted him for free at his contract level. The Blues don’t want him at his contract level.
Saad wants to play in the NHL so he is saying he terminate his contract and will take less money to stay in the NHL rather than make more money playing in the AHL.
For me, that appears like a guy who has some hunger, not a guy who is quitting.
Saad has 3 goals since Montgomery was hired - they were all in the same game. He has 3 goals, 5 assists and is a -14 since that hiring. It is not surprising that he and coaching/management aren't seeing eye to eye on things.
Better Call Sal
Salnalysis
Could also mean that he's refusing to accept that he doesn't have it anymore...
- May 8, 2010
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Where Luke extension?
That’s gonna hit like crazy once it’s done.
That’s gonna hit like crazy once it’s done.
theoptimist
Thank you, Fitz
- Apr 22, 2014
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Why not have that hunger with the Blues? Why are the Blues mismanaging an asset this bad? How long have they been trying to trade him? Why not wait until the summer? He doesn't like Jim Montgomery or something?
Devils731
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- Jun 23, 2008
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The Blues literally don’t want him around, they tried to trade him, waived him, and are sending him to the minors. He makes more money than his play has been worth.
So you think him taking his $4.5 million to play in the minors would show more hunger than willing to play for way less to stay in the NHL?
He will get to stay in the NHL at a lower salary. He shows he still wants it because he’s literally willing to take millions less to keep playing in the NHL this year.
That’s fine too. His personal mindset shouldn’t be that he doesn’t have it.
Other people can decide he doesn’t have it but obviously he doesn’t appear to share that thought.
Huge if Devils can get 5 pts of the remaining 8. Puts us at a very comfortable spot in the standings heading into the much needed break
So any thoughts on the 13-4-4 record with Mac in the lineup?
Obviously he stinks as a player, but like last night, it does seem the team is more willing to get feisty when he is out there.
And Philly was awfully well behaved in that 3rd period.
Obviously he stinks as a player, but like last night, it does seem the team is more willing to get feisty when he is out there.
And Philly was awfully well behaved in that 3rd period.
Clam Jensen
Registered User
I’m completely shooting from the hip here but do we play him against less-skilled teams with goons who are generally not good?
Makes sense. NYR are a team he's played against this year. Anaheim too maybe.
And maybe this is too much of a leap but the Rag's punked us last year, we turned the tables on them this year(not just Mac, as Dillon Kova and Noesen have all played stepped up). We stunk last year, they've way underwhelmed this year. Is there a connection?
I do think getting beat up, and being completely unable to respond, sapped our energy last year. This year we are able to respond when needed. Last night was certainly a game where we looked like we had pep in our step, especially after the Dillon hit.
Will be interesting to see what happens come playoffs as I don't really want to see Mac in the lineup but I could definitely see situations where Keefe will deem it the beneficial to have him in the lineup. Especially if it's in place of a struggling Tatar on the 4th line.
theoptimist
Thank you, Fitz
- Apr 22, 2014
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He was an NHL player making NHL pay. That's my point. Seems like he wants to reconnect with Bowman in EDM (like another poster mentioned). Turns out he got to pick his destination after all. A contender.
Devils731
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- Jun 23, 2008
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They were sending him to the AHL to save on cap space; so he was about not to be an NHL player.
The Blues waived him where he had no control over his destination and every team passed.
The Blues are way happier with the buyout than Saad is, but I feel like you’re suggesting Saad is being a selfish bad actor in this.
theoptimist
Thank you, Fitz
- Apr 22, 2014
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He wouldn't have made it to EDM.
Do you think STL and EDM discussed a trade and just couldn't find a solution?
Devils731
Registered User
- Jun 23, 2008
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Yes.
Edmonton was literally offered Saad for free and Edmonton passed because Saad makes too much money.
St Louis offered to give Saad away for free and couldn’t make that happen with any team. Saad had zero control over where he was going at that point and every team declined.
theoptimist
Thank you, Fitz
- Apr 22, 2014
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So EDM was offered Saad for free but couldn't afford him? I don't understand. It's interesting that they could still end up with the player anyway. And then sign that same player for whatever contract they want next season.
Rock that keeps tigers away works. I do think the 3rd period of last night's game is a very rare case where having MacDermid helps keeps things under control, but normally the game is too close to play him in a 3rd period.
The team's record with him in the lineup has no connection to anything. He is the least important player and plays the least amount of ice time.
Devils731
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- Jun 23, 2008
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When Saad was put through waivers, every team in the league had the opportunity to claim him.
Anaheim could have. Edmonton could have. Ottawa could have. The Devils could have. Etc…. Saad would have had to go to those teams, he would not have a choice.
Every team in the league looked at Saad and his contract and said, “No thanks”.
St Louis was sending Saad to the minors to save on his cap hit.
St Louis is over the moon happy that Saad was willing to terminate his contract; they don’t have to pay him and get the cap hit off their cap.
The buyout isn’t a nefarious move by Saad, it’s much more beneficial to St Louis than to him.
TrufleShufle
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- Aug 31, 2012
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They couldn't afford or didn't think he was worth the contract, just like Blues and the 30 other teams when he went through waivers allowing any team to grab him if they wanted.
He wants to play in the NHL and giving up the current guaranteed money was the only way to make that happen and he figured it was worth it. Now 31 teams don't have to look at that 5 million or whatever for the next two years and evaluate what he brings against that.
He just a guy, who can contribute in some way and a free agent. Any team can offer what they think now. Either what they can afford or think he's worth.
- Jun 28, 2019
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I'm more convinced than ever that this extension walks us right to Quinn.
Not like Luke is going anywhere but if we treat him well and we assume Jack is happy there's only 2 years left on Quinn's deal and the drama in Vancouver isn't a recipe for keeping a guy who has a legit reason to leave.
Nieds turned down a max deal in NJ to win a Cup with his brother in Anaheim. It'd be great to be on the other side of that story.
theoptimist
Thank you, Fitz
- Apr 22, 2014
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The Blues owner walks into your office and asks what assets you got in return? He reminds you that they've spent $15M on this player and committed another $9M to this player for the next two seasons. The owner reminds you that they're in a retool, NOT a rebuild. You have a win-now coach, in JM. What is your response? (lol)
JrFischer54
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- Apr 4, 2017
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said it awhile ago i would absolutely be playing in games where you might be playing a team in the playoffs.
