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

[Nubmer6]

Good choice.

I've often times cited him as possibly the worst Devils player that spent an entire season on the roster.

Somehow he played another, what was it, 4 or 5 years after this? Between NHL and AHL Islanders?

I dunno about worst player, but my most hated was Lyle Odelein/Slowdelein/Blowdelein/CantHoldDelein

 

[My3Sons]

Love the Herb Brooks reference. I always get goosebumps thinking about that team.

 

[BostonDevil]

GET. IT. DONE. NOW!!!

 

[CalamityX23]

Funny or not funny is that I understand the hoopla for Quinn n the united front of Hughes but that doesn't answer our C n F issues lol

 

[Bleedred]

I dunno about worst player, but my most hated was Lyle Odelein/Slowdelein/Blowdelein/CantHoldDelein

Yeah, I couldn’t stand him either. Definitely one my most hated, along with Steve Thomas.

And to the surprise of no one, Sean Burke, who was trash after the 1988 playoffs. Blackwood for honorable mention.

I actually didn’t like a lot of the “New guard veterans” guys who were brought in after the 95 cup and were gone before the 2000 cup.

Thomas, Odelein, I didn’t much care for Andreychuk as a Devil. I wasn’t crazy about Gilmour by the time he got to the Devils either. And Phil Housley was a complete and utter bust, but he only lasted from roughly the 96 trade deadline to the end of that season. And the 9 games of Esa Tikkanen was one of the most rando WTF stints in the history of hockey.

I was pretty young at that time and I remember buying into the narrative these guys weren’t really good enough to be winners. A lot of them were older and over the hill already, and most of them never even won a cup before that. Gilmour did.

It felt like Andreychuk was already 40 when he got here, but he wound up playing into the mid 2000s and even won the cup near the very end.

I was salty for the longest time over Claude Lemieux for Steve Thomas.

I loved eliminating washed up Steve Thomas from the playoffs 3 times in the last I think 4 or 5 years of his career. Including the 2003 cup finals.

 

[Billdo]

It's difficult to decide between Peters and Boulton.

 

[NJDevils17]

I was in attendance for the Eric Boulton hat trick game. Honestly should’ve bought a lottery ticket instead.

I had honestly no idea what I was witnessing.

 

[JrFischer54]

The team is currently in an incredible place with our long term outlook- the larger than expected cap increases certainly feels like an opportunity to add one additional high end player, but we really need the right fit.

Miller is a good player but i would prefer that last piece to be younger.

Petterson is a solid defender and O’Connor was an intriguing fit with us but we don’t think that deal makes sense for us as I would rather use a future first for 1 great piece instead of 2 solid ones.

I’ll reserve my consternation for a piece going off the board that I would be interested in.

Of course you want to land the right player but honestly with the team being in the position with the core locked up super cheap time is of the essence. They have to get some real cracks at a cup before jacks bratt and lesser extent Nico deal is up. Point being if someone is out there that can help them win now or in 3 years time I don’t care if he isn’t young give me a 32 year old if he really is a missing piece

 

[jkrdevil]

I don't know why people are comparing teams that have been consistent playoff contenders trying to get over the hump vs a team that is on pace to make the playoffs for the 3rd time since 2017-2018. Devils have already traded their 2025 1st round pick, there's no reason for them to make desperate moves and trade the farm away when they still have a young core of talent they are building around.

Just look for under the radar talent that they can acquire for a reasonable price, no need to make a splash move for the sake of it.

While I agree they shouldn’t be selling out the farm or trading away another 1st, in terms of age and contract status of their key players they should already be in “consistent playoff team” phase. They should have been a playoff team last year, and you can argue they should have been at least around the bubble in 21-22. Injuries, goaltending and coaching coast then both years, but it doesn’t change where on the cycle curve they are. They are lost opportunities. We are two years out from Nico’s free agency and 3 years from Jack. While at this point I don’t think losing them is a fear, your top players reaching UFA point is usually a retool point for trying to open a second window.

Now they still do have a window past this year and they have already used their first this year. Moving future first rounders hurts you ability to go for it again next year.

 

[Billdo]

While I agree they shouldn’t be selling out the farm or trading away another 1st, in terms of age and contract status of their key players they should already be in “consistent playoff team” phase. They should have been a playoff team last year, and you can argue they should have been at least around the bubble in 21-22. Injuries, goaltending and coaching coast then both years, but it doesn’t change where on the cycle curve they are. They are lost opportunities. We are two years out from Nico’s free agency and 3 years from Jack. While at this point I don’t think losing them is a fear, your top players reaching UFA point is usually a retool point for trying to open a second window.

Now they still do have a window past this year and they have already used their first this year. Moving future first rounders hurts you ability to go for it again next year.

Nico needs to be a Devil for life.

 

[Lou Bloom]

While I agree they shouldn’t be selling out the farm or trading away another 1st, in terms of age and contract status of their key players they should already be in “consistent playoff team” phase. They should have been a playoff team last year, and you can argue they should have been at least around the bubble in 21-22. Injuries, goaltending and coaching coast then both years, but it doesn’t change where on the cycle curve they are. They are lost opportunities. We are two years out from Nico’s free agency and 3 years from Jack. While at this point I don’t think losing them is a fear, your top players reaching UFA point is usually a retool point for trying to open a second window.

Now they still do have a window past this year and they have already used their first this year. Moving future first rounders hurts you ability to go for it again next year.

My point wasn't that the Devils weren't in a contention window, it was that teams like Dallas, Carolina and New York have been competitive for multiple years and are making larger moves to try and get over that hump. Obviously the Devils are contenders but that doesn't mean that they should be making moves in response to other contending teams, they should be making moves with the larger picture in mind. The Devils are already light on future assets, you don't want to go all in for this year and leave yourself without assets to improve 2026, 2027, etc... where they're better positioned to compete.

 

[JrFischer54]

Funny or not funny is that I understand the hoopla for Quinn n the united front of Hughes but that doesn't answer our C n F issues lol

No it doesn’t but you never turn away from adding stud talent regardless of position and strength

I don't know why people are comparing teams that have been consistent playoff contenders trying to get over the hump vs a team that is on pace to make the playoffs for the 3rd time since 2017-2018. Devils have already traded their 2025 1st round pick, there's no reason for them to make desperate moves and trade the farm away when they still have a young core of talent they are building around.

Just look for under the radar talent that they can acquire for a reasonable price, no need to make a splash move for the sake of it.

I don’t care about a first round pick in the 20s or hopefully even later. The core is set the core on d is set. Bring in pieces to win now. I don’t care about a 18 year old who won’t sniff the nhl for 4 years. Draft a kid in the 2nd round he will have slightly less odds of making it. Goal is to to get better now. No I don’t care about ELCs and cap savings from a first round pick in 4 years time and it shouldn’t be on Fitz mind either.

 

[Lou Bloom]

No it doesn’t but you never turn away from adding stud talent regardless of position and strength



I don’t care about a first round pick in the 20s or hopefully even later. The core is set the core on d is set. Bring in pieces to win now. I don’t care about a 18 year old who won’t sniff the nhl for 4 years. Draft a kid in the 2nd round he will have slightly less odds of making it get better now.

I'm not against trading 1st round picks, I'm against making bad moves because of "win now". Trade the 1st round pick when an actual good player becomes available that has term or who's worth re-signing long term and is a good team fit. Don't just throw away 1st round picks on rentals because the fanbase just wants to see moves.

 

[JrFischer54]

I'm not against trading 1st round picks, I'm against making bad moves because of "win now". Trade the 1st round pick when an actual good player becomes available that has term or who's worth re-signing long term and is a good team fit. Don't just throw away 1st round picks on rentals because the fanbase just wants to see moves.

There’s risk with everyone you trade for. I hate to tell people but first round picks alone won’t be moving the needle to bring in young contract friendly players. Teams knowing the caps going up are going to be more inclined to hold onto guys on those deals. Everyone on this board hated giving a first for Markstrom and we wouldn’t be where we are without him.

Sitting around waiting for the perfect player and situation that might never come isn’t smart. I rather Fitz take a chance and if it doesn’t work out I can live with that as opposed to go and make the 24th selection in the 1st round. Rental players should absolutely be on the table where this team is now.

 

[Lou Bloom]

There’s risk with everyone you trade for.

That doesn't mean every risk is equal. Should the Devils trade a 1st round pick for some random 4th liner because "there's risk with everyone you trade for"?

I hate to tell people but first round picks alone won’t be moving the needle to bring in young contract friendly players. Teams knowing the caps going up are going to be more inclined to hold onto guys on those deals.

Isn't that more reason to hold onto your future 1st round picks so you have more assets in play for when a worthwhile option becomes available? Also 1st round picks would clearly move the needle in a trade, they might not be enough alone, but a 1st round pick is going to be enough of a headliner to get the majority of available options in a trade.

Sitting around waiting for the perfect player and situation that might never come isn’t smart. I rather Fitz take a chance and if it doesn’t work out I can live with that as opposed to go and make the 24th selection in the 1st round.

It's not about waiting for the perfect player and situation, It's about not making rash, poor decisions. If there's a good trade out there then make that trade, but this idea that the Devils should make a move to make a move is dumb, short term thinking.

Rental players should absolutely be on the table where this team is now.

Which Rentals? Brock Nelson who's 33 and not a long term solution to the center issue? Brock Boeser who's a slow, offense only winger who would require a hefty extension? Yanni Gourde who's 33, currently injured and having a down season? Just because you want to make trades to make trades doesn't mean there's actually good options available and worth trading future 1st round picks for.

 

[JrFischer54]

That doesn't mean every risk is equal. Should the Devils trade a 1st round pick for some random 4th liner because "there's risk with everyone you trade for"?

Isn't that more reason to hold onto your future 1st round picks so you have more assets in play for when a worthwhile option becomes available? Also 1st round picks would clearly move the needle in a trade, they might not be enough alone, but a 1st round pick is going to be enough of a headliner to get the majority of available options in a trade.

It's not about waiting for the perfect player and situation, It's about not making rash, poor decisions. If there's a good trade out there then make that trade, but this idea that the Devils should make a move to make a move is dumb, short term thinking.

Which Rentals? Brock Nelson who's 33 and not a long term solution to the center issue? Brock Boeser who's a slow, offense only winger who would require a hefty extension? Yanni Gourde who's 33, currently injured and having a down season? Just because you want to make trades to make trades doesn't mean there's actually good options available and worth trading future 1st round picks for.

Fitz isn’t going to trade a first for a fourth liner so just stop being stupid.



The devils aren’t making a move to just make a move they are making a move to get better. You want a long term fix for that of course in a perfect world I want that to but it doesn’t always work that way. I don’t get the argument make a move to make a move. The devils aren’t a perfect team they need help so go get the help.

Yes I would trade a first if Nelson or the others mentioned will help this team win now. If they come on and play well maybe Ink them to a 2 year deal. Now you’ll take this as a well I’m glad you aren’t the gm. Yeah I’m glad I’m not either because I’m not informed none of us are like Fitz is so I’m saying if he moves for a rental of his choice I 100 % support it.

To get back to the “problems” with the players you mentioned. Again I don’t care about the age or if one doesn’t play defense when I just want him to score goals. I just want the most production out of them for 4 months I can live with slow and defense challenged or I can live with offense challenge great defensive skill if that’s what we get. That’s more important to me then a first rounder

Also the devils biggest trade chips nemec and Casey won’t require a first rounder as a throw in if they wanted to get a big prize target. So use the first on a rental it’s ok

 

[Nubmer6]

And Phil Housley was a complete and utter bust, but he only lasted from roughly the 96 trade deadline to the end of that season.

I *HATED* Housley, but... He used to whip passes around so fast that no one could receive them, at least not initially. After a while, not only did they get used to it, but they all started whipping their passes too. I felt like in the long run it ended up actually helping us, as we were passing more crisply for years afterwards.