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

[njdevils1982]

Shit is more rigged than the goddam Globetrotters.

 

[bossram]

Then you really have to question the logic of picking him cause he was never projected to be anything great offensively

The reports I read thought he tilted as an offensive defenseman.

I don't know what the logic of picking him was. I wanted to just take Wright at the time.

 

[longislanddevil]

I’m speculating but I really think Devils brass zeroed in on Slafkovsky. The draft then took a late turn and Wright to Montreal was no longer a sure thing (as most of you already know.). This put a real monkey wrench in the Devils’ plans IMO. I would have traded down from 2OA but it takes a dance partner to do it. Winning a lotto ball for this draft wasn’t anywhere near as important as most drafts. If we had simply remained where we were, I have a feeling Gauthier would have been the guy. Alas….ifs and buts w/ could’ves, would’ves, should’ves. The book is yet to be written on the 2022 NHL Draft.

 

[TrufleShufle]

Nemac looked good when he was up here and was the guy. Not meaning he was top pair worthy, but when we had no option but to lean on him, he played very well, especially for his age. I really think it's a mental thing for him, sent down because we didn't have room, kept down, comes up with an obvious expiration date unless he played lights out. Just seems like a dude who needs to be able to play without threat of losing his job every time he takes a shift.

Do you want that mentality from a high pick high potential D-man? No, but at some point you have to acknowledge it's a thing.

I'm not ready to give up on him yet.

 

[devilsblood]

Im not saying it has to be Nemec straight up for someone; just that the player coming back is young and cost controlled. They could be more proven than Nemec while being less proven than McCann

I am not great at pulling names off the top of my head so id have to sit down sometime this week and come up with some ideas (if it doesnt happen before then lol).

Id much rather stack picks and lesser prospects for a rental or two-year than go for McCann, if it means moving a top-3 asset I have for short-term control

Im afraid of losing the ability to maintain a contender in the name of trying to be something that maybe we just arent ready for yet. It is only year one of Keefe, after-all

I can't say I know how good McCann really is, but he did score 29 goals last year and 40 the year before that. He's 28. He's the perfect age for a team that aims to be making playoff runs this year and the years ahead. A player like that on a very reasonable deal has serious value.

If the return is Nemec we are trading a guy who is merely depth this season, and not performing well in that role. His play is such that you question if he could have a positive impact on a team looking to make a deep playoff run next season. And he plays a position where there is a similarly aged and similarly talented playing at a higher level.

Very possible that years down the road Nemec is playing at a high level while McCann is no longer on the Devils, but McCann helping in the near term is a much surer thing then Nemec being an impact player years down the line.

 

[NJDevs26]

I’m speculating but I really think Devils brass zeroed in on Slafkovsky. The draft then took a late turn and Wright to Montreal was no longer a sure thing (as most of you already know.). This put a real monkey wrench in the Devils’ plans IMO. I would have traded down from 2OA but it takes a dance partner to do it. Winning a lotto ball for this draft wasn’t anywhere near as important as most drafts. If we had simply remained where we were, I have a feeling Gauthier would have been the guy. Alas….ifs and buts w/ could’ves, would’ves, should’ves. The book is yet to be written on the 2022 NHL Draft.

I honestly feel like some teams got cold feet with Wright because Montreal passed on him like the Draft Day movie with Kevin Costner where the supposedly blue chip quarterback drops after he passed on him for the linebacker. All we heard for months was he was the likely top pick, then he slips to 4 or 5 whatever it was.

 

[Emperoreddy]

I’m speculating but I really think Devils brass zeroed in on Slafkovsky. The draft then took a late turn and Wright to Montreal was no longer a sure thing (as most of you already know.). This put a real monkey wrench in the Devils’ plans IMO. I would have traded down from 2OA but it takes a dance partner to do it. Winning a lotto ball for this draft wasn’t anywhere near as important as most drafts. If we had simply remained where we were, I have a feeling Gauthier would have been the guy. Alas….ifs and buts w/ could’ves, would’ves, should’ves. The book is yet to be written on the 2022 NHL Draft.

I think this is over thinking it.

 

[Emperoreddy]

 

[CalamityX23]

I like to see Nemec paired with an experienced dman before writing him off

More to say but saving it for tomorrow, think everyone has good points on either side of the fence

 

[MadDevil]

The Nemec bust talk is massively overstated.

One thing to look to trade him for forward help we badly need. But this idea that he is terrible and always will be terrible is borderline nonsense talk

He just turned 21 years old and has played a whole 72 games in the NHL. It's definitely a bit concerning he took a step back, but development isn't always linear. I remember the days when Jack was a disgrace, Nico was one of the worst #1 overall picks in a decade, and Bratt was just a kid who put up fancy stats without the production to match it. And they're forwards, who typically take less time to put it together.

The question is can the Devils wait for him to put it together? It's one thing to be patient and let things play out when you're rebuilding. It's another when you're trying to win.

 

[Cheddabombs]

I like to see Nemec paired with an experienced dman before writing him off

More to say but saving it for tomorrow, think everyone has good points on either side of the fence

If we hold out for 18 more months that veteran dman could be Quinn Hughes

 

[Emperoreddy]

He just turned 21 years old and has played a whole 72 games in the NHL. It's definitely a bit concerning he took a step back, but development isn't always linear. I remember the days when Jack was a disgrace, Nico was one of the worst #1 overall picks in a decade, and Bratt was just a kid who put up fancy stats without the production to match it. And they're forwards, who typically take less time to put it together.

The question is can the Devils wait for him to put it together? It's one thing to be patient and let things play out when you're rebuilding. It's another when you're trying to win.

I dont think he is untouchable. Our right side is over crowded. If you are believers in Kovy and Casey then Nemec does start to look redundant even if we toss Dougie overboard. Plus we do need more forward depth that he could bring in a trade.

But that doesn't mean he is a bust.

 

[My3Sons]

I dont think he is untouchable. Our right side is over crowded. If you are believers in Kovy and Casey then Nemec does start to look redundant even if we toss Dougie overboard. Plus we do need more forward depth that he could bring in a trade.

But that doesn't mean he is a bust.

Just cut to the chase.

Mercer Nemec and something else for Quinn. At this point it’s hard to see Vancouver keeping him and hard to see Quinn not open to the idea of playing with his brothers.

 

[HobokenIrish]

He just turned 21 years old and has played a whole 72 games in the NHL. It's definitely a bit concerning he took a step back, but development isn't always linear. I remember the days when Jack was a disgrace, Nico was one of the worst #1 overall picks in a decade, and Bratt was just a kid who put up fancy stats without the production to match it. And they're forwards, who typically take less time to put it together.

The question is can the Devils wait for him to put it together? It's one thing to be patient and let things play out when you're rebuilding. It's another when you're trying to win.

Thank you!!!

Seems a bit early to be writing off a 21 year old.

 

[PizzaAndPucks]

I'd hope if Fitzgerald wants to move on from Nemec that teams like Nasville or San Jose are interested. Neither team has a top perspective that is a RHD. Nashville has 3 1st round picks (NSH, TBL & WPG) this year and San Jose has 2(SJ & DAL). He can be moved for a young player or a prospect as well.

It's going to be a tough decision to make because the pipeline lacks a high end forward aside for Gritsyuk and Nemec's value isn't exactly at a high. I'd prefer a good forward prospect that is close to being NHL ready over a draft pick. It really is going to come down to if this teams are mutually interested in Nemec or not. San Jose was lacking a blue chip game prospect and went out for Askarov when he was available so maybe the need for a RHD would entice them, their blueline needs one desperately.

 

[dgibb10]

Just cut to the chase.

Mercer Nemec and something else for Quinn. At this point it’s hard to see Vancouver keeping him and hard to see Quinn not open to the idea of playing with his brothers.

Hamilton would almost certainly be a core piece going back in any Quinn Hughes trade.

Additionally from both sides, including Casey over Nemec makes sense.

Van will be without a long term PPQB. Casey is a great PPQB, Nemec is not.

NJD with Quinn and Luke will have no space on the PP for the next decade. Casey's value there would be wasted.

 

[Dialamo]

Shit is more rigged than the goddam Globetrotters.

 

[billingtons ghost]

I’m speculating but I really think Devils brass zeroed in on Slafkovsky. The draft then took a late turn and Wright to Montreal was no longer a sure thing (as most of you already know.). This put a real monkey wrench in the Devils’ plans IMO. I would have traded down from 2OA but it takes a dance partner to do it. Winning a lotto ball for this draft wasn’t anywhere near as important as most drafts. If we had simply remained where we were, I have a feeling Gauthier would have been the guy. Alas….ifs and buts w/ could’ves, would’ves, should’ves. The book is yet to be written on the 2022 NHL Draft.

I think you nailed it. I was all in on Slaf and thought it was a fine deal. Didn't really want Wright. Nemec was bpa in a weird draft.

I also think so of this talk is so premature for such a young Dman.

I understand the idea that our window is now, and trading futures and prospects makes sense, and I like McCann... But Nemec is steep and certainly our biggest asset. I want a bigggg fish.

 

[forceten]

I think you nailed it. I was all in on Slaf and thought it was a fine deal. Didn't really want Wright. Nemec was bpa in a weird draft.

I also think so of this talk is so premature for such a young Dman.

I understand the idea that our window is now, and trading futures and prospects makes sense, and I like McCann... But Nemec is steep and certainly our biggest asset. I want a bigggg fish.

Cooley was BPA, and looks like he may have been best player in draft. Wright had too many attitude red flags.

 

[JrFischer54]

send nemec to the canucks for quinn there ya go

 

[JrFischer54]

He just turned 21 years old and has played a whole 72 games in the NHL. It's definitely a bit concerning he took a step back, but development isn't always linear. I remember the days when Jack was a disgrace, Nico was one of the worst #1 overall picks in a decade, and Bratt was just a kid who put up fancy stats without the production to match it. And they're forwards, who typically take less time to put it together.

The question is can the Devils wait for him to put it together? It's one thing to be patient and let things play out when you're rebuilding. It's another when you're trying to win.

I'm certainly not writing the kid off but from the start of the season hell once they drafted that russian d man that there were too many mouths to feed and someone has to go esp since i always counted on quinn coming here in a couple years. i honestly perfer to have a lock down solid shut down d man eating up mins back there but at this point just use whoever it is to get the biggest return to help the team now.

 

[AfroThunder396]

I don't see anyone writing Nemec off. The reality is that players are assets, and if they provide more value to you in a trade than they do on the ice then you need to explore that option.

 

[JrFischer54]

I’m speculating but I really think Devils brass zeroed in on Slafkovsky. The draft then took a late turn and Wright to Montreal was no longer a sure thing (as most of you already know.). This put a real monkey wrench in the Devils’ plans IMO. I would have traded down from 2OA but it takes a dance partner to do it. Winning a lotto ball for this draft wasn’t anywhere near as important as most drafts. If we had simply remained where we were, I have a feeling Gauthier would have been the guy. Alas….ifs and buts w/ could’ves, would’ves, should’ves. The book is yet to be written on the 2022 NHL Draft.

i agree with this honestly and someone mentioned the movie draft day perfect fits. granted wright wasn't some slam dunk highly touted guy like the qb in the movie.


its funny to think what if though. does wright land in montreal and turns out differently? i think slaf here certainly does and then say nemec slides down to seattle where its an expansion team and he probably slides in smoother not in a log jam team with playoff thinking.

 

[IDEKWTM]

There's no way we can jump to the conclusion to move Nemec over Casey based on such a small sample size.

 

[devsfan8]

send nemec to the canucks for quinn there ya go

Mr Erycap will not approve. First name Sal.

We can all dream though.

Besides it would probably have to be Nemec, Mercer and a 26 1st. At minimum.