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

[SoupNazi]

Continued from Devils discussion (news, notes and speculation) - part IV.

Take a deep breath, relax and quit flaming each other.

 

[MartyOwns]

it’s rantanen time, baby

 

[dzubrus8]

A few options I'd be inquiring about:

Hockey trades
1. C/W Trevor Zegras for Dawson Mercer
2. C Shane Pinto for Dawson Mercer
3. C Casey Mittelstadt for Dawson Mercer
4. W Mattias Maccelli for Dawson Mercer
5. W Mikko Rantanen for Simon Nemec, Dawson Mercer, 2026 1st

Pure Rentals
1. W Kyle Palmieri for 2025 2nd
2. W Rickard Rakell for 2025 2nd and 2026 3rd
3. W Jason Zucker for 2025 3rd

Longer term holds
1. C Ryan O'Reilly for 2025 2nd and 2026 2nd
2. C/W Jared McCann for 2025 2nd and 2026 conditional 1st (if reach ECF, otherwise 2027 1)
3. W Lawson Crouse for 2026 3rd

I think if they can add (1) one of McCann or O'Reilly and (2) one of the wingers and the Devils would be in fine shape. Think they could do both and still have another 2nd to use in the draft.

 

[Call Me Al]

 

[NjDevsRR]

As I said, I’d go to war with this group.

Many differing opinions here but we should all come together in these tough times

 

[Whaddagoal]

A few options I'd be inquiring about:

Hockey trades
1. C/W Trevor Zegras for Dawson Mercer
2. C Shane Pinto for Dawson Mercer
3. C Casey Mittelstadt for Dawson Mercer
4. W Mattias Maccelli for Dawson Mercer
5. W Mikko Rantanen for Simon Nemec, Dawson Mercer, 2026 1st

Pure Rentals
1. W Kyle Palmieri for 2025 2nd
2. W Rickard Rakell for 2025 2nd and 2026 3rd
3. W Jason Zucker for 2025 3rd

Longer term holds
1. C Ryan O'Reilly for 2025 2nd and 2026 2nd
2. C/W Jared McCann for 2025 2nd and 2026 conditional 1st (if reach ECF, otherwise 2027 1)
3. W Lawson Crouse for 2026 3rd

I think if they can add (1) one of McCann or O'Reilly and (2) one of the wingers and the Devils would be in fine shape. Think they could do both and still have another 2nd to use in the draft.

All 5 of those hockey trades are intriguing, particularly 3 and 4.

I don't see Carolina trading with us as it directly impacts their playoff battle with potentially our team

No to ROR but the others seem fine.

Rentals as last resort. Maybe bringing in Palms would stabilize the core a bit. I was against palms coming back, but maybe they need a veteran like him (and someone who knows the team sort of) now that jack is out fully.

 

[guitarguyvic]

View attachment 987310

As I said, I’d go to war with this group.

View attachment 987308

Many differing opinions here but we should all come together in these tough times

I mean how do you come together when you have mods telling posters they’re not allowed to talk about the long term health concerns of our franchise forward and they should go root for a different team as a result?

The policing of “negativity” has gotten out of control. Why do people feel the need to act as Public Relations personnel for a multi-billion dollar sports organization that hasn’t delivered positive results to the paying fan in over a decade?

 

[Cheddabombs]

Tom gauging interest in our players

 

[Killing Joke]

To the sell people, how does that help us? We have nothing to offer besides Nemec, Casey, Silayev, Allen, and picks. Kovy as well. That’s it. Most of those should be used for ready now players that would help us while Hughes is out.

No one wants Haula, Palat, Dillon, hell we can’t move them either since they all have NTCs and are paid too much. Allen could go, daws would be fine behind Markstrom. Kovy, you really want to rookie dmen playing in his place?

And you want to sell for what? Picks that don’t help us in the present? You wanna throw another season away and give Tom the reigns to mess up more drafts? Come on. Selling is beyond the wrong move here.

 

[Edmonton East]

It's astonishing anyone still has the balls to defend this management group after the last 2 years. It truly is. Jack is a 60/82 game player. You have no center depth or prospects. Yet you roll into the season without a care in the world. Nico will be an ironman and Jack will finally round out his Center game AND stay healthy. Even more hilarious when you do all this while not having a 2025 1st.

 

[NjDevsRR]

Tom gauging interest in our players

View attachment 987315

 

[Lou Bloom]

Depends on the cost but I'd be very interested in buy low candidates like Cozens and Zegras if either are made available. Either could fill in at center this season while Jack is gone and moving forward could play either center or wing depending on roster construction. I think both players are much better than they're currently producing, something around Mercer+ depending on what the + could work out to be a steal down the line considering they're talent level.

 

[Whaddagoal]

I am also worried about jacks long term health and direct impact from that injury, but we wont know anything valuable until training camp, or october, so not really worth discussing the details of that concern until the next season rolls up.

"is Jack going to be the same player going forward" is a legit worry, but probably we should punt that discussion until at least October next season, once we see how everything is going.

 

[NjDevsRR]

I am also worried about jacks long term health and impact, but we wont know anything valuable until training camp, or october, so not really worth discussing the details of that concern until the next season rolls up.

"is Jack going to be the same player going forward" is a legit worry, but probably we should punt that discussion until at least October next season, once we see how everything is going.

Plus this team needs to learn how to survive with a top player out. (Paging Fitz)

 

[Devilsgrl35]

Whether it's the deadline or in the summer we really need another 2C considering Nico and Jack's injury history.

I just don't want a panic move right now. I'd rather stay still than panic.

 

[Cheddabombs]

 

[NjDevsRR]

I’d also look into Kerfoot. Should be a cheap add and should be able to replace a Lazar or Haula for this season. I mean he isn’t much but hes an upgrade over our bottom 2 centers (I think).

We need a 2C and a 3C/4C replacement. And a winger

 

[Whaddagoal]

Plus this team needs to learn how to survive with a top player out. (Paging Fitz)

Yeah if we are a one man core team, we also shouldn't expect to win anything

 

[guitarguyvic]

I am also worried about jacks long term health and direct impact from that injury, but we wont know anything valuable until training camp, or october, so not really worth discussing the details of that concern until the next season rolls up.

"is Jack going to be the same player going forward" is a legit worry, but probably we should punt that discussion until at least October next season, once we see how everything is going.

I mean you’re right there’s probably not a whole lot to discuss right now since it just happened and he won’t be playing anytime soon, I think this is mostly just venting which should be fine and doesn’t deserve the response it has gotten. That being said, we probably won’t know much more in October either unless this most recent injury really does derail his effectiveness immediately. Otherwise it’s a waiting game to see if he can even make it through one full season without going down again.

 

[Guadana]

Unpopular opinion. But if we can take retained 7 mil of Huberdeau for mostly minor compensation - I trully think he will be good enough with Nico on the line for making his retained 7 mil worthy enough.
Yeah, its more risky, but price is low and in future cap raising circumstances I think 7 mil is a normal price for 50-60 points player. And I think he can be more with Nico and Timo on the line. Im not all in, but im not against for minor compensation.

Im ready for stones.

 

[Emperoreddy]

I’d also look into Kerfoot. Should be a cheap add and should be able to replace a Lazar or Haula for this season. I mean he isn’t much but hes an upgrade over our bottom 2 centers (I think)

We need a 2C and a 3C/4C replacement. And a winger

The 2C needs term too as we need a 3rd proper top 9 center because heula is washed.

 

[Edmonton East]

I am also worried about jacks long term health and direct impact from that injury, but we wont know anything valuable until training camp, or october, so not really worth discussing the details of that concern until the next season rolls up.

"is Jack going to be the same player going forward" is a legit worry, but probably we should punt that discussion until at least October next season, once we see how everything is going.

It's relevant in that they 100% need a guy capable of playing 2C, including being serviceable (not great) at faceoffs, driving the net, and comfortable being a presence in front of the net. Agree there isn't much value in speculating, especially for months. But I also don't wanna hear they don't need a 2C or high end 3C anymore. It wasn't a "nice to have" this season and it certainly isn't next season. It's a requirement. If it's a high end 3C capable of playing up the lineup, fine. If it's a top 6 W utility C, fine.

 

[guitarguyvic]

Yeah if we are a one man core team, we also shouldn't expect to win anything

Well I guess we’re gonna find out over the next few weeks. The widespread despair that this team may miss the playoffs without Jack sure does seem to suggest that a lot of people were in fact lying to themselves about how good this roster overall was up until this week.

 

[NjDevsRR]

The 2C needs term too as we need a 3rd proper top 9 center because heula is washed.

I want a cheap rental for one of Haula or Lazar spots, anything to get one of them off centering duties. A Kerfoot type would do fine if we can swing a cheap deal.

Then I want a 2C and a depth winger who can move up when needed.

A cheap rental like a Suter would help on the backend.


Do I expect all of this to happen? Nope. Do I hope a few of these happens? Yea.

 

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

McCann having C/W flexibility is why I'd be enamored with him if I'm Fitz

Maybe they get Nelson and he likes it enough in NJ to stay, that could be another option.

I mean how do you come together when you have mods telling posters they’re not allowed to talk about the long term health concerns of our franchise forward and they should go root for a different team as a result?

The policing of “negativity” has gotten out of control. Why do people feel the need to act as Public Relations personnel for a multi-billion dollar sports organization that hasn’t delivered positive results to the paying fan in over a decade?

I don't disagree but this week has been sad/exhausting and every human emotion you can find. We're all probably in a bad mental spot with this team right now to argue logically with one another. The offseason will probably give way to better discussions about this team.