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

[Triumph]

is grits still coming up at the end of the year?

He never was. The KHL's playoffs used to begin in late February, now they start in late March. It will take an unlikely confluence of events to get him over here.

 

[CalamityX23]

I'm not as down as others at the price we paid for Dumo in a sellers market. He has cup pedigree and is way more valuable to a playoff team then the Ducks. That is a buyers move through and through and addressed a need for a LHD. I thought that was a solid move. I also like the Glass move a lot. I'm not going to ignore those two trades because he failed to get the big prize. He won 2 years ago as a buyer in the Meier sweepstakes. He lost this year on his target. The other 2 moves were good ones. I do not believe he hand picked Glass. I think they liked him for a while and was a trade he was gonna make even if the big trade worked out.

The perceived image of a "2nd rd pick" carries a lot more value than the position in the 2nd rd itself... Like offering someone a late 2nd vs an early 3rd, position wise it may be off handful of spots but the value of 2nd rd pick is that its a 2nd rd pick. despite the relativity to one another in the draft.

For me, that value shouldn't be wasted on. Now did we bring a 27 yr old dman? no, 30? no lol.... we brought in a 33 yr old IIRC, pending FA to a team that wasn't a "final piece" away by any imagination... What will Dumo bring/do that we're not getting from our current Defense structure? He's not fast, idk how physical, he seemed ok nothing crazy vs Philly(which is super fine), ironically he was caught off guard on the breakaway goal. Is Dumo carrying a Eric Gelinas like cannon shot? offensive force? So where's the return value?

The championship pedigree, ok, not to be overlooked but that was almost 9 years ago... when he was 24 lol... we have a 'chip pedigree in Palat already. But enough to use our 2nd(via another team)? Nemec aside, the defense and goaltending are not what this team is hurting, its the offense.

Now that doesn't imply I'm saying trade for a regrettable contract just to put a pt producer. But say, Cozens(recency trade target) was approachable by us and the deal just needed one more pick/asset to push the Sabres to say yes, wouldn't we want that 2nd for that? a term offensive guy?

Fitz over the years have brought countless defensemen who are pretty good to be honest, so why throw a high pick away for a position/player of age n term that you(fitz) actually don't have hurdles to improving on via draft, free agency, AHL or trade.

So if the choice, overpay or Dumo or keep the pick, i'd keep the pic.

Disclaimer: perhaps the trade was the first part in order to complete a whole different trade that fell short, so it would be somewhat tied together due to the missing out on whoever.

 

[JrFischer54]

So a team with to many playmakers and not enough shooters should get....another playmaker.

its been my experience with "shooters" on this board is that people will bitch about everything else they dont do if they aren't scoring.

i'll take skill all day i dont care play maker shooter whatever as long as they are good/elite

 

[devsfan8]

The perceived image of a "2nd rd pick" carries a lot more value than the position in the 2nd rd itself... Like offering someone a late 2nd vs an early 3rd, position wise it may be off handful of spots but the value of 2nd rd pick is that its a 2nd rd pick. despite the relativity to one another in the draft.

For me, that value shouldn't be wasted on. Now did we bring a 27 yr old dman? no, 30? no lol.... we brought in a 33 yr old IIRC, pending FA to a team that wasn't a "final piece" away by any imagination... What will Dumo bring/do that we're not getting from our current Defense structure? He's not fast, idk how physical, he seemed ok nothing crazy vs Philly(which is super fine), ironically he was caught off guard on the breakaway goal. Is Dumo carrying a Eric Gelinas like cannon shot? offensive force? So where's the return value?

The championship pedigree, ok, not to be overlooked but that was almost 9 years ago... when he was 24 lol... we have a 'chip pedigree in Palat already. But enough to use our 2nd(via another team)? Nemec aside, the defense and goaltending are not what this team is hurting, its the offense.

Now that doesn't imply I'm saying trade for a regrettable contract just to put a pt producer. But say, Cozens(recency trade target) was approachable by us and the deal just needed one more pick/asset to push the Sabres to say yes, wouldn't we want that 2nd for that? a term offensive guy?

Fitz over the years have brought countless defensemen who are pretty good to be honest, so why throw a high pick away for a position/player of age n term that you(fitz) actually don't have hurdles to improving on via draft, free agency, AHL or trade.

So if the choice, overpay or Dumo or keep the pick, i'd keep the pic.

Disclaimer: perhaps the trade was the first part in order to complete a whole different trade that fell short, so it would be somewhat tied together due to the missing out on whoever.

The NJ Devils have more of a chance of winning the Cup this season then that 2nd round pick panning out. It's a buyers move. Aggressive to replace our top Left Dman. I have no problem with it. Dumolin is a solid D. Buying teams care about winning now
Not abundant amounts of 2nd round picks.

It's also showing the team he believes in them by not selling off key UFA's. Signing one on deadline day and holding onto the 4th line.

 

[JrFischer54]

Marner was asked to waive his NTC, declined.

Do we take a look at him in Free Agency?

absolutely every top level ufa needs to be looked at.

 

[megajake]

If Marner wants to sign with us, you do it in a heartbeat and figure out the rest later. Hell you could ship Bratt for an insane package and acquire a better version of him in Marner. Bratt upgrade and tons of assets sounds pretty sick

 

[SteveCangialosi123]

If Marner wants to sign with us, you do it in a heartbeat and figure out the rest later. Hell you could ship Bratt for an insane package and acquire a better version of him in Marner. Bratt upgrade and tons of assets sounds pretty sick

I’d much rather have the 5 million difference in cap and the younger player with proven chemistry with both top centers.

 

[My3Sons]

If Marner wants to sign with us, you do it in a heartbeat and figure out the rest later. Hell you could ship Bratt for an insane package and acquire a better version of him in Marner. Bratt upgrade and tons of assets sounds pretty sick

With what it would likely cost to sign Marner it's really Bratt and another player as I see it. Maybe something like Bratt and Mercer to cover that Marner contract? I like Bratt and would be disappointed if that's the way it panned out although I understand your point.

 

[Oneiro]

Rough bottom 6 point totals for contending teams. Put an X to leave out trades that haven't played much or slots that are occupied by guys who are basically top 6 players. Think I kept Verhaege in there, but you can take his out if you want and it's still loaded.

TB
Chaffee-Paul-Goncalves
Eyssimont-Glendening-Girgensons
Atkinson
86 points (BEFORE adding Gourde and Bjorkstrand)

WAS
Mangiapane - Eller - Raddysh
Duhaime - Dowd - X
96 points

VGK
Saad-Howden-X
Pearson-Roy-Kolesar
106 points (not including Stone or Barbashev)

WPG
Niederreiter-Lowry-Appleton
X-Barron-Iaffalo
108 points

FLA
Verhaeghe-Lundell-J. Boqvist
Greer-Nosek-Samoskevich
155 points (BEFORE adding Marchand)

DAL
Benn-Johnston-Granlund
Bourque-Steel-Dadonov
184 points

NJ
Cotter-Haula-Mercer
Tatar-Lazar-Bastian
Dawling
94 points

Again Timo is sucking, but almost every good team gets more from that slot in the lineup. We're on par with Washington who are shooting lights out all over and Tampa who recognized their problem and completely dealt with it by getting Gourde and Bjorkstrand.

 

[NjDevsRR]

absolutely every top level ufa needs to be looked at.

McDavid trade @Cheddabombs

 

[bossram]

The NJ Devils have more of a chance of winning the Cup this season then that 2nd round pick panning out. It's a buyers move. Aggressive to replace our top Left Dman. I have no problem with it. Dumolin is a solid D. Buying teams care about winning now
Not abundant amounts of 2nd round picks.

It's also showing the team he believes kn them by not selling g off key UFA's. Signing one on deadline day and holding onto the 4th line.

I really don't think that's true. The Devils aren't winning the Cup this season, I think most reasonable people would agree, with Jack and Siegs done and Dougie....probably in bad shape.

Dumo maybe helps them make the playoffs. Okay.

I'd rather have the 2nd round pick as currency at the draft to buy player to help them next season.

 

[devsfan8]

I really don't think that's true. The Devils aren't winning the Cup this season, I think most reasonable people would agree, with Jack and Siegs done and Dougie....probably in bad shape.

Dumo maybe helps them make the playoffs. Okay.

I'd rather have the 2nd round pick as currency at the draft to buy player to help them next season.

Whether that is true or not (it really is), it doesn't take any from the fact that those are moves buying teams make and he fills the void of losing our top defenseman on the left side. That's as important IMO as adding another big time player when half this teams problems woth scoring are all in their head. We are either buyers or we are not. Losing Jack and Dougie doesnt help, but we are a playoff team until we aren't and had to approach the deadline as a buyer. Can you tell me with a straight face you'd rather have Nemec and Casey fill in while Siegs is out with every game and point being important the rest of the year?

 

[Oneiro]

Hatakka and Misyul had a combined less than 25 NHL games played. Even with DeSimone, it's barely 100 GP? I just don't think Fitz was ever going to let that be the solution. He's a total sheep for experience and name-reputation, which is why I half expected ROR here. But you could do worse than Dumo.

I am starting to get on board with getting rid of him if his summer is more big boy fetish stuff.

 

[SJinNewJersey]

The NJ Devils have more of a chance of winning the Cup this season then that 2nd round pick panning out. It's a buyers move. Aggressive to replace our top Left Dman. I have no problem with it. Dumolin is a solid D. Buying teams care about winning now
Not abundant amounts of 2nd round picks.

It's also showing the team he believes kn them by not selling g off key UFA's. Signing one on deadline day and holding onto the 4th line.

This is vastly incorrect.

Moneypuck has Devils with a 1.2% to win the cup this year.

NHL Playoff Odds -MoneyPuck 2025 Playoff & Cup Odds

The odds of playing 100 NHL games for a players selected in the 2nd round of the NHL draft are almost 40%. 300 games is 25%.

Second Round​

• 1+ NHL Games: 68.0% (992/1458)
• 100+ NHL Games: 39.9% (582/1458)
• 300+ NHL Games: 25.1% (366/1458)
• 500+ NHL Games: 17.1% (250/1458)
• 750+ NHL Games: 8.1% (118/1458)
• 1000+ NHL Games: 3.3% (48/1458)

• 1+ NHL Points: 59.8% (872/1458)
• 100+ NHL Points: 21.4% (313/1458)
• 300+ NHL Points: 9.6% (141/1458)
• 500+ NHL Points: 4.7% (69/1458)
• 750+ NHL Points: 1.6% (24/1458)
• 1000+ NHL Points: 0.5% (8/1458)

Most Notable: Patrice Bergeron (BOS), Brian Trottier (NYI), Joe Nieuwendyk (CGY)

Success Rates of NHL Draft Picks - The Hockey Writers NHL Entry Draft Latest News, Analysis & More

 

[devsfan8]

Hatakka and Misyul had a combined less than 25 NHL games played. Even with DeSimone, it's barely 100 GP? I just don't think Fitz was ever going to let that be the solution. He's a total sheep for experience and name-reputation, which is why I half expected ROR here. But you could do worse than Dumo.

I am starting to get on board with getting rid of him if his summer is more big boy fetish stuff.

Dillon, Noesen, Cotter, Tatar, Kovecevic were not big boy moves by any stretch of the imagination. Theh were clear improvements and upgrades but not stars. We just do not get the consistent offense that we should be. In my mind, that is fixable and more about confidence and chemistry. This team showed its potential pre Christmas.

 

[JrFischer54]

Having Marner, Bratt and Jack as part of your top 6 looks very appealing on paper... but too much of the same between the three of them.

If people think Jack is "soft", wait until you see Marner in the playoffs.

at least we know he would be on the playoff roster

 

[Incharge1976]

The NJ Devils have more of a chance of winning the Cup this season then that 2nd round pick panning out. It's a buyers move. Aggressive to replace our top Left Dman. I have no problem with it. Dumolin is a solid D. Buying teams care about winning now
Not abundant amounts of 2nd round picks.

It's also showing the team he believes kn them by not selling g off key UFA's. Signing one on deadline day and holding onto the 4th line.

That's simply not the case. 2nd rounders have about a 15% of being an impact player. We do not have a 15% chance of winning the cup.

 

[bossram]

Whether that is true or not (it really is), it doesn't take any from the fact that those are moves buying teams make and he fills the void of losing our top defenseman on the left side. That's as important IMO as adding another big time player when half this teams problems woth scoring are all in their head. We are either buyers or we are not. Losing Jack and Dougie doesnt help, but we are a playoff team until we aren't and had to approach the deadline as a buyer. Can you tell me with a straight face you'd rather have Nemec and Casey fill in while Siegs is out with every game and point being important the rest of the year?

Whether it is true (it is categorically false and you are wrong) does matter. If you have no chance of winning a Cup, why are you wasting assets on a failed Cup run? I think they are and will be a playoff team. I was also one of the few that wasn't "the sky is falling" after Jack got hurt and had some arguments with people saying they are "guaranteed" to miss the playoffs now.

That said, I don't think they needed to be a "buyer" here. Many bubble playoffs teams weren't buyers. And weren't really sellers (teams like CBJ, VAN, UTA, CGY, etc.). They just kept keeping on.

NJ had a lot of pick currency they could use to upgrade themselves into a Cup contender next season, and what Fitz largely did this deadline is just waste some of it in a season they have no real shot at winning it all.

So yes, I would rather just give the minutes to Nemec and Casey at this point.

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

Fitz most likely lost on his target because he didn't have the ammo.

And really who didn't think adding Timo would be enough?

There is something screwy with needing significantly more fire power just to be competitive while having Jack, Nico, Bratt and Meier...

"the GM shouldnt look to add more players because he added that one player a few years ago" certainly is a take.

 

[JrFischer54]

I really don't think that's true. The Devils aren't winning the Cup this season, I think most reasonable people would agree, with Jack and Siegs done and Dougie....probably in bad shape.

Dumo maybe helps them make the playoffs. Okay.

I'd rather have the 2nd round pick as currency at the draft to buy player to help them next season.

you rather a 2nd round pick next year to MAYBE be buyers at the deadline as opposed to making the playoffs now? wtf dude! wtf is a 2nd round pick going to get you next year that you are willing to risk having a decent shot at winning a round in the playoffs and then who knows. i've heard some crazy hf takes but dang!

 

[Oneiro]

Dillon, Noesen, Cotter, Tatar, Kovecevic were not big boy moves by any stretch of the imagination. Theh were clear improvements and upgrades but not stars. We just do not get the consistent offense that we should be. In my mind, that is fixable and more abijt confidence and chemistry. This team showed its potential pre Christmas.

Yeah, I don't necessarily disagree - I was fine with all of that but I will say that, even if you like those moves, except for Cotter, they incrementally have diminished the strength of the core, which is skating teams into the ground.

Palat, Noesen, Dillon, Kovacevic are all heady players, but trying to make chip and chase the game plan when you have the Hughes brothers, Bratt and Nico seems like a big picture mistake.

 

[JrFischer54]

team needs an insurance policy when jack goes down next year. no i dont want a 3rd liner to get promoted to 2nd line duty thats not going to help. go out get some elite talent if they are willing to come here and push players down the lineup

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

team needs an insurance policy when jack goes down next year. no i dont want a 3rd liner to get promoted to 2nd line duty thats not going to help. go out get some elite talent if they are willing to come here and push players down the lineup

who you talking about specifically that is readily available?

 

[Zippy316]

team needs an insurance policy when jack goes down next year. no i dont want a 3rd liner to get promoted to 2nd line duty thats not going to help. go out get some elite talent if they are willing to come here and push players down the lineup

I don’t think they need elite players. Probably can’t afford to pay for elite players either.

They just need someone capable of finishing Hughes-Bratt set ups and/or someone capable of playing 2C.

Ideally that could be one player, even if it’s a player like McCann that works best as a wing but could play 2C if needed.

 

[Mr Bojanglez]

I think it's crazy that we need two new wingers... I'm not even disagreeing, I think that's probably correct.

It's just crazy that this team as is, is really a bubble team and still needs so much more....we are 14th in Goals per game...with the way this team is built and the players we already have that's just atrocious.

Meier has improved his defensive game, perhaps at expense of his offense. He's also been snack-bitten. But you're right - we're just like, just almost there on offense but still overall missing something.

I think it was @Comparison Ford, earlier this year, that pointed out when can't get to 4 wins in a row. That kind of made me realize... we're a good team. Without injuries we are more than a bubble team. But either way - i think the pundits and media have consistently pegged us as a cup contender - when I never really felt that way.