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

[Clam Jensen]

This might sound overreactive and catch some heat, but is anyone willing to entertain the possibility that the Devils might be able to build a better team without Jack Hughes? And maybe Dougie as well?

Re: Jack: No, he’s one of the best players in the league and it’s more of an indictment on his teammates that they revert to being passengers when he’s on because they expect him to go Harlem Globetrotters. The team as currently constructed with a competent 3C in Glass would be infinitely better with Jack back (going to be nice having that C depth next year). Also, Jacks injury has forced others to step up in a way they haven’t during his other long-term absences. IMO, this can only be a positive because it shows that Timo and Bratt can drive offense on their own in the absence of Jack (hoping this leads to more lineup balance next year once they add a winger to knock Palat down).

Re: Dougie: Realistically we have to move on from him with his cap hit and the eventually Casey ascension. While his defense sucks, I would much rather have him out there over Nemec sucking at defense but at least providing elite O.

 

[SteveCangialosi123]

Fair but I really wonder. I think he takes away from the other players in ways, doesn’t work with certain linemates, is pretty inefficient, might get a little propped up by Bratt, has his fair share of health issues and he is very limited in the type of game and role he can play.

I think it’s a fair question.

It is not a fair question

 

[Poppy Whoa Sonnet]

Tom better be working on an extension for Allen.

Hmm it would take 2 years minimum, and an AAV over 3m, possibly 4m to get him to sign instead of go FA I think. Traditionally doesn't really fit the FO's MO to commit that much to a backup, but the years of goalie hell might have changed their thinking.

 

[HBK27]

Not necessarily. Daws is still waiver exempt next season (I think) and the one way deal is just more for him to get guaranteed money for all of next year, rather than the measly AHL salary if he spends much of the year there.

A Markstrom/Daws tandem could work very well, but it could also give us flashbacks to the Vitek/Schmid tandem from last year, where Vitek was not reliable and Schmid was not experienced enough.

Only with Markstrom it’s more about an aging goaltender who has already missed time with injury this year and has been a trainwreck since returning. If Markstrom is either injured again next year for some time or just not as reliable, we’re down to Nico Daws and????

Unfortunately, I think Daws is no longer waiver exempt next season.

If I'm reading this correctly from PuckPedia, this is currently his 4th out of 4 waiver exempt seasons, so he will have to pass through waivers starting next year.

 

[Triumph]

This might sound overreactive and catch some heat, but is anyone willing to entertain the possibility that the Devils might be able to build a better team without Jack Hughes? And maybe Dougie as well?

Without Dougie, sure, without Jack, absolutely not. The Devils aren't playing very well since Jack went down. They're -7 5v5 and they're 4-3-0.

I think what has happened is that things have just flipped a bit - the Devils were losing one-goal games and blowing teams out, now they are winning one-goal games and being blown out. They're certainly not playing better.

 

[ndkjr70]

Fair but I really wonder. I think he takes away from the other players in ways, doesn’t work with certain linemates, is pretty inefficient, might get a little propped up by Bratt, has his fair share of health issues and he is very limited in the type of game and role he can play.

I think it’s a fair question.

I literally hate it here.

 

[Better Call Sal]

The Allen situation for the future is definitely more interesting now. I do wonder if there is a desire to bring Allen back and possibly flip Daws to give him an opportunity elsewhere. I just don't know if that's the decision we want to make. Goaltending is so unpredictable every season.

If you do that, you have Poulter and Brennan in the AHL theoretically. Then eventually, Yegorov is your goalie of the future prospect. I could see them moving Daws the way they moved Schmid if they really want Allen back.

One thing is for sure, the guy has stepped up in a massive way. Low key team MVP, especially for 2025. Guy has a .928 SV% and a 2.07 GAA in the calendar year and is 7-7. Goals for Jake was a legitimate concern for a while. Still is, I suppose.

 

[Clam Jensen]

The Allen situation for the future is definitely more interesting now. I do wonder if there is a desire to bring Allen back and possibly flip Daws to give him an opportunity elsewhere. I just don't know if that's the decision we want to make. Goaltending is so unpredictable every season.

If you do that, you have Poulter and Brennan in the AHL theoretically. Then eventually, Yegorov is your goalie of the future prospect. I could see them moving Daws the way they moved Schmid if they really want Allen back.

One thing is for sure, the guy has stepped up in a massive way. Low key team MVP, especially for 2025. Guy has a .928 SV% and a 2.07 GAA in the calendar year and is 7-7. Goals for Jake was a legitimate concern for a while. Still is, I suppose.

Don’t like seeing pee-odor on there.

 

[SteveCangialosi123]

Without Dougie, sure, without Jack, absolutely not. The Devils aren't playing very well since Jack went down. They're -7 5v5 and they're 4-3-0.

I think what has happened is that things have just flipped a bit - the Devils were losing one-goal games and blowing teams out, now they are winning one-goal games and being blown out. They're certainly not playing better.

Timo also breaking the ridiculous slump makes things look a bit better too

 

[Lou Bloom]

This might sound overreactive and catch some heat, but is anyone willing to entertain the possibility that the Devils might be able to build a better team without Jack Hughes? And maybe Dougie as well?

I thought the complete opposite watching this team since the Hughes and Dougie injury.

They’ve been outplayed the majority of the games since those injuries despite the 4-3 record. The downgrade from Dougie to Nemec has been massive and This team is struggling to generate chances without Jack. I also think a lot of people underestimate the loss of Siegenthaler, he was playing great hockey prior to his injury.

 

[Devs3cups]

Anyone here got their sponsorships back or anyone got a new one?

Kind of iffy on getting a new one right now with the site acting up, don’t want it to get taken away again.

 

[Better Call Sal]

Don’t like seeing pee-odor on there.

Carolina has certainly figured things out to a degree on their part. We know that series, if it does end up coming to fruition, will not be a fun or easy one.

To be honest, I'm of the mindset where I want us to get back in and it plays out however it plays out. It will be a feather in our caps if we can win a round losing three of our most important players. But I think Keefe has the team locked into the right mindset of how they are going to need to grind out games in order to get wins. I'm encouraged by the process we've played with over the past week and a half.

 

[My3Sons]

Fair but I really wonder. I think he takes away from the other players in ways, doesn’t work with certain linemates, is pretty inefficient, might get a little propped up by Bratt, has his fair share of health issues and he is very limited in the type of game and role he can play.

I think it’s a fair question.

individual high end skill that translates into games is probably the rarest thing in the league. Maybe a true franchise goalie is rarer but still, it's the thing teams are constantly chasing and drafting for. Jack isn't a perfect player. He's a bit loose with the puck sometimes and he's small and has been hurt too often. But he can make something out of nothing. When he's on he's a terror with the puck and shooting. His skating opens up the ice and he can escape the zone and enter the zone on offense with ease. It's incumbent on the team to find a guy to go with him and Bratt but no way I'm moving Jack with that contract. Who replaces him? You aren't getting a similar level of player back. You think NJ is better with a guy like Larkin or Suzuki? I'm thinking that's the sort of player you realistically return. I'm sure Vancouver would gut its team for Jack and NJ could have Pettersson and whatever else they wanted. No thanks. Pettersson is also coming off a stretch of injuries and brings his own foibles. I find it hard to see how NJ is better by moving Hughes.

 

[NJDevils17]

Timo’s goal scoring normalizing would be great. I don’t think he’s played poorly this season but the counting stats clearly are not there. I’d like to see him on PP1 next year full time, he’s got the shot to use as a weapon.

All that said, he deserves some marks for his defense in 24-25 because that’s never been a strong suit of his and he’s really doing well in that area.

 

[Its Always Sundstrom]

Anyone here got their sponsorships back or anyone got a new one?

Kind of iffy on getting a new one right now with the site acting up, don’t want it to get taken away again.

I was like, WTF, seriously? I just got mine in January. But I’m not seeing ads so I guess it’s back?

 

[HBK27]

I was like, WTF, seriously? I just got mine in January. But I’m not seeing ads so I guess it’s back?

Same here...not seeing any ads, so I think the sponsorship is working - then again, not sure if they put a halt on those while they're rebuilding the site ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

 

[Mr Bojanglez]

This might sound overreactive and catch some heat, but is anyone willing to entertain the possibility that the Devils might be able to build a better team without Jack Hughes? And maybe Dougie as well?

Re: Jack.

I get what you're saying. But Jack has talent and skill of a top player in the league. He can do things that 95% of the league cannot.

I think we are seeing a silver lining of our team learning to play without him. Perhaps we became a little bit more predictable. We are also running on adrenaline and have more urgency specifically because he's out.

If you want to say, make him less of a focus - i can buy that to some degree.

Re: Dougie

I don't think we are really built around him. Luke has surpassed him. I think of him a bit more complimentary piece. Obviously his contract is an issue - so we'll need to work around that, one way or another.

 

[bossram]

As I said when Jack got hurt, the playoffs were not really in question for me. The team has kind of rallied here, so hopefully they can give the Canes some trouble.

Re Jack: Yeah, they need him. He is an elite player at a bargain deal. Crazy talk.

Re Dougie: I've been on this wagon earlier than anyone and I see it's coming around. Yeah, they should look to move him to re-allocate his cap dollars before his value completely falls off. Get a forward upgrade and have Luke/Casey run the PP. Or do it in preparation for Quinn's future arrival...

 

[BurntToast]

Glass was a massive get and I think the Devils w/Glass & Jack Hughes will be much improved.

Mercer is a tough evaluation. If he played a little better it would go a long way. While his value is up, I would consider a swap/trade. Rumors are Wild might want to move on from Rossi. I would do that swap.

Also losing that crap bag, McLeod, was a major blow on “the ice”, that perv was the straw that stirs the bottom 6.