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

[MartyOwns]

you guys are hung up on some clowns from 2018, man

 

[tailfins]

Number one, you’re definitely not winning a trade of any one of those three guys. Certainly nothing that maintains/improves your chances of winning in the near term. Futures mean nothing, and if they did and the goal was another total rebuild, you may as well trade all three.

Second, we’re nowhere near that point yet. Even if they shit the bed next season I don’t know id we’re there. There are a lot of steps roster management wise in between here and there.

I dunno.

Nico + Nemec for Byfield + Fiala?

Byfield is turning it on this year, so probably Kings say no to this. Also, not sure how much value Nemec would have for them though since they already have Clarke. But, if they truly have soured on Fiala and they want to win now, maybe Blake pulls the trigger on this?

 

[Bobby Butler]

View attachment 999801

you guys are hung up on some clowns from 2018, man

Yeah what’s wrong with clowns from 2013?

 

[Dylan9z9]

I dunno.

Nico + Nemec for Byfield + Fiala?

Byfield is turning it on this year, so probably Kings say no to this. Also, not sure how much value Nemec would have for them though since they already have Clarke. But, if they truly have soured on Fiala and they want to win now, maybe Blake pulls the trigger on this?

Yes let's trade Nico the one constant on this team

 

[Brodeur]

Talking about Vat's and the 17-18 season got me thinking about what Rico is doing this season, and it looks like he finally fell off the cliff.

9-9-18 in 69 gp's.

24-27-51 in 82 last season.

Probably much different usage in Edmonton than he was getting in Anaheim.

2024-25: 14:17 per game - 12:01 EV - 0:37 PP - 1:40 SH
2023-24: 17:35 per game - 12:41 EV - 2:21 PP - 2:34 SH
2022-23: 18:11 per game - 13:08 EV - 2:33 PP - 2:29 SH

I haven't watched a ton of Edmonton this year, but just seems like he's being tasked to be a defensive minded center now.

 

[Zippy316]

The core (with the exception of Meier pre-March) hasn’t been the issue all season.

The priority this summer should be to get some skill and scoring talent throughout the forward lineup.

We over corrected for grit and depth last off-season. It’s somewhat understandable but the lack of scoring touch is evident. The defensive group is set up to be too good to fail, which is a good problem to have.

Now we need to find guys who can finish chances. It’s time to take a swing at guys who aren’t “complete” players if they can score. Sprong is definitely a good first start here, hopefully he can find his footing since he would be a good weapon to have.

 

[billingtons ghost]

Which shows that the first 24 games doesn't make a season. He had one goal after Dec 1st. Gibbons hot start was small piece in that seasons puzzle. It's why I left him out of my OP.


Well I think he was allowing the young guys to grow into roles, unfortuneately it didn't happen. He wasn't in "win now" mode, but he certainly thought the team was in the opening stages of a window.

Hall was a high end player prior to 17-18. So him falling off was the fluke. Kink had something like a career .910 save% following the 17-18 season, he was .891 in 18-19 and was basically never an NHL player after that. That fall off was the fluke. Vats fall off was the fluke. 3 very important pieces in 17-18 had odd ball career drop offs. These guys were all in their 20's.

The injuries/regression of Nico,Bratt,Wood and Butcher aren't that odd individually but all 4 having that drop off was certainly not something the board was predicting in the 18-19 preseason. I bet the board consensus was those guys were going to build off those seasons. The likes of Zacha, Queneville, Anderson, McLeod were all going to develop into contributors.

I love your research and determination.
I think board consensus was that flukey season was a fluke.

Hall dragged an inspired but mediocre team into the playoffs.

Vatanen was the definition of high-risk mid reward defender from the second he arrived... not someone to be counted on. I liked Kincaid but no one thought he was ever a #1 goalie.

Sure we were optimistic bc of Nico, Bratt, Wood and Zacha, but I didn't think we were at all anything more than cautiously optimistic we would squeak into the playoffs the next year.

Honestly, despite all the angst, we are a much stronger team top to bottom on paper than we've been since 2012... Although our Dcorps with Sevs as a bottom pairing luxury was better for that one year.

 

[tailfins]

Yes let's trade Nico the one constant on this team

1. Someone said the Devils couldn't win a trade of Nico, Bratt, or Jack. I was responding to that idea.

2. Nico is a sub PPG center who takes on a lot of the defensive match ups. He does well with this, but not he's not great at it (Barkov is great). If you could trade him for someone you think could be great, it could work out.

 

[Bleedred]

I really hate the proposals involving Nico and Jack or Bratt. That has to be a tougher read than any badmouthing of Gerry Ford Fitzgerald.

If we had a general manager who made the right decisions and who has been given plenty of time, these wouldn’t even be a though.

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

1. Someone said the Devils couldn't win a trade of Nico, Bratt, or Jack. I was responding to that idea.

2. Nico is a sub PPG center who takes on a lot of the defensive match ups. He does well with this, but not he's not great at it (Barkov is great). If you could trade him for someone you think could be great, it could work out.

literally what?

some of you guys will just say anything

 

[NjDevsRR]

Rumor is, Cody and his wife are expecting a baby

Edit: Based off twitter and reddit boobs, so take it with a grain of salt

 

[glenwo2]

I really hate the proposals involving Nico and Jack or Bratt. That has to be a tougher read than any badmouthing of Gerry Ford Fitzgerald.

If we had a general manager who made the right decisions and who has been given plenty of time, these wouldn’t even be a though.

The proposals suck but they're about as likely to happen as MacDermid winning the Conn Smythe.

I wouldn't worry.

 

[tailfins]

I really hate the proposals involving Nico and Jack or Bratt. That has to be a tougher read than any badmouthing of Gerry Ford Fitzgerald.

If we had a general manager who made the right decisions and who has been given plenty of time, these wouldn’t even be a though.

I hate the thought of trading those guys too.

But, some of my favorite players were:

Aaron Broten
Kirk Muler
Pat Verbeek
Randy McKay
Petr Sykora

The days some of those trades were announced were amongst my lowest feeling as a fan. But, I can't argue with the Cups that came (post Broten and Muller took some time, granted).

It's the old "you have to give to get". And, if the decision was that the team needs a culture change, you're not getting that by swapping out Brendon Dillon or Erik Haula.

 

[tailfins]

literally what?

some of you guys will just say anything

"Doesn't Fitz get it? Just get rid of the guys who suck and bring in guys who are awesome. How hard is that??"

 

[Devils731]

Rumor is, Cody and his wife are expecting a baby

Glad it’s a scratch for good reasons.

 

[Bleedred]

Rumor is, Cody and his wife are expecting a baby

I thought Keefe said something about being evaluated or looked at? He definitely said maybe he’ll be available later in the trip.

And maybe I’m wrong on that E word and I’m just so used to hearing it about everyone else lol.

 

[AfroThunder396]

I hate the thought of trading those guys too.

But, some of my favorite players were:

Aaron Broten
Kirk Muler
Pat Verbeek
Randy McKay
Petr Sykora

The days some of those trades were announced were amongst my lowest feeling as a fan. But, I can't argue with the Cups that came (post Broten and Muller took some time, granted).

It's the old "you have to give to get". And, if the decision was that the team needs a culture change, you're not getting that by swapping out Brendon Dillon or Erik Haula.

We are not the Sabres or Sharks, we are 3rd in the division and almost certainly making the playoffs. We're 2nd in the East in goals against, 5th in goal differential, and 6th in wins. 4th in the league in PP%, 4th in the league in PK%.

The team does not need a hatchet, it needs a scalpel. Swapping out Dillon and Haula will absolutely make the team better, they are some of the worst players on the roster. Removing bad players and replacing them with better players make you a better team. Replacing good players with other good players doesn't make you better, it just makes you different.

 

[Dylan9z9]

1. Someone said the Devils couldn't win a trade of Nico, Bratt, or Jack. I was responding to that idea.

2. Nico is a sub PPG center who takes on a lot of the defensive match ups. He does well with this, but not he's not great at it (Barkov is great). If you could trade him for someone you think could be great, it could work

Nico has 30 goals and leads the team whatever are you talking about

 

[devilsblood]

Probably much different usage in Edmonton than he was getting in Anaheim.

2024-25: 14:17 per game - 12:01 EV - 0:37 PP - 1:40 SH
2023-24: 17:35 per game - 12:41 EV - 2:21 PP - 2:34 SH
2022-23: 18:11 per game - 13:08 EV - 2:33 PP - 2:29 SH

I haven't watched a ton of Edmonton this year, but just seems like he's being tasked to be a defensive minded center now.

Looks like less toi across the board. Wonder what the monthly splits look like.

Edit: NVM. I don’t care that much. Not for this thread at least.

 

[Richer's Ghost]

Rumor is, Cody and his wife are expecting a baby

A good reporter would ask if she pooped during delivery when he returns.

The highlight of a 36 hour marathon delivery for me aside from the alien shaped head from 6 hours in the birth canal. Can't wait to have that picture enlarged and framed for the graduation party in 10 years (the head, not the poop).

 

[devilsblood]

I love your research and determination.
I think board consensus was that flukey season was a fluke.

Hall dragged an inspired but mediocre team into the playoffs.

Vatanen was the definition of high-risk mid reward defender from the second he arrived... not someone to be counted on. I liked Kincaid but no one thought he was ever a #1 goalie.

Sure we were optimistic bc of Nico, Bratt, Wood and Zacha, but I didn't think we were at all anything more than cautiously optimistic we would squeak into the playoffs the next year.

Honestly, despite all the angst, we are a much stronger team top to bottom on paper than we've been since 2012... Although our Dcorps with Sevs as a bottom pairing luxury was better for that one year.

Oh I like this team more then that team.

And as you say cautiously optimistic about playoffs the next year. That was board consensus. Instead we were one of the worst teams in the league. I guarantee no one was predicted anywhere near the level of crap we saw.

 

[JimEIV]

I hate the thought of trading those guys too.

But, some of my favorite players were:

Aaron Broten
Kirk Muler
Pat Verbeek
Randy McKay
Petr Sykora

The days some of those trades were announced were amongst my lowest feeling as a fan. But, I can't argue with the Cups that came (post Broten and Muller took some time, granted).

It's the old "you have to give to get". And, if the decision was that the team needs a culture change, you're not getting that by swapping out Brendon Dillon or Erik Haula.

I loved Randy McKay also but he was done when we traded him... I was more broken up about Arnott going with him to Dallas.

 

[Dylan9z9]

I used to fix McKays kids computers he's was supposed to give me one of his Devils Jerseys. He got traded and offered me a Dallas jersey. I didn't take it

 

[Ekiru]

We are Blues and Kings fans tonight. Would be nice for Rags and Habs to get no points. We also need Canucks to win tomorrow.

OOT has been the Devils best player. We need it to continue.

Dont the Devils (and Metro) want the Canadiens and Atlantic teams to keep winning? This way the Rangers place top-13 in the draft and lose next year's unprotected 1st

As long as we stay in the 3rd divisional slot, of course lol

 

[TrufleShufle]

Some of you would be terrible at "would you rather?"

"Gun to your head, would you rather..."

"Well actually, I took a year and a half of karate when I was younger, I would wrestle the gun away and do neither."

"Cool."

It was a hypothetical question, people were just playing along (outside of maybe one person,) no one here is a GM, relax.