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

[Guadana]

Interesting info was up today. One good source said that New Jersey are talking with Orlov about his near future and travel to NA is an option. Orlov not decided yet and he isnt sure he should trip to NA on this stage of his career.
Personally he has quite nice development in spartak, he is regular player, he is playing in playoff meaningful games, he is responsible and his team is asking for that. I dont think that playing third pair role in Utica is a better way for his development, I think the opposite from what I saw from other players development. I would like to see him playing 1-2 year in KHL and after that seasoning him in Utica in more bigger important role. Will see how it goes.

 

[MB3]

Overall, I understand why this season feels disappointing. In some ways it is, especially after the month of December they had.

With that being said, making the playoffs is an improvement. The team has played better hockey since the trade deadline, and if they play their game, I think they can bring it to the Canes. I have 0 expectations though.

I think this year can be seen as progress. To me, the future of this group is still bright. The core is producing and imo is a solid one. We have more young players that will join in the next little while that should help extend our window (Casey, Silayev, Gritsyuk, Nemec, Lenni, etc.) . Our D structure overall is better and more sustainable.

To me, the off-season plan is pretty clear. Bottom-6 scoring, Bottom-6 scoring, Bottom-6 scoring. This imo is the biggest hole. Scoring depth (3C, bottom-6 wingers, etc.). This needs to be fixed. Another top-6 winger would be nice, but I think that this team could be very successful with a fixed bottom-6. The top end is very solid imo.

This season has been tough, but I feel the boys have showed resiliency and have faced adversity pretty well. They easily could’ve crumbled out of a spot, especially with important injuries, but they stuck through it and they deserve some credit for that. I also like what Keefe is bringing.

Overall, I feel like this season was a step in the right direction, which clearly showed what needs to be done.

LGD

I like the positivity and all that, but to me this is full blown loser talk and is way too apologetic towards the clearly-unprepared GM we have running the show.

The Devils set an all time franchise record for regular season points two years ago with the 2nd youngest roster in the NHL and the top-rated prospect group in the league.

Two years later and they:

1. Wasted a season of the core's prime because Fitzgerald was stubborn about the goaltending position.
2. Have genuine concerns over the viability of their superstar's health, with back-to-back season ending injuries.
3. Somehow have a roster that isn't in the top-15 in the NHL in terms of youngest age.
4. Got remarkably slower and remarkably less talented after Fitz decided that #grit and #toughness were more important than #ability-to-play-hockey.
5. Have traded away: (1) first, (2) seconds, (2) thirds in exchange for a goaltender who isn't living up to his end of the bargain and a couple of rentals in a season where they will get pantsed in the first round.
6. Traded their former top offensive prospect for a 4th liner.
7. Now own a bottom-5 prospect pool and have legitimate concerns about their other former top prospect defenseman.
8. Handed out bad (being polite) contracts to Haula (yikes), Tatar again for some reason, and Dillon.

I guess the fact that they "didn't crumble" is a... good thing? I don't know. Sure, fine. But how can anyone think about this hockey team today compared to where we thought we'd be 3 years ago and be happy? I think about the excitement I had after we beat the Rangers and I want to puke. It's been nothing short of catastrophic since then, and limping into the playoffs isn't giving me the same tummy-stick feeling that it's giving you.

The Devils are 17-19-4 since Christmas. They will go into their first round matchup with the Hurricanes with the longest odds in the NHL to win a playoff series. They will, in all likelihood, get absolutely slaughtered.

Lou said "Good is not good when better is expected". The fact that there's a post like this after the Devils got absolutely blown the f*** out by a last place team on home ice proves that "better" is no longer expected.

 

[NjDevsRR]

The rehashing of the season and the infighting has been exhausting. Its all meaningless to be honest because a new slate starts next weekend with the playoffs. Obviously it’s been a sad 2025, obviously the injuries stink, obviously the roster isn’t where it should be. Thats been talked about ad nauseam. At least the last few weeks has been better hockey (when they actually want to play). There is some hope left.

Focus on the canes series

 

[Devs3cups]

I like the positivity and all that, but to me this is full blown loser talk and is way too apologetic towards the clearly-unprepared GM we have running the show.

The Devils set an all time franchise record for regular season points two years ago with the 2nd youngest roster in the NHL and the top-rated prospect group in the league.

Two years later and they:

1. Wasted a season of the core's prime because Fitzgerald was stubborn about the goaltending position.
2. Have genuine concerns over the viability of their superstar's health, with back-to-back season ending injuries.
3. Somehow have a roster that isn't in the top-15 in the NHL in terms of youngest age.
4. Got remarkably slower and remarkably less talented after Fitz decided that #grit and #toughness were more important than #ability-to-play-hockey.
5. Have traded away: (1) first, (2) seconds, (2) thirds in exchange for a goaltender who isn't living up to his end of the bargain and a rental defenseman in a season where they will get pantsed in the first round.
6. Traded their former top offensive prospect for a 4th liner.
7. Now own a bottom-5 prospect pool and have legitimate concerns about their other former top prospect defenseman.
8. Handed out bad (being polite) contracts to Haula (yikes), Tatar again for some reason, and Dillon.

I guess the fact that they "didn't crumble" is a... good thing? I don't know. Sure, fine. But how can anyone think about this hockey team today compared to where we thought we'd be 3 years ago and be happy? I think about the excitement I had after we beat the Rangers and I want to puke. It's been nothing short of catastrophic since then, and limping into the playoffs isn't giving me the same tummy-stick feeling that it's giving you.

The Devils are 17-19-4 since Christmas. They will go into their first round matchup with the Hurricanes with the longest odds in the NHL to win a playoff series. They will, in all likelihood, get absolutely slaughtered.

Lou said "Good is not good when better is expected". The fact that there's a post like this after the Devils got absolutely blown the f*** out by a last place team on home ice proves that "better" is no longer expected.

I mean, fair enough. My post may have sounded overwhelmingly positive, but overall I’m not feeling too good about their odds against the Canes. As I said I’m also pretty disappointed with their play after the Christmas break, but making the playoffs is an improvement vs. last season (as sad as that sounds). I also have been critical of their play throughout the season many times.

Looking at the bigger picture, I’m still pretty optimistic about this team’s future though, and I’m confident the issues with the team’s bottom-6 will be adressed.

With that being said, I can totally understand where you’re coming from. I do share some of your concerns.

 

[My3Sons]

I like the positivity and all that, but to me this is full blown loser talk and is way too apologetic towards the clearly-unprepared GM we have running the show.

The Devils set an all time franchise record for regular season points two years ago with the 2nd youngest roster in the NHL and the top-rated prospect group in the league.

Two years later and they:

1. Wasted a season of the core's prime because Fitzgerald was stubborn about the goaltending position.
2. Have genuine concerns over the viability of their superstar's health, with back-to-back season ending injuries.
3. Somehow have a roster that isn't in the top-15 in the NHL in terms of youngest age.
4. Got remarkably slower and remarkably less talented after Fitz decided that #grit and #toughness were more important than #ability-to-play-hockey.
5. Have traded away: (1) first, (2) seconds, (2) thirds in exchange for a goaltender who isn't living up to his end of the bargain and a rental defenseman in a season where they will get pantsed in the first round.
6. Traded their former top offensive prospect for a 4th liner.
7. Now own a bottom-5 prospect pool and have legitimate concerns about their other former top prospect defenseman.
8. Handed out bad (being polite) contracts to Haula (yikes), Tatar again for some reason, and Dillon.

I guess the fact that they "didn't crumble" is a... good thing? I don't know. Sure, fine. But how can anyone think about this hockey team today compared to where we thought we'd be 3 years ago and be happy? I think about the excitement I had after we beat the Rangers and I want to puke. It's been nothing short of catastrophic since then, and limping into the playoffs isn't giving me the same tummy-stick feeling that it's giving you.

The Devils are 17-19-4 since Christmas. They will go into their first round matchup with the Hurricanes with the longest odds in the NHL to win a playoff series. They will, in all likelihood, get absolutely slaughtered.

Lou said "Good is not good when better is expected". The fact that there's a post like this after the Devils got absolutely blown the f*** out by a last place team on home ice proves that "better" is no longer expected.

Two seasons ago is an eternity in sports. I don't disagree with you that the team should be somewhat better than they have been. But it's incremental as I see it. If they don't give up those last minute goals in three or four games and maybe win one more game against a bottom feeding team they are at 95-96 points and can maybe break 100. To me that would be a nice result. Despite all the post Christmas doldrums that was within reach and wouldn't require massive wish casting. The team was awful last year. They drafted 10th. If nothing else they've improved significantly. Fingers crossed they play hard against Carolina and can at least build on that. If they can upgrade a few spots on the roster it isn't a big stretch to a 100+ point season. To me the weird thing is they either play a great game or completely no show. They looked awful against Winnipeg and last night and great in recent games around those two. I just don't understand the wild swings.

 

[MB3]

The rehashing of the season and the infighting has been exhausting. Its all meaningless to be honest because a new slate starts next weekend with the playoffs. Obviously it’s been a sad 2025, obviously the injuries stink, obviously the roster isn’t where it should be. Thats been talked about ad nauseam. At least the last few weeks has been better hockey (when they actually want to play). There is some hope left.

Focus on the canes series

It's a message board during a Devils off day. Rehashing and infighting are like... the only things to do.

 

[NjDevsRR]

... the only things to do.

Dano memes

 

[NjDevsRR]

Maybe they stink for 3 months because they been preparing for the Canes all this time since its been a locked in matchup all year /s

 

[MB3]

Dano memes

understood have a great day

 

[njdevils1982]

Dano memes

...and rock 'n' roll

 

[Nocashstyle]

Called it.

Hmm, I wonder how you “called it”…maybe there is some self awareness after all.

 

[guitarguyvic]

Hmm, I wonder how you “called it”…maybe there is some self awareness after all.

I am well aware of how many negative posts I make. The only difference here is that it I see it as perfectly proportional to reality and I am comfortable openly treating it that way, whereas perhaps someone like you either disagrees with that assessment or doesn’t like that approach. Which is fine. The issue is when you treat your approach as the only “correct” one and go out of your way to try to dictate that to others.

 

[Guadana]

I wouldnt be pessimistic but I wouldnt be very optimistic. Team is better than they are now because of injuries.
But I have questions about the ceiling of what they are. Fitz made some bad trades where he should act smarter, thinking more about long term with only one good season in his hands. I think the core is very good but complimentary players are not good enough, they need one more good center to play him as a third line center\good enough to play second line when 13 or 86 isnt healthy.
I didnt like how Fitz used his picks for older goalies. He spent assets for Allen and Markstrom - a lot of assets what is looking like for only one season of their play. I have worries about Markstrom being too good to play next season without spending more assets to find good backup for him. May be we will be lucky to sign Allen for one more year.
Anyway from management point of view I think Fitz used his assets in the wrong way, it would be better to use those assets for younger and more respective goalie, find some on the free agent market. And we are in situation where we dont know what to do with our goalies may be this summer and next summer absolutely.

But I like our defense, what Fitz did with defense, I believe we have NHLers in Nemec(may be not so good for being top-2 level but I still think he is top-4 defenseman), Casey and Silayev. I like how vets are playing, how Luke is developing. Its a good job.

But we are close to nothing in our prospect pipe line in forwards and we have a lot of holes in forward group. Fitz traded too much forwards for short term needs, Boqvist isnt The Savior but he would be better than what we have for our fourth line.

So if Fitz wants to win Stanley Cup - he needs work with his forward group - make it faster, find players who can play two way game, not just a physical game. Im okay with what Palat did - but Lazar and Bastian are cheap Palats. Devils dont have cheap Nico for their bottom lines - good two way center who can play defense and score sometimes. I hope Grits will be more 48-58 points player than 38-45 points player because we really need him for our top-6, Nico and Jack have nothing support outside Bratt and Timo. Other wingers are not good enough to play even complimentary role in top-6 now. May be they could but but third line has zero danger in it to hide some average players in higher lines.

And goalie strategy should be changed. Its not good, feels like medical stuff isnt working good. The only move I really liked from strategic persepctive is a trade of Vanecek. It didnt pan out really but its good to make a cheap trade for young goalie to fresh him in the new circumstances and play him with some other partner to split their games.

I want to see some changes. I dont think that it is a time to through Fitz away(especially if Marty is the next candidate) but I would put the bar higher for the next season, because we cant enter into the next season and hope that Nico and Jack will be healthy through the whole season and win everything for this roster on their shoulders. They signed cheap deals(as Bratt too) to make it real for manager to find better supporting cast.

 

[My3Sons]

...and rock 'n' roll

My iinside sources tell me that it's a long way to the top if you want to rock and roll (cue the bagpipes)

 

[guitarguyvic]

I like the positivity and all that, but to me this is full blown loser talk and is way too apologetic towards the clearly-unprepared GM we have running the show.

The Devils set an all time franchise record for regular season points two years ago with the 2nd youngest roster in the NHL and the top-rated prospect group in the league.

Two years later and they:

1. Wasted a season of the core's prime because Fitzgerald was stubborn about the goaltending position.
2. Have genuine concerns over the viability of their superstar's health, with back-to-back season ending injuries.
3. Somehow have a roster that isn't in the top-15 in the NHL in terms of youngest age.
4. Got remarkably slower and remarkably less talented after Fitz decided that #grit and #toughness were more important than #ability-to-play-hockey.
5. Have traded away: (1) first, (2) seconds, (2) thirds in exchange for a goaltender who isn't living up to his end of the bargain and a couple of rentals in a season where they will get pantsed in the first round.
6. Traded their former top offensive prospect for a 4th liner.
7. Now own a bottom-5 prospect pool and have legitimate concerns about their other former top prospect defenseman.
8. Handed out bad (being polite) contracts to Haula (yikes), Tatar again for some reason, and Dillon.

I guess the fact that they "didn't crumble" is a... good thing? I don't know. Sure, fine. But how can anyone think about this hockey team today compared to where we thought we'd be 3 years ago and be happy? I think about the excitement I had after we beat the Rangers and I want to puke. It's been nothing short of catastrophic since then, and limping into the playoffs isn't giving me the same tummy-stick feeling that it's giving you.

The Devils are 17-19-4 since Christmas. They will go into their first round matchup with the Hurricanes with the longest odds in the NHL to win a playoff series. They will, in all likelihood, get absolutely slaughtered.

Lou said "Good is not good when better is expected". The fact that there's a post like this after the Devils got absolutely blown the f*** out by a last place team on home ice proves that "better" is no longer expected.

I think you’ve nailed my “negativity” about this organization right now to a T. Well done.

It can be turned around, but I don’t have any faith that Fitz is the guy to do it and we only have so many years left to make it happen before the core is past their prime.

 

[My3Sons]

I wouldnt be pessimistic but I wouldnt be very optimistic. Team is better than they are now because of injuries.
But I have questions about the ceiling of what they are. Fitz made some bad trades where he should act smarter, thinking more about long term with only one good season in his hands. I think the core is very good but complimentary players are not good enough, they need one more good center to play him as a third line center\good enough to play second line when 13 or 86 isnt healthy.
I didnt like how Fitz used his picks for older goalies. He spent assets for Allen and Markstrom - a lot of assets what is looking like for only one season of their play. I have worries about Markstrom being too good to play next season without spending more assets to find good backup for him. May be we will be lucky to sign Allen for one more years.
Anyway from management point of view I think Fitz used his assets in the wrong way, it would be better to use those assets for younger and more respective goalie, find some on the free agent market. And we are in situation where we dont know what to do with our goalies may be this summer and next summer absolutely.

But I like our defense, what Fitz did with defense, I believe we have NHLers in Nemec(may be not so good for being top-2 level but I still think he is top-4 defenseman), Casey and Silayev. I like how vets are playing, how Luke is developing. Its a good job.

But we are close to nothing in our prospect pipe line in forwards and we have a lot of holes in forward group. Fitz traded too much forwards for short term needs, Boqvist isnt The Savior but he would be better than what we have for our fourth line.

So if Fitz wants to win Stanley Cup - he needs work with his forward group - make it faster, find players who can play two way game, not just a physical game. Im okay with what Palat did - but Lazar and Bastian are cheap Palats. Devils dont have cheap Nico for their bottom lines - good two way center who can play defense and score sometimes. I hope Grits will be more 48-58 points player than 38-45 points player because we really need him for our top-6, Nico and Jack have nothing support outside Bratt and Timo. Other wingers are not good enough to play even complimentary role in top-6 now. May they could but but third line has zero danger in it to hide some average players in higher lines.

And goalie strategy should be changed. Its not good, feels like medical stuff isnt working good. The only move I really liked from strategic persepctive is a trade of Vanecek. It didnt pan out really but its good to make a cheap trade for young goalie to fresh him in the new circumstances and play him with some other partner to split their games.

I want to see some changes. I dont think that it is a time to through Fitz away(especially if Marty is the next candidate) but I would put the bar higher for the next season, because we cant enter into the next season and hope that Nico and Jack will be healthy through the whole season and win everything for this roster on their shoulder. They signed cheap deals(as Bratt too) to make it real for manager to find better supporting cast.

Fitz is a bit short sighted in how to manufacture a forward group and has done a mediocre job with the salary cap and worst of all has not overseen a good draft process. Having to play the Tierneys and Dowlings so many games the past two seasons should have alerted him that they have fallen flat with forward depth. Adding more UFAs looking for retirement contracts is not the way to go. If you look at guys that have generally performed well in depth roles around the league they are talented players that have stagnated but can find at least some success with a change of scenery. You have the Boquist example, the Strome example in DC, Kaako in Seattle, Zetterlund in SJ, etc. Even in NJ, Cotter and Kovacevid have done nice jobs and I'd say Glass has a chance to do more than expected. Get more of those players and less of the guys looking to cash out. They also don't need to keep adding grinding low talent guys. Grinding high talent guys are great but they are rare and you won't get one in a trade most likely you typically have to draft them.

If I'm Fitz this offseason I pay the price to move on from Palat and Haula, trade Hamilton for the best futures I can get, and sign Luke to a long contract. Take the extra cap and find another couple of change of scenery guys in that 25-28 year old range. Sign a Doumolin type who is a righty to hedge if Casey and/or Nemec cannot nail down that third pair spot. I'd also see if Allen will sign a one year deal to return as backup. I'm not signing him to a retirement contract though.

 

[NJDevs26]

It's a message board during a Devils off day. Rehashing and infighting are like... the only things to do.

Trying to police everyone’s posting is over the top and gets into arguing the poster rather than the post. Sure some people only post on losses or only post negativity and that can be annoying but just ignore it or them, don’t become part of the problem yourself. That doesn’t mean everyone who posts negatively is a drive-by. And if you are clearly in the wrong, just take the L and move on. The arguments here fester in large part because nobody ever admits when they’re wrong.

And tbh it does get just as old seeing the same posters constantly whine about others’ negativity as it does seeing the people who only show up to be negative. Especially when this team gives us little tangible reason to actually feel sunny side up.

 

[Devils Trap]

In a sad turn of news and insanely sudden - RIP to Ray Shero who passed

 

[Forge]

Holy shit

 

[NJDevs26]

What the f***…this guy couldn’t have been older than late 50’s, early 60’s?

 

[Patrik26]

Two seasons ago is an eternity in sports. I don't disagree with you that the team should be somewhat better than they have been. But it's incremental as I see it. If they don't give up those last minute goals in three or four games and maybe win one more game against a bottom feeding team they are at 95-96 points and can maybe break 100. To me that would be a nice result. Despite all the post Christmas doldrums that was within reach and wouldn't require massive wish casting. The team was awful last year. They drafted 10th. If nothing else they've improved significantly. Fingers crossed they play hard against Carolina and can at least build on that. If they can upgrade a few spots on the roster it isn't a big stretch to a 100+ point season. To me the weird thing is they either play a great game or completely no show. They looked awful against Winnipeg and last night and great in recent games around those two. I just don't understand the wild swings.

2022-23 Bruins - 135 points .... 2024-2025 Bruins - 79 points (MAX)

Thinking they're better than they really are just because they win a couple games, maybe even three.

 

[Bobby Butler]

Shero was only 62 that’s way too young. RIP

 

[NJDevs26]

Ironic we’re playing the Pens in a home game on Friday…plenty of people in both organizations from Crosby to Fitz knew the man well.

 

[The Wumpus]

Yup the CBGB line was unreal that run. Ryan Carter was easily one of my favorite devils during that stretch. That guy could play for me any day.

CBGB had such a knack for absolutely backbreaking, demoralizing goals at the worst time for the opposition

 

[NJDevs26]

In a sad turn of news and insanely sudden - RIP to Ray Shero who passed

It’s sudden to us because we haven’t heard of him being ill, I guess we’ll find out in the coming days if there’s anything that was kept under wraps or wtf happened