Devils discussion (news, notes and speculation) - playoff edition

[Billdo]

I think it’s worth the risk to bring him back.

I feel like there are a number of cases where players have off years after the birth of a child. I believe this was Palat’s first and it started pretty hard. I’m not sure how it’s gone (hopefully well). Possible he plays better next year.

Meanwhile, a buyout means we’re stuck with dead cap and then need to replace Palat with an unknown. If we had someone in the minors that could take his spot, then fine. But trying to find a cheap UFA that could overperform? I’d rather roll the dice on another year of Palat.

I find it hard to believe that Halonen couldn't have contributed more to the roster than Palat at this stage in Palats career.

 

[tailfins]

I find it hard to believe that Halonen couldn't have contributed more to the roster than Palat at this stage in Palats career.

I’d be surprised if Halonen could do more over a long period of time - a least based on what I’ve read about Utica from @Bad Goalie

 

[Devils731]

This would really surprise me. If I was going to rush him back a bit, assuming there is no health risk, I’d hope the Devils can win game 3 without him to add him back for game 4 with the team feeling good.

I worry they’re rushing Siegs back because none of the other defenseman will be close to healthy and they know Cholo stinks.

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

with our luck, he'll play and then f*** his knee even further

 

[NJDfan86]

Also Sprong’s MO. Despite his talent he’s basically out of the NHL at this point. Teams don’t trust him to help them win, despite his abilities.

He looks like a guy who may have realized his play has played himself out of the NHL but he can’t just become a guy that can play within a system overnight. He’s going to have to put the work in and if he doesn’t or can’t then he won’t be in the NHL much longer.

I agree, I wish we had acquired more capable offensive players but cest la vie.

I do think if your team can’t score you unfortunately need to play the one who can get shots on net and not the one who can generate no offense.

 

[HersheyBob27]

I agree though Dowling and Bastian's on ice numbers are worse then what the eye test tells me. I thought Bastian has looked pretty good in the playoffs. But then I see his cf%. Woof.

And of course neither guy produces offense......but are pretty good at keeping the opposition from potting goals, despite getting caved possession wise.

It seems like 4th liners get stuck playing way too many shifts with 17 and 44 on D. Those nemec pinches are deadly. You would think if you wanted to get the 3rd pairing guys out there you should make sure Nico is out there too. Things should be better at home. I actually think we win tomorrow

 

[HersheyBob27]

Bastian has fine defensive metrics but he contributes NOTHING offensively so it's teetering on a net negative player.

Playing with a capable C I think Nate is a 12-15 goal guy in this league. Probably get a better idea when he is on another team next year

 

[Guttersniped]

Madigan (and Dan MacKinnon) interviewed for the Penguins GM vacancy in 2023. I think it was reported that MacKinnon was getting heavy consideration for the Oilers GM spot last year before they decided on Stan Bowman.

Judgement Days

IN THE WEEKS BEFORE THE NHL DRAFT, HOCKEY'S TALENT SCOUTS TAKE KID'S WHO'VE SPENT THEIR LIVES ON SKATES AND MAKE THEM JUMP THROUGH HOOPS.

www.espn.com

Gare Joyce had a fun book called "Future Greats and Heartbreaks" where Columbus let him ride shotgun with them for the 2006 and 2007 Drafts. At least for them, the GM, AGM, and other front office people were more involved with their high pick but mostly deferred to the scouts for the later picks.

The ESPN excerpt left out an anecdote about their contingency plan if Boston had taken Derick Brassard in 2006. They were almost all in agreement to take Kessel but nobody felt great about it. Joyce noted that AGM Jim Clark might have made a last second push to steer them towards Peter Mueller since he wanted no part of Kessel, but it didn't come to that.

I have fuzzy memories of Dean Lombardi bouncing ideas off of the other front office guys. He alluded to being talked out of pursuing one free agent (possibly Eric Lindros in 2006) by AGM Ron Hextall. And then I'm reminded of Ray Shero getting Bill Guerin as a deadline acquisition which the rest of the Penguins front office wasn't behind.

I’ve been obsessed for years with this very blurry episode of Deal Makers & Game Breakers on YouTube that follows (terrible lol) Columbus GM Don MacLean around in 2005 off-season.

This 3rd segment covers the 2005 draft.



Some extra info on what’s discussed:

Ottawa trade offer they turn down
“I’ve seen Prusek, real good” - Bob Strumm, Dir of Pro Scouting
Martin Prusek (G) for 3rd Rd (#67)

Result:
The Jackets later signed Prusek as a FA in August 2005, so Sens GM John Muckler was trying to rook them lol.

The Pick trade they turned down:
#6 for #12, a 2nd Rd (#35), and a 5th Rd (#?)
They don’t mention the other team but that’s an offer from SJS GM Doug Wilson.

Result:
Wilson eventually moves up in the draft when he trades Atlanta #12, a later 2nd (#49) and 7th (#207) for #8. Wilson uses the 2nd (#35) they had offered to CBJ.
ATL then flips the #12 to the NYR for #16 and a 2nd (#41).
After all that:
1st Rd
SJS #8 (from ATL) Devin Setoguchi RW
NYR #12 (from SJS>ATL) Marc Staal D
ATL #16 (from NYR) Alex Bourret RW
2nd Rd
SJS #35 (from CGY) Marc-Edouard Vlasic D*
ATL #41 (from NYR) Ondrej Pavelec G
ATL #49 (from SJS) from Chad Denny D
7th Rd
ATL #207 (from SJS) Myles Stoesz LW

*Vlasic was a strong pick, but they got the 2nd in 2003 from Calgary for Mikka Kiprusoff, who was the runner-up for the Vezina in 03-04 and then won it the next season.

The #6 Pick
“Are you f***ing kidding me? Montreal is taking the goalie.” - Bob Strumm, Dir of Pro Scouting

Gilbert Brule “I like him because of the grit, and the grind, and the snotty nose, ya know.” - MacLean on Brule
vs
Anze Kopitar “I just think the other guy maybe could be… discouraged, I don’t know.” - MacLean on Kopitar

Result:
MacLean gets the grit and snot he coveted while the soft Euro drops to #11.

Spoiler: Whose who in the War Room

The Gimmes: 3 guys who Introduce themselves on camera.

No good shots of Castron but at the table he’s in a red shirt sleeve shirt with his back to the camera.

The Rest: Pretty sure about these but who knows lol

Aww, a baby version of the current Avalanche GM

McMaster is also a former LA Kings GM (1994-97)

A tougher one by I’m pretty sure it’s this long time scout/ lesser known Dineen brother.

Spoiler: Whose on the main floor?

No good shots of Boyd either but (I think) he’s the bald guy who’s always with MacLean.

Had real trouble finding AGM Jim Clark, but either he was back in Columbus pet-sitting for everyone at the draft or is the guy sitting next to MacLean here.

 

[NjDevsRR]

Fun Fact:

I matched with Kate on a dating app a while back lmao

OH MY

 

[Dylan9z9]

I can hear this gif. I love this guy.

But seriously, Sprong is a depth guy needed for emergencies and unfortunately.. yeah..

There is always Travis Kauffeldt

 

[Billdo]

Anyone keeping up with a certain trial involving certain former players? One is an even worse scumbag than we've all eventually accepted. It's horrifying.

 

[Incharge1976]

Anyone keeping up with a certain trial involving certain former players? One is an even worse scumbag than we've all eventually accepted. It's horrifying.

You can either be a criminal or stupid, but don't be both. The texts are damning.

 

[NjDevsRR]

Anyone keeping up with a certain trial involving certain former players? One is an even worse scumbag than we've all eventually accepted. It's horrifying.

Its in the around the league thread, so no need for it to be here since he isnt a Devil

 

[Billdo]

Its in the around the league thread, so no need for it to be here since he isnt a Devil

Didn't check that one, my apologies.

 

[JK3]

Screw this high pitched fat f*** too.

 

[Omar Little]

If we moved Hamilton, the Blues look like a decent trading partner. Something like Hamilton + 2nd/3rd rounder for Faulk and Neighbors.

Shortens the term and nicely lines up with Quinn's FA, Blues get an offensive weapon at the blue line which they are lacking (although Fowler has been playing well for them) and Devils get a young forward from a team that is trading from a surplus (Snuggerud, Bolduc, Neighbors, Dvorsky, etc.). Devils can ultimately keep Faulk for a year and then look to re-trade him in another year's time subject to Nemec/Casey developing

 

[theoptimist]

The St. Louis Blues have a 33% expected goal share after 2 games. They’re relatively healthy.

Blues scored 7 goals last night. Folks, there is rehab for advanced analytics. Step one is admitting your addicted to dashboards.

 

[devsfan8]

I find it hard to believe that Halonen couldn't have contributed more to the roster than Palat at this stage in Palats career.

I still think it is ridicolous that you find it hard to believe that Halonen could not match 15 goals this season at the NHL level? Palat at his WORST point in his career is better then Halonen will ever be at any point in his career. TO even suggest otherwise is ludicrous.

1) YES Palat is overaid
2) NO it has ZERO barring on the cap. NOR is his play hampering our ability to win games

IF all 31 GMS this season SAT through our games, there is not one GM on the planet that would choose Brian Freaking Halonen over Ondrej Palat and what he brings. Even on a bad year.

 

[devsfan8]

I would keep Dumolin and hold on to all 7 of our dman including Dougie. Rotate Dumo in and put of lineup for rest days or Dillon occasionally or injuries that happen. You can't have enough guys like him and he isnicing over 25 minutes a game. Give a 1 year deal. Sign Luke, and then focus on improving up front.

 

[Guadana]

I would keep Dumolin and hold on to all 7 of our dman including Dougie. Rotate Dumo in and put of lineup for rest days or Dillon occasionally or injuries that happen. You can't have enough guys like him and he isnicing over 25 minutes a game. Give a 1 year deal. Sign Luke, and then focus on improving up front.

Do we really need him? We still have Nemec and Casey in the roster. Both will be more experienced, with more feedback and training. Even if we will trade one, another one will need more NHL ice time. We still have issues with 3rd line center. Still need to sign Luke long term. Overall Im not against to sign Dumo for 1 more year but I dont necessity and special real opportunity.

 

[devsfan8]

Do we really need him? We still have Nemec and Casey in the roster. Both will be more experienced, with more feedback and training. Even if we will trade one, another one will need more NHL ice time. We still have issues with 3rd line center. Still need to sign Luke long term. Overall Im not against to sign Dumo for 1 more year but I dont necessity and special real opportunity.

I would be surprised if both Nemec and Casey are on the roster next season. I think they are trade pieces in this win now window for us and we have 5 dmen signed and 6 under team control for the forseeable future. I think Silayev at D and Yegorov in net become our two biggest prospects and Nemec and/or Casey we move on from. I know I am probably in the minoritiy here. I just don't see Fitz letting go of Dougie for both those kids, and he drooled over Dumolin.

At same time if we do not bring him back it also is not the end of the world.
I have bene wrong before, lol. Im thinking like Fitz is. Not as a fan. I think Dougie is in the plans still also. As he should be IMO.

 

[Billdo]

I still think it is ridicolous that you find it hard to believe that Halonen could not match 15 goals this season at the NHL level? Palat at his WORST point in his career is better then Halonen will ever be at any point in his career. TO even suggest otherwise is ludicrous.

1) YES Palat is overaid
2) NO it has ZERO barring on the cap. NOR is his play hampering our ability to win games

IF all 31 GMS this season SAT through our games, there is not one GM on the planet that would choose Brian Freaking Halonen over Ondrej Palat and what he brings. Even on a bad year.

Ok, Ondrej.

 

[Guadana]

I would be surprised if both Nemec and Casey are on the roster next season. I think they are trade pieces in this win now window for us and we have 5 dmen signed and 6 under team control for the forseeable future. I think Silayev at D and Yegorov in net become our two biggest prospects and Nemec and/or Casey we move on from. I know I am probably in the minoritiy here. I just don't see Fitz letting go of Dougie for both those kids, and he drooled over Dumolin.

At same time f we do not bring him back it also is not the end of the world.
I have bene wrong before, lol. Im thiniking like Fitz is. Not as a fan. I thunk Dougie is in the plans still also. As he should be IMO.

I agree but I dont think he will trade both Casey and Nemec so with at least one of them its a 7D roster without Dumo. Still Im not against to sign him, Im fine for letting him go. Little bit sad about second round pick and Traff.

I dont see an option and reason to trade Dougie away. Only if Quinn Hughes deal will happen. But its a different story with different look where question of Dumo will not be really important.

 

[devsfan8]

Where is Hataaka by the way? Is he not healthy now? I swore he was no longer injured. Would have thought he would be a call up?

 

[Davegarri]

Fun Fact:

I matched with Kate on a dating app a while back lmao

OH MY

What line did you hit her with?