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

[forceten]

Mercer is a fraud. Send that dog to the farm in the countryside and get one that will bite an intruder, not lick them to death.

He's what he is. 20-25-45 player. That's fine. I'd trade him if the right deal was there, but I'm also cognizant of the fact that we've got 5-6 forwards playing in the NHL Playoffs that aren't NHL players or are borderline NHL players that are far worse than he is and no depth to replace him.

Focusing on him isn't the solution.

Meier is the only one in our top 6 I really blame. He's just not got the Hockey IQ - his athleticism is not in question nor is his compete really. It's just the last bit... At 8.8M we can't have a 25-30 goal player. I like him, but he's the one I'd move in a shake up deal.

Noesen is exactly what he is. A 20 goal stand in front of the net on the powerplay guy. I think that's why they wanted him, and that's what he's doing, and whatever.

 

[Poppy Whoa Sonnet]

He's what he is. 20-25-45 player. That's fine. I'd trade him if the right deal was there, but I'm also cognizant of the fact that we've got 5-6 forwards playing in the NHL Playoffs that aren't NHL players or are borderline NHL players that are far worse than he is and no depth to replace him.

Focusing on him isn't the solution.

Meier is the only one in our top 6 I really blame. He's just not got the Hockey IQ - his athleticism is not in question nor is his compete really. It's just the last bit... At 8.8M we can't have a 25-30 goal player. I like him, but he's the one I'd move in a shake up deal.

Noesen is exactly what he is. A 20 goal stand in front of the net on the powerplay guy. I think that's why they wanted him, and that's what he's doing, and whatever.

He's got a NMC until 2028.

Hamilton (10 team trade list), Mercer, Nemec and 2026's first are the trade chips to work with, with a ton of holes, and little cap space especially if the Luke Hughes fantasy contract gets signed (TBD).

 

[Better Call Sal]

 

[tailfins]

He's what he is. 20-25-45 player. That's fine. I'd trade him if the right deal was there, but I'm also cognizant of the fact that we've got 5-6 forwards playing in the NHL Playoffs that aren't NHL players or are borderline NHL players that are far worse than he is and no depth to replace him.

Focusing on him isn't the solution.

Meier is the only one in our top 6 I really blame. He's just not got the Hockey IQ - his athleticism is not in question nor is his compete really. It's just the last bit... At 8.8M we can't have a 25-30 goal player. I like him, but he's the one I'd move in a shake up deal.

Noesen is exactly what he is. A 20 goal stand in front of the net on the powerplay guy. I think that's why they wanted him, and that's what he's doing, and whatever.

Meier is the root of the issue. Fitz and co missed the mark when evaluating him. Our depth went to get him - we lost a mid pair LD (Mukh), 3RW (Zetterlund), and a first round pick (Musty). You give that up for player who dictates play when they're on the ice, not someone who fills in the gaps.

Carolina was running into the same issue with Rantanen, but dumped him for what's seeming like a way better fit in Stankoven + picks.

IMO, Fitz needs to consider cutting bait with Meier. He's not part of the core and eats up cap. I'd look at dealing him as part of a package for a high end forward - or just dump him for futures to free up space for Marner.

 

[MadDevil]

Half this roster is going to end up getting offseason surgery at this rate.

 

[forceten]

Re: Meier and his NMC - that's right, it makes it much more difficult to move him. It's not impossible, but he'd have to clear it and that's a bigger challenge. You'd have to find something that's a win-win for both NHL clubs, and then also a win for the player.

 

[Edmonton East]

Meier is the root of the issue. Fitz and co missed the mark when evaluating him. Our depth went to get him - we lost a mid pair LD (Mukh), 3RW (Zetterlund), and a first round pick (Musty). You give that up for player who dictates play when they're on the ice, not someone who fills in the gaps.

Carolina was running into the same issue with Rantanen, but dumped him for what's seeming like a way better fit in Stankoven + picks.

IMO, Fitz needs to consider cutting bait with Meier. He's not part of the core and eats up cap. I'd look at dealing him as part of a package for a high end forward - or just dump him for futures to free up space for Marner.

Meier has a full NMC. Like pretty much everyone dipshit Fitz hands a contract to.

Regardless, after the cap jumps this offseason, he's only slightly overpaid. He isn't in the top 5 of issues with this org. And even if you think he is....he isn't moveable for anything valuable since he'd be able to fully dictate trade.

 

[Bleedred]

They need to cut bait with Palat way before Meier and anyone else. Starting the year with him not on this team should be the top priority.

We’re also paying too much for Dillon for the next two years and what he brings.

These are much bigger problems than Meier right now.

Also could afford to be out on the last year of Haula’s deal, but Palat is a much bigger deal and higher paid/one extra year of term.

 

[Bleedred]

I wonder if this includes Luke or just the two guys who didn’t return to the game in Dillon and Glass?

 

[Edmonton East]

I wonder if this includes Luke or just the two guys who didn’t return to the game in Dillon and Glass?

There is zero chance Glass isn't out for months. It wasn't even the slash contact....it's that right knee when he falls awkwardly.

 

[HersheyBob27]

Mercer definitely a doodle

 

[Clam Jensen]

There is zero chance Glass isn't out for months. It wasn't even the slash contact....it's that right knee when he falls awkwardly.

Yup, that right knee twisted very awkwardly.

 

[thebeernerd]

That son of a bitch sure is living up to his name.

 

[Edmonton East]

That son of a bitch sure is living up to his name.

I'm not looking to "victim blame" or whatever the kids say these days, but some guys are injury prone as a result of more than just bad luck. Markstrom is an idiot, but I still don't get why Glass stopped moving his feet for an eternity as he coasted in front of the crease.....any solid skating coach will tell you how drastic frequently doing that increases your chance of injury. 1) it's obviously easier to get lined up for a hit / more difficult to evade contact 2) in the event of unexpected contact, one or both of your legs are more likely to be locked....increasing the likelihood of an awkward fall

Also, idk if I'm remembering correctly, but I think Glass had a rough knee injury earlier in his career. Not sure which knee though. Really hope it wasn't his right.

 

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

Re: Meier and his NMC - that's right, it makes it much more difficult to move him. It's not impossible, but he'd have to clear it and that's a bigger challenge. You'd have to find something that's a win-win for both NHL clubs, and then also a win for the player.

You trust Fitz to find a Meier replacement even if he trades him? He'd go out in UFA and sign some has been that's x10 than Timo. The Meier hate is so overblown on this board lol

 

[NjDevsRR]

 

[MadDevil]

You trust Fitz to find a Meier replacement even if he trades him? He'd go out in UFA and sign some has been that's x10 than Timo. The Meier hate is so overblown on this board lol

The funny thing he's basically played at a roughly 30 goal pace the last 2 years. Which is obviously not as good as his last two years in San Jose, but he also hasn't been one of the main features on the PP like he was there.

I get people wanting more from him, and I do think he needs to start showing up on the scoresheet more if they're going to take a step forward as a contender. But talking about needing to dump him is a bit extreme.

 

[megajake]

At least Quinn Hughes is ours. We need to stop drafting defenseman especially in the first few rounds

 

[Richer's Ghost]

Mercer definitely a doodle

Yep

 

[It Takes 2 To Tango]

Ryan McLeod is a RFA. Buffalo continues to struggle. He’s a guy I’d love to have as 3C for now and years to come. Good play driver and plays the PK. A Gritsyuk-McLeod-Noesen line could be very effective and worlds better than whatever the hell we’ve put out there this season. Would love for Fitz to explore a trade possibility there but knowing him he’ll go the “grittier” route

 

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

That Quinn Hughes quote by Rutherford, lol. No excuse now for whoever the GM is by then to land him

 

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

The funny thing he's basically played at a roughly 30 goal pace the last 2 years. Which is obviously not as good as his last two years in San Jose, but he also hasn't been one of the main features on the PP like he was there.

I get people wanting more from him, and I do think he needs to start showing up on the scoresheet more if they're going to take a step forward as a contender. But talking about needing to dump him is a bit extreme.

He shot at like 8-9% for majority of the year, some of that is on Timo but that's just dumb to think it'll continue over the course the contract. He needs to have better starts to the season because he clearly picks it up in March for whatever reason. But dumping a player because he's slightly overpaid maybe by a 1M when this team is putting 12-13M in legitimate bums is f***ing funny. I can name 3-4 worse contracts than Timo currently on this roster when there was a grand total of 0 a few years ago.

 

[Bleedred]

That Quinn Hughes quote by Rutherford, lol. No excuse now for whoever the GM is by then to land him

Is this a new quote? Or what he said several months ago?

 

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

Is this a new quote? Or what he said several months ago?

Basically said in his season ender that Quinn has outwardly said he wants to play with Luke/Jack at some point and that's out of their control if he ends up walking to NJ. But what's under their control is that maybe they can trade for Jack/Luke (LOL), someone mentioned an offer sheet but the Devils would match anything I would assume for Luke

 

[Better Call Sal]

Meier is the root of the issue. Fitz and co missed the mark when evaluating him. Our depth went to get him - we lost a mid pair LD (Mukh), 3RW (Zetterlund), and a first round pick (Musty). You give that up for player who dictates play when they're on the ice, not someone who fills in the gaps.

Carolina was running into the same issue with Rantanen, but dumped him for what's seeming like a way better fit in Stankoven + picks.

IMO, Fitz needs to consider cutting bait with Meier. He's not part of the core and eats up cap. I'd look at dealing him as part of a package for a high end forward - or just dump him for futures to free up space for Marner.

Not only is Timo not the root of the issue (not even close to it), but he has shown he is plenty capable of dictating play while he is on the ice. And in addition to what has already been mentioned, he has a full NMC so the likelihood of this ever occurring is about as close to zero as you can imagine.