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

[tailfins]

It's only one extra year, with saving's in the previous 3. Looks like in total we save more cap buying him out this offseason.

I am wary of the draft capital it would take to trade him away.

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.

 

[devilsblood]

I don’t understand what you mean by 1 extra year.

It’s two years for every season that’s bought out, so the cap penalty goes from 2 years to 4.

One more year of him playing, then buy him out which tacks on 2 years, equals 3 years total.

Buy him out this season you get 4 years of dead cap.

 

[devilsblood]

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.

That would be the hope. And looking at his usage, he played very little with Nico, with whom he put up good on ice numbers the year before. I know that's a potential anchor on Nico's wing, but I don't know, they were good the year before, I would have at least given it a look.

He didn't get a lot of toi with guys down the lineup, but the numbers are terrible.

As per replacing him with an "unknown"? I think most unknowns would be better then what we saw this year.

But I agree I don't like the idea of dead cap money, and I don't like the idea of trading picks to move his contract, so maybe crossing fingers is the move.

 

[devilsblood]

As per actual playoff talk.

Liking Bratt on PK1.

Another feather in his cap, as he's been the one Devils player who has stood out through 2 games.

 

[devilsblood]

On the flip side, Sprong's game 1, highlighted why coaches don't like him.

And I was really liking his play with the Devils prior to that game.

 

[Bleedred]

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.

This is not an off year. This is who he is. He’s been showing you for 3 years now.

He’s been here for 3 years now and has not paced for 40 points once. MAYBE he would have hit 40 points in 22-23 if he didn’t miss 30+ games, but he still paced for under it.

I don’t think not having a kid is going to make him useful.

That whole situation caused him to go from a completely unplayable, liability of a player to just not being a complete liability of a player. He also had a high shooting percentage career, so don’t expect this many goals next year.

Why are we supposed to believe a 34 year old, 30 point player is going to bounce back? It seems like a reach. He’s just done.

Players this old don’t bounce back. Unless you’re Ovechkin or somebody like that. The guy has been bad or at the very least massively underwhelming his entire Devils tenure. And he’s getting worse every year. The idea of him bouncing back is a massive prayer.

 

[devsfan8]

Palat will not be traded because his value is in the post season which we are expected to be in annually at this point. Also because Keefe loves him. You can't replace 50 playoff goals. He also had 15 goals so even though it's not 6 million dollars worth of goals, he still scores. If it's actually hindering the Devils ability to improve the team and sign players etc, then I'd be concerned. But that is not the case.

To be honest I really only see Tatar, Bastian, Lazar, Dowling gone. Allen is 50/50, and as far as I'm concerned we should sign Dumolin tomorrow and worry about the log jam later of Left handed D.

Our trade chips are 2 young Dmen, some picks and Gritsyuk is in the picture for one of the open spots.

 

[Lou is God]

I think one thing that has been overlooked in this Quinn fiasco is when you think about it Rutherford kinda threw Quinn under the bus telling the whole city of Vancouver that he essentially wants to be with his brothers in Jersey.

If I'm Quinn I'm a bit peeved.

 

[Cheddabombs]

I'll pay Palat's and Haula's buyouts myself if I have to, get these bums off my team!

 

[theoptimist]

To be honest I really only see Tatar, Bastian, Lazar, Dowling gone. Allen is 50/50, and as far as I'm concerned we should sign Dumolin tomorrow and worry about the log jam later of Left handed D.

Our trade chips are 2 young Dmen, some picks and Gritsyuk is in the picture for one of the open spots.

And Jonas Siegenthaler

 

[Bleedred]

Palat will not be traded because his value is in the post season which we are expected to be in annually at this point. Also because Keefe loves him. You can't replace 50 playoff goals. He also had 15 goals so even though it's not 6 million dollars worth of goals, he still scores. If it's actually hindering the Devils ability to improve the team and sign players etc, then I'd be concerned. But that is not the case.

Sure it’s not.

 

[devilsblood]

This is not an off year. This is who he is. He’s been showing you for 3 years now.

He’s been here for 3 years now and has not paced for 40 points once. MAYBE he would have hit 40 points in 22-23 if he didn’t miss 30+ games, but he still paced for under it.

I don’t think not having a kid is going to make him useful.

That whole situation caused him to go from a completely unplayable, liability of a player to just not being a complete liability of a player. He also had a high shooting percentage career, so don’t expect this many goals next year.

Why are we supposed to believe a 34 year old, 30 point player is going to bounce back? It seems like a reach. He’s just done.

Players this old don’t bounce back. Unless you’re Ovechkin or somebody like that. The guy has been bad or at the very least massively underwhelming his entire Devils tenure. And he’s getting worse every year. The idea of him bouncing back is a massive prayer.

In terms of on ice numbers it was an off year. Off in a big way too. Question is: can he bounce back?

 

[Bleedred]

In terms of on ice numbers it was an off year. Off in a big way too. Question is: can he bounce back?

I don’t think so. And for him to bounce back from this year you still have too unproductive of a player.

If Palat can’t be a 40 point guy, which he hasn’t been in 3 years I don’t see why he should be here.

Heavy odds he’s not scoring 40 next year.

Also heavy odds he doesn’t shoot 15.6% next year and it’s closer to 10% like his first 2 years here.

 

[devilsblood]

Palat will not be traded because his value is in the post season which we are expected to be in annually at this point. Also because Keefe loves him. You can't replace 50 playoff goals. He also had 15 goals so even though it's not 6 million dollars worth of goals, he still scores. If it's actually hindering the Devils ability to improve the team and sign players etc, then I'd be concerned. But that is not the case.

To be honest I really only see Tatar, Bastian, Lazar, Dowling gone. Allen is 50/50, and as far as I'm concerned we should sign Dumolin tomorrow and worry about the log jam later of Left handed D.

Our trade chips are 2 young Dmen, some picks and Gritsyuk is in the picture for one of the open spots.

But do we still think Palat has playoff value? I mean cool he had some very good playoffs with TB, but those are years ago.

And I'm not sure Keefe "loves" him. He's played basically the same amount of minutes as Dowling and Cotter in the playoffs thus far.

But hey, if he scores some goals in the next couple games it changes the perspective.

 

[NjdevilfanJim]

Grits being a

1)Noesen out of top 6 is fine
2)Gits can be in the top 6. He's 24, he has offensive ability. If he's not able to play in the top 6 I find that disappointing.
3)I'm OK with Glass as 3rd C.
4)Haula as a 4th liner makes sense.
5)Hard to defend anything Palat these days.
6)Kova played well in the last 20 or 30 games stretches. His possession numbers thus far in the playoffs are surprisingly very good. Though he is a -2 in terms of goals. Some of that is on an offense that doesn't score. I'd have to go back to the goals against to see where the blame lies. Overall I see this as a very good contract. He's big, he plays physical, he plays tough minutes, he puts up good numbers, he's in his prime, he's relatively cheap. Just don't see the issue.
7)They still play Mercer like he is a part of the core. I do think he needs to take a step up in terms of creating offense even if it is merely sog's. I think it's possible, perhaps with a rigorous offseason strength regiment.
8)I'd have to see an example of a 3rd line center who would make for an acceptable 2nd liner in a pinch. Sounds great on paper.

ble to play in top six would be great ....Grits playing solid on the third line and 40 points plus is far from disappointing....Take either situation we just need depth that actually contributes

 

[NjdevilfanJim]

why the literal f*** would this even be questioned?

Click bait

 

[Omar Little]

I think this would be ok. It’s placing some large hopes on Gritsyuk but our center depth would be massively improved and we would have scoring balance and defensive responsibility throughout the lineup.

Haula-Hughes-Gritsyuk

Palat-Hischier-Bratt

Meier-Suter-Mercer

Cotter-Glass-Noesen

Bastian



Hughes-Pesce

Siegenthaler-Kocacevic

Dillon-Hamilton

Nemec

 

[devilsblood]

I don’t think so. And for him to bounce back from this year you still have too unproductive of a player.

If Palat can’t be a 40 point guy, which he hasn’t been in 3 years I don’t see why he should be here.

Heavy odds he’s not scoring 40 next year.

Also heavy odds he doesn’t shoot 15.6% next year and it’s closer to 10% like his first 2 years here.

When answering "should he be here" you have to accept that his contract is in place. So you are weighing the cost of jettisoning him, whether via trade or buyout vs trying to squeeze out the last bits of value and not having to pay to get rid of him.

If he can be a 13 goal 35 point bottom 6 player while posting decent on ice numbers, that might be worth keeping. Even if he doesn't post 40.

 

[devilsblood]

Grits being a

ble to play in top six would be great ....Grits playing solid on the third line and 40 points plus is far from disappointing....Take either situation we just need depth that actually contributes

Ya production on the 3rd line would be great too. But producing well on the 3rd line probably means you could play in the top 6, but the team is spreading the wealth.

 

[Clam Jensen]

I think this would be ok. It’s placing some large hopes on Gritsyuk but our center depth would be massively improved and we would have scoring balance and defensive responsibility throughout the lineup.

Haula-Hughes-Gritsyuk

Palat-Hischier-Bratt

Meier-Suter-Mercer

Cotter-Glass-Noesen

Bastian



Hughes-Pesce

Siegenthaler-Kocacevic

Dillon-Hamilton

Nemec

Haula in no way, shape, or form should be in the top 6

 

[NjdevilfanJim]

I don’t think STL is very good and they haven’t looked very good after 2. They had that massive hot streak this year but were otherwise meh. Montreal also stinks and I would take the Devils over them even in the diminished state they’re in.

But I’m not sure what the point of saying a decimated team isn’t better than the top teams in the league. Obviously? That’s how that works.

Montreal stinks??? Going head to head with Caps is pretty impressive...All of this while still being committed to a rebuild plan....

 

[devilsblood]

Haula in no way, shape, or form should be in the top 6

Haula as a 4th line winger who provides center depth is the move.

Expensive but whatever.

 

[Bleedred]

Montreal stinks??? Going head to head with Caps is pretty impressive...All of this while still being committed to a rebuild plan....

Every year there’s a team that gets in the playoffs, many times one in each conference. Sometimes even two in each conference. A team that either has poor underlying numbers and/or really strong goaltending.

This year I’m pretty sure they’re the one team of the 16 playoff teams who probably overachieved and rode the PDO train. Other playoff teams overachieved *Cough* Washington *Cough* but their overachieving was the difference in making the playoffs and winning the division/conference in the regular season.

Montreal likely isn’t this good next year and the rebuild continues.

The teams right behind them were also getting similar with the heavy shooting percentages. Like Columbus.

 

[devsfan8]

Haula in no way, shape, or form should be in the top 6

So if he plays his absolute best hockey on Jacks left side with Bratt on the right you would not be in favor of it? I don't get that lol. Chemistry matters. And not to be blunt, but Jepser and Jack provide enough offense together. I kind of like the idea of a Palat or Haula etc with them if they play well together. Palat played his best this season on their left side. Haula did a couple years back. Remember the Tatar-Hischier-Mercer line in 23? Or the short sample of Haula-Glass-Bratt? The line was productive. Im not sure I udnerstand this obsession with making sure Jack Hughes, who is a PPG player needing someone else.

 

[NjdevilfanJim]

Every year there’s a team that gets in the playoffs, many times one in each conference. Sometimes even two in each conference. A team that either has poor underlying numbers and/or really strong goaltending.

This year I’m pretty sure they’re the one team of the 16 playoff teams who probably overachieved and rode the PDO train. Other playoff teams overachieved *Cough* Washington *Cough* but their overachieving was the difference in making the playoffs and winning the division/conference in the regular season.

Montreal likely isn’t this good next year and the rebuild continues.

The teams right behind them were also getting similar with the heavy shooting percentages. Like Columbus.

That is fair but I agree to disagree they are loaded with young talent good prospect pool and have kept their picks...You could be right that things fell the right way for them this year but they have shown they belong so far in two games Imo