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

[tailfins]

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.

Agree with all. the question isn't if he'll be worth his contract or anything close.

it's simply whether or not he could be similar to a player you could get for a short term $2+ million contract.

There's just not enough cap savings from buying out Palat to believe we could bring in someone materially better than him with that space. How much of an improvement is Brandon Saad?

IMO, the best bet for that spot is Lachance, but I can't see relying on him as an NHLer when he's only had a cup of coffee in the AHL. It's not clear if he's NHL ready right now, or if he needs AHL time.

IMO, our best move is to roll with Palat for next year and see what we have in Lachance. Can go from there.

 

[My3Sons]

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.

He can bounce back if he uses enough avocados.

 

[Billdo]

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.

Palat needs to be gone. It needs to happen. They are not able to justify him being on the roster at this point. He's an anchor on every line, every player is worse with him, it's time to cut our losses. I'd even attach a decent pick to anyone willing to take him. He cannot make the roster in September.

 

[Devils731]

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.

Getting to see Sprong more and in person, his career arc makes so much sense.

He has physical talents and he wants to score goals, things fans really like to see.

He either doesn’t want to or has no idea on how to play a team game. It’s not even just lack of using his teammates, as an example, Devils had a PP ending where he was one of the defenseman, rather than change as the PP expired, he stayed out extra long to forecheck and then couldn’t get off the ice so the Devils defended 5 on 5 with only 1 defenseman for a shift.

For me, he’s been putting in some effort to backcheck and play defense but he doesn’t seem to know how.

Sprong may still be a worthwhile project for next year, his effort in backchecking is a good sign. If he hasn’t shown effort like that in the past then it would be worth it to spend time coaching and teaching him in the offseason to help him gain better team tactics. Sprong may have never been open to that in the past, I don’t know.

 

[devsfan8]

Getting to see Sprong more and in person, his career arc makes so much sense.

He has physical talents and he wants to score goals, things fans really like to see.

He either doesn’t want to or has no idea on how to play a team game. It’s not even just lack of using his teammates, as an example, Devils had a PP ending where he was one of the defenseman, rather than change as the PP expired, he stayed out extra long to forecheck and then couldn’t get off the ice so the Devils defended 5 on 5 with only 1 defenseman for a shift.

For me, he’s been putting in some effort to backcheck and play defense but he doesn’t seem to know how.

Sprong may still be a worthwhile project for next year, his effort in backchecking is a good sign. If he hasn’t shown effort like that in the past then it would be worth it to spend time coaching and teaching him in the offseason to help him gain better team tactics. Sprong may have never been open to that in the past, I don’t know.

I year 2 way 775k show me deal.

Otherwise money can be spent better in my opinion. And you are right, he has looked very noticeable out there, but that would be the best offer at this point.

 

[devilsblood]

Getting to see Sprong more and in person, his career arc makes so much sense.

He has physical talents and he wants to score goals, things fans really like to see.

He either doesn’t want to or has no idea on how to play a team game. It’s not even just lack of using his teammates, as an example, Devils had a PP ending where he was one of the defenseman, rather than change as the PP expired, he stayed out extra long to forecheck and then couldn’t get off the ice so the Devils defended 5 on 5 with only 1 defenseman for a shift.

For me, he’s been putting in some effort to backcheck and play defense but he doesn’t seem to know how.

Sprong may still be a worthwhile project for next year, his effort in backchecking is a good sign. If he hasn’t shown effort like that in the past then it would be worth it to spend time coaching and teaching him in the offseason to help him gain better team tactics. Sprong may have never been open to that in the past, I don’t know.

That fly by on the forecheck in game 1 was one of the more glaring defensive gaffe's I've ever seen.

It was an aggressive play, and I have liked his aggressiveness, but just a complete whiff.

 

[devilsblood]

I'd even attach a pick to anyone willing to take him. He cannot make the roster in September.

Of course we are going to have to attach a pick. There is no way a team takes his contract otherwise.

Question is how high of a pick is it going to take? A 2nd? Do we do that? I think I would.

 

[Forge]

 

[Bleedred]

“No chance for you here Kate! Marty is next in line!”

 

[Darkauron]

Nice! I hope she gets it. Probably wont tho cause old boys club

 

[Clam Jensen]

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.

I’d rather a player who actually deserves top 6 minutes plays there than hoping a bottom 6 center continues to be lifted by far superior linemates.

 

[Better Call Sal]

Nice! I hope she gets it. Probably wont tho cause old boys club

I still believe Fitz took the President role because she will eventually take over the GM job. Shouldn’t stop her from interviewing though, might force their hand to give her the job sooner if they don’t want her to leave.

I like what she’s had to say in the past, so I think it would suck to lose her.

 

[NJDevs26]

Nice! I hope she gets it. Probably wont tho cause old boys club

On the one hand I’m rooting for her, on the other I’m already dreading the constant comparisons to Fitz/Marty or whoever follows Fitz, it’ll make the Brunette-Lindy comparisons last year seem like a day at the beach

 

[Nocashstyle]

I have no idea how involved or important an AGM is or isn’t in the decision making process.

Everyone always knows who the GMs are and maybe the head scout, especially around draft time, but it’s kind of easy to forget they are surrounded by a large staff who is probably way more involved than we know.

 

[Ekiru]

I have no idea how involved or important an AGM is or isn’t in the decision making process.

Everyone always knows who the GMs are and maybe the head scout, especially around draft time, but it’s kind of easy to forget they are surrounded by a large staff who is probably way more involved than we know.

Isnt one of our assistant GMs, Kate Madigan, rumored to be in line for the next (and first) GM role for a woman for us?

Edit: I just saw the Isles tweet above lol

If true, and considering itll be her first time as a GM, Id suspect this is similar to how they handled Fitzgerald with the interview process. Itd be a disservice to the young, rising employee to not allow them that work experience

Or Im misremembering and we told Fitzgerald he couldnt interview lol. I swore Minnesota was a team after him, for example

 

[JK3]

If she was involved in any of these draft decisions, GTFO, go f*** up the Islanders.

 

[Ekiru]

Agree with all. the question isn't if he'll be worth his contract or anything close.

it's simply whether or not he could be similar to a player you could get for a short term $2+ million contract.

There's just not enough cap savings from buying out Palat to believe we could bring in someone materially better than him with that space. How much of an improvement is Brandon Saad?

IMO, the best bet for that spot is Lachance, but I can't see relying on him as an NHLer when he's only had a cup of coffee in the AHL. It's not clear if he's NHL ready right now, or if he needs AHL time.

IMO, our best move is to roll with Palat for next year and see what we have in Lachance. Can go from there.

I agree Palat isnt an issue in how this team plays or should be playing. He isnt up to par with the production Id expect, and he has never been here, but what he provides in other areas is more important to me than keeping Dougie, Haula, Dillon or Lazar

Id look toward moving Dougie first and foremost as I believe his exact contract is going to Luke

 

[JK3]

 

[njdevil26]

Man I wish there was a universe (I know there's not) where Palat and the team can agree he absolutely stinks at 6 mil and they restructure the deal to 3 mil.

 

[CalamityX23]

First Hamilton

Now Jonas(who knows)

Is Jack next?!??!?

 

[Cheddabombs]

Save us Jonas!!!!

 

[theoptimist]

f***

 

[theoptimist]

Man I wish there was a universe (I know there's not) where Palat and the team can agree he absolutely stinks at 6 mil and they restructure the deal to 3 mil.

They can “mutually” exterminate the contract.

 

[Edmonton East]

Imagine following this team and thinking any decision maker/influencer in the front office deserves a promotion.

 

[Brodeur]

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.

I have no idea how involved or important an AGM is or isn’t in the decision making process.

Everyone always knows who the GMs are and maybe the head scout, especially around draft time, but it’s kind of easy to forget they are surrounded by a large staff who is probably way more involved than we know.

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.