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

[Bleedred]

Honestly now im back into thinking you need to try and move Dougie.

Yeah its only two games for Nemec, but its a big two games. I think it became a lot harder to justify trading him unless something huge is coming back

I just don’t think we have enough offense on the back end to be able to afford to move on from Dougie unless it’s for a guy that’s a similar type of player or we’re bringing a similar type in some other way.

I’m not as optimistic that a Quinn trade is coming this offseason (if it’s not then hopefully next offseason) but I think if it is then Dougie will go to Vancouver in that.

I also think one of Nemec or Casey goes.

 

[Emperoreddy]

I just don’t think we have enough offense on the back end to be able to afford to move on from Dougie unless it’s for a guy that’s a similar type of player or we’re bringing a similar type in some other way.

I’m not as optimistic that a Quinn trade is coming this offseason (if it’s not then hopefully next offseason) but I think if it is then Dougie will go to Vancouver in that.

I also think one of Nemec or Casey goes.

Trading a former 2nd overall who seems to finally be blooming in the playoffs is going to be really tough to sell.

And I dont think Casey has a ton of real trade value.

 

[theoptimist]

Dowling isnt a NHL regular but you can do far worse as a 5th center and he should remain in the organization

He's higher on the depth chart than Tatar

 

[edevils]

Nemec seems assertive in both his play and personality.

With a core that plays a softer game, I can't help but like the swagger that he brings.

Look, we all know being humble is an important trait, but we do need some more "f you" in our game.

Nemec seems to have it without giving up much foot speed.

I've been high on him since he debuted and I think many have been quick to judge him when he struggled.

Young players will make mistakes, but in the large scheme of things, we need to take risks on young players and let them find themselves.

 

[NJDevs26]

I will say one big difference between this year and the game 3 two years ago is that game was a lot easier for Carolina to just burn the tape and move on from it. Was a laugher "not their day" type of game.

This one was an emotionally devastating lose. A lot harder to put it behind you as a player.

We get on the fast tomorrow they might start to really doubt.

At this point I just want to drain them as much as possible for the rest of the playoffs. I'm not even entertaining winning the series unless we win tomorrow and start getting some people back like soon.

 

[Devils Trap]

Honestly now im back into thinking you need to try and move Dougie.

Yeah its only two games for Nemec, but its a big two games. I think it became a lot harder to justify trading him unless something huge is coming back

Still think it just makes perfect sense to talk with Dallas / LAK.

Their right sides need another guy, Both good teams so prob not the hardest to convince to waive the limited NTC.

Something like Marchment + Cap Dump or Laferriere / Trevor Moore + Cap dump to even stuff out bolsters our depth with good middle 6ers who play a game Tom likes.

And gives both those teams someone to can puck move from the back end as currently both those teams could use 1

 

[NJDevs26]

Trading a former 2nd overall who seems to finally be blooming in the playoffs is going to be really tough to sell.

And I dont think Casey has a ton of real trade value.

At least his trade value will be up now lmao

But yeah at this point the play is moving Dougie and running Siegs-Pesce-Kovy-Luke-Dillon-Nemec out as your six and Casey in the minors. If Dumoulin wants to take a team friendly deal somehow that's another fly to add to the ointment but yeah our record with 30+ contracts isn't that hot. Of course that all changes if the Quinn timetable gets moved up.

 

[My3Sons]

At this point I just want to drain them as much as possible for the rest of the playoffs. I'm not even entertaining winning the series unless we win tomorrow and start getting some people back like soon.

By draining them you mean like draining them of blood? By cutting them or vampirism? I could argue for either one.

 

[Emperoreddy]

At this point I just want to drain them as much as possible for the rest of the playoffs. I'm not even entertaining winning the series unless we win tomorrow and start getting some people back like soon.

I want to at least get this to Game 6

 

[Figgie]

I just don’t think we have enough offense on the back end to be able to afford to move on from Dougie unless it’s for a guy that’s a similar type of player or we’re bringing a similar type in some other way.

I’m not as optimistic that a Quinn trade is coming this offseason (if it’s not then hopefully next offseason) but I think if it is then Dougie will go to Vancouver in that.

I also think one of Nemec or Casey goes.

If we trade Hamilton our D would look something like this:

Hughes-Pesce
Siegenthaler-Kovasevic
Dillon-Nemec/Casey

You are right that our back end offense would hurt but we would get 9m cap space to upgrade our offense. I don't see any reason to bring offensive D back if we trade Hamilton. Let Nemec and Casey fight for the last D place. Luke would play pp1 and Nemec/Casey pp2. I would 100% sure trade Hamilton if there is chance at summer.

 

[Bleedred]

If we trade Hamilton our D would look something like this:

Hughes-Pesce
Siegenthaler-Kovasevic
Dillon-Nemec/Casey

You are right that our back end offense would hurt but we would get 9m cap space to upgrade our offense. I don't see any reason to bring offensive D back if we trade Hamilton. Let Nemec and Casey fight for the last D place. Luke would play pp1 and Nemec/Casey pp2. I would 100% sure trade Hamilton if there is chance at summer.

I've said it all along, that defense almost looks like the post-Niedermayer defense when we still had Rafalski, where it was just him and a bunch of guys who were really one dimensional and not mobile. That is unless Nemec becomes pretty good.

But Pesce, Siegs, Kovacevic, Dillon, all perennial sub-20 point scorers. You need just a little more offense from the back end.

 

[Incharge1976]

If Luke somehow comes back, I'd run the PP with him and Dougie on PP1. Dougie needs movement to open up lanes for him since he isn't fast enough to do it himself.

I'm trying my best to move Dougie in the offseason, sliding Nemec into PP2, and having Casey with his elite vision, passing, and nose for the back of the net waiting in the wings.

 

[HoliksGhost]

Hamilton is not using his shot. What’s up with that ? He passed up chances on the PP. injury related ? We need that shot !

 

[Figgie]

I've said it all along, that defense almost looks like the post-Niedermayer defense when we still had Rafalski, where it was just him and a bunch of guys who were really one dimensional and not mobile. That is unless Nemec becomes pretty good.

But Pesce, Siegs, Kovacevic, Dillon, all perennial sub-20 point scorers. You need just a little more offense from the back end.

Agree that it would be issue having Pesce, Kovasevic, Siegs and Dillon but that's what Fitz have done. He is not trading Kovasevic and Pesce because he just signed them. Sigenthaler have good contract so I think it would be stupid to trade him. I would trade Dillon also but he was also just signed so he will probably stay.

Hamilton would not score so much points anymore if he would not be on pp1 next season and he is just too expensive to have in pp2. And for Luke's development it would be good that he would be in pp1 and I think that he is already better there than Hamilton.

I would go with Hughes, Pesce, Kovasevic, Sieg, Dillon, Nemec, Casey for next season. You can add offensive D at deadline if it not working with those guys.

And what would we do with Nemec and Casey if we don't trade Hamilton?

 

[edevils]

Hamilton is not using his shot. What’s up with that ? He passed up chances on the PP. injury related ? We need that shot !

I noticed that too. I would go a step further and say they passed up a lot of potential shots on the PP.

As Nemec's goal showed, they need to get as many pucks on net as possible.

With the PP underperforming, it's critical that they simplify their approach.

 

[Incharge1976]

Hamilton is not using his shot. What’s up with that ? He passed up chances on the PP. injury related ? We need that shot !

He doesn't have much of a lane. Carolina has the #1 PK for a reason. They pressure the guy with the puck and when they pass it to Dougie they collapse and get in the lanes.

We really only have Bratt right now that is that type of player on PP1. We really get teams out of position when we are running Jack, Bratt, and Luke.

I said before I'd run Luke and Dougie on PP1 if Luke came back. I'd also consider 11F and 7D for this next game, and running the same 2D setup with Casey laving limited minutes and playing on PP1 with Dougie.

 

[Emperoreddy]

Im not saying there isnt potentially something up with Dougie that is making him pass heavy, but the canes were really clogging the shooting lanes and I think the team was wary of a high blocked shot turning into a short handed goal.

 

[HoliksGhost]

He doesn't have much of a lane. Carolina has the #1 PK for a reason. They pressure the guy with the puck and when they pass it to Dougie they collapse and get in the lanes.

We really only have Bratt right now that is that type of player on PP1. We really get teams out of position when we are running Jack, Bratt, and Luke.

I said before I'd run Luke and Dougie on PP1 if Luke came back. I'd also consider 11F and 7D for this next game, and running the same 2D setup with Casey laving limited minutes and playing on PP1 with Dougie.

Hit a few Canes with a slap shot and watch the lanes open up.

 

[McDuffz88]

Nemec was flawless. He was stripping pucks from players all night, had insane stretch passes that landed perfectly, was winning board battles, he was even getting physical. The cherry on top is he became a hero & brought us back into this series by scoring a goal all by himself. He absolutely showed why he was picked #2. If he plays like this from now on he's untouchable & the GM would be a fool to trade him.

 

[Emperoreddy]

Hit a few Canes with a slap shot and watch the lanes open up.

More likely leads to a short handed odd man rush because Dougie is too slow

 

[HoliksGhost]

More likely leads to a short handed odd man rush because Dougie is too slow

Could happen but he’s gotta shoot

 

[HoliksGhost]

Nemec was flawless. He was stripping pucks from players all night, had insane stretch passes that landed perfectly, was winning board battles, he was even getting physical. The cherry on top is he became a hero & brought us back into this series by scoring a goal all by himself. He absolutely showed why he was picked #2. If he plays like this from now on he's untouchable & the GM would be a fool to trade him.

He really played solid game… even before he scored the goal I was thinking he was having a massive game all over the ice, love the kid.

 

[Emperoreddy]

He really played solid game… even before he scored the goal I was thinking he was having a massive game all over the ice, love the kid.

I wouldnt be surprised if that was his best NHL game ever

 

[Bleedred]

Agree that it would be issue having Pesce, Kovasevic, Siegs and Dillon but that's what Fitz have done. He is not trading Kovasevic and Pesce because he just signed them. Sigenthaler have good contract so I think it would be stupid to trade him. I would trade Dillon also but he was also just signed so he will probably stay.

Hamilton would not score so much points anymore if he would not be on pp1 next season and he is just too expensive to have in pp2. And for Luke's development it would be good that he would be in pp1 and I think that he is already better there than Hamilton.

I would go with Hughes, Pesce, Kovasevic, Sieg, Dillon, Nemec, Casey for next season. You can add offensive D at deadline if it not working with those guys.

And what would we do with Nemec and Casey if we don't trade Hamilton?

Casey will probably start in the AHL next year, unless there's injuries/until they happen.

I'm still not convinced Nemec is here. Wouldn't be surprised if one is traded.

Maybe one of them and Dougie will be traded for Quinn Hughes.

 

[HoliksGhost]

Casey will probably start in the AHL next year, unless there's injuries/until they happen.

I'm still not convinced Nemec is here. Wouldn't be surprised if one is traded.

Maybe one of them and Dougie will be traded for Quinn Hughes.