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

[Figgie]

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

There is 1% chance that Hamilton have Vancouver at his trade list. After the rumors that Quinn wants to come and play with his brothers I think Vancouver is the last team that he would put on the trade list.

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.

Okay if we keep Hamilton so where would you get cap space to upgrade our offense? No one is taking Palat's contract on his 10 team's trade list.

I have also doubts on Nemec but he have played last 2 games well and he have shown before that he have lot of potential. We can get upgrade later on deadline if he (or Casey) is not working out.

Our defense would not be perfect if we trade Hamilton (it's not perfect even with him) but only way to get good attack is trade Hamilton because of his 9m caphit.

 

[dgibb10]

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.

He came back from injury like last week.

Don't let all the other injuries distract from that.

 

[NJDevils17]

Where exactly does Nemec fit if you can’t move Hamilton because that’s probably the only way he’s here to start 25/26

 

[Bleedred]

There is 1% chance that Hamilton have Vancouver at his trade list. After the rumors that Quinn wants to come and play with his brothers I think Vancouver is the last team that he would put on the trade list.



Okay if we keep Hamilton so where would you get cap space to upgrade our offense? No one is taking Palat's contract on his 10 team's trade list.

I have also doubts on Nemec but he have played last 2 games well and he have shown before that he have lot of potential. We can get upgrade later on deadline if he (or Casey) is not working out.

Our defense would not be perfect if we trade Hamilton (it's not perfect even with him) but only way to get good attack is trade Hamilton because of his 9m caphit.

I still think we'll flush out Palat this offseason.

I think we will.

I'd rather flush him out than Dougie, at least right now. Though Dougie costs much more and would also be easier to move because he's the better player, even though injury prone.

 

[dgibb10]

I still think we'll flush out Palat this offseason.

I think we will.

I'd rather flush him out than Dougie, at least right now. Though Dougie costs much more and would also be easier to move because he's the better player, even though injury prone.

Palat is someone you look to ship out

Hamilton is someone you trade if someone calls and trys to acquire.

 

[dgibb10]

Where exactly does Nemec fit if you can’t move Hamilton because that’s probably the only way he’s here to start 25/26

What you could do is

Luke, Pesce, Siegs left side
Dougie, Kovy, Nemec, right side

Dillon number 7 dman

Yeah a 4 mill guy not in your "ideal lineup" would be annoying, but he would 100% get games in with any injuries.

 

[Bleedred]

Palat is someone you look to ship out

Hamilton is someone you trade if someone calls and trys to acquire.

Getting rid of Palat is more urgent than getting rid of Hamilton if that’s what you’re saying.

 

[dgibb10]

Getting rid of Palat is more urgent than getting rid of Hamilton if that’s what you’re saying.

Yes.

Although I'd be wary about paying to move Palat before I see what the UFA market looks like. Ideally you do some DEFINITELY NOT TAMPERING like with Pesce/Marino this past offseason.

I worry 5-6 mill this coming UFA is just gonna buy you another Palat, potentially with even more term

 

[JK3]

Dougie has looked pretty good since he came back, he's got at least one more year here, he's not cooked yet. Nemec has had a nice run of a handful of games, it's encouraging but cmon, lets not get carried away.

The way thing are things are looking though is Nemec has a leg up cause of his draft position, size and his recent competency, they've given him more opportunities than Seamus, Casey might be trade bait.

 

[Bleedred]

@HoliksGhost

It’s not letting me quote you for some reason

Are you suggesting that because we have an advantage that my hypothetical package of Dougie and one of Nemec/Casey is too much for Quinn? Since he wants to come anyway?

Vancouver aren’t giving away one of the absolute best defensemen in the league for nothing. Let’s be serious. Most Vancouver fans would agree that isn’t even enough and might even want a good forward.

I’d also have to figure a first round pick would be going as well.

 

[dgibb10]

@HoliksGhost

It’s not letting me quote you for some reason

Are you suggesting that because we have an advantage that my hypothetical package of Dougie and one of Nemec/Casey is too much for Quinn? Since he wants to come anyway?

Vancouver aren’t giving away one of the absolute best defensemen in the league for nothing. Let’s be serious. Most Vancouver fans would agree that isn’t even enough and might even want a good forward.

I’d also have to figure a first round pick would be going as well.

Dougie-Casey-1st is likely the absolute minimum you start from.

And from there you have to figure out what you do around it. What can you afford to lose, can you afford to retain on dougie, what do you do with Dillon, etc.

Honestly not a very realistic move.

I don't think getting rid of valuable cost controlled forwards like Mercer or Grits makes sense? Maybe you can afford to lose a lenni but the pipeline is real thin after that.

 

[Figgie]

I still think we'll flush out Palat this offseason.

I think we will.

I'd rather flush him out than Dougie, at least right now. Though Dougie costs much more and would also be easier to move because he's the better player, even though injury prone.

We have to get at least one of them out if we want have someone else on our top9 next season than couple Tatar/Sprong level guys. Haula should be traded also.

I would trade both out if there is chance. And if you want replace Dougie with someone else so you get that replacement much cheaper than 9 million.

 

[Bleedred]

We have to get at least one of them out if we want have someone else on our top9 next season than couple Tatar/Sprong level guys. Haula should be traded also.

I would trade both out if there is chance. And if you want replace Dougie with someone else so you get that replacement much cheaper than 9 million.

Definitely would like Haula out too.

 

[Figgie]

Dougie has looked pretty good since he came back, he's got at least one more year here, he's not cooked yet.

He have been good but you can't trade him when he is cooked. If someone takes him in summer so trade him. Because of his 21 team no trade list it's not certain that any of those 10 teams will agree to take him even for free.

Imagine if we could not sign Quinn after 2 years because we have still Hamilton with his 9 million contract.

 

[Billdo]

I still think we'll flush out Palat this offseason.

I think we will.

I'd rather flush him out than Dougie, at least right now. Though Dougie costs much more and would also be easier to move because he's the better player, even though injury prone.

I'd be ok with Hughes-Hischier-Glass-Haula as the centers to start. Palat however cannot ANYWHERE near the starting lineup regardless of what he does throughout these playoffs.

 

[ahmedou]

 

[dgibb10]

He have been good but you can't trade him when he is cooked. If someone takes him in summer so trade him. Because of his 21 team no trade list it's not certain that any of those 10 teams will agree to take him even for free.

Imagine if we could not sign Quinn after 2 years because we have still Hamilton with his 9 million contract.

Team building should not be done based on a hope that quinn is going to fall into our laps for free.

If he does, you can then make moves accordingly, (hint, you won't care if we have to pay a 1st to dump hamilton's last year if quinn signs for free)

 

[dgibb10]

I'd honestly, if possible, ship out Dillon before Palat.

I know he has a full NTC vs a 10 team trade list.

But I think reallocating his 4 mill to forward is more beneficial than replacing Palat with a different forward (which doesn't actually change how much depth we have).

Using Ross Colton as an example of a 4 mill forward, you could roll out this.

Palat and Haula are now 4th liners (where they would be a good 4th line). Colton-Mercer-Glass as a 3rd line, and then the same Noesen-Nico-Timo.

You are counting on gritysuk to become a viable complimentary piece in a top 6, but worst case putting mercer (or Palat) into that slot is not the end of the world (and you could supplement at the deadline)

 

[PKs Broken Stick]

There is merit to the fact that the game gets simplified in certain ways when they’re not on the ice. Which can lead to a little more straight forward attack.
But yea this current roster would be better with Jack and/or Luke. Even I can say that.

But they occasionally do play better without them, and I think it’s just a simplification of play style.

It has nothing to do with Jack and more to do with how every team handles it. When teams have a star player, they tend to rely on that guy, and a lot of times it makes them worse off. When Jack is in, they tend to rely on him too much. This isn't a devils thing, every nhl team is like this.

 

[Mr Bojanglez]

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 hasn't been hitting the net

 

[Figgie]

Team building should not be done based on a hope that quinn is going to fall into our laps for free.

If he does, you can then make moves accordingly, (hint, you won't care if we have to pay a 1st to dump hamilton's last year if quinn signs for free)

That's right. It was just joke but it does not deny that fact that Hamilton is not worth 9 million and it is not easy to trade him this summer and it might be much harder to trade him next year so trade him this summer if it's possible. We can use that 9 million to upgrade our top9. No more Tatar/Sprong level forwards.

 

[PKs Broken Stick]

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

Because they are using a formation where they have players aggressive near the point. If Hamilton shoots and the shot gets blocked, that's a 2 on 0 the other way, or at minimum a breakaway

I'm fine with him not shooting, but they need to do something to force Carolina to adjust, or exploit them

 

[PKs Broken Stick]

I'd be ok with Hughes-Hischier-Glass-Haula as the centers to start. Palat however cannot ANYWHERE near the starting lineup regardless of what he does throughout these playoffs.

Nope, the guy isn't reliable enough. We need another 3c

 

[dgibb10]

That's right. It was just joke but it does not deny that fact that Hamilton is not worth 9 million and it is not easy to trade him this summer and it might be much harder to trade him next year so trade him this summer if it's possible. We can use that 9 million to upgrade our top9. No more Tatar/Sprong level forwards.

Hamilton is 100% worth 9 million. You're welcome to look at the contract Chychrun just signed if you disagree.

Tatar/Sprong level forwards in the top 9 have to do with injury. We can eliminate them from the lineup with or without hamilton.

If Jack was healthy, they would not be in the lineup right now.


Unless you have a ridiculously stacked forward prospect pool and a bunch of waivers exempt players ready to go, you can't just stash extra top 9 caliber guys (we are able to luckily do this with D to an extent, but you can't have it all, and often times those kids may not be ready right away or have growing pains).

And your 4th line guys are very often a different type of player (much more defensive minded).

So what you do, is you have a guy like a Tatar or a sprong as one of your scratches. Dirt cheap, but able to fill in on a PP and sub in if a top 9 or offensive minded guy gets hurt.

Your other scratch is generally a more defensive minded guy to fill in there if a guy like THAT gets hurt.

Ideally we'd have supplemented forwards this past deadline (again what you generally do), but injuries to Ham and Siegs required us to go there instead

 

[Devs3cups]

Nope, the guy isn't reliable enough. We need another 3c

I'd tend to agree, I'm not sure he can be trusted to play a whole season. I think he has the skill to be a solid 3C though. 4C I'd be willing to have him on. We need another 3C though I think.