beekay414
Registered User
True but Subban's also the most defensively responsible RHD we have so he fits better with Butcher than Smith or Severson would. Ideally, we move on from Butcher for a better fit but I don't feel that's likely.
Confirmed with Link: Devils sign Kulikov
- Thread starter None Shall Pass
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That's EXACTLY my problem.
I like Butcher, but I just don't see how he fits in nicely. What you wrote is probably the best we can do with the pieces we have.
Monsieur Verdoux
Registered User
yeah running a top 4 right now of
Murray-Severson
Kulikov-Subban
makes alot of sense but a Butcher-Smith pairing will get crushed.
if we can somehow snag a better RHD option, that would be great for Smith or for Butcher (if we dont use Butcher to aquire that)
Someone like Cernak would be useful here
Murray-Severson
Kulikov-Subban
makes alot of sense but a Butcher-Smith pairing will get crushed.
if we can somehow snag a better RHD option, that would be great for Smith or for Butcher (if we dont use Butcher to aquire that)
Someone like Cernak would be useful here
- Feb 5, 2010
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It's a no risk signing. He's actually an NHL D man, which is more than we could say for half the defense entering the off season. I think the D is significantly more competent than it was last year, even if it's just bad now instead of complete dumpster fire.
Zajacs Bowl Cut
Lets Go Baby
Ya, that's the other option if he can prove himself, either pre-season or in-season.
Zajacs Bowl Cut
Lets Go Baby
nugg
NJ Hammerhead Bats!
cup.jpg!
I kid I kid, but pretty good idea for stemming the tide until some of these kids drafted last year, plus Bahl, are eventually ready. We aren't getting Sergachev. Give up on that, people.
I kid I kid, but pretty good idea for stemming the tide until some of these kids drafted last year, plus Bahl, are eventually ready. We aren't getting Sergachev. Give up on that, people.
That makes sense, but would really love Subban to have the opportunity to be the one who provides offense on a pairing, not someone who is covering someone else's mistakes.
Eggtimer
Registered User
Perfectly fine with this signing . Good defensively. Can PK .
We still need to get another D though . As in a Dunn / Cernak / Sergachev level Dman.
Get er done Fitz.
Oh ya , also trading for Kane Laine and Gaudreau so there is that as well .
We still need to get another D though . As in a Dunn / Cernak / Sergachev level Dman.
Get er done Fitz.
Oh ya , also trading for Kane Laine and Gaudreau so there is that as well .
OmNomNom
Taco is Love, Taco is Life
OmNomNom
Taco is Love, Taco is Life
i think we're done, we traded for 2 LDs this offseason, so unless we package butcher and ship him off somewhere, we're not doing anything more
FinnishDevil
Registered User
Andre Palot
Registered User
I'd actually entertain the idea of trading Butcher at this point. He looks like he's becoming expendable for what he brings.
ninetyeight
Registered User
Pretty neutral with this, at least we're signing players, every signed player is a potential asset for a future trade even if that's for a 7th round pick. I think Kulikov's best days are probably behind and I don't think he's ever been great, but has always been alright. The positive is he's basically played all his career in the NHL after being drafted, the negative is that the past 5 seasons he's been signed to three (now four) teams. Nobody really wants to hold on to him and/or sign him longer than three years. All that said, signing a guy who got 4m last season, to a 1m/1y contract is hard to hate.
Zajacs Bowl Cut
Lets Go Baby
OmNomNom
Taco is Love, Taco is Life
so we'll have butcher, sevo, murray, kulikov, smith, subban, carrick, and an 8th? we'll carry 8?
If Nate Schmidt at $6 million returns a 3rd round pick, what do you think butcher at $3.7 million returns? I bet he'd clear waivers. I keep Butcher, I think he'll be fine.
SpeakingOfTheDevils
Devils Advocate
MachoDiablo
Registered User
Like the sound of that; could be a stable partner with Smith, is an actual NHL-level player (low bar but necessary one with this team), low cap hit, short term, could be a decent trade piece at the deadline if the team's out of it, etc.
Regardless of what Kulikov contributes next season, it's still the type of move the Devils likely should be making at this point: low risk veterans who can provide some help to the younger guys while not carrying a big enough price tag to keep Fitz from moving on any deals that could provide more long term solutions, should they arise.
Not sure if we NEED one now, but it would be nice to have. We definitely need to give Smith a shot at a spot while having a viable backup plan. I'm not sure how great of a backup plan Carrick is.
Ideally to me, the best move we could do is to trade Butcher for a viable 2nd pairing LD and a cap dump, but maybe that's just a pipe dream.
I have Carrick in the AHL and Murray can't be counted on for 82 games, don't know what we're going to get from Smith yet.
You use "Jerz" again and I'm putting you on my imaginary ignore list.
