Devils team discussion (news, notes and speculation) - 2022-23 season thread part III

[Saugus]

i am starting to not be concerned about bratt at all.

if he wants to be part of the team, he will sign a long-term contract at or below 8.5 million. if he isn't commited to the devils, he can be traded for good value. the general outlook won't change. the team is build around hischier/hughes. with or without bratt.

This is about where I am too. Bratt must know that if he signs long term, the Devils are poised to have a strong core for the next 5+ years. He'll get paid and be able to contend for Cups.

Whereas if he goes elsewhere he might get his bag, but the chance for playoff success are a toss-up, highly dependent on where he ends up.

It comes down to whether Bratt values squeezing every dollar that he can from his next contract, or if he is willing to accept slightly lower than full open market value in order to play on the contender that drafted and developed him. I think it's an easy choice, but we'll see.

 

[ChicksDigTheTrap]

What makes me nervous is that the Devils haven’t been playing well lately. Could be because of the flu going through the team? They just don’t seem to be playing as smart and fast as earlier in the season. I know they’re still winning, but they’ve been fortunate in the last few games.

They have not played particularly well the last 4 games but the fact that they have 7 points shows how talented the team is. Bad/mediocre teams need to play well to get points - the Devils do not. I look at it as a positive as opposed to a negative unless this type of play continues for a longer stretch.

 

[Nubmer6]

I thought ( hoped ) it was a flu bug , but post game interviews guys said they just played like crap .

Yes but they didn't say WHY they played like crap.

 

[Eggtimer]

This is about where I am too. Bratt must know that if he signs long term, the Devils are poised to have a strong core for the next 5+ years. He'll get paid and be able to contend for Cups.

Whereas if he goes elsewhere he might get his bag, but the chance for playoff success are a toss-up, highly dependent on where he ends up.

It comes down to whether Bratt values squeezing every dollar that he can from his next contract, or if he is willing to accept slightly lower than full open market value in order to play on the contender that drafted and developed him. I think it's an easy choice, but we'll see.

We need to find a smoking hot chick for Bratt , one that is local and would refuse to leave the area lol . Anyone out there with a hot sister , niece , friend , it’s time to step up and set her up with Bratt . I’m sure Bratt already has a GF or wife/ fiancé , but if not , we must ensure he gets pinned down by one …
I’m kidding. I agree with what was replied to . Take “fair” money and stay with what you know( teammates , city ) amd have a very good chance to be cup contenders , or chase a little more money by moving to a completely different situation …. If he chooses the extra $$ , so be it . Nothing we can do . Trade him and move on . Yes it would suck big time but we can’t ruin our plans to suit one player .

 

[FooteBahl]

This is about where I am too. Bratt must know that if he signs long term, the Devils are poised to have a strong core for the next 5+ years. He'll get paid and be able to contend for Cups.

Whereas if he goes elsewhere he might get his bag, but the chance for playoff success are a toss-up, highly dependent on where he ends up.

It comes down to whether Bratt values squeezing every dollar that he can from his next contract, or if he is willing to accept slightly lower than full open market value in order to play on the contender that drafted and developed him. I think it's an easy choice, but we'll see.

Our owners are pretty shrewd investment guys, throw in some free financial advisement in the contract lol.

What can the Rangers offer? Free cable service?

Buffalo can probably offer free gas, which is pretty valuable in this economy.

 

[NjDevsRR]

View attachment 617200

@NjDevsRR now it’s your turn

LOL sadly I have my company holiday party

 

[JrFischer54]

So glad that this team is doing well. Its been 10 years since I have felt this confident in a team. In fact I am more confident in this group than the 2012. Obviously it is still early....that 2012 team just didnt know how to hold a lead....if you remember we had like the most shootout wins that year. Kovy and Parise were a sick that season.....

I personally think this team has it and we are just missing a pure sniper. That really can be Holtz or Shari.
Our 5 on 5 has been dominate, but games can still be won and lost on the special teams. Not scoring on the PP is a problem, and I feel like there are more penalties than ever. We have great looks....and even with Hughes and Bratt having really good shots.....they dont shoot enough on the PP. We need a Ovi or Kovy type to just clap it. Why I really think Holtz should be on that first PP unit.

If we arent going to give those guys a real chance on the PP. I would trade for one. Devils are primed to make a blockbuster trade. Do we need to make one? No, because I think Holtz can be that guy. There are a number things Fitzy can do. I can see him trading Blackwood, Sevo, first and Walsh for something....Maybe Chychrun or something we dont even know thats available. I say Chychrun because we have the pieces to make that move...and he would be signed longer than two years. His Cap hit is only 4.2....Graves is getting more than that this offseason and he might be on another team. That still leaves us room for Hughes and Nemec next year. Seriously, you can never be deep enough on the backend in my opinion. This also gives us that second PP QB. JUST a thought...

100% this team is missing a kovalchuk type player on the roster. Pure goal scorer that will score the goal to put the team up x amount in the third to finally put a team away. They escaped the rangers flyers game not the preds. Package the 1st and holtz and get someone

 

[The Wumpus]

What were some of the positive you guys took away from last season? This years Sabres team is getting compared to 21 devils team. We are 2nd in the league in scoring but cant get saves at all right now. Its cool to see you guys turn the corner with the young talent you have.

A lot of Devils had breakout years last season, but the general team structure, defense, and goaltending were a mess which kind of obscured the steps forward from a team success point of view.

Just from outside stat-watching Buffalo looks to have a good number of individual breakout seasons happening.

 

[Zippy316]

We need to find a smoking hot chick for Bratt , one that is local and would refuse to leave the area lol . Anyone out there with a hot sister , niece , friend , it’s time to step up and set her up with Bratt . I’m sure Bratt already has a GF or wife/ fiancé , but if not , we must ensure he gets pinned down by one …
I’m kidding. I agree with what was replied to . Take “fair” money and stay with what you know( teammates , city ) amd have a very good chance to be cup contenders , or chase a little more money by moving to a completely different situation …. If he chooses the extra $$ , so be it . Nothing we can do . Trade him and move on . Yes it would suck big time but we can’t ruin our plans to suit one player .

Funny enough, he does have a girlfriend that is local to NJ. The last part is more of an assumption based on her social media, but she definitely seems to be a NJ girl.

 

[SteveCangialosi123]

100% this team is missing a kovalchuk type player on the roster. Pure goal scorer that will score the goal to put the team up x amount in the third to finally put a team away. They escaped the rangers flyers game not the preds. Package the 1st and holtz and get someone

There isn’t some Ilya Kovalchuk just hanging out somewhere for us to trade for.

 

[Zippy316]

What makes me nervous is that the Devils haven’t been playing well lately. Could be because of the flu going through the team? They just don’t seem to be playing as smart and fast as earlier in the season. I know they’re still winning, but they’ve been fortunate in the last few games.

Lately it seems like teams are basically playing to counter the Devils rather than their own style. A lot of “make no mistakes”, get the puck on deep, keep a third man high at all times, and don’t allow the Devils to turn pucks over with speed.

Devils need to adjust a bit. They’re forcing things a bit to much of late, but it’s clear when they want to they can dominate games.

 

[njdevil26]

This is about where I am too. Bratt must know that if he signs long term, the Devils are poised to have a strong core for the next 5+ years. He'll get paid and be able to contend for Cups.

Whereas if he goes elsewhere he might get his bag, but the chance for playoff success are a toss-up, highly dependent on where he ends up.

It comes down to whether Bratt values squeezing every dollar that he can from his next contract, or if he is willing to accept slightly lower than full open market value in order to play on the contender that drafted and developed him. I think it's an easy choice, but we'll see.

If the thought existed in his mind that he didn't want to sign his career away to a team that was never going to get better... and I don't blame him.... hopefully that's gone now.

Lately it seems like teams are basically playing to counter the Devils rather than their own style. A lot of “make no mistakes”, get the puck on deep, keep a third man high at all times, and don’t allow the Devils to turn pucks over with speed.

Devils need to adjust a bit. They’re forcing things a bit to much of late, but it’s clear when they want to they can dominate games.

They are also winning these games they aren't playing well in which is definitely the sign of a good team. Guys are banged up, seems like a sickness is going around (just like it is around the public), and they are still getting wins.

Since the streak ended, they are 4-0-1. Quite the bounce-back from the Toronto shitshow.

 

[JrFischer54]

There isn’t some Ilya Kovalchuk just hanging out somewhere for us to trade for.

Get creative but point is they need a pure goal scorer

 

[Better Call Sal]

 

[bossram]

Let me ask you if he's asking for 11.5 per he should just give it to him?....I am a big Bratt fan and want him here LT but at the right price for both....He should fall between 7 and 8 per imo what he gets who knows , but if a deal can't be made by end of season or in the summer they will have to trade him...

I think up to $10M is justifiable given the comparables. I would prefer less, but Fitz had his chance last offseason.

There is 0% chance he's getting less than $8M with term. Zero. Absolutely zilch.

 

[severian]

If the thought existed in his mind that he didn't want to sign his career away to a team that was never going to get better... and I don't blame him.... hopefully that's gone now.


They are also winning these games they aren't playing well in which is definitely the sign of a good team. Guys are banged up, seems like a sickness is going around (just like it is around the public), and they are still getting wins.

Since the streak ended, they are 4-0-1. Quite the bounce-back from the Toronto shitshow.

Agreed. I think the streak got a lot of people here thinking that the Devils were just going to steamroll every team and outshoot opponents 47-20 every game.

 

[Saugus]

Poor Mango, getting the Geertsen treatment.

 

[SteveCangialosi123]

Get creative but point is they need a pure goal scorer

I’d rather stay the course and try to develop Holtz into that guy. Time is on our side. We aren’t exactly wanting for goals right now.

 

[SJinNewJersey]

View attachment 617200

@NjDevsRR now it’s your turn

That's real close to me, such a great location for the kids.

 

[NjDevsRR]

That's real close to me, such a great location for the kids.

Do the lawds work and get it signed lmao

 

[glenwo2]

We need to find a smoking hot chick for Bratt , one that is local and would refuse to leave the area lol . Anyone out there with a hot sister , niece , friend , it’s time to step up and set her up with Bratt . I’m sure Bratt already has a GF or wife/ fiancé , but if not , we must ensure he gets pinned down by one …
I’m kidding. I agree with what was replied to . Take “fair” money and stay with what you know( teammates , city ) amd have a very good chance to be cup contenders , or chase a little more money by moving to a completely different situation …. If he chooses the extra $$ , so be it . Nothing we can do . Trade him and move on . Yes it would suck big time but we can’t ruin our plans to suit one player .

YUP.

 

[SJinNewJersey]

Do the lawds work and get it signed lmao
View attachment 617269

Was thinking this one.

 

[glenwo2]

Was thinking this one.

I don't think Dano is Bratt's type.

 

[Mgd31]

We need to find a smoking hot chick for Bratt , one that is local and would refuse to leave the area lol . Anyone out there with a hot sister , niece , friend , it’s time to step up and set her up with Bratt . I’m sure Bratt already has a GF or wife/ fiancé , but if not , we must ensure he gets pinned down by one …
I’m kidding. I agree with what was replied to . Take “fair” money and stay with what you know( teammates , city ) amd have a very good chance to be cup contenders , or chase a little more money by moving to a completely different situation …. If he chooses the extra $$ , so be it . Nothing we can do . Trade him and move on . Yes it would suck big time but we can’t ruin our plans to suit one player .

He has a GF who is from NJ, but I believe she wants to advance her career in the Columbus, Ohio medical field, so we are screwed.

 

[JrFischer54]

I’d rather stay the course and try to develop Holtz into that guy. Time is on our side. We aren’t exactly wanting for goals right now.

Yeah you can do that but if you wait and holtz struggles you lose trade value on your most important piece to dangle.