Devils team discussion (news, notes and speculation) - 2023-24 season part III

[Devs3cups]

Francis is one of their top beat writers

Yeah, not much about a potential return in that tweet. Doubt it'll be as big as what's been talked about though.

 

[JrFischer54]

It's taking a risk on what Nashville does, if they put Saros on the block finally which they should then the goalie market prices are far lower

Ah cant wait to see the meltdown over that package and then eventual contract he will get it will be glorious. Which I’m all for btw but to punt on a season on a wait and see maybe maybe not saros? When it’s been told they would only move him if absolutely blown away by an offer

 

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

Ah cant wait to see the meltdown over that package and then eventual contract he will get it will be glorious. Which I’m all for btw but to punt on a season on a wait and see maybe maybe not saros? When it’s been told they would only move him if absolutely blown away by an offer

I mean, this isn't 2023 offseason where Fitz could sit on his hands. Goaltending is an issue, I admit that. There's going to more pressure on Fitz to land a guy next to Daws/Schmid and preferably a stud who can play a ton of games so you don't have to rely on the young guys like they have this year.

 

[JrFischer54]

I understand posters reservations with a deal happening meaning the team is fixed. But I don’t think anyone is really saying that. Goaltending IS though our biggest need. It will also be our biggest need in the off-season. The devils are in a position to add a goalie of Markstrom’s caliber and salary during the season, where other teams might not have that ability due to their cap structure. Teams in the off-season are going to have more ability to maneuver their cap and add.

It’s gonna come down to what they are giving up.

Is it Holtz + and we get Markstrom

Or

Mercer + + to get Saros?

I think I would rather keep Mercer.

Mercer + holtz/casey + 1sr For saros or holtz + 1st for markstrom? Give me markstrom

I mean, this isn't 2023 offseason where Fitz could sit on his hands. Goaltending is an issue, I admit that. There's going to more pressure on Fitz to land a guy next to Daws/Schmid and preferably a stud who can play a ton of games so you don't have to rely on the young guys like they have this year.

I agree there will be a new goalie to start in front of daws this fall. So do we pay now and maybe get a playoff run or wait til the summer for most likely the same crop and same price

 

[Lou Bloom]

I understand posters reservations with a deal happening meaning the team is fixed. But I don’t think anyone is really saying that. Goaltending IS though our biggest need. It will also be our biggest need in the off-season. The devils are in a position to add a goalie of Markstrom’s caliber and salary during the season, where other teams might not have that ability due to their cap structure. Teams in the off-season are going to have more ability to maneuver their cap and add.

It’s gonna come down to what they are giving up.

Is it Holtz + and we get Markstrom

Or

Mercer + + to get Saros?

I think I would rather keep Mercer.

If Mercer gets you most of the way to a Saros trade I'd much rather trade for Saros. He's over 5 years younger than Markstrom and his numbers since he's been in the league are right up there with the best goalies in the league.

 

[The Grinder]

If Mercer gets you most of the way to a Saros trade I'd much rather trade for Saros. He's over 5 years younger than Markstrom and his numbers since he's been in the league are right up there with the best goalies in the league.

Let’s just say Mercer + Casey + First?

Saros extended at 8 mil a year 7 years?

Or

Holtz + 1st + Non Casey Prospect

Markstrom 25% retention?

I don’t know. I can get on board with your perspective, it’s not an easy answer. I’ve been on the Saros train for a while, but starting to think it’s better to not empty the cupboard if we can.

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

I would not give Saros 7 years on an extension. Or any goalie.

 

[Ripshot 43]

The major question here is… how would we ever replace the 5 minutes a night Holtz plays?

 

[kiwidevil]

If Mercer gets you most of the way to a Saros trade I'd much rather trade for Saros. He's over 5 years younger than Markstrom and his numbers since he's been in the league are right up there with the best goalies in the league.

Then you have to think about a matching Hellebuck contract to pay him soon.

 

[PKs Broken Stick]

the dude on the calgary forum said the delay is due to the stadium series, I guess we'll see tomorrow afternoon if Markstrom is starting or not and that should give some indication if they are actually on to something

How are the 2 related

 

[Lou Bloom]

Then you have to think about a matching Hellebuck contract to pay him soon.

Which I'm fine with. Saros is 28 right now, He'll be 30 when his extension kicks in. I think it's a reasonable bet and you don't have to worry about goaltending for the foreseeable future. Not to mention if Mercer goes the other way in the trade, that $5M+ that'd go to a Mercer extension would be going to Saros which makes the cap difference negligible.

 

[My3Sons]

It’s painful to watch these last few games and know that most of us if not all of us could see the flawed system contributing to the bad goaltending. They make the adjustments and now we have some reason to be optimistic. If only they hadn’t waited 50 games we’d have a much better sense of whether it’s worth going for it with a Markstrom.

 

[theoptimist]

Bleed, Holtz, and 2nd for Marky+Hanifin

 

[My3Sons]

Bleed, Holtz, and 2nd for Marky+Hanifin

No way I’m moving @Bleedred in any deal for Markstrom. Bleed’s unhinged rants have been integral to this forum while I don’t think I’ve ever seen any post by Markstrom here, let alone one with more profanity than a Tarantino movie. Forget it.

 

[PKs Broken Stick]

You would've been angrier with the rumor who Lou was gonna take if he stayed at 9 that year lol

What was the rumor? I can't remember

 

[Rhodes 81]

How are the 2 related

This close to the game, it would be kind of shitty of the Devils to trade away someone that's hyped up to play in a special environment like that. If Mercer or Holtz or somebody is going the other way, it goes a long way with players if they see you let those guys participate before trading them away.

 

[None Shall Pass]

I really want to text the Flames executive (I'll leave it at that since he has a high position with the club and I want to keep his name anonymous.) and ask what the Devils have legit offered to the Flames and vice versa. At the same time I don't want to be nosey and bother this dude.

Do that!!!!!!

It’s painful to watch these last few games and know that most of us if not all of us could see the flawed system contributing to the bad goaltending. They make the adjustments and now we have some reason to be optimistic. If only they hadn’t waited 50 games we’d have a much better sense of whether it’s worth going for it with a Markstrom.

This is where I'm at. We saw the changes and then saw Vitek not give up any regulation goals to Carolina. Like, if the system has this season's Vitek playing that well...

I wish we had a few more weeks of data.

 

[Rhodes 81]

It’s painful to watch these last few games and know that most of us if not all of us could see the flawed system contributing to the bad goaltending. They make the adjustments and now we have some reason to be optimistic. If only they hadn’t waited 50 games we’d have a much better sense of whether it’s worth going for it with a Markstrom.

I was fine sticking with the system for most of the year, but it was the last 15 games or so where the goalies were giving up fewer of the objectively bad goals and we clearly didn't have the horses to run that system this year where it was extremely frustrating. Might have 3-4 more wins in that time which would be a huge difference now.

 

[Lou Bloom]

Let’s just say Mercer + Casey + First?

Saros extended at 8 mil a year 7 years?

Or

Holtz + 1st + Non Casey Prospect

Markstrom 25% retention?

I don’t know. I can get on board with your perspective, it’s not an easy answer. I’ve been on the Saros train for a while, but starting to think it’s better to not empty the cupboard if we can.

Those are both ridiculous prices and not worth it. Markstrom is one year removed from a year similar to Vanecek's current season and is 34 years old. Trading Holtz and a 1st is a massive overpay. I wouldn't give up either on their own for him let alone both.

As much as I like Saros, Mercer + 1st + Casey is a ridiculous price that no team is coming close to paying. That price Is basically similar to what Buffalo got for Jack Eichel. No way is Saros getting anywhere close to that.

If those are the prices than you stand pat at goalie.

 

[Bleedred]

Bleed, Holtz, and 2nd for Marky+Hanifin

Just you losers wait! Enjoy Markstrom with the same goalie coach Rogalski, Ruff and Tom Fitzgerald. The triumvirate of failure! The losing culture will continue! While I move onto the Flames, who have a promising future, where Holtz and Rango will each score 40 next year! Wolf is better than goalie prospect the Devils have had since Brodeur!

And I don’t even have to change my user name because I can still Bleed Red! Flames red!

I can’t wait to sing the red hot song from the 80s with my Lanny McDonald taped on mustache and my mullet wig later tonight!

Go Flames Go!

Did I top Devil Doggo’s heel turn promo?

It’s funnier how people think this team has way more issues than what’s in net. Vanecek has cost the team 5 points with his shitty goaltending. That’s 5 points that would have us above half the teams we’re chasing.

The team is getting healthy and literally can go on a run if they have consistent goaltending. Markstrom and Daws gives us that.

I agree with this, but I’m not ready to give up Mercer or somebody good for Markstrom.

Holtz is a yes?

 

[longislanddevil]

Is Markstrom in goal for Calgary against Detroit at 4pm?

 

[njdevils1982]

Just you losers wait! Enjoy Markstrom with the same goalie coach Rogalski, Ruff and Tom Fitzgerald. The triumvirate of failure! The losing culture will continue! While I move onto the Flames, who have a promising future, where Holtz and Rango will each score 40 next year! Wolf is better than goalie prospect the Devils have had since Brodeur!

And I don’t even have to change my user name because I can still Bleed Red! Flames red!

I can’t wait to sing the red hot song from the 80s with my Lanny McDonald taped on mustache and my mullet wig later tonight!

Go Flames Go!

Did I top Devil Doggo’s heel turn promo?

the only appropriate response is .... woof

 

[The Grinder]

Those are both ridiculous prices and not worth it. Markstrom is one year removed from a year similar to Vanecek's current season and is 34 years old. Trading Holtz and a 1st is a massive overpay. I wouldn't give up either on their own for him let alone both.

As much as I like Saros, Mercer + 1st + Casey is a ridiculous price that no team is coming close to paying. That price Is basically similar to what Buffalo got for Jack Eichel. No way is Saros getting anywhere close to that.

If those are the prices than you stand pat at goalie.

What do you think would be an acceptable/realistic package for Saros?

I agree that’s a lot but also don’t think it’s far off.

 

[Bleedred]

I’m okay with standing pat at goalie and just stopping with the Vitek madness and playing Daws more.

Vitek shouldn’t have even played the last game they let the idiot play. That was a happy accident. That could have easily blown up in our faces if Vitek didn’t miraculously have his best game in about 11 months, coming straight off one of his literally worst games of the season against Calgary where he choked us away any chance at a point and the coach admitted post game that he thought about actually pulling him in the 3rd period because he was having a rough night.

I’m not really looking to bash Vitek yet again as much as I’m saying we’re at this point because we didn’t experiment with playing the other two goalies more.

We did in January, but it was probably already too late by then and we were already in the “we might need Markstrom to save the season!” Territory.

 

[Lou Bloom]

What do you think would be an acceptable/realistic package for Saros?

I agree that’s a lot but also don’t think it’s far off.

Tough to say without a recent precedent, but value wise I can't see the Devils offering much more if you're putting Mercer on the table. Maybe something along the lines of Mercer + Vanecek + Casey for Saros + Trenin with an extension?