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

[devilsblood]

Flames fan coming in peace.

I think Saros would struggle if traded to the Devils. He has always had a more structured system around him that limits scoring chances. The Preds started playing a bit more of a run and gun system this year with less structure and his numbers are down quite a bit.

Markstrom struggled last year when the Flames had a structured system (who knows why, but he always seemed to struggle if his team lets up no chances). He seemed to thrive again when the team started playing a more loose system and letting up many breakaways and odd man rushes this year.

I know a deal will likely never get done either way because the Flames seem to be asking for a lot more than the Devils are willing to part with. But I do think Markstrom would be a great "fit" with the Devils compared to Saros based on systems. Just my opinion.

It's been gone over a bunch here, but the problem with Markstrom is 2 fold. Age and contract.

Sounded like Fitz wanted Calgary to retain, and Calgary balked. Or at least balked considering what Fitz was offering in terms of assets going the other way.

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

Timo was wild in playoffs and not in a good way. I know you guys love the guy but group think here is terrible.

NHL playoffs: Devils need more from Timo Meier against Hurricanes' lockdown defense

The Devils traded for star forward Timo Meier hoping he'd be a weapon for them in the playoffs. That hasn't been the case so far.

ca.sports.yahoo.com

Did you ever stop to think that maybe, just maybe, you are wrong, and maybe it isn't "group think"?

 

[HBK27]

Why exactly is DeSimone still here if we're not going to play him when short RD and roll with Smith instead of Hatakka, who seemed to play well before his demotion?

 

[thaman8765678]

It's been gone over a bunch here, but the problem with Markstrom is 2 fold. Age and contract.

Sounded like Fitz wanted Calgary to retain, and Calgary balked. Or at least balked considering what Fitz was offering in terms of assets going the other way.

Yeah, I don't really know what to believe. A year ago we would have had to give up assets to trade Markstrom, so I find it hard to believe our GM would decline any decent offer. Considering his value will likely never be higher. And we need to start losing games to get a better pick, and Markstrom keeps stealing them.

I heard Holtz + a 1st, but then Conroy didn't want to retain. But I've also heard he was offered Mercer + a 1st for Markstrom with retaining 50%. But then Conroy had said no unless Casey/Holtz was added and that stalled things.

I find the second proposal almost impossible to believe. Because while retaining that much salary is definitely worth an add, those 3 assets combined would probably be the highest value a goalie has ever been traded for, and he is 34. I think some Flames fans who think a goalie is worth that much are crazy.

 

[Call Me Al]

Why exactly is DeSimone still here if we're not going to play him when short RD and roll with Smith instead of Hatakka, who seemed to play well before his demotion?

good luck trying to make sense of lineup decisions

 

[JrFischer54]

I'm almost as nervous about Saros as I am Markstrom. Saros seems to be a prime candidate to fall off a cliff. He's too small to rely on just covering a ton of net so as soon as his extreme athleticism goes, even just a little, I think he's going to struggle.

lol you guys are just never happy anymore lol lets just keep vitek at this point i say

 

[Monsieur Verdoux]

I was just listening a Finnish podcast called Kimanttia. Kimmo Timonen is a co-host there and he said that Fitzgerald asked him a lot about Saros when they were both in Nashville (Captains' Night couple weeks ago). Timonen said to Fitzgerald that Saros is a great guy and the Devils should trade him if it's possible.

Nothing surprising, but I wanted to share this anyway.

Another host, a play-by-play announcer Antti Mäkinen, said he heard (from the source) that Alexander Holtz is trade bait for the Devils, and he's almost sure the Devils will trade Saros, Markström or Gibson before the trade dealine or in the summer. It sounded like the talk about Holtz is from the source and latter part is his own speculation, but it is also possible that the whole thing is from the source.

I wouldn't be surprised if his source was a certain Finnish development coach who works for the Devils. But this is just my own speculation.

 

[SteveCangialosi123]

Just my opinion, Toffoli does not fit on this team and just another reason we lose too many games.

The lack of speed is becoming more and more noticeable. He cannot generate enough speed on most puck chases, always spins around when tailed knowing he will be caught, and slows the entire line in order to prevent avoid off sides. Am I the only fan who sees this? Wow.

And he also does not hit. No physicality whatsoever. At least Timo is bulldozing.

I mean he does lead the whole team in goals by 4. What would a good fit be doing? And he’s been credited with 54 hits. Palat has 62, Timo 58, Mercer has 19.

 

[guitarguyvic]

Giving up yet another young cost controlled winger to for two years of aged goalie who likely isn’t gonna make a significant difference…I don’t understand the desire for this.

Who is replacing Toffoli’s production when we move on from him possibly as soon as this offseason?

 

[JrFischer54]

Just my opinion, Toffoli does not fit on this team and just another reason we lose too many games.

The lack of speed is becoming more and more noticeable. He cannot generate enough speed on most puck chases, always spins around when tailed knowing he will be caught, and slows the entire line in order to prevent avoid off sides. Am I the only fan who sees this? Wow.

And he also does not hit. No physicality whatsoever. At least Timo is bulldozing.

thats fine trade him. where are we replacing those 30+ goals? this summer on top of a goalie we would then have to find a 30+ proven goal scorer that is young fast and hits. is there anyone like that going to market this year? whats the price tag going to be to get them here?

 

[JimEIV]

lol you guys are just never happy anymore lol lets just keep vitek at this point i say

It's a better choice...than a 34 year old goaltender for a 22 year old former #7 overall 3 years ago.

Who is replacing Toffoli’s production when we move on from him possibly as soon as this offseason?

His other two linemates who'll be able to skate freely and unobstructed.

 

[Triumph]

Why exactly is DeSimone still here if we're not going to play him when short RD and roll with Smith instead of Hatakka, who seemed to play well before his demotion?

Hatakka would never play in this scenario. DeSimone is here in case there are multiple injuries on RHD. But I agree that it doesn't make a lot of sense - someone is operating from an era when left shot D on the right side was extremely common.

 

[JrFischer54]

It's a better choice...than a 34 year old goaltender for a 22 year old former #7 overall 3 years ago.

the hottest of hf hot takes in a long time. thats sizzling brother!

 

[njdevil26]

I really don't understand the Toffoli slander. Yeah his foot speed is not ideal.. but he leads the team in goals. We aren't just going to replace that with someone in the system.

Again a lot of this team's problems stem from lineup decisions made by this coach.

I want so badly to see Ruff give Toffoli-Hughes-Meier a try. Meier should be playing where he played in San Jose.

I don't understand having to stick Haula with Hughes. Makes no sense to me. Haula has to lead the league in the last month getting thrown out of the faceoff dot... so it's not even a good excuse to say he's there so Jack doesn't have to take faceoffs.

 

[JimEIV]

the hottest of hf hot takes in a long time. thats sizzling brother!

Truth is often uncomfortable

 

[guitarguyvic]

It's a better choice...than a 34 year old goaltender for a 22 year old former #7 overall 3 years ago.


His other two linemates who'll be able to skate freely and unobstructed.

For that Fitz might as well have kept Shara.

This is why in hindsight Fitz' most recent moves are becoming more and more questionable.

 

[JimEIV]

For that Fitz might as well have kept Shara.

This is why in hindsight Fitz' most recent moves are becoming more and more questionable.

I do think he got ahead of himself with the success of last year. I'll hold off on judgement until I see how he reassesses the situation and addresses the new reality.

 

[JrFischer54]

For that Fitz might as well have kept Shara.

This is why in hindsight Fitz' most recent moves are becoming more and more questionable.

that was only a matter of time. the guy hasn't scored in a month i dont even know if he will crack 30 this year. you take away that 10g in 10games and he definitely isn't

 

[JimEIV]

If trading Holtz for a 34 year old goaltender might be the ticket for a deep playoff run I'd be all for it...but if you look at where this team is right now and be honest...we aren't anywhere close to a deep playoff run.

And a 34 year old goaltender will be 35 next year and the entire landscape will be different by next year.

 

[Devils731]

But if you want, Holtz has only been one of the most efficient goal scorers in the league at 5 on 5 is a fine statement that shows he’s doing something. That something is scoring lots of goals for his little amount of ice time.

Holtz up to 26th best in the league after last game.

For me, scoring lots of goals for your ice time should be considered as “doing something”

 

[Andre Palot]

Another host, a play-by-play announcer Antti Mäkinen, said he heard (from the source) that Alexander Holtz is trade bait for the Devils, and he's almost sure the Devils will trade Saros, Markström or Gibson before the trade dealine or in the summer. It sounded like the talk about Holtz is from the source and latter part is his own speculation, but it is also possible that the whole thing is from the source.

I wouldn't be surprised if his source was a certain Finnish development coach who works for the Devils. But this is just my own speculation.

 

[SteveCangialosi123]

If trading Holtz for a 34 year old goaltender might be the ticket for a deep playoff run I'd be all for it...but if you look at where this team is right now and be honest...we aren't anywhere close to a deep playoff run.

And a 34 year old goaltender will be 35 next year and the entire landscape will be different by next year.

A 34 year old goalie on a 92 point team that was worse than us at almost everything throughout the season last year got hot and made a run to the cup. You can’t predict this stupid sport.

 

[glenwo2]

Why exactly is DeSimone still here if we're not going to play him when short RD and roll with Smith instead of Hatakka, who seemed to play well before his demotion?

DeSimone's is probably like "I can buy a ticket and sit in the crowd to watch the game and it'll be the same experience. If they're not going to play me, then put me back on waivers!"

 

[NjdevilfanJim]

Giving up yet another young cost controlled winger to for two years of aged goalie who likely isn’t gonna make a significant difference…I don’t understand the desire for this.

Who is replacing Toffoli’s production when we move on from him possibly as soon as this offseason?

Yes they should keep Holtz he will replace Toffoli sir allows Meier back to RW use that asset as part of a goalie trade....Can't wrap my head around dealing a young player who has produced even though the coach has done everything to make it hard for him to produce....Dump the coach

 

[AfroThunder396]

As has been said previously by other posters, Sharangovich was a healthy scratch after the Meier trade. He didn’t have a role here. His scoring evaporated, his ice time went down. He was a good PKer, but we have a lot of good PKing forwards. They tried him at center and it didn’t work.

There was nothing more here for him, which is a shame because I like the player. But it’s obvious that he lost his spot and wasn’t going to get it back.

The only reason people want to have this conversation is because of the insane injuries and regression of multiple forwards on this roster.