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

[Emperoreddy]

Ruff would also be totally out of rope. Goaltending would theoretically be fixed and you would be handed one of the best bluelines in hockey.

That's a pure put up or shut up time.

 

[NjdevilfanJim]

Oh we def can

How?

 

[Emperoreddy]

100%. Hanifin slotting in on the left side allows Luke to breathe. He’s clearly hit a bit of a wall. Bahl isn’t a top 4 guy and might never be. And who knows with Siegs but I’d love to see him in a 2nd pair role.

Plus the idea of him and Luke next year with Dougie, Nemec, and Marino on the right?

You can win a cup or two with that blue line

 

[NjdevilfanJim]

Ruff would also be totally out of rope. Goaltending would theoretically be fixed and you would be handed one of the best bluelines in hockey.

That's a pure put up or shut up time.

Vtek goes back in trade he's gone otherwise you have to pay him next year....LTIR is our cap room this year...Hanifan is good but he does not use his size and is not a first pair dman....Markstrom I can see ok Holtz but not Hanifan and losing Mercer..

Signing TT is another dumb move the Zamboni driver will be getting up the ice quicker pretty soon

 

[NjdevilfanJim]

Hanifan and Hamilton as top pair just when you thought the Devils couldn't get softer....

 

[Alex NJD]

Haven't been able to post for weeks due to audit busy season (just filed tonight) and I come right back to all this Markstrom smoke

Think Holtz is gone but I felt Holtz was gone for sure in the Timo trade and he wasn't

 

[OmNomNom]

if true, flames would be taking another solid PKer from us

Coleman
Shara
Mercer

 

[Bleedred]

Fun facts about Jacob Markstrom.

He made his NHL at Prudential Center against the Devils. It was in relief for Scott Clemmensen, who was pulled after the 1st period by none other than Pete DeBoer. Markstrom did get the decision that day because he allowed what wound up being the game winning goal.

Scott Clemmensen and Jacob Markstrom were goalie partners for much of the lockout shortened 2013 season and parts of the 13-14 before he was traded to Vancouver in the Luongo deal, as well as during Markstrom’s call ups the previous years. So they have a relationship or at least they’re more than acquaintances. They go back a long ways.

Obviously not as far back as Marty and Clemmensen go; but they go far back. At least for Markstrom it’s pretty far back.

 

[NjdevilfanJim]

if true, flames would be taking another solid PKer from us

Coleman
Shara
Mercer

I hope Mercer rumors are BS ....If they want Hanifan just go get him in ufa in three months don't get giving up assets and firsts for him....Kinda felt Holtz goes and probably best for him but Mercer too it's just stupid hopefully false....

 

[Camille the Eel]

Hope the whole thing is bullshit. If we are getting Tkschuk okay, major restructuring can be contemplated. But none of the rest of the names being mentioned moves the needle much and why are we pushing the panic button?

 

[Better Call Sal]

Is there even a legitimate rumor about Mercer's involvement? Or is this just speculation?

We know Markstrom is a centerpiece, are there any actual legs to a Hanifin inclusion?

 

[Combat Koala]

I sure as shit hope those rumors ain't true. Desperation move at best and the other GM's know it. Not a fan of giving up assets for a 34 year old goalie despite the good numbers. Don't think Hanifin is an answer to their defensive woes either if he is included.

 

[Guadana]

I dont like mercer's trade. People fooling themselves when they are thinking the idea to trade player who is third best in points from his draft in his third season is good. Its not.

I dont think Mercer is worth 6-7 mil now, but I dont see a problem to bridge him.

 

[NJDevs26]

I keep forgetting Timo can play RW just fine because Ruff keeps playing him on the left side for reasons I'm not sure about.

It’s the Adam Oates school of forcing guys to play on the side of their handedness

 

[NJDevs26]

Haven't been able to post for weeks due to audit busy season (just filed tonight) and I come right back to all this Markstrom smoke

Think Holtz is gone but I felt Holtz was gone for sure in the Timo trade and he wasn't

I’m gonna roll my eyes if it turns out to be Mercer + Casey for Noah and Markstrom while Holtz is still trapped in jail

 

[Whaddagoal]

I dont like mercer's trade. People fooling themselves when they are thinking the idea to trade player who is third best in points from his draft in his third season is good. Its not.

I dont think Mercer is worth 6-7 mil now, but I dont see a problem to bridge him.

My thoughts too. Seems really dumb to trade mercer for a goalie who looks good but is soon to be a fossil. Mercer has potential to grow still and if we give him at this stage we will regret it.

If anyone bahl or holtz (sad face) would be better choices - and I'm still seeing some huge potential in Bahl. He's sort of at the point where he can figure it out and be a force back there (we've seen good games from him). Holtz unfortunately makes the most sense to lose if anything. He isn't well liked by Ruff but could be a good player with more trust and ice time from a coach.

I’m gonna roll my eyes if it turns out to be Mercer + Casey for Noah and Markstrom while Holtz is still trapped in jail

Yup! That would be a future losing move.

 

[My3Sons]

This isn’t the time to suddenly make a goalie move. That should have happened months ago. If they make this trade and miss thr playoffs which is still easy to do you’ve given away part of the future for nothing. Not worth it.

 

[AfroThunder396]

I'll believe it when I see it. There's certainly too much smoke for it to be nothing, I'm sure there are talks. But given how much Fitz has preached long-term patience and trusting the process, I find a desperate/panic move with overpayment to be extremely out of character.

I also think "the Devils will trade Mercer" is very low-hanging fruit for speculation because we're clearly not moving Jack/Nico/Bratt/Luke/Nemec and our other prospects aren't very appealing outside of Casey. Mercer and Holtz are the logical "futures" guys to include in a speculative package, just like people were eager to put him in the Mercer deal.

It all comes down to price, I'd like Markstrom but if Fitz puts all his eggs in the basket while STILL retaining Lindy he's wrapping an anchor around his own damn neck.

 

[StevensRocks]

Getting old as a team in one trade

 

[StevensRocks]

Mercer plays every day. Never hurt. A keeper

 

[Monsieur Verdoux]

This isn’t the time to suddenly make a goalie move. That should have happened months ago. If they make this trade and miss thr playoffs which is still easy to do you’ve given away part of the future for nothing. Not worth it.

Markström and Saros aren't rentals, but otherwise I mostly agree.

Especially I wouldn't trade Mercer for Markström.

 

[Call Me Al]

i hate this trade rumor with a passion. why would we sell low on a 21 year old all situations potential 30 goal guy to buy high on a 34 year old goalie whose been inconsistent his whole career?

and why do this after the team had seemingly figured it out as far as defense is concerned? we’ve gotten 4 great goaltending games in a row now. obviously we can still use an upgrade but not at the expense of such a valuable piece

 

[Guadana]

My thoughts too. Seems really dumb to trade mercer for a goalie who looks good but is soon to be a fossil. Mercer has potential to grow still and if we give him at this stage we will regret it.

If anyone bahl or holtz (sad face) would be better choices - and I'm still seeing some huge potential in Bahl. He's sort of at the point where he can figure it out and be a force back there (we've seen good games from him). Holtz unfortunately makes the most sense to lose if anything. He isn't well liked by Ruff but could be a good player with more trust and ice time from a coach.



Yup! That would be a future losing move.

It's mostly idiotic to trade him for something "now". He isn't "has potential" , he will grow. He scores 27 goals in his second season as 20yo, he is third best in points and goals for 2020 draft , he is very young and will be young all of the time he is under control. Devils can bratted him and sign on the short cheap deal, and when this team will be healthy and he will gain more experience, he will be consistent 25-30 goal scorer with not so many pp time and some special all around duties. He is very healthy player too - at least until now.
Its crazy to trade him for Markstrom or even for Hanifin, when we didn't trade him for Meier. He is helping and will help more with the depth of the offensive group. We need this guy. And if we want to sign Hanifin, we can do it for free from the market. If we want to waste Mercer for Markstrom than I don't know what to say. Its idiotic level of move. Both.

I'm ok to trade Holtz, he isn't very consistent two way player, he still isn't good for major role, he is complimentary player and with Bratt, Meier and I hope with Mercer who is much better player even with some worser skills, Holtz can't crack the top 6.He should play more and should be asking for less. He is very good passer and can find open spot, he should be very attractive for a lot of teams, he is cheap and his room to grow is big, I think he is competent enough now to play regular role as nhler. We are good to have better players and prospect Lenny to make a trade for Holtz.
Is it good to trade him for Markstrom? If he has two good years - ok, I can live with it. If not - I'm not a big fan of a goalie for one spring, that will be traded for the entire 2020 season how bad we played to have 7OA pick.

I would prefer to trade Kahkonen.
I'm ok to trade Allen for reasonable price. Or Lankonen.
I would prefer to trade Saros for Holtz and picks and prospects outside Casey.
I can live with the trade of Saros for Mercer or Casey.
I can live with the trade of Markstrom for Holtz.
I would prefer to save Mercer, Casey and Gritsyuk. All of them should not be involving in the trade for Markstrom.

 

[Triumph]

It’s the Adam Oates school of forcing guys to play on the side of their handedness

The Devils have several players who have almost exclusively played on their off-side this year. Absolutely no idea why this would even be brought up.

 

[JrFischer54]

i dont know why people are lumping mercer into this deal for markstrom really doubt he will be sent there doesn't make sense for markstrom. that would be a holtz or casey and pick/s. mercer would be invovled in a saros level/timeline goalie fitz knows this the calgary gm knows this. doubt it happens