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

[FinnishDevil]

We should celebrate all our former great Czechs...Elias, Holik, Sykora, Jagr, Richard Smehlik

Leaving out the GOAT Pavel Zacha.

 

[My3Sons]

The trade wouldn’t just be for this season. It would be for this and the remainder of his contract. By then we should have an idea a to what we got in net to come after him, or a cup by then. If daws plays the way he does along with Markstrom that’s a dangerous team that can go on a run and they’re only 2 points out of a wildcard spot (which is better for them so they don’t get matched with the canes first round).

The trade should have happened months ago, but it also could’ve been even more expensive to acquire one. One closer to the deadline might drop the price slightly.

So I highly disagree. You get the goalie now and if you make the run to the playoffs with him great, if not you got him the next 2 full seasons and hopefully a new staff by then too.

I get your point. It's valid since Markstrom has more time on his deal but to me the optics look awful if NJ does this and fails to make the playoffs. I also think if no other team trades for Markstrom he's traded for less after the season ends. Part of it is also just how badly they've mismanaged the season in my view. We fans could see the struggle with Ruff's system and finally after about 50 games they see it too? How can they be that obstinate? If it was just the injuries and goalies holding NJ back rather than the egos behind the bench I'd be more open to the idea.

 

[JimEIV]

Leaving out the GOAT Pavel Zacha.

I was going to add Karl Rachunek

 

[Nubmer6]

I was going to add Karl Rachunek

R.I.P.

 

[Killing Joke]

The crying over the toffoli trade is peak devils fans in here. Yegor is not better than Toffoli. He’s faster that’s it. He’s not a better player.

Some of you genuinely have no idea how to evaluate talent or how teams that win cups get built.

A lot of you want to keep holding onto every player we draft that shows an ounce of skill thinking they’re gonna create this super team.

Mercer is a player with good counting stats over the years and meh actual impacts. He relies on other players doing the heavy lifting. He’s a complimentary piece. Holtz even more so though his shot is good, it’s not utilized and his worth to the devils is using him as a trade piece to strengthen holes in the team.

 

[JimEIV]

R.I.P.

Shit I didn't realize he was on that plane...or just forgot.

 

[Killing Joke]

I get your point. It's valid since Markstrom has more time on his deal but to me the optics look awful if NJ does this and fails to make the playoffs. I also think if no other team trades for Markstrom he's traded for less after the season ends. Part of it is also just how badly they've mismanaged the season in my view. We fans could see the struggle with Ruff's system and finally after about 50 games they see it too? How can they be that obstinate? If it was just the injuries and goalies holding NJ back rather than the egos behind the bench I'd be more open to the idea.

Waiting until the season ends to address goaltending is even worse than trading for him and missing. Especially after failing to address this in the off season.

You’re two points out, you’re getting healthy, you absolutely make the move that gives your team a push, not do nothing and tell the team f*** if you guys are shit and not it this year.

 

[My3Sons]

Waiting until the season ends to address goaltending is even worse than trading for him and missing. Especially after failing to address this in the off season.

You’re two points out, you’re getting healthy, you absolutely make the move that gives your team a push, not do nothing and tell the team f*** if you guys are shit and not it this year.

I like your optimism. Hopefully they can make a trade without sending out Mercer and I’d prefer to keep Holtz as well.

 

[Killing Joke]

I like your optimism. Hopefully they can make a trade without sending out Mercer and I’d prefer to keep Holtz as well.

I’m fine with trading one or the other, not both. Neither make or break the team if they’re gone.

 

[My3Sons]

I’m fine with trading one or the other, not both. Neither make or break the team if they’re gone.

I tend to agree with you but I think Mercer is a long term top six right wing. He’s having an off year but he will bounce back and he probably has multiple 30 goal seasons in him with good effort and some push back. The team has paid Bratt and Meier so I don’t know that they want to pay Mercer top dollar long term which may make him available.

 

[NJDevs26]

I tend to agree with you but I think Mercer is a long term top six right wing. He’s having an off year but he will bounce back and he probably has multiple 30 goal seasons in him with good effort and some push back. The team has paid Bratt and Meier so I don’t know that they want to pay Mercer top dollar long term which may make him available.

True, I’m sure Mercer was a lot more ‘untouchable’ last year when Timo and Bratt’s contract status were more up in the air compared to now

 

[NJDevilsFan21]

What are the odds Dougie goes the other way in a Markstrom + Hanifin bundle? Not that I want to, but that would do wonders in opening up some cap space for us in the short-term (for even just trying to retain the UFA Hanifin).

 

[NJDevs26]

Zero, why would Calgary take him back after not wanting to pay him and binning him off?

 

[JimEIV]

What are the odds Dougie goes the other way in a Markstrom + Hanifin bundle? Not that I want to, but that would do wonders in opening up some cap space for us in the short-term (for even just trying to retain the UFA Hanifin).

I couldn't imagine Calgary would want to take Dougie's contract on

 

[Saugus]

Zero, why would Calgary take him back after not wanting to pay him and binning him off?

Because there are a few art museums in Calgary that Dougie hasn't been to yet, and he really wants to go.

 

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

Definitely saving up for those games in Czech

 

[SteveCangialosi123]

What are the odds Dougie goes the other way in a Markstrom + Hanifin bundle? Not that I want to, but that would do wonders in opening up some cap space for us in the short-term (for even just trying to retain the UFA Hanifin).

0% in that deal. But I could see him being dealt at some point in the next couple years. Probably before the young D need to get paid.

 

[guitarguyvic]

Did we lose to the Kings or was that a bad dream?

What does this have to do with the post of mine you quoted?

 

[MadDevil]

Shit I didn't realize he was on that plane...or just forgot.

Don't feel bad, a couple weeks ago I almost made a joke about what is Rachunek up to when people were naming random former Devils, before I remembered he was on that plane.

 

[Bcap88]

Hopefully Lindy is behind the bench for the Prague trip


For Buffalo that is

 

[My3Sons]

True, I’m sure Mercer was a lot more ‘untouchable’ last year when Timo and Bratt’s contract status were more up in the air compared to now

If they did not make progress on a long term deal I could see Mercer having a different spot in the team hierarchy as far as management is concerned but I’d be very disappointed if the price for Markstrom with retention was Mercer.

 

[JimEIV]

If they did not make progress on a long term deal I could see Mercer having a different spot in the team hierarchy as far as management is concerned but I’d be very disappointed if the price for Markstrom with retention was Mercer.

If Mercer has to be moved for finances or to address other positions fine....but it better not be for a 34 year old anything...let alone a goalie.

12 year age difference is a 100 in hockey years.

 

[My3Sons]

If Mercer has to be moved for finances or to address other positions fine....but it better not be for a 34 year old anything...let alone a goalie.

A number of Calgary fans have alleged his name is out there as part of thr return but whether that was just Calgary’s initial ask or whether NJ said ok if they got retention on Markstrom who knows. They are claiming insiders have said the deal is done so we should find out over the weeks if they are serious or just blowing smoke.

 

[Dylan9z9]

What does this have to do with the post of mine you quoted?

Probably Nothing

 

[JimEIV]

A number of Calgary fans have alleged his name is out there as part of thr return but whether that was just Calgary’s initial ask or whether NJ said ok if they got retention on Markstrom who knows. They are claiming insiders have said the deal is done so we should find out over the weeks if they are serious or just blowing smoke.

It all reeks of panic.