Devils team discussion (news, notes and speculation) - 2023 offseason part II

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

I have no interest in bringing Tatar back. Especially at 3 million.

 

[Bcap88]

f*** Tatar and his Houdini act

 

[TrufleShufle]

f*** Tatar and his Houdini act

Let me show you a bunch of charts which shows that you and a couple other teams that thought he also sucked in the playoffs were wrong, so we can sign him again and be upset all over again.

 

[njdevils1982]

f*** Tatar and his Houdini act

Houdini'd out the cuffs, kicked the screw in the knee
I took the Bailiff's wallet and went straight to OTB
I had a good feeling easy come easy go
I bet on one horse to win and another and so
And sure enough, that nag came in
Brought my ticket to the window and collected my win
And I broke into my new car with a wire coat hanger
Hot wired hot wheeled and, "Suzy is a headbanger"






joey sings it a bit different on this one.. lower register than on leave home album ...still sounds great

 

[Devs3cups]

I’d 100% take Tatar back for 1 year at around 2.5-3 mil.

 

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

Pretty obvious the remaining money is left for a goalie trade and Fitz will probably keep it open til the last possible second for that upgrade. Would love Tatar back but seems like his career is just going to be helping bottom feeders become respectable because idk what happens to the guy come playoffs.

 

[Forge]

Pretty obvious the remaining money is left for a goalie trade and Fitz will probably keep it open til the last possible second for that upgrade. Would love Tatar back but seems like his career is just going to be helping bottom feeders become respectable because idk what happens to the guy come playoffs.

This is my thinking as well. I'm not sure how long he'll sit on it... Not a ton left on the market and I don't think there's any way we go into the year nearly 5 million shy of cap

 

[Aurinko]

Love wood, really do, seems like a good fun guy, was fun to have when the team was bad.

But no place for him on a team trying to win the cup, which is sad

Sir.. I would count the Avalanche as a team that is trying to win the cup.

On paper Wood seems easy to replace, but when you have a good locker room guy that was also part of the best 4th line in hockey, it could be a huge loss. My eye test said he was a big part of the Devils aggressive style of hockey (especially in corner brawls) and cant be replaced by a young high skill player.

I'm guessing Colorado saw in him something we did too, since they don't sign bad players $15,000,000 contracts.

 

[TheUnseenHand]

Let me show you a bunch of charts which shows that you and a couple other teams that thought he also sucked in the playoffs were wrong, so we can sign him again and be upset all over again.

You do have to make the playoffs to disappear there though, and he was definitely a big part of the team making it. It is odd how ineffective he seems to become in the playoffs because it's not like he's a soft permiter player. I was actually really surprised by how competitive he is and willing to go to the front of the net. He gave an honest effort every game he played with us and that is more than you can say for a fair amount of the roster.

I'd take him back on a short term deal.

 

[Ripshot 43]

Is it normal for Fitz to not have had a presser after day 1?

 

[FooteBahl]

Is it normal for Fitz to not have had a presser after day 1?

He’s too busy being fanned and fed grapes…or he’s in Winnipeg giving Helle a HJ.

 

[Ripshot 43]

He’s too busy being fanned and fed grapes…or he’s in Winnipeg giving Helle an HJ.

You know you have to provide sources right?

 

[Whaddagoal]

You do have to make the playoffs to disappear there though, and he was definitely a big part of the team making it. It is odd how ineffective he seems to become in the playoffs because it's not like he's a soft permiter player. I was actually really surprised by how competitive he is and willing to go to the front of the net. He gave an honest effort every game he played with us and that is more than you can say for a fair amount of the roster.

I'd take him back on a short term deal.

I'd probably do the same, but it was a bit surprising he didn't do a post season lockeroom cleanout interview. The only player on the entire team not to do one.

Perhaps he was already pissed at being told he probably won't be back? I think they had meetings before the cleanouts.,

 

[Ripshot 43]

I'd probably do the same, but it was a bit surprising he didn't do a post season lockeroom cleanout interview. The only player on the entire team not to do one.

Perhaps he was already pissed at being told he probably won't be back? I think they had meetings before the cleanouts.,

He’s been in the league 10+ years. He definitely wasn’t planning on being back with the way he exited.

 

[devsfan8]

Not everyone HAS to be a playoff hero. Tatar played 1st line minutes last year. He was a key part of the team In the regular season. I'd bring him back for 1 year for sure. Let him be a non factor come post season.

I don't think it's obvious that the remaining space is for a goalie at all. In fact I think it's a Helleybuck of nothing mindset because he is an obvious upgrade but he Fitz is content with VV and AS otherwise.

 

[Nubmer6]

This is my thinking as well. I'm not sure how long he'll sit on it... Not a ton left on the market and I don't think there's any way we go into the year nearly 5 million shy of cap

We really only have about 1.5m in cap space once we re-sign Bahl and fill in the 23 man roster with our rookies.

That's a very reasonable amount to have going into the season.

 

[Hisch13r]

Not everyone HAS to be a playoff hero. Tatar played 1st line minutes last year. He was a key part of the team I nteh regular season. I'd bring him back for 1 year for sure. Let him be a non factor come post season.

I don't think it's obvious that the remaining space is for a goalie at all. In fact I think it's a Helleybuck of nothing mindset because he is an obvious upgrade but he is content with VV and AS otherwise.

The goalie is definitely priority #1 or they would’ve used it already. The longer they wait the more slim the pickings get up front.

 

[Billdo]

He’s been in the league 10+ years. He definitely wasn’t planning on being back with the way he exited.

The way he left was wildly unprofessional tbh. He didn't know he had to speak? f*** off, he's done it every other year. He was told he wouldn't be back so he took his ball and went home. I liked Tatar and I wanted him back but he's an absolute ghost in the playoffs and we're a playoff team now.

 

[SJinNewJersey]

Sir.. I would count the Avalanche as a team that is trying to win the cup.

On paper Wood seems easy to replace, but when you have a good locker room guy that was also part of the best 4th line in hockey, it could be a huge loss. My eye test said he was a big part of the Devils aggressive style of hockey (especially in corner brawls) and cant be replaced by a young high skill player.

I'm guessing Colorado saw in him something we did too, since they don't sign bad players $15,000,000 contracts.

I wish Wood all the luck in the world and hope he plays well for them. However, I think Wood's body, because of his style of play, is beginning to break down. I think it was nice to have him around, but I don't think he will be productive for the next six years.

 

[Billdo]

I wouldn't be surprised if they're not going to do anything with it.

The goalie is definitely priority #1 or they would’ve used it already. The longer they wait the more slim the pickings get up front.

 

[Blender]

If we're relying on Tatar to be a huge contributor in the playoffs, our top players aren't performing and that is a far bigger problem

He was one of the most dominant 5on5 players in the league last year and completely caved in the competition almost every shift. Who is replacing that?

 

[devsfan8]

Habs had no trouble going on a run with Tatar few years back and getting to the finals as a team mate of Toffoli amd others. Whether he was a factor or not.

I couldn't care less if Tatar never scores a single playoff goal again! He was a key part of the team last season.

I'm pretty sure Fitz is still looking for a wing as he said it the other day "maybe something different on the wings" when asked if he was done. Granted, Tatar is not something different. But as names sign elsewhere and all these 1 year deals are becoming a trend, Tatar is certainly not a ridiculous option and does make us a deeper team up front whether anyone wants to admit it or not.

I really don't think he is holding out for a goalie upgrade. Hellybuck is possible even with minimal space because 1) winnipeg would retain 50% for this season and 2) VV would obviously be going the other way in a deal. That can be put together still if need be. I think it's become pretty obvious that the Devils are more then willing to stick with their tandem in net. Whether we agree or not.

I'm not saying Tatar is a priority but IF Fitz really would like one more proven wing to give Holtz some camp competition and push the kids harder, why not circle back to Tatar for another year?

 

[Hisch13r]

If we're relying on Tatar to be a huge contributor in the playoffs, our top players aren't performing and that is a far bigger problem

He was one of the most dominant 5on5 players in the league last year and completely caved in the competition almost every shift. Who is replacing that?

The answer is Toffoli. It’s about as one to one a replacement as you’ll find. Giving up some playdriving and gaining some production for basically the same cap hit. Now I’d prefer to add Toffoli to Tatar rather than replace but that is the replacement. A Palat-Haula-Tatar 3rd line would be nice

 

[Triumph]

By the numbers, Tatar's previous playoff disappointments seem more like ones of bad luck, the other numbers are fine. Tatar's on-ice numbers work out to a +4 xG over 40 games which seems pretty darn good to me, the issue was that he couldn't finish and his linemates couldn't finish.

Tatar was at a 48 xG% on this playoff run, and the neutral zone prowess he showed in the regular season all but disappeared. That's why I don't want him back.

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

Sir.. I would count the Avalanche as a team that is trying to win the cup.

On paper Wood seems easy to replace, but when you have a good locker room guy that was also part of the best 4th line in hockey, it could be a huge loss. My eye test said he was a big part of the Devils aggressive style of hockey (especially in corner brawls) and cant be replaced by a young high skill player.

I'm guessing Colorado saw in him something we did too, since they don't sign bad players $15,000,000 contracts.

why do people just say these things willy nilly like this? They are not true.

losing Miles Wood is addition by subtraction. Even good teams and good GMs make bad moves.