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

[Hockey Sports Fan]

You’re definitely too low on Nate but yes Bo is a more than serviceable bottom 6er who was solid defensive forward last year and should’ve been brought back

I don’t think Boqvist wanted to be here, which is why i think Fitz probably looked for a trade and ultimately decided to let him go. Boqvist knows he’d be playing for the same coach that thought Miles Wood was better. He knows the Devils are bringing in more depth and that he has no chance at a top-6 role barring an extremely unlucky run of injuries (i just knocked on SO MUCH wood).

Obviously Fitz could have brought him back anyway, or let him sit out without a contract, or let leak that Boqvist demanded a trade or wasn’t happy with his role. But i think Fitzgerald’s garnering a really good reputation amongst the league’s players, and he knows that a few small good deeds can snowball into players like Meier taking discounts because they believe in the team and its culture.

 

[devilsblood]

I would bet really good money that Tierney is going to be in Utica, so I don't think that's who Boqvist was in competition with. Foote was.

Said it before, but when Shara and Boq were being benched in the playoffs the writing was on the wall.

The team was just not liking what they were seeing from these guys. I liked Boq, and his skating, but the team clearly wanted to get bigger and tougher even if it means slower.

 

[Hisch13r]

I would bet really good money that Tierney is going to be in Utica, so I don't think that's who Boqvist was in competition with. Foote was.

Even then I’d still rather have Bo around. If he just flat out wanted out then fine. If it was a Fitz decision then I disagree with that. Also when we already have Lazar I’d rather have Bo as the other extra than Nosek. Lazar and Nosek as 13/14 forwards should be strictly 4th line replacements. I’d rather have one of them and one of a Bo type that can play higher if need be

 

[devilsblood]

Ya. I'd go Nosek at 3C and McLeod at 4C.

I was twisting tails a little, but I think McLeod as 3C is much more likely given his speed and playoffs.

 

[guitarguyvic]

Well, first off, Boqvist is a legit NHLer as opposed to the two guys you randomly brought up. And yes, I rather much keep a guy who's shown to play at a decent level in a higher role than those two guys especially Bastian.

What exactly would Boq bring to the fourth line? He produces at a similar level, while being less physical and not being good defensively or on faceoffs.

He’s a replacement level player that no longer had a spot on the roster that suited his limited play style. He may be a legit nhler, but just like those other previous players that posters here wrung their hands about, his departure is likely to be completely inconsequential.

 

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

You’re definitely too low on Nate but yes Bo is a more than serviceable bottom 6er who was solid defensive forward last year and should’ve been brought back

Bastian is better 5v5 but I'd give McLeod overall edge because of him being more important to the PK + his face-offs actually matter there (lol here we go with another faceoff argument on this board). Boqvist at 900k-1M would've been perfect to bring back.

 

[guitarguyvic]

No, it's not. Those players never went on to have NHL careers. Boqvist is an NHL-level player, he is not a body, nor is he a prospect, but he's a player of limited utility. He may flourish elsewhere, but I doubt it.

That he’s a better player than those other guys wasn’t the point. The point is that his leaving means almost nothing in the grand scheme of things (just like it did with those guys), which you naturally acknowledge in the last sentence and a half after executing your usual MO of arguing just for the sake of arguing.

 

[My3Sons]

NJ could bury Nosek’s cap hit if need be. Maybe he’s insurance if Foote doesn’t impress in camp and for McLeod? It is above league minimum though. They obviously wanted him over other guys.

 

[Triumph]

Even then I’d still rather have Bo around. If he just flat out wanted out then fine. If it was a Fitz decision then I disagree with that. Also when we already have Lazar I’d rather have Bo as the other extra than Nosek. Lazar and Nosek as 13/14 forwards should be strictly 4th line replacements. I’d rather have one of them and one of a Bo type that can play higher if need be

I think there's only so long an organization should keep a young player as a 13th forward and the Devils had reached it with Boqvist. I'd rather have him but I understand the rationale for letting him go, and I definitely understand the rationale for not letting him go to arbitration.

 

[Billdo]

NJ could bury Nosek’s cap hit if need be. Maybe he’s insurance if Foote doesn’t impress in camp and for McLeod? It is above league minimum though. They obviously wanted him over other guys.

I think this, way more than Tierney, is an indicator that they're unsure of a certain centers availability for the season.

 

[jkrdevil]

NJ could bury Nosek’s cap hit if need be. Maybe he’s insurance if Foote doesn’t impress in camp and for McLeod? It is above league minimum though. They obviously wanted him over other guys.

He’s above the buried threshold (which I believe is $900k). So Nosek in the minors Carrie’s a $100k cap hit.

Nosek will be on the team. Tierney (who is on a two-way) can probably sneak though waivers and during camp and be the odd man out if Foote and Clarke make it.

 

[TheNeutralZone]

He’s above the buried threshold (which I believe is $900k).

I thought the threshold was 1.150M for next year...

 

[Andre Palot]

We are certainly going to miss Boqvist's speed. Boqvist was fast and elusive on the ice. The only main issue was he didn't really get regular playing time.

 

[jkrdevil]

I thought the threshold was 1.150M for next year...

I’ll have to look. You may be right.

Still the guy on the two way is going to be first in line to be sent down.

 

[theoptimist]

Interesting signing today considering the McLeod rumors. If clear of wrongdoing, McLeod is a core player.

What is Tatar doing?

 

[guitarguyvic]

We are certainly going to miss Boqvist's speed. Boqvist was fast and elusive on the ice. The only main issue was he didn't really get regular playing time.

“Speed” is going to be the next generation’s version of “toughness”. There’s more to the game than just being fast.

This team has plenty of speed throughout the lineup. Losing some speed from a guy who was playing limited games/minutes isn’t going to make a big impact. In fact, replacing him with players that bring a different, but just as important, element to the roster likely makes the team better overall. Which is exactly what Fitz is doing. I think he’s proven to know what he’s doing.

 

[My3Sons]

“Speed” is going to be the next generation’s version of “toughness”. There’s more to the game than just being fast.

This team has plenty of speed throughout the lineup. Losing some speed from a guy who was playing limited games/minutes isn’t going to make a big impact. In fact, replacing him with players that bring a different, but just as important, element to the roster likely makes the team better overall. Which is exactly what Fitz is doing. I think he’s proven to know what he’s doing.

Part of the issue is that many posters conflate all toughness with low skill slow low IQ face punchers and cheap shot artists. You can be a decent defensive forward who can move decently and provide some checking and penalty killing and play a solid role on a winning team. Some folks lose sight of the balancing act. Boquist was a near miss. A skilled player who lacked just that little bit extra that would have made him a decent top six playmaking winger. Had he truly developed maybe he could have played like Tatar? We NJ fans forget just how long it took to develop a core and Boquist was part of that endeavor as was Zacha. When they didn't quite make that leap it was time to find guys who could complement the core they have. We will see if Holtz can develop enough to turn that corner.

 

[Saugus]

Haula Jack Tafolli
Timo Nico Bratt
Palat McLeod Mercer
Foote Nosek Bastian

Holtz back to Utica.

If Haula ends up with Hughes again, I think it's more likely to look like this:

Haula-Hughes-Toffoli
Meier-Hischier-Bratt
Palat-Mercer-Holtz
Nosek-McLeod-Bastian
Lazar, Foote

I can't imagine we'd end up with McLeod on the third line, and I think Holtz is going to stick out of camp this year. Mercer is probably better on the wing long-term, but if need be he's a better option for 3C than any of McLeod, Nosek, or Lazar.

As it happens, I think we're more likely to start with Haula on the third line:

Mercer-Hughes-Toffoli
Meier-Hischier-Bratt
Palat-Haula-Holtz
Nosek-McLeod-Bastian
Lazar, Foote

Something like that to start. Naturally, injuries and Ruff's tinkering will invalidate that immediately.

 

[Jason MacIsaac]

Foote (6'4) - Nosek (6'3) - Bastian (6'4)

Although Foote's is a small sample size, all could be good to very good defensively.

 

[bossram]

Even then I’d still rather have Bo around. If he just flat out wanted out then fine. If it was a Fitz decision then I disagree with that. Also when we already have Lazar I’d rather have Bo as the other extra than Nosek. Lazar and Nosek as 13/14 forwards should be strictly 4th line replacements. I’d rather have one of them and one of a Bo type that can play higher if need be

IMO Boqvist is just a replacement-level player. There's no loss there.

I see Nosek as a legitimate, tough minutes bottom-six player. He's an effective PKer. He'll absolutely be a lineup regular.

Lazar gets bumped to 13th and Tierney to Utica, which is where they should be.

The "higher in the lineup" spot available is open for one of Holtz, Clarke, Foote, or Thompson to grab in training camp or later via call-up.

 

[My3Sons]

IMO Boqvist is just a replacement-level player. There's no loss there.

I see Nosek as a legitimate, tough minutes bottom-six player. He's an effective PKer. He'll absolutely be a lineup regular.

Lazar gets bumped to 13th and Tierney to Utica, which is where they should be.

The "higher in the lineup" spot available is open for one of Holtz, Clarke, Foote, or Thompson to grab in training camp or later via call-up.

NJ has waited a long time for Thompson and Foote. Hopefully one of them shows something worth keeping in camp. It would be shame to lose them on waivers without getting a fairly long look in real games but on another level it's a sign the team is really turning the corner.

 

[JimEIV]

If Haula ends up with Hughes again, I think it's more likely to look like this:

Haula-Hughes-Toffoli
Meier-Hischier-Bratt
Palat-Mercer-Holtz
Nosek-McLeod-Bastian
Lazar, Foote

I can't imagine we'd end up with McLeod on the third line, and I think Holtz is going to stick out of camp this year. Mercer is probably better on the wing long-term, but if need be he's a better option for 3C than any of McLeod, Nosek, or Lazar.

As it happens, I think we're more likely to start with Haula on the third line:

Mercer-Hughes-Toffoli
Meier-Hischier-Bratt
Palat-Haula-Holtz
Nosek-McLeod-Bastian
Lazar, Foote

Something like that to start. Naturally, injuries and Ruff's tinkering will invalidate that immediately.

If a coaching staff moves Mercer out of the top 6 for Haula they should be flogged and publicly humiliated by large crowds throwing tomatoes and soiled baby diapers at them while chained to the Brodeur statue in the plaza.

 

[bossram]

NJ has waited a long time for Thompson and Foote. Hopefully one of them shows something worth keeping in camp. It would be shame to lose them on waivers without getting a fairly long look in real games but on another level it's a sign the team is really turning the corner.

The org seems to like Foote. Thompson has just had so much lost development time to injury...hard to say where he goes. I wouldn't bank on him, more just that there is a spot for someone to claim.

 

[My3Sons]

The org seems to like Foote. Thompson has just had so much lost development time to injury...hard to say where he goes. I wouldn't bank on him, more just that there is a spot for someone to claim.

Holtz can still go to Utica if need be which eases one roster spot if he doesn't impress. Fitz always likes his internal competition for young players so Foote Thompson and Holtz will all get pushed. If Thompson isn't quite a fit maybe they do him a solid and send him to Buffalo for a conditional seventh?

 

[Hisch13r]

NJ has waited a long time for Thompson and Foote. Hopefully one of them shows something worth keeping in camp. It would be shame to lose them on waivers without getting a fairly long look in real games but on another level it's a sign the team is really turning the corner.

I think Thompson’s a dud and I don’t think the team would care much about losing him. Foote I don’t think will be a top 9er but could be the Wood replacement. There really isn’t that much competition and they seem high on him so even if he isn’t great I think they might keep him around