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

[Zippy316]

He did rebound quite nicely for the Rangers in the second half.

I still think Fitz is going to wait for the waiver wire blitz after seeing what Kallgren/Schmid look like in camp. So many teams are stacking up on third and fourth string goalies, someone like Hellberg, Ned, or Lyon is likely to hit the waiver wire and could be a good early season placeholder.

Stalock is also an interesting option of the UFAs. His overall numbers are kind of mediocre, but he seems to be a goalie that gives you 2-3 week spurts of fantastic play. In case of injuries or stretches of bad play, that’s a nice option to have in your back pocket.

 

[Bleedred]

 

[Bleedred]

He did rebound quite nicely for the Rangers in the second half.

I still think Fitz is going to wait for the waiver wire blitz after seeing what Kallgren/Schmid look like in camp. So many teams are stacking up on third and fourth string goalies, someone like Hellberg, Ned, or Lyon is likely to hit the waiver wire and could be a good early season placeholder.

Stalock is also an interesting option of the UFAs. His overall numbers are kind of mediocre, but he seems to be a goalie that gives you 2-3 week spurts of fantastic play. In case of injuries or stretches of bad play, that’s a nice option to have in your back pocket.

Yes and Cory Schneider rebounded quite nicely for the Devils in the second half of 18-19 after 2 straight decline seasons. In the end, he still finished with his third straight decline season, much like Halak just has. The last time Halak looked really good was behind a Bruce Cassidy team. The head coach where Logan Thompson looks great, Adin Hill wins the cup as his starter and Tuukka Rask also experiences the same resurgence at 30-something years old that his teammate Halak had also experienced.

And even in his last year there (Which was a shortened season) was mediocre.

Halak is 38 years old and has been mediocre 3 straight seasons. Stick a fork in him, he's done.

Stalock isn't any good. He had an up season last year on Chicago, as well as a bunch of average seasons in Minnesota, despite poor underlying numbers. Much like Dubnyk, Talbot and the lot of them behind Minnesota. That's a common Minnesota thing.

Stalock is 36 years old and has had trouble staying in the NHL full time. He's not NHL caliber.

We were seriously (probably) better off signing Keith Kinkaid before he signed with the NHL affiliate-less Chicago Wolves last week.

We already dumped Blackwood. These guys have potential to be as bad as him, because both are OLD and Stalock had trouble staying in the NHL 10 years ago.

If Kallgren makes the team over Schmid we've probably got some problems. He sucks for the NHL too. At that point, I may willingly swallow the Halak or Stalock cyanide pill.

 

[guitarguyvic]

The top 9 looks great, but you guys know there will be injuries right? I think the more interesting question is who in the bottom six or from the minors/press box can slot into one of those spots and not drag the team down? I must admit that although we have a more balanced style of forwards when all are healthy, I’m not sure we have as many good “next man up” options as we did last year when the big boys inevitably miss time.

 

[Bleedred]

The writer of that article keeps talking about how consistent Halak has been in his career, and how he's done this and that in his career and how many wins he has (43rd all time or something lol) and how he's had playoff success to take over for Vanecek if he struggles again.

But he doesn't point out that Halak ia 38, has played like a mid to late 30's goaltender his last 3 seasons and that this playoff success was a LONNNGGGGGGG time ago, like it will be FOURTEEN years ago by the next playoffs.

I'm awaiting some article about Cory Schneider still being out there and being a viable option for someone for the NHL, because he's a career .918% goalie and top-5 all time (or maybe even higher than that?) in NHL save percentage lol.

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

The top 9 looks great, but you guys know there will be injuries right? I think the more interesting question is who in the bottom six or from the minors/press box can slot into one of those spots and not drag the team down? I must admit that although we have a more balanced style of forwards when all are healthy, I’m not sure we have as many good “next man up” options as we did last year when the big boys inevitably miss time.

???

Toffoli replaces Tatar. And he is better.
Nosek replaces Wood. And he is better.

all we really "lost" at forward was Sharangovich and Boqvist if you think about it that way. And we also have Tierney and Lazar plus guys like Foote and Holtz knocking on the door. Who did we have last year that was better? I don't think its a big deal either way.

 

[Bleedred]

???

Toffoli replaces Tatar. And he is better.
Nosek replaces Wood. And he is better.

all we really "lost" at forward was Sharangovich and Boqvist if you think about it that way. And we also have Tierney and Lazar plus guys like Foote and Holtz knocking on the door. Who did we have last year that was better? I don't think its a big deal either way.

Not to mention we have Timo Meier coming into the year.

 

[Zippy316]

Yes and Cory Schneider rebounded quite nicely for the Devils in the second half of 18-19 after 2 straight decline seasons. In the end, he still finished with his third straight decline season, much like Halak just has. The last time Halak looked really good was behind a Bruce Cassidy team. The head coach where Logan Thompson looks great, Adin Hill wins the cup as his starter and Tuukka Rask also experiences the same resurgence at 30-something years old that his teammate Halak had also experienced.

And even in his last year there (Which was a shortened season) was mediocre.

Halak is 38 years old and has been mediocre 3 straight seasons. Stick a fork in him, he's done.

Stalock isn't any good. He had an up season last year on Chicago, as well as a bunch of average seasons in Minnesota, despite poor underlying numbers. Much like Dubnyk, Talbot and the lot of them behind Minnesota. That's a common Minnesota thing.

Stalock is 36 years old and has had trouble staying in the NHL full time. He's not NHL caliber.

We were seriously (probably) better off signing Keith Kinkaid before he signed with the NHL affiliate-less Chicago Wolves last week.

We already dumped Blackwood. These guys have potential to be as bad as him, because both are OLD and Stalock had trouble staying in the NHL 10 years ago.

If Kallgren makes the team over Schmid we've probably got some problems. He sucks for the NHL too. At that point, I may willingly swallow the Halak or Stalock cyanide pill.

The way I see it, the Devils are probably going to look at it as Vanecek gets 50% of the games, then Schmid, Kallgren, Daws, and maybe whoever else they add split the rest.

 

[Bleedred]

The way I see it, the Devils are probably going to look at it as Vanecek gets 50% of the games, then Schmid, Kallgren, Daws, and maybe whoever else they add split the rest.

I think they're hoping for a 50/50 split between Vanecek and Schmid, possibly 60/40 in favor of one, with the other two guys getting into games if one of the first two are injured.

My guess is management would be interested in signing Halak to start in the AHL, but I feel like Halak and those other fringe guys that are unsigned (Martin Jones lol) are either gonna hold for an NHL deal, go back to Europe to finish out their playing days or just retire altogether.

 

[Classic Devil]

???

Toffoli replaces Tatar. And he is better.
Nosek replaces Wood. And he is better.

all we really "lost" at forward was Sharangovich and Boqvist if you think about it that way. And we also have Tierney and Lazar plus guys like Foote and Holtz knocking on the door. Who did we have last year that was better? I don't think its a big deal either way.

So, during the height of the streak last season, our lineup was something like:

Tatar - Hischier - Zetterlund
Haula - Hughes - Bratt
Sharangovich - Boqvist - Mercer
Wood - MeLeod - Bastian
Injured: Palat

Five of those players (in bold) are gone.

• Meier (replacing Zetterlund)
• Toffoli (replacing Tatar)
• Nosek (replacing Wood)

The issue, if it is one, is Sharangovich and Boqvist. They're both decent 3rd line forwards, and in that same roster situation (Palat injured), we'd be replacing them with (probably) Holtz and Foote -- two rookiees. We also have, as alternatives, Thompson, Clarke, Bastian (could theoretically move up), McLeod (could theoretically move up), and some other depth forwards in Albany.

There's no doubt that in the sense of established veterans, we're a little thinner both at forward and at defense. But at the same time, I don't necessarily think that is a bad thing. It could be, if all of the younger players we want to move into the roster fail to perform, but I don't think that's a unique problem to us and if we don't give the kids a real chance, then they'll never develop.

It's a worthwhile risk, I think. Not letting Holtz play was a problem a year ago. And it's not like Zetterlund wasn't one of those kids who got a chance and then was able to fill a spot in the lineup, after all. Foote could easily be this year's Zetterlund.

 

[Billdo]

The top 9 looks great, but you guys know there will be injuries right? I think the more interesting question is who in the bottom six or from the minors/press box can slot into one of those spots and not drag the team down? I must admit that although we have a more balanced style of forwards when all are healthy, I’m not sure we have as many good “next man up” options as we did last year when the big boys inevitably miss time.

If someone in the top 6 goes down they can put Haula or Palat into the top 6...

 

[MasterofGrond]

This is Holtz’s year I can feel it.

 

[PizzaAndPucks]

So, during the height of the streak last season, our lineup was something like:

Tatar - Hischier - Zetterlund
Haula - Hughes - Bratt
Sharangovich - Boqvist - Mercer
Wood - MeLeod - Bastian
Injured: Palat

Five of those players (in bold) are gone.

• Meier (replacing Zetterlund)
• Toffoli (replacing Tatar)
• Nosek (replacing Wood)

The issue, if it is one, is Sharangovich and Boqvist. They're both decent 3rd line forwards, and in that same roster situation (Palat injured), we'd be replacing them with (probably) Holtz and Foote -- two rookiees. We also have, as alternatives, Thompson, Clarke, Bastian (could theoretically move up), McLeod (could theoretically move up), and some other depth forwards in Albany.

There's no doubt that in the sense of established veterans, we're a little thinner both at forward and at defense. But at the same time, I don't necessarily think that is a bad thing. It could be, if all of the younger players we want to move into the roster fail to perform, but I don't think that's a unique problem to us and if we don't give the kids a real chance, then they'll never develop.

It's a worthwhile risk, I think. Not letting Holtz play was a problem a year ago. And it's not like Zetterlund wasn't one of those kids who got a chance and then was able to fill a spot in the lineup, after all. Foote could easily be this year's Zetterlund.

Tatar, Sharangovich, Wood and Boqvist were not good in the playoffs.

It sucks seeing certain players go like Zetterlund , Sharangovich and Boqvist being moved out or left to walk as a UFA but we kept our core/best players. We can replace depth guys and have guys in the system like Holtz , Foote and Clarke to battle for a spot. I think the loss of Graves and Severson is more big bit we are strongest in the pipeline when it comes to defense. Luke , Nemec , etc will be difference makers for the big club very soon. We will forget about losing Graves and Severson.

All that matters is us making the playoffs and the the team continues to develop/mature. It really will come down to his good our goaltending is that will decide the next big move we potentially make.

 

[Forge]

This is Holtz’s year I can feel it.

That would be very cool

 

[SteveCangialosi123]

I don’t see how you can realistically have much more depth in a lineup in the salary cap era. The only question mark is Holtz, but you just have to give prospects of his caliber a chance.

 

[MasterofGrond]

I’m significantly more worried about the D depth than the forward depth, tbqh

 

[Andre Palot]

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[My3Sons]

If someone in the top 6 goes down they can put Haula or Palat into the top 6...

Just move Hischier up.

 

[MadDevil]

This is Holtz’s year I can feel it.

I felt it too. Turns out it was just gas from the tacos I had for dinner.

 

[Classic Devil]

Tatar, Sharangovich, Wood and Boqvist were not good in the playoffs.

It sucks seeing certain players go like Zetterlund , Sharangovich and Boqvist being moved out or left to walk as a UFA but we kept our core/best players. We can replace depth guys and have guys in the system like Holtz , Foote and Clarke to battle for a spot. I think the loss of Graves and Severson is more big bit we are strongest in the pipeline when it comes to defense. Luke , Nemec , etc will be difference makers for the big club very soon. We will forget about losing Graves and Severson.

All that matters is us making the playoffs and the the team continues to develop/mature. It really will come down to his good our goaltending is that will decide the next big move we potentially make.

True, but that's not the issue. In a regular season you need depth. And just because players were not good in the playoffs doesn't mean that replacing them with players who have never really been in the NHL before is progress.

 

[Emperoreddy]

That's what it means to be a contender in a cap league.

You pay all your top guys what they are worth and it caps you out, so you got to rely on your drafting and smart budget signings to do the rest.

More established depth would be great, but we can't afford it, and honestly it's something every other major contender is facing.

 

[Hisch13r]

This is Holtz’s year I can feel it.

Needs to be

 

[Hisch13r]

I’m significantly more worried about the D depth than the forward depth, tbqh

I don’t think I am. The top end of the forwards is better (even though our good D are really good). The top 8F might be the strongest in the league. I don’t really trust the depth to play up thogh. I think this really hinges on guys like Foote, Clarke, Holtz ability to play on the top 9. If at least 2 of the 3 can be competent top 9 guys that looks a lot better

On the backend I think Smith and Nemec as the 4LD and 4RD is pretty great depth. I’m not as down on Smith as others. The penalty issues are real but I also think he gets scapegoated. He’s a perfectly fine 6D. Nemec is obviously a bit of a question mark still but I think you can toss him into the lineup in a pinch and be fine. I also think towards the end of the year he’ll be ready to be a full fledged impact player. I also feel confident in Miller as a guy you can move up from the bottom pair into the top 4 and he can handle it. Less convinced on Bahl but I think he can do it

Up front my only concern is the 3RW. 4th line depth is good. Will take a hit if McLeod’s banished but also the 4th line so whatever. Top 6 depth is good. 3rd line depth concerns me. I don’t really have any concerns at all about defensive depth

 

[MasterofGrond]

I don’t think I am. The top end of the forwards is better (even though our good D are really good). The top 8F might be the strongest in the league. I don’t really trust the depth to play up thogh. I think this really hinges on guys like Foote, Clarke, Holtz ability to play on the top 9. If at least 2 of the 3 can be competent top 9 guys that looks a lot better

On the backend I think Smith and Nemec as the 4LD and 4RD is pretty great depth. I’m not as down on Smith as others. The penalty issues are real but I also think he gets scapegoated. He’s a perfectly fine 6D. Nemec is obviously a bit of a question mark still but I think you can toss him into the lineup in a pinch and be fine. I also think towards the end of the year he’ll be ready to be a full fledged impact player. I also feel confident in Miller as a guy you can move up from the bottom pair into the top 4 and he can handle it. Less convinced on Bahl but I think he can do it

Up front my only concern is the 3RW. 4th line depth is good. Will take a hit if McLeod’s banished but also the 4th line so whatever. Top 6 depth is good. 3rd line depth concerns me. I don’t really have any concerns at all about defensive depth

I hear you, but if we lose Hamilton or Marino for an extended period of time then the devils are rolling out luke, nemec, bahl and Miller (in a top 4 role). If siegs goes down then we’re seeing a LOT of smith minutes.

Maybe it’s fine, if the young guys kill it, but to me that’s way riskier than having a so-so 3rd line for a while while the top 6 remains super strong. Easy to forget Bahl spent a large chunk of last year in the wilderness because he finished so strong.

 

[Andre Palot]

Just move Hischier up.

From the 3rd line?? Whatever will we do?