Assuming framework is in place
Structure, bonuses, protection and I’m assuming timo wants close to his qualifying offer in terms of salary in year 1
Devils team discussion (news, notes and speculation) - 2023 offseason part II
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Structure, bonuses, protection and I’m assuming timo wants close to his qualifying offer in terms of salary in year 1
- May 1, 2011
- 135,853
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He didn't have as bad of a season as I thought, but let's be serious. He's turning 37 years old. He's not as good as as Mercer or Bratt.
If you really expect him to be as good as them then I don't know what to tell you.
Bratt had 73 points in 82 games, Wheeler paced for 63 if he played 82. Bratt is better than Wheeler already.
Mercer was a 21 year old second year player and still wasn't outproduced by a whole lot by Wheeler and averaged over a half a minute less per game.
He's not the washed up sack of shit I initially made him out to be, but he's not as good as the players you mentioned and he's also not as good as Phil Kessel was in 2015 (before he started winning cups) either.
Ripshot 43
Registered User
- Jul 21, 2010
- 14,345
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Alright, who’s volunteering to do the wellness check on Bleed?
Wouldn't Wheeler occupy the same overpaid veteran role currently taken up by Palat? Haula is the underpaid veteran looking to hang on. I'm not sure where Wheeler would fit in anyway.
Stephen Gionta
Boston College > Boston University
Wheeler can skate extremely well.
But yeah his age is definitely a concern. He is still worth the look. Leave no stone unturned.
Stephen Gionta
Boston College > Boston University
I think the idea behind looking into Wheeler as a potential option for this team is that we lack offensive right handed forwards (Mercer is the only one), and we lack big bodied forwards. He fits the bill in both categories.
With the assumption that he can be had one a 1 year deal, (whether UFA signing if bought out, or trading for him) it's definitely worth digging into. With the resume he has over the course of his career, if it's not working out with him by game 40 of the season, you could flip him to another team. There's 30 other teams out there, someone will 100% be interested, especially if you retain salary.
Even if they can’t get a deal done by draft day, 0% chance Meier gets traded, especially with the arbitration date likely another month away. Had Bratt not signed by now, yeah the days around the draft could have been very interesting for him.
But yeah, agreed. I’m sure Fitz wants to have this knocked off his “to-do” list before draft day so he can focus on working magic in other places. Even if he doesn’t make any moves on draft day, I’m sure he’ll be mingling with every other GM and planting some seeds.
In his prime maybe. Can't imagine he's much more then an average skater these days.
Tend to think that was a factor in the lack of pushback the coach spoke of. Older slower player is going to have difficulties when the opposition shifts gears.
Anyways, I don't think this whole discussion is much more then board chatter, but Wheeler doesn't make much sense imo.
Zippy316
aka Zippo
A bought out Wheeler at 2 million or so would make a lot of sense (considering that he would be making 4.25 on a buyout).
Think he would be a nice balance to this forward group especially if Haula returns along with Palat. The defensive game is an issue, but most players on this team are quite strong defensively. Also at some point, you would think he wants a chance at winning a cup, I would hope he would buy in a little more defensively to do so.
Meier - Hughes - Mercer
Bratt - Hischier - Wheeler
Palat - Haula - Holtz/Clarke
Boqvist - McLeod - Bastian
Foote - Lazar
Part of me is also coming around a bit on the core leadership group. Seems like Hischier and company have gotten a real buy in from the team. We might be getting closer to the “take in problematic teammate” point.
If we bring in Wheeler and he plays to the level that we then want to then trade him mid season, there is not going to be much of a market for him.
I don't see a whole lot in his numbers which suggest he is a bad defender. Doesn't look like they use him much defensively but he's right in the middle of the pack on that team.
Stephen Gionta
Boston College > Boston University
When somebody with the track record of Wheeler doesn't have success in one destination, there will be a long list of general managers lining up to acquire him to see if he can have success with their group.
I think you underestimate the confidence of many GMs that think "their team" could be the team that will bring out the best in player X.
For a year at a reasonable cap hit without giving much up it's fine but if he gets bought out as has been reported on the main board, my guess is some team overpays him and NJ shouldn't be doing that.
- Dec 20, 2018
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Uh, let’s just say Jets fans have different expectations for the Hellebuyck return.
Is that 2nd in the right spot? They aren’t spending a 2nd for the opportunity to retain 3.75m in salary. (Helly makes 7.5m this year.)
My youngest is headed there for freshman orientation in late July. I can probably check on him then.
Better Call Sal
Salnalysis
If this were a cheap pickup post WPG buyout, and he came here and stunk, I'd guess we'd just release him.
Stephen Gionta
Boston College > Boston University
Not a fan of throwing big bucks to a goalie, especially one at age 30. 3-4 years? Sure. Anything past that, no thanks.
I’m not all that interested because…
IN SCHMID I TRUST!! I know it isn’t a big sample size but the kid has ice water in his veins and looks the part.
Besides….Mercer will need a new deal and at some point Luke/Nemec will command big $. Fitz has been an amazing GM because he is forward thinking. I don’t think Helly with the AAV he will command, is something Fitz will ne keen on.
I’m not all that interested because…
IN SCHMID I TRUST!! I know it isn’t a big sample size but the kid has ice water in his veins and looks the part.
Besides….Mercer will need a new deal and at some point Luke/Nemec will command big $. Fitz has been an amazing GM because he is forward thinking. I don’t think Helly with the AAV he will command, is something Fitz will ne keen on.
I think my max is like 8x4 or 7x5. I'm not taking a hardline stance on Schmid one way or the other. The majority of goalies are meh that can have runs of being great and then runs of being poor. I think it's much more likely he's that type of guy than a bonafide high end goalie you can rely on year over year.
Guadana
Registered User
"I never played with better third line center than Nico".
"We drinked vodka with Okhotyuk behind the rink, but he left me, amma sad about it"
"New Jersey is what exactly you can see in Sopranos"
"I like part of Devils fans, for other part I am tolerant for"
In real life I`m watching it now. For now from everything I saw interesting, he is working more on his shot, on the training he hit the bar 7 times in a row
Emperoreddy
Show Me What You Got!
Fitz has earned the benefit of the doubt with me that if he decides to go in that direction with Helly, then I'll support it
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