Devils team discussion (news, notes and speculation) - camp edition

[Emperoreddy]

Didn't people want us to trade for Labanc at one point?

 

[NJ DevLolz]

I know people want to s*** on the Stillman pick, and I wouldn’t have made the pick because it was clear he didn’t have upside; however, if he becomes a guy who plays 200-300 games (sort of like Bastian) it’s a pretty good outcome based on where the pick was. Especially considering it was in the Covid year

 

[Nocashstyle]

Didn't people want us to trade for Labanc at one point?

After his 3rd season when he put up a 56 points after also showing promise in his first two years.

He’s done absolutely nothing since.

 

[PizzaAndPucks]

I know people want to s*** on the Stillman pick, and I wouldn’t have made the pick because it was clear he didn’t have upside; however, if he becomes a guy who plays 200-300 games (sort of like Bastian) it’s a pretty good outcome based on where the pick was. Especially considering it was in the Covid year

It is what it is. He had a decent rookie season in the AHL and has looked good in the prospects games so far. He still has upside to carve out as a bottom 6 player.

Better than nothing and they can be useful when they are on such cheap deals.

 

[dgibb10]

He finally got healthy.

He also got moved to PP1

 

[RSeen]

I know people want to s*** on the Stillman pick, and I wouldn’t have made the pick because it was clear he didn’t have upside; however, if he becomes a guy who plays 200-300 games (sort of like Bastian) it’s a pretty good outcome based on where the pick was. Especially considering it was in the Covid year

Definitely should have taken some swings, but if he becomes an energy 4th liner that is relatively effective, then it is what it is. Still TBD if that is the case.

 

[Peter Sidorkiewicz]

I'm surprised Leblanc is only 28 years old. He should be still in his prime.

2024 player review Kevin Labanc: Thanks for the memories

Coming into the season, everyone was pretty sure this was the last hurrah for Kevin Labanc in teal. It seemed clear that Labanc didn’t mesh well with San Jose Sharks Head Coach David Quinn and the two…

www.fearthefin.com

Sounds like he is a Holtz like player. Has skills on power play. Could be useful at even strength if paired with the right players but defensively he is poor.

I like the tryout contract. We are lacking right shot forwards. I wouldn't mind signing him as depth. Even if he does get waived and doesnt make the opening day lineup.

 

[Guadana]

Stillman was a very bad pick and he will be forever. It’s good that he at least can become a depth player. He needs to develop positional vision but if he will - he will have a chance.

 

[TheUnseenHand]

Stillman was a very bad pick and he will be forever. It’s good that he at least can become a depth player. He needs to develop positional vision but if he will - he will have a chance.

One of our worst picks ever for sure. He's not an NHL player imo and I don't think he ever will be.

 

[Monsieur Verdoux]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1835656655742116033

 

[JimEIV]

It's weird that so many people are willing to call Stillman a horrible pick but not McLeod....In my view, it's virtually the same type of pick with slightly varying level of magnitude in draft position and talent.

 

[JimEIV]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1835656655742116033

I have see this exact statement from various serious reporters for at least 6 weeks now.

One guy even said "Maybe today". Two weeks ago.

I guess it's one of those situations where if you say every day you'll eventually be right....

 

[MasterofGrond]

It's weird that so many people are willing to call Stillman a horrible pick but not McLeod....In my view, it's virtually the same type of pick with slightly varying level of magnitude in draft position and talent.

McLeod was a bad pick and (for the vast majority of his tenure) a bad player.

 

[HBK27]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1835679072980009195

 

[TheUnseenHand]

It's weird that so many people are willing to call Stillman a horrible pick but not McLeod....In my view, it's virtually the same type of pick with slightly varying level of magnitude in draft position and talent.

Mikey at least always had that speed. He wasn't a great pick and I remember several folks on here calling it out as a bad pick on draft day. But at least he had one NHL element. Stillman has nothing.

 

[JimEIV]

McLeod was a bad pick and (for the vast majority of his tenure) a bad player.

Holt and Smith are probably worse though?

 

[Saugus]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1835679072980009195

They spelled Welinski's name wrong in the graphic.

That must be so frustrating for people with names ending in -ski, having them routinely misspelled.

 

[HBK27]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1835672207558627511

Lineup with numbers:

 

[Hisch13r]

Holt and Smith are probably worse though?

Smith sure. McLeod didn’t start to look like anything more than an average 4th liner until 7 years after he was drafted. Holtz still has another 3 years until that. Holtz also showed last year that he can be an offensive producer

 

[JimEIV]

Mikey at least always had that speed. He wasn't a great pick and I remember several folks on here calling it out as a bad pick on draft day. But at least he had one NHL element. Stillman has nothing.

Speed and I would add his face off attribute was one of his best qualities also...he definitely added energy to the team but is that what you want from a relatively high first round pick?

Measured against the 11th pick in the 2016 draft. McAvoy, Chychrun still on the board?

 

[JimEIV]

Smith sure. McLeod didn’t start to look like anything more than an average 4th liner until 7 years after he was drafted. Holtz still has another 3 years until that. Holtz also showed last year that he can be an offensive producer

I agree Holtz still has time to prove that he belongs in the NHL...where we might differ though is what he has proven up to this point...I honestly don't believe Holtz has shown much of anything. His game is too incomplete for a few goals here and there to mean anything.

 

[My3Sons]

Stillman just scored a nice goal against the Boston prospects. Maybe there is a bit more skill in him than he gets credit for.

 

[Hisch13r]

I agree Holtz still has time to prove that he belongs in the NHL...where we might differ though is what he has proven up to this point...I honestly don't believe Holtz has shown much of anything. His game is too incomplete for a few goals here and there to mean anything.

He had practically the same scoring rates as Toffoli last year. Holtz was always drafted to be a complimentary offensive player to the stars yet they never ever gave him a shot with them even when he showed he can be productive. Honestly the worst part about the pick is they picked him knowing what his faults were and then never giving him a chance because of those faults.

 

[HBK27]

Stillman just scored a nice goal against the Boston prospects. Maybe there is a bit more skill in him than he gets credit for.

https://x.com/i/web/status/1835682814999818384

 

[Mgd31]

Holt and Smith are probably worse though?

McLeod, Holtz and even Smith are worse picks for sure. Stillman was a late first rounder. Most of those guys don't make it at all.