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

[Hisch13r]

While I agree MTL fans over value Anderson, all the other fanbases seem to under value him. There's a reason why multiple teams are interested, the guy brings alot of intangibles that teams covet. While his contract length has red flags, he's certainly not negative value like some here are suggesting. He's far from perfect but his speed, physicality and goal scoring touch looks like a good fit with alot of the smaller pass first players we have on our team. Kinda like that Fitz quote about "different types of players" you guys been preaching. I don't think the price for him will be right, but I'm def in on trading Johnsson for him, not like he's bringing back anything else.

No he definitely is a player who should be treated as negative value. 5.5x5 for a mediocre 3rd liner should be treated as negative value. He’s also 28 and plays a very physically demanding style that doesn’t age well. Even if you’re someone who hates Johnsson it shouldn’t be hard to realize you’re eating one year at 3.4 vs eating 5 years at 5.5. He’s the perfect example of a player that moron dinosaurs overvalue.

 

[Hisch13r]

It's not the fact he's not a good player. It's his awful contract. No way I want to pay a 3rd liner 5.5 mill for the next 5 years. It would be one thing if it was a 2 year deal or something.

I mean it is also the fact that he's not a good player. He's big, fast, hits things, scores goals decently well. On the other hand he can't pass the puck and his play driving at both ends is bad. The goals are the only things that he'd bring that are of any actual value but it's not like we're going to be hurting for goals or people who can score goals. The last time Anderson was actually legitimately good was 18-19. Then he had a nightmare 19-20 where he was bad, injured, and got shoulder surgery

You want someone who is big, fast. and is better at playing hockey? Go sign Mikheyev.

You want someone who is big, physical (in a functional way that actually moves play the right way), is better at playing hockey, and has room for offensive growth if he gets some luck? Go trade for Puljujarvi.

 

[minibrodeur]

No he definitely is a player who should be treated as negative value. 5.5x5 for a mediocre 3rd liner should be treated as negative value. He’s also 28 and plays a very physically demanding style that doesn’t age well. Even if you’re someone who hates Johnsson it shouldn’t be hard to realize you’re eating one year at 3.4 vs eating 5 years at 5.5. He’s the perfect example of a player that moron dinosaurs overvalue.

He's not negative value lol. NHL GMs want him and that's a fact. As I said I am very aware of the red flags in his contract length. If you'd like I can put it in bold for you. 28 years old and you're concerned? The reality is we only have so many options. Take look at free agency, all the players that have been suggested as acquisitions are pretty much the same age or older and are going to demand a similar contract. I'm sure the cost of acquiring him will be too expensive so I'm not really advocating going to get him. But... he's a right handed shot power FWD with the potential to slot in our top 6, and has many of the assets we and our GM have constantly stated as a need. Like I said he's being undervalued by most fanbases, GMs seem to have a different opinion on him.

 

[Mgd31]

If Fitz's big move this offseason is to acquire Josh Anderson, I think I may just light myself on fire.

 

[Bankers Box]

Devils need to be on Ethan Bear for 3RD. Something around Ty Smith.


You dont re sign Severson if Bear is better.

Bear is not even close to Severson's level. Even Ty Smith is worth significantly more than Bear.

 

[ChicksDigTheTrap]

The reality is we only have so many options

I think that is where some of the disconnect is. The Devils have plenty of bodies at F. The Devils can afford to wait for the right fit. IMO Zetterlund will provide much better value on a much cheaper contract than Anderson. Spend the savings on an impact player. Fitz has also mentioned many times not wanting bad contracts on the books when the Devils are contending in a couple of years.

 

[Triumph]

He's not negative value lol. NHL GMs want him and that's a fact. As I said I am very aware of the red flags in his contract length. If you'd like I can put it in bold for you. 28 years old and you're concerned? The reality is we only have so many options. Take look at free agency, all the players that have been suggested as acquisitions are pretty much the same age or older and are going to demand a similar contract. I'm sure the cost of acquiring him will be too expensive so I'm not really advocating going to get him. But... he's a right handed shot power FWD with the potential to slot in our top 6, and has many of the assets we and our GM have constantly stated as a need. Like I said he's being undervalued by most fanbases, GMs seem to have a different opinion on him.

He is negative value. Almost all players on a long-term contract that takes them past 30 are, but especally Anderson, a one-trick pony who plays a difficult physical style and who has already sustained major injuries, who is paid like a good 2nd line forward when being a meh 3rd line one. Anderson should not slot in a top 6, that's the problem with him, he cannot pass the puck, players like this should not be in a 'top 6' unless they are exceptional goal scorers and Anderson is not that, he's good, not great. I don't want him playing with Hughes or Hischier.

'NHL GMs want him and that's a fact'. Is it? Or do you just listen to the Montreal media too much?

 

[SteveCangialosi123]

Anderson is like a beefier Miles Wood with more finish. Extremely limited player. He’s a guy that’s fun to have for a little and then discard when it’s time to pay him.

 

[Guttersniped]

Is Anderson to NJ being discussed in any way other than the ludicrous 2OA trades?

I’ve only heard his name in that context so I don’t even see why we’re discussing him. Hughes reported stance is he’s not particularly inclined to trade him unless he gets the right offer.

Even if someone was intrigued by Anderson I don’t see how they would have any interest in the garbage 2OA trade proposals or the idea of making a generous offer to get Hughes to part with him.

Why this guy? What are you planning to give up for him?

 

[minibrodeur]

He is negative value. Almost all players on a long-term contract that takes them past 30 are, but especally Anderson, a one-trick pony who plays a difficult physical style and who has already sustained major injuries, who is paid like a good 2nd line forward when being a meh 3rd line one. Anderson should not slot in a top 6, that's the problem with him, he cannot pass the puck, players like this should not be in a 'top 6' unless they are exceptional goal scorers and Anderson is not that, he's good, not great. I don't want him playing with Hughes or Hischier.

'NHL GMs want him and that's a fact'. Is it? Or do you just listen to the Montreal media too much?

Yes it's a fact, teams inquired at the deadline, he was chosen for team Canada's WC team, teams are inquiring now. Not negative value, maybe not a top 6 guy on a good team but would very likely slot there on our team atm. Guess we'll have to agree to disagree.

 

[AfroThunder396]

Just because a guy is traded or is talked about in trades doesn't mean he has value. Andreas Johnsson was traded for an AHL player, that's basically free. Andrew Hammond was similarly free. Jon Gillies was free. There was "interest" in those guys but they were functionally given away for nothing.

We live in an era where contracts are traded like commodities. Weber, Clarkson, Horton, Pronger, Savard, Zetterburg, Bishop. Contracts are often just as important if not more important to a players value than their hockey playing ability is.

Anyone trading for Anderson is taking on huge risk considering his age, contract, and play style. The reward is relatively minor in comparison, his ceiling is a 3rd liner with some PP time. Can you imagine watching him trying to keep up with Jack Hughes or Jesper Bratt at even strength? It's pathetic to think about.

He's not a good player and everyone interested in him is blinded by his on-paper attributes and things he did 5 years ago.

If they offered me Anderson for a NJ's 7th I might take it but I'd have to think about it. Our cap will dry up quickly over the next two years if the kids are as good as we think they are.

 

[Triumph]

Yes it's a fact, teams inquired at the deadline, he was chosen for team Canada's WC team, teams are inquiring now. Not negative value, maybe not a top 6 guy on a good team but would very likely slot there on our team atm. Guess we'll have to agree to disagree.

Team Canada's WC team is nothing. Here's some other superstars on that team - Max Comtois, Noah Gregor, Morgan Geekie, Eric O'Dell, and Nicolas Roy. The only top line guys on that team were Barzal and Dubois.

I also don't believe that teams inquired at the deadline. This is a player with 5 years left on his deal. The only way you swap a guy like this is if you have a similarly shitty contract and most teams do not have one, because Anderson's deal is one of the worst in the league.

 

[FooteBahl]

If Fitz's big move this offseason is to acquire Josh Anderson, I think I may just light myself on fire.

I’ll bring a gas can big enough for two lol

 

[minibrodeur]

I wasn't referencing team Canada as a notion to his skill level but to reinforce my statement that he is liked by GMs. Maybe why they gave him an A over players on that roster we have on our own team. Pierre Lebrun has reported continuous GM interest. I'll say it again, agree to disagree.

 

[Stephen Gionta]

I have a growing suspicion we might be neck and neck with Philly as the favorites to sign Johnny Gaudreau.

 

[Saugus]

If Fitz's big move this offseason is to acquire Josh Anderson, I think I may just light myself on fire.

Good thing the "big" move is more likely to be drafting Slafkovsky or finding a competent goalie.

 

[FinnishDevil]

If theres one thing thats for sure its NHL GMs liking big, gritty, physical players and overpaying them whether its free agency or trade. MTL got an attractive piece in Anderson and Fitz needs to stay away from the bidding game. Wouldnt be surprised if Philly is on it.

Good player, negative value, injury prone and few steps from becoming the next lucicladderiksson type contract.

 

[glenwo2]

Good thing the "big" move is more likely to be drafting Slafkovsky or finding a competent goalie.

 

[Mr Bojanglez]

Anderson is like a beefier Miles Wood with more finish. Extremely limited player. He’s a guy that’s fun to have for a little and then discard when it’s time to pay him.

good description. I also have a dirty joke comparison but i'll stay hockey-focused.

 

[StevenToddIves]

That’s a f***ing awful deal for us. He’s making 5.5 FOR THE NEXT 5

I was kidding -- the point was that Montreal fans are considering Anderson a "trade target" when the reality is he's a salary dump who no one will take on unless the Habs seriously sweeten the deal.

 

[Triumph]

If theres one thing thats for sure its NHL GMs liking big, gritty, physical players and overpaying them whether its free agency or trade. MTL got an attractive piece in Anderson and Fitz needs to stay away from the bidding game. Wouldnt be surprised if Philly is on it.

Good player, negative value, injury prone and few steps from becoming the next lucicladderiksson type contract.

He is not an attractive piece. Even NHL GMs, who love size and speed and grittiness, would not pick this guy up on waivers. They wouldn't take him for free.

 

[Oneiro]

If you want to take any cues from Tampa, a group with a pretty versatile set of forwards, you'll note that, aside from Palat at 5.3M, they don't commit over 5M to any of their crash-bang guys and the majority of the cap space is dedicated to the high end skill guys.

They've cycled through value contracts in Goodrow, Coleman, Paul, Hagel, Bellemare, Colton and I guess Perry/Maroon too. Franchise-equivalent of Warren Buffett as far as identifying bottom six value. Of course, they paid in draft capital.

Only way to improve on this would be to actually draft those types of players, and it remains to be seen if we have truly done that. I'd love for Zetterlund, Thompson, etc. to become as useful as those guys but not holding my breath. Part of what makes those guys useful to a championship team is the amount of experience they accumulated before coming to TB.

I also think this is an implicit argument to shoot pretty damn high (boom/bust) in the later rounds of the draft. Is true bottom six value for a contending team ever that young?

Bottom line: never do the Backes, Anderson, Lucic, etc. thing. Like, ever. Draft them? Yeah sure. But never carry their third deals.

 

[Stephen Gionta]

If you want to take any cues from Tampa, a group with a pretty versatile set of forwards, you'll note that, aside from Palat at 5.3M, they don't commit over 5M to any of their crash-bang guys and the majority of the cap space is dedicated to the high end skill guys.

They've cycled through value contracts in Goodrow, Coleman, Paul, Hagel, Bellemare, Colton and I guess Perry/Maroon too. Franchise-equivalent of Warren Buffett as far as identifying bottom six value. Of course, they paid in draft capital.

Only way to improve on this would be to actually draft those types of players, and it remains to be seen if we have truly done that. I'd love for Zetterlund, Thompson, etc. to become as useful as those guys but not holding my breath. Part of what makes those guys useful to a championship team is the amount of experience they accumulated before coming to TB.

Bottom line: never do the Backes, Anderson, Lucic, etc. thing. Like, ever. Draft them? Yeah sure. But never carry their third deals.

This. This. This. This.

Kucherov. Point. Stamkos. Hedman. McDonagh. Vasilevsky.

We have some of our big deals locked in - Hughes. Hischier. Hamilton. Soon to be Bratt. Eventually L Hughes.

We have room for a Johnny Gaudreau/Alex DeBrincat/Matthew Tkachuk/David Pastrnak.

 

[Devils731]

Not good enough for the U20 team? He is a bust; hopefully the Devils can flip him for a second round pick asap.

 

[NjDevsRR]

If you want to take any cues from Tampa, a group with a pretty versatile set of forwards, you'll note that, aside from Palat at 5.3M, they don't commit over 5M to any of their crash-bang guys and the majority of the cap space is dedicated to the high end skill guys.

They've cycled through value contracts in Goodrow, Coleman, Paul, Hagel, Bellemare, Colton and I guess Perry/Maroon too. Franchise-equivalent of Warren Buffett as far as identifying bottom six value. Of course, they paid in draft capital.

Only way to improve on this would be to actually draft those types of players, and it remains to be seen if we have truly done that. I'd love for Zetterlund, Thompson, etc. to become as useful as those guys but not holding my breath. Part of what makes those guys useful to a championship team is the amount of experience they accumulated before coming to TB.

I also think this is an implicit argument to shoot pretty damn high (boom/bust) in the later rounds of the draft. Is true bottom six value for a contending team ever that young?

Bottom line: never do the Backes, Anderson, Lucic, etc. thing. Like, ever. Draft them? Yeah sure. But never carry their third deals.

Also take cues of the coaching. Cooper is a magician. How he is able to adjust accordingly after devastating losses this postseason has been a pleasure to watch. We will eventually need that.