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

[StevenToddIves]

Boqvist is best at C though. I think the team thinks the same as he was tried on the wing but has since been exclusively at C ?
Yes Forsberg Gaudreu Fiala are not the types we need. Of course they would be awesome to add , but we need players like Tkchuck , Wilson , Jeannot , rather than finesse players .
It will be interesting to see which direction they go and who they target .
A lot of what Fitz and Brodeur has said leads me to believe that we will add players that play a heavier game. Players that can handle a heavy fore-check etc .
Not sure they add a 3C . I’d say 3rd lie wingers and or a top 6 winger that helps create space for Nico Bratt Jack .

Get ready for the Reid Schaefer pick in the 3rd round.

Scouting Report: Reid Schaefer - Smaht Scouting

Smaht Scouting's Matthew Somma takes an in-depth look at 2022 NHL Draft prospect Reid Schaefer (LW, Seattle).

smahtscouting.com

 

[Emperoreddy]

Goalie quotes are pretty frank

 

[Nubmer6]

Boqvist is best at C though.

I think that makes Boqvist a prime trade chip. I think other teams would see how he finished the season. He's young and a skill player that should probably either be an 2nd line C or not playing at all, and we have no room for him there.

There's a lot of teams out there looking for centers. I'd hope he could return a wing that's better than him, just purely based on position, if not, a shutdown RHD.

We would, ideally, pick up a shutdown 3C to replace him, anchor the 3rd line, and play on the PK.

 

[Emperoreddy]

Also read between the lines it sounds like Zacha's days are numbered and Smith might be out of luck too.

I assume he looks to replace one of Mango or Tatar on top of that.

 

[None Shall Pass]

Doesn't sound like Fitz is sold on Walsh yet, thank god

 

[Emperoreddy]

Doesn't sound like Fitz is sold on Walsh yet, thank god

Basically if you will take something super short and cheap you can stay, otherwise better look elsewhere.

 

[Auto Pilot]

Regarding ruff, I can see him either sticking around as the HC, or they have him working with hockey ops / player development, which would actually be a great idea. Recchi did wonders for Jack, and I would’ve liked him working in that way as well, but it is what it is. He def shouldn’t have been coaching the pp.

They need another top 6 winger, and goalies.

 

[Mgd31]

Regarding ruff, I can see him either sticking around as the HC, or they have him working with hockey ops / player development, which would actually be a great idea. Recchi did wonders for Jack, and I would’ve liked him working in that way as well, but it is what it is. He def shouldn’t have been coaching the pp.

They need another top 6 winger, and goalies.

Are you feeling okay, Auto Pilot? This is the most restrained comment I've seen you make like ever.

 

[Oneiro]

So paraphrasing his thoughts on an individual player basis:

Likes Wood and what he brings on and off the ice.
Wants Boqvist to be flexible as far as wing/center.
Appreciates Holtz's progress, he needs to improve first step, strength along the boards, anticipation
Evaluating Zacha re: fit into the team (AKA "Bye Felicia...")
PK is likely not his first option
Smith needs to improve strength/skating, has to continue to grow

Surprised none of the writers brought up Tatar/Johnsson. Regardless, I can see some turnover that lines up with what a lot of people here want along a lot of dimensions (size, two-way play, details, higher compete etc.).

 

[StevenToddIves]

Also read between the lines it sounds like Zacha's days are numbered and Smith might be out of luck too.

I assume he looks to replace one of Mango or Tatar on top of that.

I'd say there is no room for Zacha, Tatar or Johnsson on next year's team. I don't see how it can be justified they would be superior options to Nichushkin or Niederreiter or Marchment, much less Zetterlund or Foote. The Devils absolutely must get tougher to play against if they have a shot at the 2023 post-season.

On defense, I'd say it's pretty safe to assume Smith will be gone. I keep recommending a free agency signing of Lyubushkin for the 3-RD and the winner of the camp battle between Mukhamadullin, Bahl and Okhotyuk for the 3-LD.

Also sounds like Fitzgerald wants a 3C, which would likely be a trade scenario, with Zacha and Smith as the likely bait, as Tatar and Johnsson are likely getting back no more than mid-round picks.

 

[JK3]

"Boxing out in front, the physical part, ending plays down low. If we don't do that, it doesn't matter what our goaltending looks like.

We don't do any of these things, like at all. The Dmen are too busy fronting the forwards and trying to fly the zone to be bothered with any of that stuff. None of what Fitz mentioned in what he wants jives with Ruffs system in our zone, I lol'd when I heard this during the presser.

I made a comment down the stretch saying Okhotiuk coming up from an entirely different team, playing his first handful of NHL games, boxed out and shut down more plays along the wall in a few games than the whole team combined all year.

Maybe some of this had to do with Nas, hard to tell. Hopefully those were the issues that Fitz had brought up to Ruff. What he mentioned is exactly how we should play but I haven't seen anything that indicates that we tried to do any of it for two years.

 

[NJDevs26]

I still don’t get that blinking eyelid comment, Fitz really is not a polished public speaker

 

[RangerDoggo]

Well that's what assistants are for

 

[StevenToddIves]

Regarding ruff, I can see him either sticking around as the HC, or they have him working with hockey ops / player development, which would actually be a great idea. Recchi did wonders for Jack, and I would’ve liked him working in that way as well, but it is what it is. He def shouldn’t have been coaching the pp.

They need another top 6 winger, and goalies.

Devils need a 3-RD more than a top 6 winger, as Holtz could likely solve that need and there's nothing on the farm for RD. Lyubushkin would be the best signing the Devils could make, as he'd be a great mentor to Mukhamadullin or Okhotyuk at 3-LD and he's a heck of a defender who would add to team physicality and likely won't command an unreasonable salary in the UFA market.

If the Devils were to go after a forward, Nichushkin would represent the best available option. He'll cost nothing in trade assets, and I can't see him getting over $6 million per year as a UFA. He would solve the Devils *desperate* need for an interior/power forward with skill, and he's an excellent player both offensively and defensively.

 

[Eggtimer]

I don't think it's a secret that the Devils need 1 more elite forward to go along with Hughes, Bratt, and Hischier.

I don't believe Holtz is going to be that player unfortunately.

I think Fitzgerald would be smart to put together some combination of these assets to acquire an elite 1st line winger. Holtz, Smith, 2022 1st, 2023 1st (top 5 protected), Mukhamadullin, Zacha, Foote, Boqvist, Johnsson, Tatar, Stillman, Graves.

1st tier targets: Matthew Tkachuk, Alex DeBrincat, Kyle Connor, David Pastrnak.

2nd tier targets: Kevin Fiala, Nik Ehlers, Jake Guentzel, Timo Meier, William Nylander, Brock Boeser


Then the rest of the forward core can be filled out with guys that are "hard to play against"
- Marchment, Nichuskin, Garland, Copp, Bertuzzi - examples of guys that may be available this summer (via trade or UFA) that we should be targeting.

I know this is a touchy subject but would E Kane be a possibility for you guys? I’m saying no BUT do you think his recent stint in Edmonton changes anything a little bit on wether you might consider acquiring him?
I was a for sure no before , now I’m just “ummm,mm hmmmmm , I don’t think so “
I have always loved him as a player but strictly as a player . No doubt he is very good at what he does plus he plays a style we absolutely could use.

Wouldnt cost any assets….

Devils need a 3-RD more than a top 6 winger, as Holtz could likely solve that need and there's nothing on the farm for RD. Lyubushkin would be the best signing the Devils could make, as he'd be a great mentor to Mukhamadullin or Okhotyuk at 3-LD and he's a heck of a defender who would add to team physicality and likely won't command an unreasonable salary in the UFA market.

If the Devils were to go after a forward, Nichushkin would represent the best available option. He'll cost nothing in trade assets, and I can't see him getting over $6 million per year as a UFA. He would solve the Devils *desperate* need for an interior/power forward with skill, and he's an excellent player both offensively and defensively.

Nichushkin first then Lyubushkin would be the perfect two players to add.
Both fill a huge need and fill it almost perfectly.

 

[RangerDoggo]

If Kane was just a dick, that would be one thing. But Kane is a dick and nobody likes him.

 

[MauDevils]

f*** Evander Kane.

 

[Oneiro]

I still don’t get that blinking eyelid comment, Fitz really is not a polished public speaker

He means implementing good habits instinctually so that you don't even think about it.

So stick angles being so ingrained, boxing out being so ingrained, angles to the puck carriers being so ingrained that you don't even have to reinforce it, that's just how the team plays. Being consistent in the details.

Refreshing to hear and I'm glad he brought it up. It's been my pet peeve since new ownership came in - there is no uniform approach to habits on this team.

 

[mtnet]

We end plays down low all the time, just not in our own end

 

[Stephen Gionta]

Evander Kane is one of the only people I have on my absolute NO list. Along with Mike Babcock. And maybe a few others I can't think of.

Yes, that means I would certainly be open to adding Tony DeAngelo in UFA, Joel Quenneville as a coach, Jim Montgomery as a coach (though I don't think he's a good candidate), etc.

Evander Kane is a big NO for me.

 

[JrFischer54]

Fitz mention maybe trading the first? Absolutely 1000000% should be on the table for legit top line nhl talent. Even if we win the lotto.

 

[MadDevil]

f*** Quenneville forever. The guy chose winning over the welfare of one of his young players who was sexually assaulted. He is the last coach I want anywhere near our kids.

 

[Stephen Gionta]

f*** Quenneville forever. The guy chose winning over the welfare of one of his young players who was sexually assaulted. He is the last coach I want anywhere near our kids.

I just find it strange that you take one instance where you really don't have all the facts about (nobody knows the extent of what Quenneville knew about) and use that as your permanent judgement about a person.

How about every single player (young or old) that has played for Quenneville? They have has overwhelmingly positive things to say about him as a coach and person. Are we just going to ignore all of that?

 

[RangerDoggo]

I just find it strange that you take one instance where you really don't have all the facts about (nobody knows the extent of what Quenneville knew about) and use that as your permanent judgement about a person.

How about every single player (young or old) that has played for Quenneville? They have has overwhelmingly positive things to say about him as a coach and person. Are we just going to ignore all of that?

If he didn't know that one of his coaches raped a player (bolding and italicizing because that's what we're dealing with), then he's massively incompetent and shouldn't get the job anyway

 

[Its Always Sundstrom]

A dark horse candidate for me if he doesn’t go to Detroit, Derek Lalonde. Those habits that Fitz talked about is part of John Cooper’s coaching MO so I wonder if Lalonde would bring that with him.