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

[theoptimist]

As 13F and insurance center I don’t see any problem with Nosek. We need more centers. Having 1C Nico, 2C Jack, (Haula on the wing), 3C Henrique, 4C Blackwell/Blueger, (Lazar on the wing), (Noesen as 13F) would be great center and forward depth. It’s not like we were the healthiest team in the last three years. So I don’t see a problem. I see benefits. From Noesen as 13 F.

Of course we need wingers, solid 2LHD and save money and assets for goalie without panic moves as trading expensive goalie. I’m not against to trade Markstrom or Saros but for reasonable price. Or be smarter and sign just good goalie for reasonable price.

You like Henrique for 3C? I'm worried b/c he'll turn 35 one month into the new season. What's your third line? Palat-Henrique-Mercer? Maybe could work, but I'm thinking Mercer needs a promotion. I saw what happened when Holtz didn't get promoted quickly enough. Where does Haula go? Jack-Haula-Bratt? If that's our second line then we need to get them a puck moving LHD asap.

Noesen as 13F is a demotion from hell. And you're going to pay him 13F money? Idk if he'd take that. Blackwell is too short, I like my men tall ☺

 

[SteveCangialosi123]

A lot of Palat’s lack of production is just him not playing on PP1. His even strength production is okay. 1.68 points per 60. Jack is at 2, Timo 1.85, Mercer 1.47. I would like a couple more goals though.

 

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

The UFA center, as usual, was pretty bleak so I don’t know who you thought we were getting.

There are few nice depth signings here but it’s an extremely tough position to fill via UFA, maybe the most difficult.

Spoiler: These were the 2024 UFA Centers

(Age when contract ends in parentheses)
JT Compher (33) COL>DET 3 years/ 5.1m
Athletic Market Value: 3.7m
Ryan O’Reilly (36) TOR>NSH 4 years/ 4.5m
Athletic Market Value: 7.7m
Alex Kerfoot (30) TOR>ARI 2 years/ 3.5m
Athletic Market Value: NR
Lars Eller (36) COL>PIT 2 years/ 2.45m
Athletic Market Value: 3.1m
Nick Bjugstad (32) EDM>ARI 2 years/ 2.1m
Athletic Market Value: 4.8m
Noel Acciari (34) TOR>PIT 3 years/ 2m
Athletic Market Value: 0.8m
Morgan Geekie (26) SEA>BOS 2 years/ 2m
Athletic Market Value: 3.4m
Teddy Blueger (29) VGK>VAN 1 year/ 1.9m
Athletic Market Value: 4.6m
Pius Suter (29) DET>VAN 2 years/ 1.6m
Athletic Market Value: 5.4m
Ryan Poehling (27) MTL>PHI 1 year/ 1.4m
Athletic Market Value: 3.2m
Kevin Stenlund (27) WPG>FLA 1 year/ 1m
Athletic Market Value: 0.8m
Tomas Nosek (31) BOS>NJD 1 year/ 1m
Athletic Market Value: NR
Sam Steel (26) MIN>DAL 1 year/ 850k
Athletic Market Value: 2.4m
Luke Glendening (36) DAL>TBL 2 years/ 800k
Athletic Market Value: 0.8m
Nick Bonino (35) PIT>NYR 1 year/ 800k
Athletic Market Value: 0.8m
(Contract was terminated)
Oskar Sundqvist (32) MIN>STL 1 year/ 775k
Athletic Market Value: 0.8m
Ryan Carpenter (33) NYR>SJS 1 year/ 775k
Athletic Market Value: 0.8m
Trevor Lewis (37) CGY>LAK 1 year/ 775k
Athletic Market Value: 1.2m
PE Bellemare (39) TBL>SEA 1 year/ 775k
Athletic Market Value: NR

Would've went for Kerfoot here which would be an ironic homecoming lol

 

[HughesCorporation]

are we trying to trade holtz this draft or will we attempt to get him more shots next year or say here's 800k, goodbye
12 to 13 SH%

 

[Camille the Eel]

A bad hockey player doesn’t have the metrics he has.

Bad contract? Another debate. Bad player? Not even close.

I think if we had had 3 or 4 more guys as bad as him we would have made the playoffs.

 

[NjDevsRR]

 

[Forge]

are we trying to trade holtz this draft or will we attempt to get him more shots next year or say here's 800k, goodbye
12 to 13 SH%

I would be surprised if holtz is on the roster next year but obviously a long way to go this offseason. He just seems like a guy who has minor trade chip written all over him now.

I could be wrong, but I think Fitz probably appreciates what Bastian does for the roster more than holtz, tbh. Probably prefers some other jags in the bottom 6 over holtz too

 

[PizzaAndPucks]

Palat helped set up the biggest goal for this franchise in over a decade.

He should be a 3rd liner only, but people are really dramatic about his contract tbh. It isn't a huge deal.

Palat is a fine player. The issue is 1 injury leads to him being inserted into the top 6 alot more. We really need another center more so than a winger. They need to have decent size with some sandpaper as well. A gritty 3rd line center + a starting goalie is my wishlist for this summer. That and another bluechip prospect with oir 1st round pick. I'll be livid if we trade it.

 

[MB3]

I think if we had had 3 or 4 more guys as bad as him we would have made the playoffs.

if we had 3 or 4 more players making $6m to score 11 goals and miss 20% of the year, we’d be the worst run franchise in professional sports.

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

for those that complain about Palat's contract, what has it stopped us from doing?

We had a zillion dollars on LTIR this year and didn't use basically any of it. We could have.

It really isn't a big deal. He's overpaid by a few million. Pretend Jack makes $10 and Palat makes $4. Same difference.

 

[ZYXWVUT]

I still think the best place for Palat is alongside Hischier and Bratt. That line is proven over a fairly large sample size to be one of the better lines in the league in terms of xG%.

 

[Guadana]

Agree and at this point it does not seem like there will not be any good options at F for callups from Utica next year so we will need depth at C to start next season.

Utica needs tonns of additions for themselves. Centers too. From actual Utica plyears - all of them are not good enough to worry about waivers. If we need them we just can call them up and send them down after. 13-14F should be good enough to have them in the roster and be afraid to lose them on waivers because they are good enough.

You like Henrique for 3C? I'm worried b/c he'll turn 35 one month into the new season. What's your third line? Palat-Henrique-Mercer? Maybe could work, but I'm thinking Mercer needs a promotion. I saw what happened when Holtz didn't get promoted quickly enough. Where does Haula go? Jack-Haula-Bratt? If that's our second line then we need to get them a puck moving LHD asap.

Noesen as 13F is a demotion from hell. And you're going to pay him 13F money? Idk if he'd take that. Blackwell is too short, I like my men tall ☺

I like Henrique more than Stephenson because of theirs defensive numbers and how their numbers are looking in the context of their teams. Henrique is still mobile and quite consistent in his production.
I don’t know about lines, it should work on the training process, you never know, may with Henrique and Trenin(for example) you will have… physical and mobile forward who will drive boards and will win net front battles and will be good enough to play top 6 role. And I’m talking about Trenin. If he isn’t good enough - still not a big problem, use him in the bottom, try to build as good top six as you can, and with good depth you will have enough forwards to build bottom six that can live through their minutes.

2LHD is an issue. I want to replace Bahl, some fans wants to replace Siegs, one way or another our actual defensive build isn’t working. They need better 2LHD or at least much better 3LHD who can play limited 2LHD role. They need Miller type sign for injury cases. Because with Miller we were better than without him.

Noesen should be third line forward
Like
Bratt Nico Meier
Haula Jack Mercer
Noesen Henrique Palat (you can rotate all nine top 9 forwards as you want)
Trenin Blackwell/Blueger Lazar
Noesen, Bastian

I like Blackwell because he is mobile, productive enough, can play defense and PK.
And yes, I know there are no Holtz, I’m waiting of a trade. If we will not trade him(I’m not against the trade, I’m not against to stay with Holtz and develop him under new regime, I see reasons in both ways) - pick your player to cut off from this list. You can change any na,e on this list for other physical, forechecking forwards with mobility, I will be happy if they are good for this role.

 

[Devs3cups]

Any news on Jack’s surgery?

 

[NjDevsRR]

Any news on Jack’s surgery?

 

[NjDevsRR]

A year ago I was making Playoff Avatars, not Dano memes to pass the time. I’m sad now.

 

[theoptimist]

Utica needs tonns of additions for themselves. Centers too. From actual Utica plyears - all of them are not good enough to worry about waivers. If we need them we just can call them up and send them down after. 13-14F should be good enough to have them in the roster and be afraid to lose them on waivers because they are good enough.


I like Henrique more than Stephenson because of theirs defensive numbers and how their numbers are looking in the context of their teams. Henrique is still mobile and quite consistent in his production.
I don’t know about lines, it should work on the training process, you never know, may with Henrique and Trenin(for example) you will have… physical and mobile forward who will drive boards and will win net front battles and will be good enough to play top 6 role. And I’m talking about Trenin. If he isn’t good enough - still not a big problem, use him in the bottom, try to build as good top six as you can, and with good depth you will have enough forwards to build bottom six that can live through their minutes.

2LHD is an issue. I want to replace Bahl, some fans wants to replace Siegs, one way or another our actual defensive build isn’t working. They need better 2LHD or at least much better 3LHD who can play limited 2LHD role. They need Miller type sign for injury cases. Because with Miller we were better than without him.

Noesen should be third line forward
Like
Bratt Nico Meier
Haula Jack Mercer
Noesen Henrique Palat (you can rotate all nine top 9 forwards as you want)
Trenin Blackwell/Blueger Lazar
Noesen, Bastian

I like Blackwell because he is mobile, productive enough, can play defense and PK.
And yes, I know there are no Holtz, I’m waiting of a trade. If we will not trade him(I’m not against the trade, I’m not against to stay with Holtz and develop him under new regime, I see reasons in both ways) - pick your player to cut off from this list. You can change any na,e on this list for other physical, forechecking forwards with mobility, I will be happy if they are good for this role.

I think I’d be really happy with these lines. Idk what management thinks to give Henrique a multiple year deal if term on Toffoli’s contract was the issue. Maybe the two players are not related and different context to signing each player. Jordan Staal is 35 right now, and signed a 4yr deal last summer. I’d be fine giving Henrique what I would have given McLeod (3-4 years/4M per). Henrique makes 5.8 now, does he take a discount for his 35+ contract? Hopefully

 

[My3Sons]

View attachment 849699

This is brilliant. Probably your most inspired work yet.

 

[Guadana]

I think I’d be really happy with these lines. Idk what management thinks to give Henrique a multiple year deal if term on Toffoli’s contract was the issue. Maybe the two players are not related and different context to signing each player. Jordan Staal is 35 right now, and signed a 4yr deal last summer. I’d be fine giving Henrique what I would have given McLeod (3-4 years/4M per). Henrique makes 5.8 now, does he take a discount for his 35+ contract? Hopefully

I'm rooting against Oilers, staying without ring will help to sign discount with Devils I believe. To no good luck to Adam.

 

[HughesCorporation]

I would be surprised if holtz is on the roster next year but obviously a long way to go this offseason. He just seems like a guy who has minor trade chip written all over him now.

I could be wrong, but I think Fitz probably appreciates what Bastian does for the roster more than holtz, tbh. Probably prefers some other jags in the bottom 6 over holtz too

Yeah agree. It just didn't work out he was supposed to develop into jacks sniper but that pair would have defensive issues. And his game isn't bottom 6 as you say

 

[Clam Jensen]

A year ago I was making Playoff Avatars, not Dano memes to pass the time. I’m sad now.

View attachment 849706

You’ll rise from the ashes and come back with a vengeance in April 2025.

 

[Camille the Eel]

if we had 3 or 4 more players making $6m to score 11 goals and miss 20% of the year, we’d be the worst run franchise in professional sports.

Once again you are discussing the contract and not the player. Yes the contract is open to criticism. But there were other reasons we over paid him. A perceived need to stock the locker room with a champion projecting a winning image and - along with Hamilton - to establish the team as a place that good free agents want to play. To placate the fan base fed up with losing too. Things like that. Free agent contracts are mostly bad.

 

[My3Sons]

Once again you are discussing the contract and not the player. Yes the contract is open to criticism. But there were other reasons we over paid him. A perceived need to stock the locker room with a champion projecting a winning image and - along with Hamilton - to establish the team as a place that good free agents want to play. To placate the fan base fed up with losing too. Things like that. Free agent contracts are mostly bad.

It’s hard to find one that’s really good where thr UFA signed after entering the UFA market and switched teams. Hamilton’s deal isn’t great but it’s been fine so far. It’s the nature of UFA signings and the league wants it to work that way.

 

[devilsblood]

I think I’d be really happy with these lines. Idk what management thinks to give Henrique a multiple year deal if term on Toffoli’s contract was the issue. Maybe the two players are not related and different context to signing each player. Jordan Staal is 35 right now, and signed a 4yr deal last summer. I’d be fine giving Henrique what I would have given McLeod (3-4 years/4M per). Henrique makes 5.8 now, does he take a discount for his 35+ contract? Hopefully

3-4 years at $4M for a 35 year old?

Hard pass.

2 year at $3m is a maybe, but I just don't think I want him back at all. I thought a big reason he was on the table back then was he was a modest effort guy. Yes he's solid defensively, yes he scores some goals, but I think we need to inject energetic speed back into the lineup.

Once again you are discussing the contract and not the player. Yes the contract is open to criticism. But there were other reasons we over paid him. A perceived need to stock the locker room with a champion projecting a winning image and - along with Hamilton - to establish the team as a place that good free agents want to play. To placate the fan base fed up with losing too. Things like that. Free agent contracts are mostly bad.

I like Palat and I don't reallys sweat the contract, but I do agree with the point that you can only have so many low production guys, even if they do very well in terms of possession numbers.

 

[MasterofGrond]

Palat's money could be better used, probably. He was a net negative value this year but only by like 1.5M. It'll probably get worse, but that's not a contract that's killing you if the rest of the team is healthy and playing well.

 

[JimEIV]

If the East and more specifically the Metro sucks this bad next year we don't have to do anything but stay healthy to make the playoffs next year.

As horrible as this team was this year, and they were horrible, we still have more wins than the 3rd place team in the Metro. Stay healthy, play a better brand of hockey, try to reduce the exposure of some of young D a little more... that's it. Off course add the necessary role players on the cheap, but I wouldn't risk busting the budget to add players...

This team has to show that its key players can get the job done and take the team to the next level. Next year should be about challenging those key players to take another step forward and if they can't, the team needs a major overhaul.