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

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The only skater that looks palatable here is DeBrusk.
Zadorov, March, and Duclair seem on point. Maybe Kahkonen too given he’ll probably be a 1b next year. The others all seem like 1 year or $1m more than I would offer.

I’d consider bringing on Zadorov for that price. Basically becomes the new Ryan Graves and you pair him with Marino for tough assignments. You’d probably need to find someone to take Siegs (cap) or Bahl (roster spot, duplicative) to make room for that. Not sure it moves the needle much though.
 
Assuming we trade for markstrom and sign Mercer, that's probably over half of the available cap space we have for next year with a 16 man roster? So we probably have one free agent "splash" in us or a couple of modest signings?

Not sure I want to spend a "splash" on a guy like Zadorov.
 
With Zadorov, love the player, but given he has been maybe Vancouver's best D overall thus in their series, playing bigger mins & really elevating his presence, his price is skyrocketing.
 
Not considering the Devils cap situation, because I haven’t really given a thought about next year+ yet, but Marchessault at 6.25 for “only” 3 years seems like a risk worth taking.
 
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It's hard to project the available cap space for NJ without knowing what the increases will be in the next few years but my guess is that the team will want to extend Luke long term and that contract is probably worth at least $8 mil per in AAV. If Nemec takes a step forward next season his extension could be fairly expensive as well. Those two alone could take up a sizable portion of any unused cap space. I'm sure the analytics folks have looked at this but I'm skeptical the team adds an impact player in the next year beyond a goalie.
 
Yeah I think there will be a Zadorov bidding war and he’ll come at a price above that. If he doesn’t though I’m on board at that contract.
 
It's hard to project the available cap space for NJ without knowing what the increases will be in the next few years but my guess is that the team will want to extend Luke long term and that contract is probably worth at least $8 mil per in AAV. If Nemec takes a step forward next season his extension could be fairly expensive as well. Those two alone could take up a sizable portion of any unused cap space. I'm sure the analytics folks have looked at this but I'm skeptical the team adds an impact player in the next year beyond a goalie.
I think this is why we tried so hard for retention on Markstrom. Gives us room to get an impact player and resign Luke. The cap increases are expected for a to happen for a minimum 2 consecutive seasons now that the escrow debt will be all paid up. Haula's contract is up when Nemec is due, if thats still not enough room for him, I can see us trying to get out of Palats last year too.
 
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It's hard to project the available cap space for NJ without knowing what the increases will be in the next few years but my guess is that the team will want to extend Luke long term and that contract is probably worth at least $8 mil per in AAV. If Nemec takes a step forward next season his extension could be fairly expensive as well. Those two alone could take up a sizable portion of any unused cap space. I'm sure the analytics folks have looked at this but I'm skeptical the team adds an impact player in the next year beyond a goalie.

You’re probably right. I also forgot that Luke was able to burn a year with his games at the end of last season, right? Definitely seems like it might be smart to do the old “overpay now - profit later” extension with him.
 
who in their right mind is giving bertuzzi a contract like that? i'd love to have him here, but not at that cost. yikes
 
No on Zadorov. Many reasons, main reason that I don't consider him a solid defender.

I liked the Miller trade and we should do something like that again. Reliable stop-gap guy. I don't know if Martinez or Tanev is that guy anymore but that sort of profile.

We shouldn't mess around with Luke or Nemec. Assume 8 on both. Another reason to try to draft a player with this top 10 pick.
 
Marchessault would be a good target. More speed and veteran leadership which is what the devils need
I agree, we'll have to be careful not to overspend but if the Toffoli deal from last offseason tells me anything it's that mgmt is still looking for a top 6 FWD, the right handed shot could also be something of note. Unless Mercer is gonna be solidified in the top 6 we prob need at least 1 RHS there.
 
Looking at the full list of contract projections (which are not up to date, they're as of January it looks like), I'd be very interested in:

Dakota Joshua 3x3
Sean Monahan 3x2.9
Teddy Blueger 2x2.8
Jordan Martinook 2x2.8

But, I think all of these guys get more than those projections and/or don't leave.
Full menu please
 
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Looking at the full list of contract projections (which are not up to date, they're as of January it looks like), I'd be very interested in:

Dakota Joshua 3x3
Sean Monahan 3x2.9
Teddy Blueger 2x2.8
Jordan Martinook 2x2.8

But, I think all of these guys get more than those projections and/or don't leave.
Joshua surely makes more. Id sign him instantly at that price
 
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Assuming Holtz is gone in a trade for a goalie, you need a real 3C, a LW for Jack and ideally someone to challenge/replace Bastian.

None of these are gonna happen internally.

I like Foote and think a different coach might spark Holtz, but we're past the point of seeing what happens. You need guys who are solid NHLers in all roles now and if a kid happens to do what Stankoven or Johnston have done, that's gravy.
 
I think one of Luke or Nemec is getting bridged until Palat and/or Hamilton is gone if you really want to maximize this core.

My game plan would be to sign as many 1-2 year deals on higher AAVs as possible for middle six help, and then one or two more contracts like what Wood got last year, just for players better than him.

If we run it back on defense, we have a lot more money for forwards than you might think.
 

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