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

[Eggtimer]

So you are the arbitrator? How do you read all the briefing and go over the exhibits prior to the arbitration? None of them last more than an hour with the competing testimony and cross examination? That's a crazy schedule. My wife can have a seemingly simple preliminary conference with a hearing office to set initial child support and it usually lasts more than the allotted hour.

Woah hang on a minute here. You and your wife are both lawyers? I did not know that. Now I understand why people here joke about wanting you to adopt them lol.

 

[HBK27]

Capping out sucks really sucks and has bad side effects. I also don’t know how long term any LTIR trips will be with Bernier and/or Wood.

I said I didn’t know how Fitz plans to deal with the issue, I don’t bother working out imaginary cap solutions because I’ll find out the real one eventually.

I just don’t like the idea of capping out and spending assets to move a contract sucks too. Buying out Tatar for a meager amount of cap savings also sucks.

I don’t think this should be a major problem in the Bratt negotiations but it doesn’t help.

I’m curious what the plan was going in, did they assume the trade market would be better? That Bratt would be cheaper? The Marino trade could have been a surprise but they were always planning on going for Gaudreau so they needed a big chunk of a available space.

The Wood move seems like a huge misstep.

I’m not particularly optimistic about Bratt (baring a miracle here) but I will hold out hope until next season nears it end.

If they agree put it off until after the season, it very likely means the two sides don’t see a long term deal happening. Then he should get moved before the draft. We don’t need another arbitration deadline to tell us what’s up by then.

Yeah, I know getting capped out sucks...but I just don't think we're there yet.

As you point out though, the wildcard is Bernier and how long he'll be out on LTIR. As is though, he is fully expected to start the season there which would essentially give us the $13.1M to sign Bratt and Wood. Figure Wood gets around $3M, so there's plenty left over to lock up Bratt even at 8 years (though I realize the chances of that happening at this point are very slim).

Under no scenario do I see a situation where it would get to the point of having to pay assets to move a contract or buyout a player this offseason. Even if Bratt miraculously signs a deal in the $8M range and Bernier is ready to come off LTIR at some point this season, there's still other injuries that will pop up that can open up space or even guys like Graves that could easily be moved during the season if need be. Again, all a moot point right now as we'd first need Bratt to sign long-term, which really isn't looking good.

I'd think if negotiations were ongoing at this point, we'd hear something about it by now.

 

[RangerDoggo]

Trade Bratt for someone who is willing to sign long-term. Problem solved.

 

[MVP Zacha]

So you are the arbitrator? How do you read all the briefing and go over the exhibits prior to the arbitration? None of them last more than an hour with the competing testimony and cross examination? That's a crazy schedule. My wife can have a seemingly simple preliminary conference with a hearing office to set initial child support and it usually lasts more than the allotted hour.

No, I am a Union Officer. Once I file a Notice of Intent with the First Division of the National Railroad Adjustment Board, We have 75 days to exchange Submissions with the Carrier. Once that is done we select an Arbitrator from a strike list wait for funding from the National Mediation Board. Once the cases are funded we have 90 days to hold oral arguments in front of the Arbitrator.

 

[devilsfan35]

 

[Capt Nico Poo]

I'd think if negotiations were ongoing at this point, we'd hear something about it by now.

Wasnt it so that when Lou was here we didnt hear anything of any negotiations till the deal was basically done?

Is there reason to assume it would be different with Fitz? How did he do with Jack?

 

[RangerDoggo]

Frank is very hit-or-miss, not the greatest source but also not the worst.

 

[Guttersniped]

Got excited until I realized it was just Seravalli.

 

[New Jersey Devils]

Frank also said Bratt was prime trade-bait; but let's hope he's right on this.

 

[Eggtimer]

Feelings about Bratt and Fitz aside ( we have zero clue who is the A hole in the negotiating process) , but if this goes to arbitration, are most people wanting to trade Bratt now or wait it out? 1 year or two year contract is desired by us? I assume not a 2 year as it walks him to UFA?
I understand some wanting to hold onto him even if he signs or is awarded a one year deal , but I just don’t see the point. Prior negotiations plus not agreeing on a long term deal yet to me = not going to happen in the future. I know some are optimistic thinking he wants to bet on himself one more year and “maybe “ he will sign long term when we have more cap ( it goes up?) but … I’m not going to hold my breath thinking that will happen.
I trade him at the point where we can maximize value . No clue when that would be. Now or TDL this year or ?
Hoepfully it doesn’t come down to all that.

 

[Cheddabombs]

At least we'll find out soon what actually happens, then we can complain about something tangible rather than hypotheticals

 

[devilsfan35]

Frank Serravalli says the devils offered bratt a long term contract several months ago to which bratt and his camp feel was nowhere near what he is worth

 

[glenwo2]

Good to see *SOMEONE* is optimistic....

 

[RangerDoggo]

Feelings about Bratt and Fitz aside ( we have zero clue who is the A hole in the negotiating process) , but if this goes to arbitration, are most people wanting to trade Bratt now or wait it out? 1 year or two year contract is desired by us? I assume not a 2 year as it walks him to UFA?
I understand some wanting to hold onto him even if he signs or is awarded a one year deal , but I just don’t see the point. Prior negotiations plus not agreeing on a long term deal yet to me = not going to happen in the future. I know some are optimistic thinking he wants to bet on himself one more year and “maybe “ he will sign long term when we have more cap ( it goes up?) but … I’m not going to hold my breath thinking that will happen.
I trade him at the point where we can maximize value . No clue when that would be. Now or TDL this year or ?
Hoepfully it doesn’t come down to all that.

Trade him now.

 

[glenwo2]

Frank Serravalli says the devils offered bratt a long term contract several months ago to which bratt and his camp feel was nowhere near what he is worth

I bet it was below 7 mill

Many here are saying it's about Term but IS IT REALLY?

 

[HBK27]

Wasnt it so that when Lou was here we didnt hear anything of any negotiations till the deal was basically done?

Is there reason to assume it would be different with Fitz? How did he do with Jack?

Lou is in a league of his own with this stuff.

Fitz has been much more forthcoming. The Jack signing was a surprise as there was no deadline they were up against and reporters/insiders sniffing around seeking updates. I could be (and hope I am) totally wrong on this though, as it's purely speculation on my part.

Wonder how these hearings are done - I'm guessing remotely, right? Would assume Bratt's agent is in Sweden and it's starting to get late there. At this point, I'd even be thrilled with a 4 or 5 year deal.

 

[Guadana]

I`m ok if they sign 1 year deal or 7-8 year deal. Just before the arbitration please.

 

[The Joker]

Well I look at it this way. A one year contract might not be the worst thing in the world. We get Bratt at 5.5M or so who will be extra motivated becuse he plays for his next contract. That gives us the chance to see what we have and if he can replicate his spectacular last year. Then we have three possible outcomes. If he plays bad, we basically dodged a bullet and are in a very good position for further negotiations. If he plays great, we can either sign him to a long term deal or, if he doesn't want to, trade him while his value is sky high.

I think this situation isnt't really that bad for us tbh.

 

[Emperoreddy]

It's everyone's guess a deal gets done because it doesn't benefit either side to go to arbitration

 

[Devs3cups]

Well I look at it this way. A one year contract might not be the worst thing in the world. We get Bratt at 5.5M or so who will be extra motivated becuse he plays for his next contract. That gives us the chance to see what we have and if he can replicate his spectacular last year. Then we have three possible outcomes. If he plays bad, we basically dodged a bullet and are in a very good position for further negotiations. If he plays great, we can either sign him to a long term deal or, if he doesn't want to, trade him while his value is sky high.

I think this situation isnt't really that bad for us tbh.

I’m starting to think this as well.

 

[HBK27]

Well I look at it this way. A one year contract might not be the worst thing in the world. We get Bratt at 5.5M or so who will be extra motivated becuse he plays for his next contract. That gives us the chance to see what we have and if he can replicate his spectacular last year. Then we have three possible outcomes. If he plays bad, we basically dodged a bullet and are in a very good position for further negotiations. If he plays great, we can either sign him to a long term deal or, if he doesn't want to, trade him while his value is sky high.

I think this situation isnt't really that bad for us tbh.

What stage of grief is acceptance?

 

[Homedresser]

Frank Serravalli says the devils offered bratt a long term contract several months ago to which bratt and his camp feel was nowhere near what he is worth

It's never the term. It's the dollars. They are miles apart on aav. Devils are most likely not anywhere near what he wants the TOTAL deal to be. If 8M per year was on the table a deal would get done. Devils are nowhere near that.

 

[Devs3cups]

What stage of grief is acceptance?

Lol, while I get that some of us are inhaling copium right now (myself included), I don’t see it as such a reach.

Our position here might be better than we think.

 

[Rhodes 81]

What stage of grief is acceptance?

this feels more like bargaining

 

[Billdo]

My personal fav of all this hoopla who speak as if they have actual knowledge of what's going on and speak like they posting facts.