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

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

What’s the latest info on Michael McLeod. UFA/RFA ? Legal standing now? Any chance of a return?

why, exactly, would we want that shit stain to return?

 

[HischierSeDgewOrk]

1 skinny, 1 medium, 2 fat!

It's always 1 skinny and 3 fats

 

[Bleedred]

What’s the latest info on Michael McLeod. UFA/RFA ? Legal standing now? Any chance of a return?

I hope so.

Reid Boucher doesn’t have an NHL contract either. Maybe we can sign him too.

 

[Devs3cups]

Nico Hischier isn’t easy to play against. Very good along the boards and good forechecker.

 

[devilsblood]

You know my 3 nominees... would love to hear yours.

And I'll add one another thing...if I wore that big "C" on my chest and the GM was popping off every chance he got about being easy to play against....I would take it as a personal indictment.

Because that's what leaders do.

I'm sure Nico is one of the 3, and of the 3, he is clearly the toughest to play against. I think he plays a fairly gritty game actually, and the only reason he would be considered "easy to play against" is because he is amongst a group of 3 who in their entirety are not especially tough.

Now could Nico play tougher? Be more the aggressor instead of a guy who willingly accepts abuse? I do, and I think his body language/facial expressions would do well to transition more towards a "eff u" instead of an "ah frick". The latter point is pretty important as a captain I think.

But I don't consider Nico to be a soft player though.

 

[Bleedred]

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But I’ve seen nothing to this point other than him now being listed on the team website? I’m not sure if he’s serving in a new position the organization just created or if he took over for someone else.

 

[Jersey Fan 12]

I feel your pain and agree with you here, other than us “demanding thing” (aka complaining lol) doesn’t do anything.

It’s f***ing annoying that the ELC for the minors was focused on the grit and ignoring how the team is going to be dogshit without offense.

Hardman is a BC guy so I'm sure the Devils staff knows him well and Colton White grew up in the Devils organization. With jobs on the line after last season, I'm not sure a lot of time and/or energy was spent addressing the AHL club.

FWIW, Rockford fans on here were hoping Hawks would re-sign Hardman.

 

[AfroThunder396]

In all seriousness though, improving the depth should greatly improve the forward group. We are at our best when we can roll 4 lines and none of them are a major negative.

We had wayyyy too many games last year where we had to short the bench because too many players couldn't be trusted to take a regular shift when something was on the line, although a big part of that is score effect.

I don't want to see Jack getting like 8 minutes in the 3rd period because half the roster can't pull their weight. Guys like Noesen, Tatar, and Cotter should all help with that.

 

[NjdevilfanJim]

It was in jest, but he said he spoke with Dan Mackinnon and said what do you think, the big defenseman or the Finnish center? And he basically said "the defenseman is 6'7" and skates incredibly so we're taking him".

Best part of quote and "he is mean"

 

[backoffwarchild]

Hi, this is my first time posting, although I have been reading threads on here for quite some time.

For the most part, I'm happy with the moves the Devils have made this off season. However, I do think that they should make one more move to fill a spot in the top two lines.

I've seen Ross Colton's name used in conversations on here and I think that he checks off a lot of boxes. I am also aware that he makes 4 million a year and we still need to pay Mercer and Foote. I think that I have a solution.

I'm not going to get into specifics regarding trade partners, other players in trades or draft picks because I'm just not that good at assessing value, so I'll just paint some broad strokes.

First of all, Bastian and Desimone would need to go. Whether it's through trade or sending them down, we could free up approximately two million.

In order to get Colton, I think it would be feasible if two additional teams were involved in order to retain salary. If I'm not mistaken, there is a maximum of 50% that can be retained and no more than two retentions per contract. So if the first team retains 50% of the contract and an additional team retains 1/4 of the original four million per year, that would leave NJ with only a one million dollar cap hit.

Like I said, I'm not good with making trade proposals but Anaheim would be a good choice to be one of the teams taking on salary. I'm sure picks would go the other way to make it happen.

Let's say NJ trades a draft pick(s) to Colorado for Colton. Maybe Colorado sends back a pick in the trade that could be flipped to a team retaining salary? I'm bad at this, maybe someone could fill in the blanks that would make it a fair trade.

With Bastian and Desimone gone, NJ would have approximately seven million to sign Mercer and foote as well as bring in Colton at one million against the cap.

Meier/Hischier/Mercer
Colton/Hughes/Bratt
Palat/Haula/Noesen
Cotter/Lazar/Tatar

There are a lot of moving parts that can be shuffled around. I can see everyone on that 3rd line moving up to the top two lines and Colton and Mercer moving down to the 3rd line. Tatar could move up to the 3rd line as well but I'm not sure about Tatar on the top two lines. Maybe try Tatar/Hischier/Mercer and see if they still gel together.

Can this scenario work?

Thank you for you're time. I know this is a little long winded for a first post.

 

[Bcap88]

Interesting that fitz let it slip that Jakub Malek is coming over next year has some great numbers for a goalie

 

[Better Call Sal]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1808863250542436384

https://x.com/i/web/status/1808862655899140241

Tuna, my guy. Never should’ve left.

 

[NjdevilfanJim]

Palat, albiet overpaid by 1 million or so, is still a very good player. I have no interest of trading him away until he falls off.

The point is for us to go deep in the playoffs and you need guys like Palat ...

 

[Nubmer6]

Hi, this is my first time posting, although I have been reading threads on here for quite some time.

For the most part, I'm happy with the moves the Devils have made this off season. However, I do think that they should make one more move to fill a spot in the top two lines.

I've seen Ross Colton's name used in conversations on here and I think that he checks off a lot of boxes. I am also aware that he makes 4 million a year and we still need to pay Mercer and Foote. I think that I have a solution.

I'm not going to get into specifics regarding trade partners, other players in trades or draft picks because I'm just not that good at assessing value, so I'll just paint some broad strokes.

First of all, Bastian and Desimone would need to go. Whether it's through trade or sending them down, we could free up approximately two million.

In order to get Colton, I think it would be feasible if two additional teams were involved in order to retain salary. If I'm not mistaken, there is a maximum of 50% that can be retained and no more than two retentions per contract. So if the first team retains 50% of the contract and an additional team retains 1/4 of the original four million per year, that would leave NJ with only a one million dollar cap hit.

Like I said, I'm not good with making trade proposals but Anaheim would be a good choice to be one of the teams taking on salary. I'm sure picks would go the other way to make it happen.

Let's say NJ trades a draft pick(s) to Colorado for Colton. Maybe Colorado sends back a pick in the trade that could be flipped to a team retaining salary? I'm bad at this, maybe someone could fill in the blanks that would make it a fair trade.

With Bastian and Desimone gone, NJ would have approximately seven million to sign Mercer and foote as well as bring in Colton at one million against the cap.

Meier/Hischier/Mercer
Colton/Hughes/Bratt
Palat/Haula/Noesen
Cotter/Lazar/Tatar

There are a lot of moving parts that can be shuffled around. I can see everyone on that 3rd line moving up to the top two lines and Colton and Mercer moving down to the 3rd line. Tatar could move up to the 3rd line as well but I'm not sure about Tatar on the top two lines. Maybe try Tatar/Hischier/Mercer and see if they still gel together.

Can this scenario work?

Thank you for you're time. I know this is a little long winded for a first post.

Welcome to the board, or at least posting on the board.

I think most of us would love to have Colton, and he's certainly been on our radars, but cap the gymnastics and asset costs for retention would be too much. I mean, he seems like a good player but the juice wouldn't be worth the squeeze.

 

[Hisch13r]

In all seriousness though, improving the depth should greatly improve the forward group. We are at our best when we can roll 4 lines and none of them are a major negative.

We had wayyyy too many games last year where we had to short the bench because too many players couldn't be trusted to take a regular shift when something was on the line, although a big part of that is score effect.

I don't want to see Jack getting like 8 minutes in the 3rd period because half the roster can't pull their weight. Guys like Noesen, Tatar, and Cotter should all help with that.

I mean it's not like we went into last year with lacking depth.

https://x.com/i/web/status/1808863250542436384

https://x.com/i/web/status/1808862655899140241

Tuna, my guy. Never should’ve left.

I don't blame the guy for looking for a multi year deal coming off the year he had. We should've signed him for the 1 year when he circled back but Fitz closed the door

 

[Nubmer6]

Best part of quote and "he is mean"

MEAN PEOPLE RULE.

 

[Jason MacIsaac]

Interesting that fitz let it slip that Jakub Malek is coming over next year has some great numbers for a goalie

Was it a slip? I thought this was common knowledge.

 

[britdevil]

Tyler Bertuzzi suuuuuucks. What are we doing here??

 

[Nubmer6]

Tyler Bertuzzi suuuuuucks. What are we doing here??

Complaining.

 

[Better Call Sal]

I mean it's not like we went into last year with lacking depth.



I don't blame the guy for looking for a multi year deal coming off the year he had. We should've signed him for the 1 year when he circled back but Fitz closed the door

I agree, he was coming off such a good year that I understand why he looked for more than a one year deal. We had acquired Toffoli by then and I assume we envisioned better from Holtz, so I understand why Fitz decided to move on as well.

Still couldn’t be happier he’s back, one of my favorite guys in the league. Think he’s super under appreciated for what he does.

 

[Cheddabombs]

Hi, this is my first time posting, although I have been reading threads on here for quite some time.

For the most part, I'm happy with the moves the Devils have made this off season. However, I do think that they should make one more move to fill a spot in the top two lines.

I've seen Ross Colton's name used in conversations on here and I think that he checks off a lot of boxes. I am also aware that he makes 4 million a year and we still need to pay Mercer and Foote. I think that I have a solution.

I'm not going to get into specifics regarding trade partners, other players in trades or draft picks because I'm just not that good at assessing value, so I'll just paint some broad strokes.

First of all, Bastian and Desimone would need to go. Whether it's through trade or sending them down, we could free up approximately two million.

In order to get Colton, I think it would be feasible if two additional teams were involved in order to retain salary. If I'm not mistaken, there is a maximum of 50% that can be retained and no more than two retentions per contract. So if the first team retains 50% of the contract and an additional team retains 1/4 of the original four million per year, that would leave NJ with only a one million dollar cap hit.

Like I said, I'm not good with making trade proposals but Anaheim would be a good choice to be one of the teams taking on salary. I'm sure picks would go the other way to make it happen.

Let's say NJ trades a draft pick(s) to Colorado for Colton. Maybe Colorado sends back a pick in the trade that could be flipped to a team retaining salary? I'm bad at this, maybe someone could fill in the blanks that would make it a fair trade.

With Bastian and Desimone gone, NJ would have approximately seven million to sign Mercer and foote as well as bring in Colton at one million against the cap.

Meier/Hischier/Mercer
Colton/Hughes/Bratt
Palat/Haula/Noesen
Cotter/Lazar/Tatar

There are a lot of moving parts that can be shuffled around. I can see everyone on that 3rd line moving up to the top two lines and Colton and Mercer moving down to the 3rd line. Tatar could move up to the 3rd line as well but I'm not sure about Tatar on the top two lines. Maybe try Tatar/Hischier/Mercer and see if they still gel together.

Can this scenario work?

Thank you for you're time. I know this is a little long winded for a first post.

Welcome to HF!

 

[Nubmer6]

Welcome to HF!

You forgot to add "check your sanity at the door".

 

[BostonDevil]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1808863250542436384

https://x.com/i/web/status/1808862655899140241

Tuna, my guy. Never should’ve left.

Yeay - Cute story - 30 points - Not what we needed.

Look, I would LOVE to play for the Devils too. Doesn't mean I should.

I'm sort of crapping on this move but he could do some damage, I guess. I just expect to be Haula-Level frustrated with 2 guys this year just like I was last year (Tatar in for Smith)

 

[NjDevsRR]

Hi, this is my first time posting, although I have been reading threads on here for quite some time.

For the most part, I'm happy with the moves the Devils have made this off season. However, I do think that they should make one more move to fill a spot in the top two lines.

I've seen Ross Colton's name used in conversations on here and I think that he checks off a lot of boxes. I am also aware that he makes 4 million a year and we still need to pay Mercer and Foote. I think that I have a solution.

I'm not going to get into specifics regarding trade partners, other players in trades or draft picks because I'm just not that good at assessing value, so I'll just paint some broad strokes.

First of all, Bastian and Desimone would need to go. Whether it's through trade or sending them down, we could free up approximately two million.

In order to get Colton, I think it would be feasible if two additional teams were involved in order to retain salary. If I'm not mistaken, there is a maximum of 50% that can be retained and no more than two retentions per contract. So if the first team retains 50% of the contract and an additional team retains 1/4 of the original four million per year, that would leave NJ with only a one million dollar cap hit.

Like I said, I'm not good with making trade proposals but Anaheim would be a good choice to be one of the teams taking on salary. I'm sure picks would go the other way to make it happen.

Let's say NJ trades a draft pick(s) to Colorado for Colton. Maybe Colorado sends back a pick in the trade that could be flipped to a team retaining salary? I'm bad at this, maybe someone could fill in the blanks that would make it a fair trade.

With Bastian and Desimone gone, NJ would have approximately seven million to sign Mercer and foote as well as bring in Colton at one million against the cap.

Meier/Hischier/Mercer
Colton/Hughes/Bratt
Palat/Haula/Noesen
Cotter/Lazar/Tatar

There are a lot of moving parts that can be shuffled around. I can see everyone on that 3rd line moving up to the top two lines and Colton and Mercer moving down to the 3rd line. Tatar could move up to the 3rd line as well but I'm not sure about Tatar on the top two lines. Maybe try Tatar/Hischier/Mercer and see if they still gel together.

Can this scenario work?

Thank you for you're time. I know this is a little long winded for a first post.

 

[My3Sons]

Hi, this is my first time posting, although I have been reading threads on here for quite some time.

For the most part, I'm happy with the moves the Devils have made this off season. However, I do think that they should make one more move to fill a spot in the top two lines.

I've seen Ross Colton's name used in conversations on here and I think that he checks off a lot of boxes. I am also aware that he makes 4 million a year and we still need to pay Mercer and Foote. I think that I have a solution.

I'm not going to get into specifics regarding trade partners, other players in trades or draft picks because I'm just not that good at assessing value, so I'll just paint some broad strokes.

First of all, Bastian and Desimone would need to go. Whether it's through trade or sending them down, we could free up approximately two million.

In order to get Colton, I think it would be feasible if two additional teams were involved in order to retain salary. If I'm not mistaken, there is a maximum of 50% that can be retained and no more than two retentions per contract. So if the first team retains 50% of the contract and an additional team retains 1/4 of the original four million per year, that would leave NJ with only a one million dollar cap hit.

Like I said, I'm not good with making trade proposals but Anaheim would be a good choice to be one of the teams taking on salary. I'm sure picks would go the other way to make it happen.

Let's say NJ trades a draft pick(s) to Colorado for Colton. Maybe Colorado sends back a pick in the trade that could be flipped to a team retaining salary? I'm bad at this, maybe someone could fill in the blanks that would make it a fair trade.

With Bastian and Desimone gone, NJ would have approximately seven million to sign Mercer and foote as well as bring in Colton at one million against the cap.

Meier/Hischier/Mercer
Colton/Hughes/Bratt
Palat/Haula/Noesen
Cotter/Lazar/Tatar

There are a lot of moving parts that can be shuffled around. I can see everyone on that 3rd line moving up to the top two lines and Colton and Mercer moving down to the 3rd line. Tatar could move up to the 3rd line as well but I'm not sure about Tatar on the top two lines. Maybe try Tatar/Hischier/Mercer and see if they still gel together.

Can this scenario work?

Thank you for you're time. I know this is a little long winded for a first post.

Welcome and thanks for sharing your thoughts. Colton gets a lot of love but I’m not sure how much of a difference he would be. Nice support player but it’s a lot of roster surgery and trading to make it happen. Retention seems to be an expensive ask in some of these situations. I’m sure Colorado’s net ask would be well in excess of a first with retention and more likely they’d want a solid roster player back which opens up another hole for NJ. At this point I’d be concerned about cap for Luke and would hoard assets to have something to send out if needed before next season to make room.