ZachaFlockaFlame
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That's assuming he either sucks or pulls a Subban which is fine but 2 years and change is still gold to this team's core.
Devils team discussion (news, notes and speculation) - part IV
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That's assuming he either sucks or pulls a Subban which is fine but 2 years and change is still gold to this team's core.
So the only options are a 34 year old or do nothing?
All these teams around us are just as bad.
Frick it, Devils go 13-6-3 and make it in Metro 3 at 93 pts just based on how ass the division is. Then get spanked by Daddy Canes in round 1 as a big F you to close out the season.
Frick it, Devils go 13-6-3 and make it in Metro 3 at 93 pts just based on how ass the division is. Then get spanked by Daddy Canes in round 1 as a big F you to close out the season.
My mind is not in a good place with this team right now. At this point I'm expecting us to pay a stupid price for Markstrom, miss the playoffs by like a point, and then have him hit the aging wall head on next year, leaving us in goaltender hell again, but this time with a $6 million goalie that sucks.
Lou Bloom
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In a perfect world maybe but the type of defenseman that's a clear upgrade over Luke and Siegs next season aren't going to be easy to acquire. If there's a trade to be had around Siegenthaler + for extended Hanifin where the plus doesn't hurt too much I could definitely go for that type of deal. (something built around Casey would be preferrable).
Barry Tallackson
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Fitz is a coward.. haven’t seen that clown since he got his contract extension
Cheddabombs
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In my silly little opinion, the only two options that make sense are Markstrom and Saros. And I'm not that thrilled on either really, Markstrom because of his age and Saros because it would cost an arm and a leg. But if Fitz is going to do anything mid-season I'd prefer one of them.
All the other options I've seen thrown around don't make sense to me. They're bandaid solutions that aren't worthwhile. I wouldn't want to waste assets now to try and get a quick fix, which may not even work out, and then have to spend more assets in the offseason to find an actual solution.
I don't see Fitz making a panic move just for the short term though. He hasn't really done that before, and no I don't think signing Palat qualifies as a panic move.
I like the Markstrom route because it has an exit ramp in two seasons. And I really don’t think the return will be as high as people think
Will also allow Daws and Schmid to develop properly and in two years they should be serviceable when we are in our best seasons with this core. That will give us additional cap for other moves as well.
ZachaFlockaFlame
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I think it's more of a placeholder dman until Luke becomes the super stud 1LHD we know he can be. I have next to no confidence in Bahl playing top 4, he looks mostly miserable this year. Luke + Siegs can definitely play way better than they are right now but it's definitely something I would upgrade if I can.
Legit starting goalies are hard to find if you don't find them from within the organization, and those that do become available have legit question marks. Markstrom is having a great season and would clearly solidify the position, but his age and contract are in that could go either way territory. If you look at his last few years he seems to alternate cold and hot seasons, which if I'm a GM paying full price, would worry me.
Which is probably why Fitz was wanting Calgary to retain before. The rumor that we're now willing to do it without retention and the Saros rumors as well suggest that Fitz is actively trying to get a goalie, and not some stopgap option. I'd rather he swing for a Markstrom or Saros than another Vanecek. It doesn't mean people will like the price we'll have to pay for them, but we've seen plenty of good value trades that don't work out in recent years so maybe it's time to take another big swing. My only worry is we might use up our ammo now and not have enough down the road to make other additions. It's why I'd prefer Saros to Markstrom. There's a longer runway with a soon to be 29 year old than a 34 year old.
Which is probably why Fitz was wanting Calgary to retain before. The rumor that we're now willing to do it without retention and the Saros rumors as well suggest that Fitz is actively trying to get a goalie, and not some stopgap option. I'd rather he swing for a Markstrom or Saros than another Vanecek. It doesn't mean people will like the price we'll have to pay for them, but we've seen plenty of good value trades that don't work out in recent years so maybe it's time to take another big swing. My only worry is we might use up our ammo now and not have enough down the road to make other additions. It's why I'd prefer Saros to Markstrom. There's a longer runway with a soon to be 29 year old than a 34 year old.
Killing Joke
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You guys want a unicorn you’re never gonna find
Mgd31
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Bahl has got the lowest xGA rate out of all of our D this year. That’s probably influenced by quality of competition but he probably be a good 3rd pairing guy.
If Fitz can swing an LD upgrade for Siegenthaler somehow I’m all for it. But Siegenthaler may also just benefit from new coaching.
If Fitz can swing an LD upgrade for Siegenthaler somehow I’m all for it. But Siegenthaler may also just benefit from new coaching.
Unknown Caller
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Dude was doing a PR world tour last year in the middle of the season. Nowhere to be found this year.
His resume is getting slowly more questionable as well. I’m still supportive of him generally, but he’s had some real questionable moves added to his resume over the last couple of years.
glenwo2
JESPER BRATWURST
I think it doesn't help that the whole McLeod/Cal Foote situation happened.
He's probably hiding in his cave because of that than anything else.
Lou Bloom
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The same Unicorn that Vegas found in Adin Hill? Or Detroit with Alex Lyon? LA with Cam Talbot? Seattle with Joey Daccord? Arizona with Connor Ingram? Not exactly a rarity to find cheap goalies that can perform at a decent level around the league.
glenwo2
JESPER BRATWURST
Agreed.
If he's going to take a big swing at a Goaltender RIGHT NOW at this moment, Saros should be the one he should swing for but Markstrom would be the more realistic at this point.
Otherwise, just do nothing and go after Ullmark in the offseason.
Lou Bloom
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Yeah, I don't get the heavy criticism towards Bahl. Feel like he just has too much defensive responsibility due to the whole team being a mess this season. He's still only 23 years old and has plenty of potential and players his size tend to take a bit longer developmentally.
Unknown Caller
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For every goalie you listed here that worked out, you can point to 4 other random lottery ticket goalies who were awful. That’s not a strategy.
Schmid and Daws are our Adin Hill and Alex Lyon gambles.
Guadana
Registered User
We have very hard March. 15 games, 8 games against top-6 teams in either conference.
Philly have 15games and 7 games against good teams, but they have more points. Islanders have easier March. As Detroit, as Tampa.
glenwo2
JESPER BRATWURST
Devils are going to be a literal stepping-stone with teams just stepping on them like they're part of the background on their way to the next game.
Devils Trap
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Letting Andrew Brunette go will be the single biggest mistake Fitz will have made in his tenure
Unknown Caller
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Meh. I think not addressing goaltending is a way bigger mark on his resume. Giving Palat $5M for 6 years with a full no move is up there.
Lou Bloom
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And betting on a 35 and 36 year old Markstrom isn't a gamble? I've said before that I'm willing to make a huge offer for a player like Saros that's still in his prime and has a proven track record of consistent performance. Markstrom doesn't have nearly that same track record and will be at an age where him being a good goalie will make him a performance outlier.
If I'm making a bet on a goaltender I'd rather go cheap for a guy like Laurent Brossoit or Anthony Stolarz than pay a large price in trade and cap for 35 year old Markstrom and use that money and assets to improve the skater group which yields a lot more certainty.
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