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

[ZYXWVUT]

I consider it a positive tbh if the goalie plan gets punted to the off-season. No need to rush into something stupid now. Take a breath after the season and see how shit plays out league wide and also how the rest of the roster is taking shape once you start planning.

 

[crashline]

The corollary of Markstrom being Fitz's reputed priority suggests the organisation sees Daws or Schmid as their guy long-term and none of that makes me feel closer to a serious cup run.

 

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

The corollary of Markstrom being Fitz's reputed priority suggests the organisation sees Daws or Schmid as their guy long-term and none of that makes me feel closer to a serious cup run.

Meh, it depends how much assets are burned in said trade imo

 

[R8Devs]

The corollary of Markstrom being Fitz's reputed priority suggests the organisation sees Daws or Schmid as their guy long-term and none of that makes me feel closer to a serious cup run.

maybe Marty is driving the Devils to get him lol

Or maybe they like that Markstrom has 2 more years whereas Saros/Ullmark have only 1 more season. But this is another reason why a deal longer than 2 years for Toffoli would be hard for the Devils to do if they want a high priced goalie

 

[glenwo2]

Letting Andrew Brunette go will be the single biggest mistake Fitz will have made in his tenure

BIG TIME.

This is going to haunt the rest of his days as GM whether he's still here or somewhere else.

He had THE COACH for this team....and he let himself be fooled by a once-in-a-blue-moon magical run by Vitek (and the Devils not taken seriously by teams last season) and thought Ruff had anything to do with that.

 

[billingtons ghost]

So, next year:

Meier Jack (Toffoli)
Palat Nico Bratt
Holtz Haula Mercer
Bastian Lazar ????

??? Marino
Siegs Dougie
Luke Nemec

I'd clear the decks of Smith, Miller and Toffoli at the trade deadline and look for a stay at home, shutdown, stabilizing LHD. I'd look for some physicality and speed anywhere I could get it. And a veteran 1b goalie. I don't care if we ditch Holtz and Bahl and really almost any of the D prospects if we get back something we actually need that will help us compete in the playoffs.

 

[Emperoreddy]

This wasn't a bad luck season. It was a wasted season and would have been wasted in healthy. They didn't look good at a single point all year. Both healthy and injured.

Fitz is going to treat next year as if this year was just bad luck and we will be heading for more mediocrity.

 

[NJDevs26]

maybe Marty is driving the Devils to get him lol

Or maybe they like that Markstrom has 2 more years whereas Saros/Ullmark have only 1 more season. But this is another reason who a deal longer than 2 years for Toffoli would be hard for the Devils to do if they want a high priced goalie

Apart from not being sure about Marty's #4 and #5 choices (no Saros or Helle?) it's really interesting he has Markstrom on that list...

 

[SteveCangialosi123]

This wasn't a bad luck season. It was a wasted season and would have been wasted in healthy. They didn't look good at a single point all year. Both healthy and injured.

Fitz is going to treat next year as if this year was just bad luck and we will be heading for more mediocrity.

It’s been a ridiculously bad luck season.

 

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

This wasn't a bad luck season. It was a wasted season and would have been wasted in healthy. They didn't look good at a single point all year. Both healthy and injured.

Fitz is going to treat next year as if this year was just bad luck and we will be heading for more mediocrity.

There's almost something Fitz could've done but no, most of us who said Lindy was was the main issue for that got told about injuries and goaltending for a good 2-3 months

 

[racamdim]

There's almost something Fitz could've done but no, most of us who said Lindy was was the main issue for that got told about injuries and goaltending for a good 2-3 months

They’d be comfortably in a playoff spot with even slightly below average goaltending, Lindy or no Lindy. Nuff said.

 

[ZYXWVUT]

BIG TIME.

This is going to haunt the rest of his days as GM whether he's still here or somewhere else.

He had THE COACH for this team....and he let himself be fooled by a once-in-a-blue-moon magical run by Vitek (and the Devils not taken seriously by teams last season) and thought Ruff had anything to do with that.

I don’t disagree. And I’m as big a Fitz critic as you will find, but I also have a tough time getting really upset at the decision. I mean they just came off the best regular season in franchise history plus winning a round, so it’s hard for me to point to that. But I totally get what you are saying. Gotta just hope lindy is finished after this season and someone else can come in who helps right the ship.

 

[Emperoreddy]

There's almost something Fitz could've done but no, most of us who said Lindy was was the main issue for that got told about injuries and goaltending for a good 2-3 months

And I find it really concerning Fitz has sat on his hands this long instead of addressing it.

 

[RSeen]

How are we replacing Toffoli’s production next year?

And the way Holtz has looked, promoting him is not the answer.

He is too old to resign. Toffoli will get a contract that is going to be an overpayment.

Replacing him needs to come internally through someone like Meier.

The corollary of Markstrom being Fitz's reputed priority suggests the organisation sees Daws or Schmid as their guy long-term and none of that makes me feel closer to a serious cup run.

Bringing in Markstrom next year is a joke. He will be acquired for his 35 and 36 year old seasons. Terrible decision if we went that route.

 

[ZYXWVUT]

One thing I would like to see over the remaining games. Put Hughes and Nemec together on a pair and leave them. Let them start to get a feel because that could absolutely be a potential pairing in the long run years ahead.

 

[racamdim]

And then the Devils just tell them to f*** off and walk to Saros who's younger + more likely to last

And who will cost Mercer-plus, is under control for only one more season, and will require a massive extension nearly immediately. Much less ideal, younger or better notwithstanding.

 

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

And who will cost Mercer-plus, is under control for only one more season, and will require a massive extension nearly immediately. Much less ideal, younger or better notwithstanding.

No one on this roster is untouchable besides Jack, Nico, Nemec, Luke and Bratt

 

[racamdim]

Unless the price is minimal I don't want him now or the offseason.

Why do we need a goalie with those qualifications? The Golden Knights won the Stanley cup with two inexperience goalies. Look at the current playoff teams and how many of them don't have a goalie that fits that description. Markstrom will be 35 next season, why are we assuming he won't have any decline in his play over the next two seasons? For $6M you can sign a goalie like Stolarz or Brossoit and have money left over to sign a solid forward and you wouldn't be trading away significant pieces to do so.

Yeah because relying on Adin Hill and Logan Thompson really sunk the Golden Knights season last year. Having Alex Lyon as your starting goaltender must be really hurting the Red Wings. The Kings going cheap for David Rittich and Cam Talbot instead of spending money on Joonas Korpisalo must have been a bad decision.

Neither the Wings or Kings are coming close to a Cup window yet. Huge difference.

 

[OmNomNom]

Or he’s 34-35 and the goalie aging curve catches up to him

okay so is our solution to NOT get a goalie?

 

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

Both of these arguments are nonsense. You 100% get Markstrom if the retention aspect is out the window. Calgary is not getting their supposed "haul" if they don't have that in but you also don't just scoff at a guy like Markstrom because of his age.

 

[Maine Fan]

Yep..what?

It's a funny picture or it's creepy?

Just imagine waking up in the middle of the night, turning on your night-light and having THAT staring at you....

glenwo2 --- both

 

[Lou Bloom]

Neither the Wings or Kings are coming close to a Cup window yet. Huge difference.

Ignoring the fact that LA is coming off back to back playoffs and were clearly aiming to be contenders with the PLD trade, what does that even have to do with my point? Do you not think getting above average goaltending for cheap is something a cup contender should strive for? What about the team you ignored in Vegas? Were they not in a cup contention window last season? And how did going with a backup goalie in Adin Hill and a 2nd year goalie in Logan Thompson work out for them last season?

 

[Lou Bloom]

okay so is our solution to NOT get a goalie?

It's not Markstrom or bust. I'd be willing to give a hefty offer for Saros who'll be 29 in the offseason and has a much better track record than Markstrom. I'd also be willing to sign players like Stolarz or Brossoit, or trade for a Spencer Knight if made available. Vegas got their cup winning goalie by trading a 2024 4th round pick for an unproven Adin Hill, finding those diamonds in the rough are a big part of what makes a great GM, not just trading for big name players.

 

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

It's not Markstrom or bust. I'd be willing to give a hefty offer for Saros who'll be 29 in the offseason and has a much better track record than Markstrom. I'd also be willing to sign players like Stolarz or Brossoit, or trade for a Spencer Knight if made available. Vegas got their cup winning goalie by trading a 2024 4th round pick for an unproven Adin Hill, finding those diamonds in the rough are a big part of what makes a great GM, not just trading for big name players.

I've used this argument before too but the one thing we're missing that Vegas has is structure and commitment to defense. Their forwards are also all two way guys for the most part, the next coach will have to get buy in from our stars to come close what Vegas has with the no name goalies.

 

[billingtons ghost]

Ignoring the fact that LA is coming off back to back playoffs and were clearly aiming to be contenders with the PLD trade, what does that even have to do with my point? Do you not think getting above average goaltending for cheap is something a cup contender should strive for? What about the team you ignored in Vegas? Were they not in a cup contention window last season? And how did going with a backup goalie in Adin Hill and a 2nd year goalie in Logan Thompson work out for them last season?

You forgot bonafide #1 Lauren Brossoit. The reality is tho - those guys are really just Akira Schmid-esque.

Vitek seemed to be the answer when we had Graves/Marino Hamilton/Siegs Smith/Severson